Streaming media wirelessly...
Discussion
Somw advice required please..
Father, who has a reasonable desktop in the study at home, is looking at what is required to be able to watch media (movies, internet TV such a BBC Iplayer etc) on their TV in the lounge.
I have done a bit of research, and I am putting a wireless router in for the BB as up until now Dad hasn't really need wireless but I have convinced him he should get (he now runs a BB, so can use UMA rather than the dodgy signal when at home.) a network set-up.
I would like to think I am reasonably network/gadget aware but I don;t really know about streaming media. What I would like to get Dad is a box that plugs into the TV (up to date Plasma so various input available) which allows him to control the PC, like media centre I guess... What is not an option is a new PC...
Hence, anyone got any advice or recommendations on a suitable system to use?
Cheers...
Matt
Father, who has a reasonable desktop in the study at home, is looking at what is required to be able to watch media (movies, internet TV such a BBC Iplayer etc) on their TV in the lounge.
I have done a bit of research, and I am putting a wireless router in for the BB as up until now Dad hasn't really need wireless but I have convinced him he should get (he now runs a BB, so can use UMA rather than the dodgy signal when at home.) a network set-up.
I would like to think I am reasonably network/gadget aware but I don;t really know about streaming media. What I would like to get Dad is a box that plugs into the TV (up to date Plasma so various input available) which allows him to control the PC, like media centre I guess... What is not an option is a new PC...
Hence, anyone got any advice or recommendations on a suitable system to use?
Cheers...
Matt
the 2 things i would look at are..
a Xbox connected to the PC can act as a Mediacentre extender.. If you have a TV card in the Media PC then you get all the channels on the Xbox aswell.
Failing that if it is justed recorded media then have a look at the Apple TV. But i prefer the Xbox solution.
a Xbox connected to the PC can act as a Mediacentre extender.. If you have a TV card in the Media PC then you get all the channels on the Xbox aswell.
Failing that if it is justed recorded media then have a look at the Apple TV. But i prefer the Xbox solution.
Realistically, unless the router in the lounge, wireless doesn't give you the bandwidth to reliably stream video. My experiments have always resulted in either etch-a-sketch resolutions or jerk-o-vision framerates. By all means have go but don't go expecting great things. Streaming video is one of those things that still really needs a wired connection.
As to the hardware - XBox is easy but requires Windows Media Player on the server PC. Also doesn't get iPlayer, which is a deal-breaker as far as I am concerned. The Popcorn Hour gets consistently good write-ups so might be worth a look.
As to the hardware - XBox is easy but requires Windows Media Player on the server PC. Also doesn't get iPlayer, which is a deal-breaker as far as I am concerned. The Popcorn Hour gets consistently good write-ups so might be worth a look.
deckster said:
Realistically, unless the router in the lounge, wireless doesn't give you the bandwidth to reliably stream video. My experiments have always resulted in either etch-a-sketch resolutions or jerk-o-vision framerates. By all means have go but don't go expecting great things. Streaming video is one of those things that still really needs a wired connection.
As to the hardware - XBox is easy but requires Windows Media Player on the server PC. Also doesn't get iPlayer, which is a deal-breaker as far as I am concerned. The Popcorn Hour gets consistently good write-ups so might be worth a look.
I use my old Xbox to stream video wirelessly from my PC, and don't get the symptoms you describe. It is the old (non 360) version that has been hacked to run XBMC. This does NOT require windows media player, it will find any UPnP server (e.g. Twonky, or many NAS boxes will support this) or alternatively it can use the file system. I've also got the USB adaptor so I can play direct from a USB hard drive.As to the hardware - XBox is easy but requires Windows Media Player on the server PC. Also doesn't get iPlayer, which is a deal-breaker as far as I am concerned. The Popcorn Hour gets consistently good write-ups so might be worth a look.
I had to buy a wireless range extender as the old Xbox doesn't have wireless built in. As an alternative I looked at powerline ethernet adaptors, or running some Cat5; the wireless range extender cost me £5 from eBay.
The total cost of buying the Xbox and wireless range extender was £20. Installing XBMC took a couple of nights work, once I had borrowed the kit. Installing iPlayer took less than an hour, it worked fine but as I already have iPlayer on my TV from the cable set top box (at broadcast quality, not the BBC streaming quality) I haven't ever used it.
