How to view your PC screen on an iPad or other tablet (with optional control)

nigelmercier

nigelmercier

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Live in Kent, boat in Canary Islands
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How to view your PC screen (with optional control) on an iPad, Android tablet etc. I use this on my boat so I can see the Chart Plotter software in the cockpit.

First of all, if you don't have a Wi-Fi network, it still may be possible using a Hosted Network, but you need to check if your PC network card supports it, see: http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthrea...rs-from-one-wifi-signal&p=4088870#post4088870

Then you need to run a VNC server on your PC, I use UltraVNC which is excellent:
http://www.uvnc.com/docs/uvnc-server.html

Finally, you need a VNC client on your iPad or iPhone (or indeed on an Android tablet, or any other networked device). I use Jump Desktop, but if you look on the iTunes store for "VNC Client" you will find loads. Note: Jump Desktop is currently over £10, but I paid half this.
https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/jump-desktop-remote-desktop/id364876095?mt=8

Set up the server and the client as per the instructions, then connect to the same network, either a private router or a Hosted Network. Make sure the server is running, then run the client.

When you have connected to your PC, you can actually control it from the device as well as view the screen. However, I have mine set up so all controls are disabled, and set to only mirror my chart software.

Example of iPad screen mirroring my chart plotter running on my PC. This is on my home PC, so no data (image reduced by 50%):

e0090129-eaa3-4c7d-8ca8-d2d3e5c9ba9c_zps8131ca61.jpg~original


This was done via VNC Lite, which works well.
 
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I paid Au$10 for AirDisplay a few months ago - good stuff. The bit that goes on your PC is free, the tablet/phone App is Au$10.
It lets you see either the whole PC screen on the tablet or phone (i or Android) - at that device's resolution, or treat the tablet or phone as a second monitor - with the normal PC monitor free to show whatever you wish at its full resolution. As nigel says the virtual mouse and keybord on the tablet/phone can control it and the PC. There are other similar products.

I'm not sure if it is the same Wifi setup that Nigel was describing but on my XP machine it is referred to as an "ad-hoc WiFi network". Google has lots of references and how-to-set-it-ups. I needed no extra gear - only the Wifi on my laptop and phone. (I have written software that shows my SeaTalk instruments on my phone).
The range is limited by the power and internal antenna of your laptop but is certainly good enough to go from chart-table to cockpit. It is well worth it. Andrew
 
Not the same as an ad-hoc network, they are PITA and I'm pretty sure an iPad can't connect to these anyway. In my original mention of this post in another thread, I stipulated that you needed to have a Wi-Fi network, but the hosted network will work just as well. I will be playing with some free VNC apps later, and will report back.
 
would be more interested in how to view my boat chartplotter screen on a tablet but since the plotter doesnt seem to have any coms capability except via seatalk, I cant see a way.
 
Well Andrew G above says he's got his iphone displaying seatalk instrument data - perhaps he can explain if that can be done.
 
It's nearly my bed time now (23:00) and I have an early start so I'll come back with more detail. These have been on other threads but these are snapshots off my iPhone of software I wrote for the PC displayed on the iphone. It actually functions as an Autorpilot control with the buttons doing pretty much the same task as on my Raymarine gear. One can graph depth, SoG or water temp (important in Aus E Coast). Andrew


AP_Remote Scrn2.jpg AP_Remote Scrn1.jpg
 
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