How to use ultravnc without disturbing sage output to tv

[jryan15]

Currently I've got my tv hooked up via VGA as the primary (and only) monitor on my computer. I'd like to be able to use UltraVNC to remotely connect to the same HTPC without having to constantly minimize and move the sage screen so that I can use the desktop. Is there a better way? Should I be running a dual monitor setup and sending sage out the secondary monitor or something? If so, do I actually have to have a 2nd monitor hooked up? Just curious as to what other people are doing…

Also on a different note, I'm outputting VGA, but my 7600gt will also send component. Are there any advanges to changing from VGA to component?

Thanks!

[FidgetyRat]

I am a little confused by the post. You stated that you send VGA to your TV. Are you refering to the 15 pin VGA cable or the standard RCA TV-out?

If you are using the typical yellow RCA TV-OUT, then switching to svideo or component will increace quality drastically. I did the switch and i can actually read text on my standard def tv now whereas before with the RCA I had to use VNC becuase text was too fuzzy.

[sleonard]

I use the built-in Remote Desktop to connect and if I don't want to mess with running apps I log in to a different user account that has it's own seperate desktop.

Scott

[jryan15]

yes i use the 15 pin vga from computer into samsung dlp tv.

i'd like to be able to remote log into my HTPC and run programs, move/copy files, etc without having to minimize sage or send it to the system tray.

could i setup the vga going out to the tv as a 2nd monitor that way when i remote log in, the desktop is clear and the tv still displays sage full screen.

[Thomas Wischgol]

I installed cygwin (http://www.cygwin.com) and enabled the sshd so that I can just use ssh to login to my HTPC. Of course, this gives you just a console but it is fine for copying files aroung on there (and, of course, you could start any X11 program installed on there). Another advantage of this is, that you can kill the Sage UI remotely if it hangs and does not react to Alt-F4 or any other key anymore, therefore avoiding a reboot so that Sage server still keeps recording.

[brewston]

Hiya

My TV is permanently hooked up to my PC (via s-vid out on my gfx card) its logged in as a TV user running Sage full screen. You can use remote desktop from a laptop etc to log in for maintenance without shutting down Sage. The problem being that XP only allows 1 concurrent login, so when you login over remote desktop, it logs out the TV user. To get around this, use this hack :

http://sig9.com/articles/concurrent-remote-desktop

Its not for the faint hearted but it works a treat. I hardly ever minimize or shutdown sage these days...

Tim

[jimmyb]

I am using the same hack as Brewston and it works fine. It will put a strain on your system with 2 users logged on so beware. Log off the second (non-sage) user whenever possible. Also remeber to "switch user" going from Sage to second user and do not "log off" user (this closes apps).

[ben_95sl1]

I have noticed no issues at all with performance (on a socket A athlon XP 2000+ 512mb of ram) and 2 users logged in. I use my sage machine also for compressing video, all run through the non sage user without a hiccup; idle priority works like a charm. My sage machine is 5 times faster then the rest of my PCs so it's my muscle machine. I think the key is to run the client above normal priority....it's solved most of my issues.

[hemicuda]

It's a shame it only works w/ SP2. I'm doing my best to stay away from it since all but one system I've "upgraded" to SP2 has had software mysteriously break afterwards.

[willgill]

I feel your pain jryan15. I thought about switching to Remote Desktop, but dang it.. I use UltraVNC for everything else. Also, UltraVNC has much more reliable file transfer. If I'm outside my LAN, I have a heck of a time getting the drive mapping to work in Remote Desktop. I think the only reliable way to do file transfer is to go some other way, like VPN to home, or setup an FTP server or something.

Another nice feature of UltraVNC is it has a client for everything. I have an UltraVNC client on my phone I use to remote into SageTV with occasionally. Of course it would be nicer to have a SageTV placeshift client for Symbian phones.

I'll probably just stick with UltraVNC. I sure wish UltraVNC had a terminal services type mode.

[jimmyb]

Originally Posted by ben_95sl1

I have noticed no issues at all with performance (on a socket A athlon XP 2000+ 512mb of ram) and 2 users logged in. I use my sage machine also for compressing video, all run through the non sage user without a hiccup; idle priority works like a charm. My sage machine is 5 times faster then the rest of my PCs so it's my muscle machine. I think the key is to run the client above normal priority....it's solved most of my issues.

How exactly do you "permanetly" set priority for above normal. I can only set when program is running (in Task Manager) and then it stops when program closes.

[ben_95sl1]

use a batch file with the following:

start /abovenormal sagetv.exe



also see http://www.ss64.com/nt/start.html

[jimmyb]

Very good .. TY Ben

[stevech]

you know that ultraVNC's server can also be accessed via HTTP, right? Just point your browser at the IP and port number - in the 5800 series as I recall.

[willgill]

Yes, UltraVNC can be accessed via http. It loads a Java client to do so. You're right, the default port for it is 5800, although you can make it anything you want. I think most people port forward ports 5800-5900 so you only have to use one "slot" on the router for forwarding both http and native client version.

The original problem still remains that UltraVNC takes over the primary display.

[jryan15]

Originally Posted by willgill

The original problem still remains that UltraVNC takes over the primary display.

agreed. so the 2 monitor idea sounds like a no go... i was thinking of connecting the tv to the secondary display so the primary display would be available for vnc login...

[stevech]

anyone have a comment on this... Ultra VNC client on XP Pro - connecting to VNC server on an XP Pro PC - works well. Reasonably fast. But same VNC client, connecting to VNC server on a Linux (Xandros latest) is really slow. That Linux PC has a fast CPU and 100BT LAN and is otherwise fast.