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Post by paintedklown on Jan 29, 2014 19:26:52 GMT -5
Hey all, I have a bit of a silly question here, and since there are a lot of computer guru's on the lounge, I figured I would ask. Can you (remotely) control a computer (running Windows 7) with a tablet? (iOS, Android, or Windows 8.1 operating system on the tablet) What I mean is that you can see what would normally be on your computers monitor and be able to fully control the "host" computer with full access to all of the files/drives/ect on the computer? Essentially, it comes down to being able to use the tablet as a remote and touch screen monitor for the host computer. I am guessing that such a thing is not possible, but it would be cool if it was!  |
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Post by Canuck_fr on Jan 29, 2014 19:29:40 GMT -5
There is software for that:
GotomyPc,
Pc Anywhere,
and others
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Post by paintedklown on Jan 29, 2014 19:33:07 GMT -5
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Post by Deleted on Jan 29, 2014 20:06:50 GMT -5
You can use Window's remote desktop app to control the laptop from the tablet. Another app is VNC.
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Post by solidstate on Jan 29, 2014 20:16:56 GMT -5
There really is only one remote desktop option for tablets that works well IE can even do video and DirectX gaming. Splashtop!This is ARM based not x86. Do you understand the difference? If you are considering a Windows based tablet you should! If you are considering an x86 tablet the new Dell Venue series is the better choice. Acer has a new Atom based unit in the 8" market that's about to ship called the W4 that's also worth a look but the Dell Venue Atom (around $300) and the Haswell i series (around $800) are the best x86 tablets currently. HP is working on some nice products as well I might add. If I was considering a tablet in that formfactor I personally wouldn't go Windows/x86 but I'd look at a nVidia Tegra 4 based tablet like the Tegra Note 7". They cost a cool $199 and have the fastest ARM SoC currently available. HP has a couple of those models including one with a 4:3 1600x1200 unit that's perfect for 8". 4:3 8" is a much better aspect ratio and size if you intend to use it as a remote control and by this I mean REMOTE not remote desktop. This is the model you want. Slate 8 ProYou need to explain to me what exactly you are trying to do when you mean "remote". |
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Post by paintedklown on Jan 29, 2014 21:37:02 GMT -5
There really is only one remote desktop option for tablets that works well IE can even do video and DirectX gaming. Splashtop!This is ARM based not x86. Do you understand the difference? I have no idea what that means. Sorry, I am not up on computer tech like most are here. If you are considering a Windows based tablet you should! Yes, I do want a windows tablet, as it will be able to run any program I am running on my laptop (mostly concerned with running Foobar, VLC, and XBMC. Perhaps JRiver down the line. IMO Apple tablets are far too limited, and Android tablets are limited in a similar way, but with a different OS. Ie, they can't run the Windows programs I know and love.
If you are considering an x86 tablet the new Dell Venue series is the better choice. Acer has a new Atom based unit in the 8" market that's about to ship called the W4 that's also worth a look but the Dell Venue Atom (around $300) and the Haswell i series (around $800) are the best x86 tablets currently. HP is working on some nice products as well I might add. If I was considering a tablet in that formfactor I personally wouldn't go Windows/x86 but I'd look at a nVidia Tegra 4 based tablet like the Tegra Note 7". They cost a cool $199 and have the fastest ARM SoC currently available. HP has a couple of those models including one with a 4:3 1600x1200 unit that's perfect for 8". 