PC box in a different room

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rb99

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#298572 28-Jun-2022 18:46

Would anyone happen to know if there's an easy, cheap way to have a PC box in one room and monitor / keyboard / mouse in another. The house is bit under-endowed in the heating department so it'd be nice to have the monitor etc where we have the heatpump.

I've read about using a firewire card in the box somehow but they cost a few bob. Maybe a long hdmi or display port cable ? but then what about the keyboard and mouse (the monitor doesn't have usb or anything).

Any thoughts ?

“The modern conservative is engaged in one of man's oldest exercises in moral philosophy; that is, the search for a superior moral justification for selfishness.” -John Kenneth Galbraith

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Rust

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#2935635 28-Jun-2022 19:04

My PC is in another room, approximately 14 meters as the crow flies from my monitor and keyboard. Wireless video works fine via a Microsoft 4k wireless video adaptor, but wireless keyboard and mouse do not.

I ended up purchasing a 20m USB cable and 20m optical HDMI cable so that I could use the wireless display adapter for my second monitor, and plug the mouse/keyboard receiver into the end of the USB cable. Works a treat, though I was fortunate that I could run the cables such that they were not in the way or even visible mostly.

rb99

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#2935638 28-Jun-2022 19:13

Thanks. Nice to know its possible. I'd probably need to use DisplayPort (and DP 1.4 probably) if I just move my existing monitor, but could use hdmi if I use an older lower res one instead. The rooms are next to each other but the route is a bit scenic so I'll have to measure up, if I get that far.

“The modern conservative is engaged in one of man's oldest exercises in moral philosophy; that is, the search for a superior moral justification for selfishness.” -John Kenneth Galbraith

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gehenna

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#2935639 28-Jun-2022 19:17

Look into HDMI over IP.

rb99

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#2935643 28-Jun-2022 19:23

My monitor is 3440x1440 144Hz. Don't I need DisplayPort for that ?

“The modern conservative is engaged in one of man's oldest exercises in moral philosophy; that is, the search for a superior moral justification for selfishness.” -John Kenneth Galbraith

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siyuan

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#2935644 28-Jun-2022 19:24

You should specify how far apart they are.

For a somewhat short run (up to about 15m perhaps), you could simply buy a very long HDMI cable for the monitor. If longer, you'll need an HDMI extender of some sort, wired and wireless options available, quality and price vary greatly.

For mouse/keyboard, you could use a USB to RJ45 adapter and run the signal over a cat5e/cat6 cable over a long distance, and convert it back to USB on the other end.

SirHumphreyAppleby

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#2935653 28-Jun-2022 19:38

A "KVM Extender" is what you need. It extends Keyboard Video and Mouse, usually via a single Cat5e/6 cable or fibre. Note, these usually only provide support for a mouse and keyboard, but you can get models that support a range of USB 2.0 devices. I ordered one today, HDMI with USB passthrough, $US120 including delivery. DisplayPort KVMs are less common and typically much more expensive.

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rb99

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#2935656 28-Jun-2022 19:49

I do need to measure, though 15m should be the max. If I do anything at all, it'll be cheap and temporary, so probably be tripping over cables. Likely just usb cable and DisplayPort or HDMI cable. I'll probably buy cheap and regret it. DP1.4 cables seem to be 4x the price of 1.2 cables after a quick browse. Just glad I don't need to buy special cards or similar.

“The modern conservative is engaged in one of man's oldest exercises in moral philosophy; that is, the search for a superior moral justification for selfishness.” -John Kenneth Galbraith

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shk292

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#2935663 28-Jun-2022 20:24

How about a cheap and simple second PC and then use Anydesk or similar to remotely connect?

rb99

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#2935664 28-Jun-2022 20:32

Could do, but am aiming keep the money thing to double figures.

“The modern conservative is engaged in one of man's oldest exercises in moral philosophy; that is, the search for a superior moral justification for selfishness.” -John Kenneth Galbraith

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JeremyNzl

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#2935670 28-Jun-2022 21:06

I have my pc hardware in another room, Cables run under the house.

I use 2 x https://www.lindy-international.com/10m-DisplayPort-1-2-Cable-Gold-Line.htm?websale8=ld0101.ld021102&pi=36296 cables to run my dual 3840x1600 38" monitors at 75hz

Other cables I tried gave me artifacting and a haze of sorts. Have had nill issues with the above cables.

I run a 10m active usb3 with a seperate usb3 hub for Headphones/Mic Keyboard

Nice to have no machine noise in the lounge.

rb99

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#2935672 28-Jun-2022 21:17

Interesting. Thanks. Shall have a look.

“The modern conservative is engaged in one of man's oldest exercises in moral philosophy; that is, the search for a superior moral justification for selfishness.” -John Kenneth Galbraith

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allio

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#2935805 29-Jun-2022 10:01

rb99:

firewire card

Now that's a name I've not heard in a long time...