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A powerful desktop or laptop PC often has to trade high performance for loud cooling and bulky size. If you can’t handle the bulk of your computer, don’t have the space for it in your office, or want to switch to the living room TV without moving it, these tools will let you use your PC from any room.
remote desktop software
Remote desktop software allows you to remotely access and control a computer from another device over the Internet. It works by installing a client program on the device you want to control the computer from (called the “local” device) and a server program on the computer you want to control (called the “remote” device).
Once both programs are installed and configured, you can connect to the remote device from the local device and control it as if you were sitting in front of it.
If you’re moving your PC around because of noise, you can use a quiet device like a tablet or fanless laptop connected to a display, speakers, mouse, and keyboard, remotely to your loud, powerful computer. Some smart TVs support remote desktop apps, and you can use a wireless or wired mouse and keyboard with them, so a living room setup is possible too.
There are many different remote desktop software options available, each with its own set of features and prices. Some popular options include Remote Desktop (for Windows), TeamViewer (for Windows and Mac), and Splashtop (for multiple platforms).
Assuming your home network is up to the task, you shouldn’t notice any difference in lag or how good the picture looks. However, some applications, such as video games, may require network adjustments or even a home network update to achieve near-perfect results.
RELATED: Remote Desktop Roundup: TeamViewer vs. dashboard vs. Windows RDP
home streaming for gaming
While most remote desktop apps aren’t specifically designed to stream games on your home network, Valve’s Steam game client has a built-in feature that allows you to stream your games to any Steam client on your home network using a built-in feature. known as
Using Steam home streaming is relatively easy, and should actually work automatically when you sign into Steam on both devices with the same account. In general, this is a better solution than remote desktop software, as Steam home streaming is designed for particular games, minimizing latency and maximizing image quality. Several models of smart TVs have access to the Steam Remote Play app, along with numerous mobile devices and, of course, personal computers that can run Steam.
RELATED: How to Install Steam on a Chromebook
HDMI and USB (with extenders)
Since few computer users still use physical media like DVDs, there’s little reason to physically access the computer other than to turn it on and off, which is another thing fewer people do. You can also set your computer to turn on over the network.
In other words, as long as you have access to your peripherals. it doesn’t really matter where the actual computer is. Running your system remotely over the network is a viable option, but nothing beats directly connecting your monitor, speakers, mouse, and keyboard to your computer.
HDMI cables generally support lengths up to 25 feet (7.62 meters) without signal degradation. However, longer lengths may be possible with lower resolutions or refresh rates, or with the use of signal repeaters or active HDMI cables. The maximum passive length should be more than enough for a cable running through an adjacent wall, but if you really want to push it, active extenders will allow you to string cables to the required length.
You can use an HDMI audio extractor or your monitor’s headphone jack to get audio from the HDMI signal. If your display has good built-in speakers, you don’t have to do anything else in terms of audio setup.
Having resolved your audiovisual needs, the next piece of the puzzle is entered. The maximum length of a USB (Universal Serial Bus) cable is determined by the version of USB being used and the data transfer rate.
For USB 2.0, the maximum length of a cable is 16.4 feet (5 meters). For USB 3.0 and 3.1, the maximum length is longer, at 9.84 feet (3 meters). It’s worth noting that these are the maximum lengths for standard cables; Using a longer cable or a cable with active repeaters may allow you to extend the distance further, but may result in reduced performance or reliability.
You can then connect a USB hub or docking station to the cable and connect your peripherals there. If you want, you can also use this as a solution for audio and video. For example, you can use DisplayPort or HDMI over USB, and most USB docking stations will have both HDMI and audio ports.
HDMI and USB over Ethernet
HDMI over Ethernet (HDMI-over-IP) is a technology that allows you to transmit HDMI video signals over an Ethernet network. It works by converting the HDMI signal into a digital format that can be transmitted over an Ethernet cable, and then converting it back to an HDMI signal at the receiving end.
OREI HDMI Extender over Ethernet
Use affordable Ethernet cabling to extend an HDMI signal anywhere in your home. The Orei extender kit can provide up to 165 feet of extension for a 1080p signal. It even includes an infrared emitter and receiver.
To use HDMI over IP, you will need a device at each end of the connection that is capable of converting the HDMI signal to a digital format and vice versa. These devices are often referred to as HDMI over IP encoders and decoders, or HDMI over IP transmitters and receivers.
USB over IP technology works the same way, allowing you to extend the length of your USB connection by a huge margin. Assuming you can achieve high enough bandwidth, you could run your display and audio over this USB connection as well.
optical beam
Thunderbolt is a high-speed, high-bandwidth interface that allows you to connect a wide range of devices to your computer, including external hard drives, displays, and other peripherals.
Optical Thunderbolt cables are made of fiber optic material and use lasers to transmit data. They are generally thin and flexible, and can support longer lengths than copper Thunderbolt cables. Optical Thunderbolt cables are also immune to electromagnetic interference (EMI), which can make them a good choice for use in environments where EMI is a concern.
It’s worth noting that optical Thunderbolt cables are typically much more expensive than copper Thunderbolt cables and may not be compatible with all devices. You will need to check the specifications of your devices to determine if they are compatible with Thunderbolt optical cables.
Also, keep in mind that Thunderbolt optical cables do not carry power, only data. So you’ll need a powered Thunderbolt dock to connect your peripherals. Many modern laptops come with Thunderbolt, but you can purchase a PCIe Thunderbolt add-in card if your desktop system doesn’t have a compatible Thunderbolt port.
With all these different solutions on the table, you no longer have to sit next to your computer. If it sounds like a jet engine, you don’t have to spend a fortune building a quiet PC. You also don’t have to strain your back lugging it around your house when you want to use it in another room, and you can easily free up desk space by keeping it in another room full-time.
RELATED: How to organize all the cables under your desk
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