laptop connection to 990

Posted by: Brad225

laptop connection to 990 - 04/12/13 04:15 PM

What is the least complicated way to connect my laptop to my 990 to view internet content? Basicly using the HT for audio and video instead of the laptop screen and speakers.

My Sony TV is not an internet ready model and my BDP doesn't have the ability to accept an internet signal.

I have coax and cat 5 from the main house computer/wireless modem location run to HT equipment location for any future use including this if needed.

I thought if there is someway to work from a laptop in front of HT setup with the keyboard would be much more convenient. I would prefer not to have it hardwired from the couch but that would not be out of the question.

Thanks for any help
Posted by: XenonMan

Re: laptop connection to 990 - 04/12/13 05:11 PM

Not knowing the capabilities of your laptop make this a guess at best. Without some sort of device to stream video I don't see a way to cruise the internet without wires. There is probably some device which provides that capability but I am not familiar with it. I know Apple makes the airport express but I think you need an Apple computer to stream to it from the laptop. The least complicated is to use S-Video in to the 990 for video and an OWA3 transmitting wirelessly to a stereo input on the 990. You could then use Dolby PL II to get a 5.1 signal out of the 990. You can also use the component video inputs to the 990 and the component monitor output from the 990 for video and either optical or digital coax to get the audio side. I am assuming that you are already using both DVI inputs to the 990 for other stuff. If not then you could use an HDMI output from your laptop to the DVI connection via adapter for the video. That would give you 1080P resolution capability. The easiest and probably best way is to invest in a newer BDP such as the Sony BDP-S590. It can be had for about $110 and can stream and play and Blurays. It will also play SACDs if you upgrade the 990 someday. If you want to spend some more $$$ the OPPO BDP-103 gives you 7.1 analog direct to the 990 and HDMI out to either the 990 or your TV. At $499 the BDP-103 is really a bargain considering what it does so well.
Posted by: Brad225

Re: laptop connection to 990 - 04/17/13 09:58 AM

Thanks Xenon that gives me some directions to look at. I currently have the first OPPO BDP that we have never watched an entire disc on.
We tend to rent on Fios though I think NetFlix would be cheaper for some things. I guess a computer/laptop mixed in with the HT equipment and a wireless keyboard may be the easist then I just have to work through the audio. The only time I would want multi channel would be for movies.

Thank again
Brad
Posted by: XenonMan

Re: laptop connection to 990 - 04/17/13 06:51 PM

Assuming you mean the BDP-83 from OPPO it does have some internet capability. BD-live and the ability to update the firmware through the internet are available on the original firmware version. I am not sure if subsequent firmware may have added more capability but it might have. Try contacting OPPO support for details. The BDP-83 has a USB 2.0 input in the back so a wireless adapter might be an option.
Posted by: Brad225

Re: laptop connection to 990 - 04/22/13 11:03 AM

I think I am going to take an unused CPU with windows xp and have a friend that build computers turn it into what I need. I will probably just use a wireless mouse and keyboard.
Thanks for the help Xenon I will let you know how it ends up.
Posted by: kauai1800

Re: laptop connection to 990 - 10/16/13 08:32 PM

You can now stream whatever's on the screen of your laptop (running Chrome) using a Google Chromecast dongle. It's only $35 and works great.