Best Remote Desktop App

[Tinman]

Hi
Joined these forums so I could post a reply in this thread, which seemed like the best discussion online about remote desktop apps.
I have a use for an app like this for a reason that hasn't been mentioned yet: to play old turn based games!

I have Fallout 1 and 2 installed on my windows 7 pc. I want to run them on the ipad because if ANY games could tolerate lag/delay, it would be turn based RPGs!
But i can't decide which app to go for. From what i can tell, not all apps support audio as well as video. Based on reviews online, Splashtop and crazyremote pro seem like the best bet for this particular use.
Any suggestions of any other app?
Again, i realize these apps are not made for games but i think old, slow, turn based, click heavy games like Fallout might actually turn out decent!

Welcome to the forums!

My primary remote app on the iPad is iTap RDP--easily the best RDP app. I bought Wyse CLoud browser last week but it did not compare--and it did not offer the same size desktops as iTap, which allows you to go up to the largest allowed by Windows. I'm sure iTap could handle turn by turn games.... I have even used it to play some flash games. It does support sound. It might be overkill for what you are wanting to do though.

For multimedia and just plain kick-azz speed it is SplashTop. I'm amazed that it plays video as well as it does. Of course it is not RDP and requires a PC-side utility to work. But it does work well. Alas it only goes up to 1024 x 768 resolution and has no way to zoom in. But for the games you are talking about SplashTop wouldn't even break a sweat. The flash games that had a kind of delayed reaction with iTap are instantaneous with SplashTop. Sound is better too.

Keep in mind with SpashTop, anything you do remotely can be seen on the host's screen if the monitor is on. It will awake if monitor is merely asleep. Moreover I could not get SplashTop to mute the host speakers so sound only played through iPad. Only seems to work with sound playing on both.



Michael

 

[epb]

Moreover I could not get SplashTop to mute the host speakers so sound only played through iPad. Only seems to work with sound playing on both.

The display on mine doesn't come on when I remote in, even when I activate the webcam to see what's up at home. The sound option is set by the desktop app on your home system - you can select the option to mute sound on the computer when connected with your iPad.

 

[Tinman]

Sound is already set to mute on host but it doesn't work--stills plays on both. The issue is mentioned in the support forums. But by far my biggest issue is the host component stops working. This is on my xp media box. Does not happen on my vista laptop or win7 desktop. I don't know what you meant by the display does not come on.

 

[epb]

Sound is already set to mute on host but it doesn't work--stills plays on both. The issue is mentioned in the support forums. But by far my biggest issue is the host component stops working. This is on my xp media box. Does not happen on my vista laptop or win7 desktop. I don't know what you meant by the display does not come on.

Ah! I've read Splashtop is buggy with XP.

I thought you meant earlier that remoting in would turn on the monitor of the PC, so people see what you're doing. I was saying that doesn't happen on mine.

 

[Mart1001]

Hi
Joined these forums so I could post a reply in this thread, which seemed like the best discussion online about remote desktop apps.
I have a use for an app like this for a reason that hasn't been mentioned yet: to play old turn based games!

I have Fallout 1 and 2 installed on my windows 7 pc. I want to run them on the ipad because if ANY games could tolerate lag/delay, it would be turn based RPGs!
But i can't decide which app to go for. From what i can tell, not all apps support audio as well as video. Based on reviews online, Splashtop and crazyremote pro seem like the best bet for this particular use.
Any suggestions of any other app?
Again, i realize these apps are not made for games but i think old, slow, turn based, click heavy games like Fallout might actually turn out decent!

Welcome to the forums!

My primary remote app on the iPad is iTap RDP--easily the best RDP app. I bought Wyse CLoud browser last week but it did not compare--and it did not offer the same size desktops as iTap, which allows you to go up to the largest allowed by Windows. I'm sure iTap could handle turn by turn games.... I have even used it to play some flash games. It does support sound. It might be overkill for what you are wanting to do though.

For multimedia and just plain kick-azz speed it is SplashTop. I'm amazed that it plays video as well as it does. Of course it is not RDP and requires a PC-side utility to work. But it does work well. Alas it only goes up to 1024 x 768 resolution and has no way to zoom in. But for the games you are talking about SplashTop wouldn't even break a sweat. The flash games that had a kind of delayed reaction with iTap are instantaneous with SplashTop. Sound is better too.

Keep in mind with SpashTop, anything you do remotely can be seen on the host's screen if the monitor is on. It will awake if monitor is merely asleep. Moreover I could not get SplashTop to mute the host speakers so sound only played through iPad. Only seems to work with sound playing on both.



Michael

I'm new here, this forum is a very nice read

Also thanks for your advice. I'm trying now Splashtop. 'RDP' is oke, also playing games, but playing video files not for me.
I tried 720p mkv's and 1080p .m2ts native bd streams. They do stutter a lot. Airvideo does play them nicely on my iPad, I guess because I can decode on the fly with this program. What kind of videofiles can you play?

I have Splashtop set on native iPad resolution. Do I have to change something on my W7 PC or iPad to get better results?
My software players on the W7 are set to stereo and also my soundcard in it.

 

[Tinman]

For me SplashTop did OK when running at 1024 x 768. This was OK but since my desktop was much larger it messed up my desktop layout. Now, however, SplashTop can run at my desktop's resolution: so instead of 1024 x 768 I am now running it at 1680 x 1050. Seems to be a little slower but not too bad.

