I am posting to share a wonderful and unexpected feature of my new Galaxy S4. I basically feel like Tony Stark in that scene from Iron Man (1) where he takes control/hijacks/hacks the large screen display during his senate investigation hearing.
Travelling on vacation with the family.
Have the MHL device to share HDMI via the single microUSB port on the Galaxy S4 and also a male-to-male HDMI cable.
We like to stream netflix, etc. for the kids in the hotel instead of paying for media at high prices. We have what they want and it is always better than the overpriced offerings at the hotels. The idea is you stream from the phone to the big flat screen HD tv in the hotel room via the auxiliary video input HDMI port.
Staying in a Ramada and the TV is a Philips. Turning on/boot up the TV references "Philips SecureLock!" (or something like that) and it immediately turns off all local buttons. Effectively, this means that the TV has been provisioned to disable local buttons (hotel restricted remote control only). No way to change video inputs at all.
A review of online articles points to this being done specifically to frustrate my effort at saving money and using the paid for TV. There is nothing with my contract with the hotel that says I cannot do this.
Most of the online articles I have reviewed point to getting specialized remote controls or manufacture remotes to bypass this - obviously for people involved in extended stays at hotels where it would be worth it.
I am here one night - not going to buy anything.
Launched the preinstalled WatchOn app by Samsung. Setup a new Philips TV. I tried all 16 different code programming options but eventually was able to manipulate the TV to change video input ports via the infrared remote/ manufacture override. I also had to use this method for changing the volume on the HDMI port as the restrictions developed between the manufacturer/hotel/media supplier restricted that as well.
4 kids now being entertained with their favorite shows at no additional expense!
tl:dr - Use your Samsung Galaxy S4 infrared feature and software to bypass security provisions on your hotel TV.
Travelling on vacation with the family.
Have the MHL device to share HDMI via the single microUSB port on the Galaxy S4 and also a male-to-male HDMI cable.
We like to stream netflix, etc. for the kids in the hotel instead of paying for media at high prices. We have what they want and it is always better than the overpriced offerings at the hotels. The idea is you stream from the phone to the big flat screen HD tv in the hotel room via the auxiliary video input HDMI port.
Staying in a Ramada and the TV is a Philips. Turning on/boot up the TV references "Philips SecureLock!" (or something like that) and it immediately turns off all local buttons. Effectively, this means that the TV has been provisioned to disable local buttons (hotel restricted remote control only). No way to change video inputs at all.
A review of online articles points to this being done specifically to frustrate my effort at saving money and using the paid for TV. There is nothing with my contract with the hotel that says I cannot do this.
Most of the online articles I have reviewed point to getting specialized remote controls or manufacture remotes to bypass this - obviously for people involved in extended stays at hotels where it would be worth it.
I am here one night - not going to buy anything.
Launched the preinstalled WatchOn app by Samsung. Setup a new Philips TV. I tried all 16 different code programming options but eventually was able to manipulate the TV to change video input ports via the infrared remote/ manufacture override. I also had to use this method for changing the volume on the HDMI port as the restrictions developed between the manufacturer/hotel/media supplier restricted that as well.
4 kids now being entertained with their favorite shows at no additional expense!
tl:dr - Use your Samsung Galaxy S4 infrared feature and software to bypass security provisions on your hotel TV.
