Wireless: using a laptop as a reciever/controller.

[Hydrazine]

Hi Everyone,

I have been researching the possibility of using a laptop (wirelessly connected) to a sound system and overhead projector.

There are many, many options available but most of them don't have "direct" control on volume.

Among many others, there is the Windows Media Center, PS3, XBOX360, Linksys Wireless Media Center Extender DMA2100, Onkyo Wireless USB Music Streaming System.

I would like to be able to wirelessly transmit audio and video to my Home Theatre system but I would like to be able to have complete control at the laptop. INCLUDING VOLUME CONTROL.

Of the various wireless media centers can I control the volume through my laptop?

For example, I put in a CD or DVD and play it in the standard windows media player. The player has a little volume control slide bar. Will I be able to control volume via this route?

The same goes with internet radio. I open a browser and have volume control within the browser.

The Sondigo Sirocco gives complete control of the volume and it has 5.1 surround sound which is fantastic... Its very close to what I am looking for but it doesn't have video.
http://www.sondigo.com/sirocco/overview

Control of video and volume through the laptop is the goal. If I could do this, that would essentially make the laptop the controller, receiver and source player for all internet radio, web surfing, CD's and DVD's.

Please tell me this is possible.

If this is not possible what is the next best alternative? The Sondigo Sirocco?

Thanks,
Tony

 

[agarwalro]

I have been researching the possibility of using a laptop (wirelessly connected) to a sound system and overhead projector.

There are many, many options available but most of them don't have "direct" control on volume.

As you already know, there are many wireless audio solutions, but coming across a video one will not be easy.

There are a few wireless HDMI video options, but they are not based around portability, rather just removing the need to run a cable from the source to the display. Also, they are very expensive, $1000+.

While it would be great to use the laptop as a one-stop-shop for av control, there is no solution that would be just as portable.

As far as audio transmission is concerned, this is a good solutions and it even integrates into their powered bookshelves.

http://www.audioengineusa.com/w1_home.php

 

[Hydrazine]

As you already know, there are many wireless audio solutions, but coming across a video one will not be easy.

There are a few wireless HDMI video options, but they are not based around portability, rather just removing the need to run a cable from the source to the display. Also, they are very expensive, $1000+.

While it would be great to use the laptop as a one-stop-shop for av control, there is no solution that would be just as portable.

As far as audio transmission is concerned, this is a good solutions and it even integrates into their powered bookshelves.

http://www.audioengineusa.com/w1_home.php

Yes, there isn't very much available that does both.

Of the audio only options the link you provided looks good. Thank you for the link. I'll give it a good look.

Are there similar devices for quality audio?

I havnt actually found many with a volume control either. Volume control seems to be a very rare feature.

 

[itschris]

I've just been looking into this trying to figure out cool ways to setup an HTPC. Until wireless HDMI becomes the norm and supporting apps are available, I doubt you're going to have a viable solution.

If you find otherwise... by all means... throw some education this way.