Turning your PDA to a wireless TV

Lior_73 · 06-06-05, 01:32 PM

Hi,
Just came up with this idea. I'm sure some of you may thought about it but for those of you who didn't here are the details.
If you have a home network then you probably got your X50V connected thru the internal 802.11 card.
By installing Windows Media Encoder on your desktop pc you can start using it as a windows media server. If you have a TV tuner card installed on your pc you can broadcast Live video to any host in the network.
Just open media player on your PDA and go to
http://[pc ip address]:[selected port] and view the streaming video.
I'm using 532Kb 320X240 video format (that is more then enough for a decent picture quality ) but I managed to transfer 1025Kb 640X480 with no problem.
Now I can watch TV every where ( even in the restroom ...

)
Lior

Dell X50v User · 06-06-05, 01:36 PM

You can also try this place its free.

http://orb.com/

PhilippeT · 06-06-05, 01:41 PM

Nice I have to keep that in mind when I get a house

06-06-05, 01:57 PM

I'll give it a try tonight
Hope it works for me.

Khris · 06-06-05, 02:31 PM

I've been doing this for quite some time now.

I also own a product called "Beyond TV" by Snapstream (which is an excellent product)> It allows me to watch TV not only via my Axim or Laptop around home, but also stream it over the Internet to wherever I might be, and also allows me full control to change channels.

Kabir · 06-06-05, 02:40 PM

I wonder. How do you change channels?

Quboid · 06-06-05, 02:45 PM

Does BeyondTV handle things on the PPc, or do you need suitable software for that? Also, do you have a remote, or can you use your PPc as a remote. If you use the PPc, how does it communicate with the PC? I don't have an IR unit on my desktop.

duckie · 06-06-05, 03:28 PM

I do it using SAGE TV.

Sage creates a copy of what you are watching(for rewinding and pausing capabilities) and I just browse to that folder over Wifi and watch it using BetaPlayer.

I do the same with my movies and recorded TV programs.

kamijani1 · 06-06-05, 03:39 PM

Originally Posted by Khris

I've been doing this for quite some time now.

I also own a product called "Beyond TV" by Snapstream (which is an excellent product)> It allows me to watch TV not only via my Axim or Laptop around home, but also stream it over the Internet to wherever I might be, and also allows me full control to change channels.

So heres my question: Lets use the same scenario you mentioned: You are streaming video from your desktop to the internet. Since the X50 has wifi/bluetooth capability and you are connected outside your home, can you watch the stream on the handheld??

K

Khris · 06-06-05, 03:41 PM

Originally Posted by Quboid

Does BeyondTV handle things on the PPc, or do you need suitable software for that? Also, do you have a remote, or can you use your PPc as a remote. If you use the PPc, how does it communicate with the PC? I don't have an IR unit on my desktop.

Beyond TV has a web interface which you can access from the PPC. With the help of some add-ons (free), you can have a specially formatted channel changing page to view on the PPC via PIE.

Beyond TV can be operated via an IR remote, assuming you have the proper hardware and software installed on your computer. I have a Snapstream Firefly RF remote

Gigi · 06-06-05, 04:04 PM

Originally Posted by kamijani1

So heres my question: Lets use the same scenario you mentioned: You are streaming video from your desktop to the internet. Since the X50 has wifi/bluetooth capability and you are connected outside your home, can you watch the stream on the handheld??

K

Yes, you can, but you will need to know your external IP address and forward ports if applicable. I know for a fact that is it possible with VideoLAN, WMP and Betaplayer. Other players I don't know about.

kamijani1 · 06-06-05, 04:19 PM

Originally Posted by Gigi

Yes, you can, but you will need to know your external IP address and forward ports if applicable. I know for a fact that is it possible with VideoLAN, WMP and Betaplayer. Other players I don't know about.

Thanks for the info...my follow up question is how do you determine your external IP address?

I apologize if this is a dumb question..non-techie here...

K

Gigi · 06-06-05, 04:23 PM

Originally Posted by kamijani1

Thanks for the info...my follow up question is how do you determine your external IP address?

I apologize if this is a dumb question..non-techie here...

K

Not dumb at all:

WhatIsMyIP?

The problem occurs when your IP changes and you cannot check from your home network. That's when www.dyndns.org is helpful. :approve:

silver99 · 06-06-05, 04:32 PM

I've tried the method of streaming a TV signal to my Axim X50v and it works perfectly - the only downside I could find is that you can't change the channels on the Axim? (correct me if I'm wrong)

kamijani1 · 06-06-05, 04:36 PM

Originally Posted by Gigi

Not dumb at all:

WhatIsMyIP?

The problem occurs when your IP changes and you cannot check from your home network. That's when www.dyndns.org is helpful. :approve:

Let me see if I have a handle on this:

Streaming video to the internet from your desktop PC gives the stream a different IP address from the IP address of your home network.

To view the video (on the handheld) from an outside source using wifi/bluetooth, you need to enter an external IP address on the handheld.

I am still not sure what role dyndns plays (seems like a paid service)...

K