Online School with TV as screen, how to make it happen?

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raksrules

raksrules

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This question actually spans across multiple categories on TE so posting in one of them.

My 6 year old had most of his schooling (like others) online and I don't expect his next year to be offline (at least initially) too. He uses a tablet for attending the online class. I want to have a setup in which he can use the 32 inch tv we have in bedroom as screen. The tv is wall mounted.
Can anyone guide me as how can I make it all work?
I am listing down stuff I have at home already. If you think I have to buy something (webcam?) please do suggest.

- MI TV 4A Pro 32 inch (Android based Smart tv)
- Lenovo Laptop but without screen (can be connected to TV using hdmi for usage)
- Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 10.4 inch tablet
- Macbook Air M1 (don't want to hand my kid this though)
- iPad 8th Gen


I really want a proper solution if possible, not some make shift.


The only idea I have at the moment is to buy a webcam and connect the laptop via hdmi to tv and webcam to laptop and place the webcam on top of tv so my bed is fully visible where my kid will sit. I am not very sure about the mic part as sometimes webcams have mic in built and sometimes not.

On top of that, if the laptop stays so far, my son cannot mute un-mute which won't be desirable so in that case I need then place the laptop with him but then I cannot attach the webcam to laptop then.

Confusing.

Any suggestions welcome.

Edit: Online classes will mostly happen in Zoom.
 
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which app is mostly used for the classes ? Google Meet / Zoom / .... ?

from Google search ,
I understand that apps can be installed on your MI TV & also the webcam !
 
seshu said:
which app is mostly used for the classes ? Google Meet / Zoom / .... ?

from Google search ,
I understand that apps can be installed on your MI TV & also the webcam !
Click to expand...

Zoom. I am also exploring if a USB webcam works directly on with TV, especially the webcam has inbuilt mic.
 
I'm not sure if the mic, especially those on webcams, will work when placed on the TV because of the distance between the TV and your child. You could try attaching the webcam to your laptop, which your son will have near him on a table. Connect the laptop to the TV via a long HDMI cable for video output and/or audio output via the TV.
 
logistopath said:
I'm not sure if the mic, especially those on webcams, will work when placed on the TV because of the distance between the TV and your child. You could try attaching the webcam to your laptop, which your son will have near him on a table. Connect the laptop to the TV via a long HDMI cable for video output and/or audio output via the TV.
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yes this is something I am considering. I do have a long HDMI at home but last time I tried, it wasn't connecting that well so will have to recheck.
 
If your phone/tab/laptop supports video out , you can keep it closer for better two way audio.
 
Mann said:
If your phone/tab/laptop supports video out , you can keep it closer for better two way audio.
Click to expand...

I used a USB C Hub an hour back and connected it to my my Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 10.4 and connected HDMI to this and nothing came up on the tab or tv so I am assuming it does not support. iPad is not having USB C port so I don't expect it to video out although would have loved for that to happen.
 
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hmm., simple setup like below should work
smart TV + required apps + webcam (built-in mic muted) + wireless headset ...
 
How about replacing the TV with a Samsung M5/M7 monitor instead?


https://www.amazon.in/Samsung-Monitor-Netflix-Streaming-LS27AM500NWXXL/dp/B08XB47V8K

Regarding mic setup, the simplest option is to use a phone/tablet with a desktop mic and connect to the same zoom meeting room.
This would take care of the audio/video and the monitor would work as the primary display for presentation.
Wireless options do exist but would turn out to be too expensive for this use case.
 
raksrules said:
I used a USB C Hub an hour back and connected it to my my Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 10.4 and connected HDMI to this and nothing came up on the tab or tv so I am assuming it does not support. iPad is not having USB C port so I don't expect it to video out although would have loved for that to happen.
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Even if this works, say tablet/laptop is besides kid for webcam and mic AND you are able to get display on TV somehow; will eye contact/position in camera be that good ? Does it matter ? Like for other party (tutor), kid won't be making natural eye contact. This may be subjective.

If this does not matter, may be you can use laptop near kid and Microsoft Wireless Display Adapter plugged to TV for mirroring display of laptop wirelessly - compatibility needs to be checked based on your laptop's specs.
 
raksrules said:
Yes this is also one option. Just that I will need to get a wireless keybord too since laptop will be near the tv.
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Wireless keyboard and mouse and either a Bluetooth headset with mic or one with a long wire. I am one of the few people who still uses a laptop connected to a TV instead of buying a fire stick or an android box.
Since I don't need to use keyboard or mouse frequently, I just have a very compact Lenovo Keyboard + trackpoint thingy (Can't remember the name right now). For your use case get a full fledged keyboard with mouse.
 
rdst_1 said:
Wireless keyboard and mouse and either a Bluetooth headset with mic or one with a long wire. I am one of the few people who still uses a laptop connected to a TV instead of buying a fire stick or an android box.
Since I don't need to use keyboard or mouse frequently, I just have a very compact Lenovo Keyboard + trackpoint thingy (Can't remember the name right now). For your use case get a full fledged keyboard with mouse.
Click to expand...

Can you link to that compact keyboard thing? Another keyboard option I have is Logitech K400.
 
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Tried something after work

1. Connected the Lenovo screen less laptop to tv using hdmi.
2. Connected my jabra elite 65t bluetooth tws to laptop.
3. I have wyze cam with webcam firmware installed and uses a USB A to USB A cable connected to laptop.
4. Fired up zoom and selected tv for speaker and jabra for microphone.


Everything worked but had some issues related to lots of lag on zoom. Mostly due to my screen less laptop having severe wifi issues as after screen removal, it's wifi has gone bad and hardly detects signal 15 feet away sometimes. May be I need to get one of those usb wifi antenna.
 
raksrules said:
Tried something after work

1. Connected the Lenovo screen less laptop to tv using hdmi.
2. Connected my jabra elite 65t bluetooth tws to laptop.
3. I have wyze cam with webcam firmware installed and uses a USB A to USB A cable connected to laptop.
4. Fired up zoom and selected tv for speaker and jabra for microphone.


Everything worked but had some issues related to lots of lag on zoom. Mostly due to my screen less laptop having severe wifi issues as after screen removal, it's wifi has gone bad and hardly detects signal 15 feet away sometimes. May be I need to get one of those usb wifi antenna.
Click to expand...
ah, yes - the antenna cable goes from motherboard to LCD section which houses the antenna
ATM, I suppose your laptop does not even have a cable connected to the wifi board, let alone an antenna

you will need to use an ethernet cable or a USB wireless adapter at a minimum

PS: Don’t use TV as speaker and BT headset as mic - you will cause a terrible echo for other parties on the call
 
superczar said:
ah, yes - the antenna cable goes from motherboard to LCD section which houses the antenna
ATM, I suppose your laptop does not even have a cable connected to the wifi board, let alone an antenna

you will need to use an ethernet cable or a USB wireless adapter at a minimum

PS: Don’t use TV as speaker and BT headset as mic - you will cause a terrible echo for other parties on the call
Click to expand...

Yes you are right. The first time when I removed the screen, I removed all the cables that were coming out of base of laptop and when it was turned on, wifi was gone.

Then I did reconnect the cables of antenna to the wifi chip and it worked and the cables now hang out fastened with a tape. So although the antenna is connected, still wifi reception isn't great.

About using tv as speaker, I will definitely see. And yes I too thought it will cause echo. Will use my Samsung level U as bluetooth earphones as they have that ear locking and they fit my son's ear. Or use LGHBS A100 that I have which has little speakers on both its sides.
 
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