4:3 8" is a much better aspect ratio and size if you intend to use it as a remote control and by this I mean REMOTE not remote desktop. This is the model you want. Slate 8 ProYou need to explain to me what exactly you are trying to do when you mean "remote". I guess I meant that I want to use it as a remote desktop for my laptop if possible. Not as a remote control for other devices, or as a universal remote of sorts.I like the tablet I linked to as the price seems fair, it has HDMI out (great for quickly jacking into nearly any modern system, or at a friends house and things like that) and a USB port (great for file transfer back and forth from the tablet). I saw a video on youtube where a guy had one of them hooked to a docking station and had a keyboard, mouse, monitor, and, internet router all connected to it. He was using it as a mini desktop type system of sorts. Here is the best way I can describe what I am thinking I would like to do. I want to have my laptop hooked into my main system (USB to DC-1 to XSP-1), but instead of having the screen HDMI out to my tv (I have burn in from doing that already), I wondered if my tablet can be the monitor for my laptop, so I can control it from across the room without having it hooked to my tv (or even having the tv turned on). I hope that explanation makes sense. I asked my cousin about it and he said that may be possible by using the remote desktop feature of Windows, but he has no experience with it, and wasn't sure how it worked. Thanks for the info and advice!  |
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Post by solidstate on Jan 29, 2014 22:02:52 GMT -5
That Toshiba tablet looks good but I personally would get the Dell Venue Pro 8 due to the removable back for easy battery replacement. www.dell.com/us/p/dell-venue-8-pro/pd?oc=fncwv8p01h&model_id=dell-venue-8-proThe Dell also supports an active stylus but it is $50 bucks more. Regarding what you are trying to do, this can be done many ways and on both a Windows tablet and an Android tablet but this depends on the playback software you are using. Using a remote desktop isn't the best way to do it as you're going to be trying to use a mouse/keyboard legacy UI with a small touchscreen. What playback software are you using? There are some fantastic Android remote apps that will control various programs via HTTP and other protocols. |
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Post by pedrocols on Jan 29, 2014 22:25:13 GMT -5
So what you want to do is to control a computer with a computer? Sounds kind of redundant if you ask me.
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Post by paintedklown on Jan 29, 2014 23:54:04 GMT -5
What playback software are you using? I am mostly concerned with running Foobar, VLC, Media Monkey, XBMC, etc. Perhaps JRiver down the line. Also the usual Netflix, Spotify, Pandora, surfing the web, etc. So what you want to do is to control a computer with a computer? Sounds kind of redundant if you ask me. Yes, it is, but I really want a tablet to basically run the above mentioned software, and thought that if my idea was possible, then it would be an added bonus use. It is not my main reason for wanting a tablet, however. As stated in my OP, I wasn't even sure if such a thing was possible. I was curious to know if indeed it could be done. It seems that it can be done, even if it's not really ideal, or very user friendly. Oh well, once I get a tablet, I will most likely use it a lot either way. |
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Post by garbulky on Jan 30, 2014 2:50:02 GMT -5
I have used logmein in the past on a smartphone (not a tablet). To be honest it's not what I was expecting (takes time to do anything with the whole touch interface due to a small screen). But it does provide you a picture of the screen and allow you to click and type etc.
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Post by danny01 on Jan 30, 2014 5:54:49 GMT -5
+1 for Splashtop. It would be perfect for what you need. All of my music and videos are on my PC which is hooked up to my XDA-2 to my main system about 25 feet away. The TV is also hooked up to the PC, but I don't need to turn it on to listen to music from my PC on my main system. I just sit back and control the music/videos playing from my PC using my tablet running Splashtop..
Sent from my HTC6500LVW using proboards
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Post by solidstate on Jan 30, 2014 6:03:49 GMT -5
+1 for Splashtop. It would be perfect for what you need. All of my music and videos are on my PC which is hooked up to my XDA-2 to my main system about 25 feet away. The TV is also hooked up to the PC, but I don't need to turn it on to listen to music from my PC on my main system. I just sit back and control the music/videos playing from my PC using my tablet running Splashtop.. Sent from my HTC6500LVW using proboards Yeah I agree 100% Splashtop has the best performing virtual desktop video driver hooks I've ever seen. Heck you can run DX games and even directshow 1080p video and it will display on the client smooth as a baby's butt! AMAZING SOFTWARE |
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Post by klinemj on Jan 30, 2014 8:25:09 GMT -5
I tried one of the VNC softwares to do what PK wants to do and didn't like it. Had to log in when I wanted to use it...minor effort but not worth it.