I don't really use SplashTop for video much though anymore. I find ZumoCast does a much better job. It's similar to Air Video I just happen to prefer ZumoCast. It will adjust stream quality based on connection speed... It really works well so don't see the need to stream my whole desktop unless it is something I can't do any other way (e.g., a flash app or video--or flash game).



Michael

 

[Rcairncross76]

I have been using team viewer HD. It is quite fast and responsive and it's FREE for non-commercial use.

 

[gentlefury]

Hi
Joined these forums so I could post a reply in this thread, which seemed like the best discussion online about remote desktop apps.
I have a use for an app like this for a reason that hasn't been mentioned yet: to play old turn based games!

I have Fallout 1 and 2 installed on my windows 7 pc. I want to run them on the ipad because if ANY games could tolerate lag/delay, it would be turn based RPGs!
But i can't decide which app to go for. From what i can tell, not all apps support audio as well as video. Based on reviews online, Splashtop and crazyremote pro seem like the best bet for this particular use.
Any suggestions of any other app?
Again, i realize these apps are not made for games but i think old, slow, turn based, click heavy games like Fallout might actually turn out decent!

Welcome to the forums!

My primary remote app on the iPad is iTap RDP--easily the best RDP app. I bought Wyse CLoud browser last week but it did not compare--and it did not offer the same size desktops as iTap, which allows you to go up to the largest allowed by Windows. I'm sure iTap could handle turn by turn games.... I have even used it to play some flash games. It does support sound. It might be overkill for what you are wanting to do though.

For multimedia and just plain kick-azz speed it is SplashTop. I'm amazed that it plays video as well as it does. Of course it is not RDP and requires a PC-side utility to work. But it does work well. Alas it only goes up to 1024 x 768 resolution and has no way to zoom in. But for the games you are talking about SplashTop wouldn't even break a sweat. The flash games that had a kind of delayed reaction with iTap are instantaneous with SplashTop. Sound is better too.

Keep in mind with SpashTop, anything you do remotely can be seen on the host's screen if the monitor is on. It will awake if monitor is merely asleep. Moreover I could not get SplashTop to mute the host speakers so sound only played through iPad. Only seems to work with sound playing on both.



Michael

Just in case you didn't already know, the latest version of splashtop now allows for native resolutions and also has pinch zoom. They also got rid of the useless smooth mode switch (i am really happy about that!!) and they now have a mac version....it is only beta and has some sound sync issues...but overall its way faster on Mac. Once they get the sound issues worked out it will be much better.

 

[Mart1001]

For me SplashTop did OK when running at 1024 x 768. This was OK but since my desktop was much larger it messed up my desktop layout. Now, however, SplashTop can run at my desktop's resolution: so instead of 1024 x 768 I am now running it at 1680 x 1050. Seems to be a little slower but not too bad.

I don't really use SplashTop for video much though anymore. I find ZumoCast does a much better job. It's similar to Air Video I just happen to prefer ZumoCast. It will adjust stream quality based on connection speed... It really works well so don't see the need to stream my whole desktop unless it is something I can't do any other way (e.g., a flash app or video--or flash game).

Michael

Thanks for your answer and also thanks to the others who where answering. I will also try Zumocast to see any differences between Air Video. I'm getting used to SplashTop now as RDP but I will try some others.

 

[epb]

I don't really use SplashTop for video much though anymore. I find ZumoCast does a much better job. It's similar to Air Video I just happen to prefer ZumoCast.

What are you watching with Zumocast? It won't play iTunes files, Amazon files, or even some DVDs because of DRM - that eliminates pretty much everything I'd want to use it for. I'd love something that would buffer video, which is why I checked it out.

 

[iVan]

Splashtop does not support my twin screen layout, it only sees the primary display.

 

[Tinman]

Splashtop does not support my twin screen layout, it only sees the primary display.

Do you have the latest update? One of the newer features is multiple monitor support.



Michael

 

[deckyon]

I have been able to access my dual monitor system fine with Splashtop since the update. You may want to force install the latest desktop client.

 

[Dukins]

I wish splashtop would upgrade so that you can connect to your home pc through an alternate tethered/wireless network instead of just your home network. That defeats the purpose of remote desktopping when you are not at home.

Teamviewer works well through any wireless network and has mentioned its free. If Splashtop could get connecting through any wireless network right that would be my primary remote desktop app. Teamviewer will do for now.

 

[Tinman]

I wish splashtop would upgrade so that you can connect to your home pc through an alternate tethered/wireless network instead of just your home network. That defeats the purpose of remote desktopping when you are not at home.

Teamviewer works well through any wireless network and has mentioned its free. If Splashtop could get connecting through any wireless network right that would be my primary remote desktop app. Teamviewer will do for now.

While they are working on that, I actually hope they keep the old--direct--method too.

Some of these companies are not huge... so if their servers go down or stumble you can't get in to your PC. And that is how it would work: your PC/Mac would be communicating to a Splashtop server, and your iPad as well.... their server would connect you. If that server is not available, you can't connect. Not to mention you are opening your PC to a third-party like that.

I have splashtop working from anywhere the old fashioned way: port forwarding and a DynaDNS account.

All that said it was soooooo much easier to just install ZumoCast and run it from anywhere.



Michael