How can I watch a DVD or movie on two separate laptops that are running Vista and share the same wireless connection? We want to be able to watch the same movie at the same time with only one DVD.
Two Laptops, Two Operating Systems
Unfortunately, with the system you’re describing, this isn’t possible. When two different laptops are programmed with their own operating systems, as yours are, it is as though they have two separate brains, and you can’t force them to use only one. Therefore, you can’t get them to do the same thing at the same time using the resources of only one.
Wireless and Wired Connections
To watch the same movie at the same time, you need to use one of your laptops and attach an external monitor. The catch with this will be that you need to use a physical connection to connect the laptop and a monitor. In this case, the wireless connection that you use to connect to the Internet has nothing to do with the computers’ ability to network or communicate. If you want them to share a video that one laptop is accessing from its DVD drive, you need to connect a cable to project the image to another monitor, and an Internet or wireless network connection isn’t necessary. There is no way to project a program running on one computer to another wirelessly.
Using an External Monitor
Theoretically, as long as the components are compatible, you can use most desktop computer monitors or a TV set as the second monitor. You can connect the monitor as an additional screen to the computer that is playing the media. You will need a monitor cable. If you’re using a desktop monitor, you should be able to use its cord to connect it to the back of the laptop. If you’re using a TV, you will need to go to a computer shop with your laptop and get a cable that is able to fit both. A technician there will be able to help you.
Remote Assistance
Windows Vista comes with a built-in tool called Remote Assistance that may work. This tool is generally used for troubleshooting another user’s computer remotely. It allows one computer to connect to the other to view its screen and control its keyboard and mouse. In theory, you could connect both computers and both will see the DVD playing onscreen. However, if the computers are in different rooms, the remotely connected computer will not hear the audio.
Copy your DVD?
Your other option is to make a copy of the DVD, which is obviously only possible if you made the movie yourself, otherwise copyright laws prevent you from duplicating it. I hope this is helpful, and that you can get your movie to play across more than one monitor. Good luck!