All that said, whilst mine was a bit of a hobby project, if I didn't have the time / had some more cash, the Popcorn would have been my choice.
iplayer streaming quality will work over wireless , both my kids use it occasionally on their PCs using 11meg wireless without any glitches or pauses.
I also find I can stream avi movies over 54 meg (tell connected to laptop then wireless to the NAS). DVDs and HD you will need a hard connection or maybe wireless N - not tried it so not sure if N has sufficient bandwidth.
I also find I can stream avi movies over 54 meg (tell connected to laptop then wireless to the NAS). DVDs and HD you will need a hard connection or maybe wireless N - not tried it so not sure if N has sufficient bandwidth.
I've got an xbox and ps3, and out of the two the ps3 is the better for streaming (in my opinion). It's got wireless built in (although I would recommend a devolo homeplug or similar), the user interface is much nicer, has iPlayer setup, and you can get music videos on demand for, all for free (unlike xbox live @ £40 per year).
You don't need windows media player, there are lots of media servers to install on the pc, i.e. ps3 media server, tversity and the likes.
Oh, and it's got blu-ray!
As for the streaming, it's a piece of cake to set up, post back later if you need any guidance
You don't need windows media player, there are lots of media servers to install on the pc, i.e. ps3 media server, tversity and the likes.
Oh, and it's got blu-ray!
As for the streaming, it's a piece of cake to set up, post back later if you need any guidance
Thanks for the advice guys, though apart from buying my a Dad an old games console (which seems strange in itself!) are you all saying there is no 'box' that does this?
One issue is that as I don;t live with or even close to my Parents (I am mid thirties!) then I would like a plug and play solution that means he won't have to do too much fettling/setup etc... I will have a look for this Popcorn people mention (anyone got a link?) and if we have to change it to wired for bandwidth then fair enough, but wireless is a good place to start...
Keep the suggestions coming, a feel a night of investigation coming on!
One issue is that as I don;t live with or even close to my Parents (I am mid thirties!) then I would like a plug and play solution that means he won't have to do too much fettling/setup etc... I will have a look for this Popcorn people mention (anyone got a link?) and if we have to change it to wired for bandwidth then fair enough, but wireless is a good place to start...
Keep the suggestions coming, a feel a night of investigation coming on!
deckster said:
Realistically, unless the router in the lounge, wireless doesn't give you the bandwidth to reliably stream video. My experiments have always resulted in either etch-a-sketch resolutions or jerk-o-vision framerates. By all means have go but don't go expecting great things. Streaming video is one of those things that still really needs a wired connection.
I disagree. The BBC iPlayer HD streams only require 3.5mbps which should be a walk in the park on an 802.11g 56mbps connection, let alone N.4hero said:
£200 for apple tv, or £270 for an all singing-all dancing media center with blu-ray?
Just to note, my father in law (who is 62) was admiring the ps3 setup at my house and wanted (and got) the same setup. He's very computer illiterate and manages with it perfectly well!
I have nothing against the PS3, but it has its reliability problems just like an xbox.Just to note, my father in law (who is 62) was admiring the ps3 setup at my house and wanted (and got) the same setup. He's very computer illiterate and manages with it perfectly well!
But the AppleTV thing as all Mac FANBOYS say just works.
What about something like this?
http://www.lambda-tek.com/componentshop/index.pl?p...
Seems to do what I need it too - or I can get something and a wireless Dongle too if required...
Thoughts? Comments?
http://www.lambda-tek.com/componentshop/index.pl?p...
Seems to do what I need it too - or I can get something and a wireless Dongle too if required...
Thoughts? Comments?
Matt Cyclone said:
What I would like to get Dad is a box that plugs into the TV (up to date Plasma so various input available) which allows him to control the PC, like media centre I guess... What is not an option is a new PC...
Why's a new PC not an option? Is it because of the size/bulk?If so then maybe the Acer Revo R3610 is a solution? It's a full PC running Windows/Linux but in a box the size of a hardback book. Totally silent. Wi-Fi built in. HDMI output for the TV. Familiar (Windows) interface. About £250 including wireless keyboard/mouse.
That's it, bottom left.
I'm not a fanboy as such but I bought one of these for the kitchen after Christmas and installed Ubuntu and I'm really pleased with it. If your dad's not a gamer then he might find this a better alternative to the PS3 since he can watch iPlayer & YouTube as well as stream media from his desktop.
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