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How to comtrol 2 computers, both running different PowerPoint presentations, with one remote simultaneously?

Scenario:
Event with 3 big projection screens. The screen in the center shows the camera/video production of what happens on stage, the screen to the left shows the english version of a powerpoint presentation while the screen to the right shows the norwegian version (in this case). The two different "language-versions" are running from two different computers, both placed with the rest of the technical equipment (not on stage). I need to be able to control both presentations (computers) simultaneously with a single remote from on stage, so that when I click "next slide", I get next slide in both languages. Any ideas? Hopefully there is a wireless solution, so that the speaker does not have to be located at the speaker stand for the whole presentation. Eventually, the reciever of the remote can be located somewhere on stage and extended via cat-5 to the computers so that problems with wireless interference is out of the issue.

agriesser

What wireless remote are you using? If the receiver for the remote is connected via USB to your computer it might be possible to connect both PCs to this receiver. That way it would be possible for you to control both PCs simultaneously.

Some USB Hubs support for direct access of two PCs to share one device among them.

MoC_NOR

ASKER

For remote control of a single presentation / PC we've been using the "standard" cordless presenter from Logitech (USB). The reciever is not programmable (channels / frequency). If it had been, it could have been easily done with two recievers and one remote. I tried to let the two computers share the reciever by using Eltima's "USB over Ethernet"-software, but that didn't work either - I'm only able to control the local or remote PC, not both at the same time.

I've been thinking of any way to split the signal from the reciever, some sort of reversed USB hub, but haven't found any. Do you know any USB hubs that supports direct access like you describe? Another wireless remote we should buy instead? Other peripherals that would do the trick?

Cost doesn't matter, what is important is a reliable solution.

agriesser

Maybe there's something interesting for you?

http://www.usbgear.com/USB-Sharing.html

GlennaShaw

Consider connecting monitors to one PC and using PowerShow instead:
http://officeone.mvps.org/powershow/powershow.html

agriesser

Care to update us about what solution you have used now?

ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION

mchattech

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MoC_NOR

ASKER

During the actual event, I controlled the two computers manually because I hadn't found a usable solution. But about a month later, I found the Power Presenter from Honeywell, having the same possibilities like the one from Interlink Electronics you've used. So I'm prepared for a similar event now!

MoC_NOR

ASKER

I have to apologize to both of you, agriesser and GlennaShaw, for not posting any feedback. And also to you, mchattech, for not accepting your solution earlier. Actually, I never recieved any e-mails informing me of new possible solutions (isn't that supposed to happen?), and after the event passed by I kind of gave up on the task. Also, with four weeks of vacation, I haven't been logged in on my computer frequently for the last period.

Thank you very much for your effort trying to help me out..! It's appreciated!

"Shame on me!"

Best regards,
Espen