Using PC On TV In Another Room – Trouble when Windows tries to open apps on the wrong displays
Using PC On TV In Another Room – Trouble when Windows tries to open apps on the wrong displays
I finished setting up a cable run from my PC to the lounge TV, including USB, HDMI, and various outlets. Everything functions well except for Windows, which feels quite frustrating. I prefer using an Xbox controller downstairs, but even that has been difficult after installing the Controller Companion. I left the display settings unchecked, hoping it would automatically assign monitors correctly. However, when opening apps, nothing appears as expected, so I have to switch up and press the right keys on the TV. The difference in resolution—my 1440p monitor versus the TV’s 4K—adds another layer of challenge. Do you have any advice for similar configurations?
Power down your PC screen when not in use. Use a USB Bluetooth adapter along with a Bluetooth keyboard or mouse for the TV space. Your Rii i4 performs well. Set up a dedicated system for the TV.
It seems the issue might be with the PC monitor's turning. I was surprised I hadn't thought of that. The Rii i4 suggestion is great—I wasn’t aware of it and it could serve as a solid backup. My girlfriend probably wouldn’t like me adding another controller device to our TV setup. With the PS4, two switches, Xbox, and now this, it’s quite a lot. Still, a separate system isn’t going to be feasible since I can’t justify or afford it. Thanks again.
If you do not want to shut off the monitor/TV you can always use Win+arrow keys to move windows from one screen to another. This is something I have to do all of the time for my work computer.
I believe the Win+P shortcut could lead to issues with display settings. It might automatically upscale 1440p to 4K and games won't run at native resolution. I should verify this, as I'm not certain. The goal is to avoid using a keyboard or mouse on the floor—just the controller that acts like a mouse through the Controller Companion software. Turning off the monitor upstairs when planning to use the TV seems like the easiest fix. Definitely worth testing before making any changes.
The choices "PC Screen Only" and "Second Screen only" function similarly to entering Windows/GPU settings and switching off the monitor or TV. The connected display will appear as the sole output. Choosing the TV causes the monitor to shut down because of signal loss, while selecting the monitor triggers the TV to display a Signal loss/No Input screen and likely power down. The "Extend" setting is likely what you're using now. The "Duplicate" option may cause visual issues from scaling or resolution differences.
Dupplication works well when you can't view two screens at the same time. Be careful about shutting down—unless you choose manually in Windows to turn off another display, problems may persist. The system doesn’t always accurately detect if your monitor is on. For various monitor settings, you’ll need third-party tools. I’ve tried DisplayFusion, but other options exist.