I Like Technology That Helps The Stuff I Already Have

For a few years, now, I have had an Epson 77c projector which I have used in computer classes in Florida and sessions we've done at RV rallies and elsewhere.  It is very bright and very reliable.  When we are presenting the table we are using gets very crowded with the projector, speakers, 2 laptops and other gear like eReaders.  We have had times when the projector gets jolted - it's just inconvenient.  I would like to move the project away but I don't have long cables and if I did someone (maybe me) would surely trip over it.  Because it only has VGA input, I can't connect devices like tablets that only have HDMI output.  

About a year ago, I purchased a new piece of technology - a Netgear Push2TV.  This hooks up using HDMI to any large screen TV.  I keep it in my Family Room at home to allow me to wirelessly display my computer screen on to my 60" Sharp TV in vivid 1080p.  I use it to watch YouTube Videos and movies I have on my computer.  These look much better on the big Sharp.  The other thing is that I can keep it attached to the TV and don't have to get us to connect anything - OK maybe I am lazy - I call it convenience.

Soon after I had it installed at home I thought that I would like to use this with the projector in my classes.  It would allow me to move the projector further back in the class and would allow me to wonder around the classroom with my pc while displaying it on the big screen.  One problem though,  the Push2TV only has HDMI output and the Projector only VGA input.  I actually considered replacing the projector and researched that for a few months.  How do you justify spending over $700 to solve this problem?   I couldn't; I decided to look for an HDMI to VGA adapter.   Until recently, there was none to buy.

This week I found one; a Sabrent HDMI to VGA and Audio converter.  $44 later I recieved a package from TigerDirect.  I put it together and it actually worked!!!  the Sabrent connects VGA to the projector and HDMI to the Push2TV.  The computer has a wireless connection to the PUSH2TV.  And, the quality is excellent.  Now I can project my pc to the projector with a wireless connection - Awesome.  

Internet for your RV - Take it home too!

If you travel in a RV and you want to have everything and  by everything I mean, a printer, telephone, a Roku Box or internet access from your cell phone and tablets.  Everything you can do with internet at home is now available to you when you travel in your RV.

RVers love MagicJack especially now that it is useable without a PC being on all the time.  We use MagicJack at home and we take it with us.  Friends and family can call the same number when we are at home or when we are on the road anywhere in Canada or the US of A.  That means, no long distance for them and of course, we can call them for free.  The cost $70 for the MagicJack Plus and $100 for 5 years.  Good Bye Bell!

Many RVers have all kinds of internet devices in their coach besides laptops.  WD TV and Roku are very popular not to mention iPods, iPhones, iPads, Android phones and tablets, XBox and Wii.  Everything you buy these days seems to need access to the internet.

With technology constantly changing, our computer classes are very popular.  RVers, even those that are retired, have a great desire to learn and that keeps us very busy and very happy.  Besides everyone likes FREE.  Our classes and assistance will continue to be free.  But, enough about that.

How do you put together an Internet solution that you can have at home and take on the road?  Here is how we've done it:

You need three (3) devices that will all work together and there are many variations of this if you wish.  I will talk about the ones we use:

1. You will need a router just like you have at home connecting your internet there.  You will connect all your internet devices, laptops, tablets, eReaders, printers, Web TV (Roku, WD TV) and anything else.
We are big fans of Linksys,  We have a WRT610N now and will be soon getting an AE4500 to replace it.  We like to attach a hard drive to it to be able to access movies and to backup our laptops.  The list price for these, is about $179 but you can get a router that will be just fine, if you don't need the hard drive, for about $30.

2. A wireless extender - we use the Linksys RE1000, price $79.  This has a dual function - connecting to device #3 and as well, can be used to connect you to the local park WiFi.  But for now, we will talk about connecting to the next device.

3.  A cellular MiFi Device - because we travel both in the US and Canada we have one for Telus and one for Verizon.  See my previous post for how and why.   The Telus device in Canada costs $150 and the plan we have is a 6GB for $60 per month.  6GB is a lot for the average user Telus has a 2GB plan for about $35.

How does this all work?

Power on the MiFi Device then the Wireless Extender (RE1000) - the Wireless extender connects wirelessly to the MiFi device and translates that into a wired connection.  (These two act just like your home internet provider but replaces the internet providers modem.)

Connect and Ethernet Cable to the outlet in the Wireless Extender (RE1000) and the other end into the Internet input on the Router.  Plug the MagicJack Plus into the router.

You now have full Internet access.  Pack it up and take it with you.

Caution

All of these devices default to a 192.168.1.1 address so it is important that you change the address of the router to a different set.  For example, 192.168.10.1.  We actually use 10.10.10.1.  If you don't change it, our experience has been that the system gets very confused.  Then you will need to configure your wireless settings - Leave a comment and let me know if you need details.