Fat/lite Client? touch screen best setup

[jimgarrard]

I'm using my PPC as lite client to control my Xloby server. I'm looking at getting a Tablet PC (P3 500mhz) 10" to replace the PPC. After reading the Forum's there is the problem with lag time. Can I run full Xlobby with Art work and Database on the Touch pad and have it play DVD and Music on the Server without the need to refresh screen over WiFI. I will be using 802.11g is that fast enough for Lite client? Any sugestion?

[tomprout]

Personaly, I use a tablet PC PIII 533 Mhz with a wifi G pcmcia card and thin client works well !

[hvs69]

I am no expert on this, since I currently only run the thin client using ppc. I am not very happy with thin client performance and have given some thought on this issue since I plan to add some touchscreens to my setup. Possible options are:

1. Run mulitple sessions of xlobby on the server and have the client access them using remote desktop protocol. There is a hack for XP professional which allows you to concurrently run multiple desktop sessions. This way all the events are actually executed on your server. There may be some downside but I would know only when I actually try it.

2. Use fat client on your touchscreen machine to access all the databases from the server. To execute an event on the server you can use xreceive plugin. For music, I was thinking of setting up a shoutcast server on the client machine and have the xlobby server access the shoutcast stream when I execute music play command on the client. Again not tested yet.

[Mannyman]

I use 3 Fujitsu 3500s, each with their own xlobby setup, so they have identical artwork, etc.. 2 are wireless g 54 and 108, 1 is hardwired 100. They all point to the networked main PC which has music,videos ,HA, etc.
Works great, but we don't use them as a mobile solution as we would a pda (room to room). They are better for web browsing, though.

XSend and xReceive is used to keep them in sync. Have not yet taken advantage of all the capabilites possible with XLobby (radio streaming, etc., or use as an HTPC) just local MP3 playing as I have digital cable with good music channels and use that for main audio. I use the touchscreens to change the stations on the cable box, control dvr's that have stored video.

HTH
Manny

[jimgarrard]

I'm using xlobby to play DVD on hardrive and to control all of my HT equipment. Just checked out a few post on Xreceive. How simple will it be to set up. What i want to be able to do is control my home theater equipment (now using IR control from server) and play DVD from hardrive(also on server) So if i run Fat client all of the art work and Info of DVDs is on fat client so lag is not a problem. Just a simple remote control of the xlobby server. all playback on server only.

[tomprout]

I use 3 Fujitsu 3500s, each with their own xlobby setup, so they have identical artwork, etc.. 2 are wireless g 54 and 108, 1 is hardwired 100. They all point to the networked main PC which has music,videos ,HA, etc.
Works great, but we don't use them as a mobile solution as we would a pda (room to room). They are better for web browsing, though.

XSend and xReceive is used to keep them in sync. Have not yet taken advantage of all the capabilites possible with XLobby (radio streaming, etc., or use as an HTPC) just local MP3 playing as I have digital cable with good music channels and use that for main audio. I use the touchscreens to change the stations on the cable box, control dvr's that have stored video.

HTH
Manny

Manny can you explain your setup because I have two tablet PC 3500 and I am curious to know your configuration (thin/fat client, use of xsend xreceive,...)

[Mannyman]

Aw crap.
I wrote a huge response, my session timed out or something, and I lost it.
I'll try to recreate my brilliant response later, but it will be a lot suckier.

Reminds me of that song "Tribute" a tribute to the "greatest and best song in the world" by Tenacious D...

Anyway I'll try again when I get home from work.

[tomprout]

Ok thanks

[Mannyman]

Tom,
I should have mentioned tht I use HA software (PowerHome) in conjunction with the xsend/receive plug-in. I use the plug-in to sync status changes of my lights synced to all 3500s. I basically copied the same XLobby folder to each 3500 so that they are each independent. They all point to another pc which has all the media. As I am not using XNET functionality, I don't think it will help Jim out much. (So as not to hijack Jim's thread, how I did it is in the documentation area.)

Jim,
How I read your question it sounds like:
You have XLobby on PC-1.
PC1 has media files (movies), and IR output capability.
PC2 is setup as FatClient.
You would like to control XLobby on PC1 from XLobby on PC2.

Is this correct? This is all possible.
Start out as Tom suggests, should work fine. I would think having local copies of artwork would be even faster, though.

I recommend you post questions on XReceive usage in the plug-in thread that exists for it. As far as ease of use goes, If I can do it a monkey can do it.

