Tablet networking

[Philipp]

Dear friends,

I'm about to start a business which will require a few tablets wired to a PC running a program that will allow each tablet to simultaneously access different HD videos stored in its hard drive.

Can such a thing actually be done? What kind of connection would be ideal: USB or LAN? Which tablets could I use in each case? I know I can't use iPad. Or can I? According to what I've been told, there's no RJ-45 port on iPad, and neither could I use a USB-Ethernet adapter like the one used on Macbook Air. Apparently the tablet is not designed to connect to the internet that way. Besides I believe there would be compatibility problems due to different platforms.

So, can anybody help me with this?

Best.
Phil

 

[Walkop]

Is Wi-Fi linking an option for you? Its really easy to do that way - simple networking. Android tablets can access intranet networks pretty easily; secured or unsecured. Just play the videos through the WLAN. About the ethernet - I know of no consumer grade tablet that is equipped with an RJ-45 port; but there are many with USB which could work for your purposes.

What exactly are you trying to do? That could help me a bit. Do you simply want to play videos located on the computer through the tablet, or are you talking about using the tablets as a kind of display; showing multiple videos on the screen at the same time?

Sent from my Transformer TF101 using Android Tablet Forum

 

[Philipp]

Is Wi-Fi linking an option for you? Its really easy to do that way - simple networking. Android tablets can access intranet networks pretty easily; secured or unsecured. Just play the videos through the WLAN. About the ethernet - I know of no consumer grade tablet that is equipped with an RJ-45 port; but there are many with USB which could work for your purposes.

What exactly are you trying to do? That could help me a bit. Do you simply want to play videos located on the computer through the tablet, or are you talking about using the tablets as a kind of display; showing multiple videos on the screen at the same time?

Sent from my Transformer TF101 using Android Tablet Forum

That's it, play videos located in the computer through the tablet, or better still, on the tablet. But there's also the program. Let's not forget about that. It's for a video rental. I want the clients to be able to see whatever bits of the film they want through a program that will show on the tablet the covers of the films, information about cast and crew, and a link for the video file itself, which will be located in the computer to be accessed and browsed on the tablet. The program will also have a shopping basket for the client to include the films he'll want to take home. Can it be done with iPads wired via USB to a PC running Windows? Or the tablet has to be totally compatible?

WiFi is an option, but I really wanted to avoid that. First, I guess the videos might not play well. I picture them stopping all the time. Isn't it likely to happen if accessed via WiFi? Second, I would like to avoid having that much wave around me. I'm talking 10 tablets here, at least. Some people say too much of these waves might cause cancer.

 

[Philipp]

I'm wondering if my idea sounds too absurd to the members of this forum, but I can't help imagining how cool it must be for someone about to rent a (porn) video to see bits of it on a tablet before actually renting it. But maybe I'm nuts. Or maybe it's a nice business solution.

 

[Philipp]

Anybody home?

 

[leeb]

Anybody home?

Sorry... you lost ME when you said

IPAD

Seriously tho... while you're talking custom selection/display software, the actual 'interaction' is pretty straightforward networking. The 'shopping basket' could likely be crossed from MANY different types, and being 'internal' wouldnt require as much protective security as those working over the 'outernet'...

If done with Wifi, tho, the above would be a bit more important, but far cooler.

 

[Philipp]

Sorry... you lost ME when you said

IPAD

Seriously tho... while you're talking custom selection/display software, the actual 'interaction' is pretty straightforward networking. The 'shopping basket' could likely be crossed from MANY different types, and being 'internal' wouldnt require as much protective security as those working over the 'outernet'...

If done with Wifi, tho, the above would be a bit more important, but far cooler.

And what tablet would you recommend in either case (WiFi and non-WiFi)?

 

[Philipp]

Any thoughts?

No, serious, I would really like to know which tablets you'd recommend for this particular purpose. I imagine some would be more appropriate than others, especially if I choose to have the network connected via Ethernet or USB instead of WiFi.

By what has been said so far by Leeb and Walkot, it could easily be done with WiFi, which technically brings even iPad back among the options. But I don't much care for iPad, nor do I want to use a wireless network. So, which tablets fit best a network connected via Ethernet or USB?

 

[Philipp]

Inspiron

I guess this'll do the job for me just fine.

 

[KevTN]

I am sure there is something out there. If you have a broadband connection. (cable, fiber optics) there should be a program that you can put on the tablet and access the pc. The only name that comes to mind but maybe a starting point is PC Remote Controler. You can also email the developer for suggestions too...hope it helps..