I ended up getting a wireless keyboard to remotely control the PC,and running the video to my UMC from PC and display it on my big screen. I love it...simple and effective.
Mark
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Post by jlafrenz on Jan 30, 2014 21:36:07 GMT -5
There are a few different ways to do what you want. You can download an app for foobar2000. If you get the pro version, you can control multiple computers. You have to install the software on your computer too. foobar2000controller.blogspot.com.es/p/how-to-start.htmlI haven't tried JRiver's app, but I do think you can use the app to control the computer in a similar fashion. For the rest of the control, it gets a bit tricky. There are Windows Media Center remotes that can control your PC and do have a Netflix button. www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16880101002The downside and tricky portion is that it is IR. You would have to learn the codes into a remote app for the tablet that would then connect to a processor capable of sending out IR. There is software out there that you can write remote codes for Windows commands. I haven't tried it yet, but I am trying to do something very similar to what you are. The biggest hangup I have is that I can't find a way to power the PC on from completely off. It has to be in standby/sleep mode. www.eventghost.org/docs/index.html |
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Post by paintedklown on Jan 30, 2014 23:16:02 GMT -5
Thanks for all of the info and links guys. Mark, I did take your suggestion on the wireless keyboard idea (bought a Logitech K400r) and absolutely LOVED the setup like that. It works great, and there is zero setup or configuration required. If I had an LCD tv, I would do this 100% of the time and never look back. I had the HDMI to my plasma tv and ended up with burn in after doing that for a month. I didn't even realize that it happened until my JRiver trial ran out and I moved my laptop back to my desk. Sucks, but I suppose it is a lesson learned. When it comes down to it, that is the sole reason I was looking to see if there was a way to get my PCs screen on a handheld device, as I am afraid of making my burn in problem even worse. Thanks again everyone for the tips, link, and advice. I will post when I finally get a tablet, and if I find a solution that works well for me, I will let you all know. So far it looks like Splashtop or possibly the app for Foobar just might be the ticket! |
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Post by danny01 on Jan 30, 2014 23:52:33 GMT -5
Thanks for all of the info and links guys. Mark, I did take your suggestion on the wireless keyboard idea (bought a Logitech K400r) and absolutely LOVED the setup like that. It works great, and there is zero setup or configuration required. If I had an LCD tv, I would do this 100% of the time and never look back. I had the HDMI to my plasma tv and ended up with burn in after doing that for a month. I didn't even realize that it happened until my JRiver trial ran out and I moved my laptop back to my desk. Sucks, but I suppose it is a lesson learned. When it comes down to it, that is the sole reason I was looking to see if there was a way to get my PCs screen on a handheld device, as I am afraid of making my burn in problem even worse. Thanks again everyone for the tips, link, and advice. I will post when I finally get a tablet, and if I find a solution that works well for me, I will let you all know. So far it looks like Splashtop or possibly the app for Foobar just might be the ticket! Yup burn in on my plasma was the same reason I sought out a tablet remote. Before Splashtop, I used both the foobar remote in conjunction with Unified Remote. Those two in conjunction will control just about anything on your PC from a tablet. Unified Remote is actually more convenient than Splashtop after you have your playlist or video loaded because the tablet acutally mimics something like a Harmony 1100 with it big soft buttons. But there is just no replacement for remote desktop... If I had to chose one it would be Splashtop. But I use all three on the regular basis depending on what command I need to send to the PC.. |
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Post by lsdeep on Jan 31, 2014 1:48:48 GMT -5
i think you really need to 'sort out' for yourself first what you really want to do with it! controlling the whole pc is kind of redundant. it is possible, as explained by others - but on a tablet rather awkward.
to control your different media players etc. - there are many specialized 'apps' available - depending on your program. many of them well thought out and true 'advanced remote controls'. for that purpose it is nearly unimportant this days if you use a win, ios, android etc. tablet (or even phone). thx to wifi it will work in your whole house, let you control different computer and server all in one unit. even work as a (not very stereophile) streaming unit to sit in the hammock in your garden with headphones etc...
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