[jimgarrard]

Thanks and that is right. I have PC1 setup to play dvd on hardrive or in its dvd player using zoomplayer. (video out 1 on 15" mon in a closet and Video out 2 Projector) I also have it controling thru IR my DVD player, HD cable box, Recever, Projector and 96" screen (lights soon to come). The PC2 is only to control the PC1. I frist was going to use a 10" touchscreen but would have to run wires over 30'. All of my equipment is in a server closet. So i am limited to Wifi or mabe cat5 cable (run under rug....) . So what is the best way to set it up? Can you point me to info on Xsend/receive plug-in.

[Mannyman]

Jim ,
You are gonna have a ton of fun.
Be careful on what type of tablet you get (some won't let you use anything but a special pen.) Check out cocoontech.com or similar for opinions.

What's best for me may not be best for you; but check out my setup later on in the My Home Theatre Section of the Forum.
Use the forum Search tool for "XReceive" and read all the threads (except this one)
Do a search on "Mannyman" for previous posts. Notice how I push the forum Search function?

You should not have issues making buttons in XLobby to tell PC1 to control your A/V equipment. It sounds like we have similar goals as far as on the intended use of the tablets. I also had buying a TouchScreen Monitor in mind before getting the 3500s, because of connection difficulties you mentioned,, and for all the advantages a seperate PC brings to the equation.
Depending on where your PC2 is placed and what kind you get you might end up doing a lot more then just a/v and lighting control (ie. email, im, web lookups inspired by something on the big screen, are easily done on the tablet without having to tax PC1.)
Even so for the most kick-ass setup check out Baddabing's HomeTheatre, he uses a connected TS instead of a tablet.

My implementation:
TouchScreen1 in the livingroom is my main remote control, it makes my PC1 (old p4 2ghz VAIO) in my den send ir to the 60something inch TV, cablebox, DVR, Denon amp, and sometime this month r/c curtains. TouchScreen2 does the same in the master bedroom.
When I enter the front door, I am greeted by gmail popup notifications on TouchScreen3 and check the video log taken by the eBay secdvr card (installed on PC1),
Once I caught my wife with shopping bags the day after she told me I should stop buying "electronical" devices to save money. That alone made all of it worth it.

[jimgarrard]

Mannyman, i'm looking at the fujitsu 3400 and the Viewsonic Airpanel 100. what wifi 802.11g card or you useing on the 3400 and how is battery life. Does the wifi time out on the 3400? As of now im thinking Airpanel, its only $200 more for a new refurbished.

[Vaporware]

Jim,
I have a Viewsonic Airpanel 100 and have had a lot of headaces with getting it going and keeping it going. I could only get a 802.11b card for it and it was pretty special and hard to get. Only a few types of cards will work with it. It also likes to freeze up a lot which requires a hard reset that looses the card information. In the speed category it was pretty slow with xlobby. My HP PDA was faster. Pretty old technology and not made anymore.

Are you sure you are looking at a Airpanel 100 and not a Airpanel 110 which is a different type of machine ? The 100 is a PDA on steriods so to speak. No hard drive or real large memory. The 110 is a real self contained computer with a harddrive and some expandability.

Just a heads up on this.
Tom

[jimgarrard]

yes it is the 100 CE os. It has builtin wifi.

[Mannyman]

Jim,
Check out the forums in cocoontech.com and tabletpcbuzz.com for a large pool of opinions from people who have their devices longer than I. Plus I have no experience with the AirPanel. I have an Averatec c3500 true TabletPC as well that I use as a true laptop around the house.

Mine are never unplugged for more than maybe an hour.(?) I'll test it out tonight.
We do not use them as we would a PDA (walking around the house with them) so we are not the best test case for your question.
I bought one with a docking station and it rarely leaves it. Another one is wall mounted (door) so it is plugged in 24/7. The third is used primarly as a big remote-control and is plugged in most of the time as well on the night stand.

I bought all of mine on ebay, and I've never had a networking problem. I use $10 wifi cards from Fry's.

1 of the units overheats and becomes unusuable after more than an hour of nonstop-plugged-in use so I mounted that one (i don't use it as a web pad), and it has never failed since.

In a nutshell ,I'm happy with my purchases, I bought 3.

Of course I was doing this on the cheap. If I had the money, there exists much kewler solutions (UMPC), (RAD-IO) and other devices that you can use fingers as opposed to fingernails for clicking on buttons...

HTH
Manny