Networked media player (need wireless G/N)

[BTRY B 529th FA BN]

I do have a dual band router. This one.

 

[smitbret]

Wireless will suck for steaming movies regardless of whether it's g or n. Get a long ethernet cable. They're only like $20 with shipping for a 100 foot one on newegg.com.

Really? I'll have to let my 'N' router and bridge know that they can't be doing what they've been doing for 8 months now. Been streaming everything between my PC on a Netgear Router and a Linksys Bridge without a single bandwidth problem.

I would get a PS3 if I were you. You can watch blu rays, play video games, and steam all of your moves from your pc (you could even copy them to the PS3's hard drive if you wanted to). With the PS3 Media Server program, you can watch any file type on the PS3, even mkvs.

I'll vote PS3 + Tversity + Wireless N. If your PC is fast enough to transcode 1080p on the fly, you'll be able to play anything without thinking twice. If not (mine isn't), just make sure your files are anything but .mkv and you'll probably be good to go.

 

[BTRY B 529th FA BN]

I do have a dual band router. This one.

Will this one be ok?

 

[smitbret]

Will this one be ok?

Absolutely. Probably a little overkill, too. But overkill with a router is rarely a bad thing. I use this one:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16833127258

The Linksys WRT610N is kind of the benchmark for this range of router, but it looks to be sold out in a few of the places and it cost about $50 more than the D-Link I purchased.

If you are going to be using it as the home's main router, you'll just want to make sure the router you pick up can do simultaneous dual-band Wireless N. Lot's of cheaper routers will run either 2.4 or 5ghz, but not at the same time. With the simultaneous, I was able to set my network up so that all internet activity and PC networking runs through the 2.4ghz band since it has a greater range at the expense of a little bandwidth. All the streaming media runs on the 5ghz band so I don't have to worry about someone on a PC clogging up my network and interfering with my TV watching enjoyment. If you are thinking about multiple media stations........ that's a different set of circumstances altogether.

 

[BTRY B 529th FA BN]

Wait, does the one I have run 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz simultaneously?

 

[smitbret]

Wait, does the one I have run 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz simultaneously?

Unfortunately, no. I wouldn't let that stop me from using it, though. You might find out that everything runs harmoniously on the 2.4ghz band, anyway. Depending on distance and signal strength, you could reasonably expect 60-80Mbps to be available on either band. A 1080p stream will average from 12-20Mbps with peaks nearing 48-50Mbps. That would leave 10-30Mbps for internet or intranet use. If you're just watching an average romantic comedy, you'll probably never get a hiccup. If you watch The Dark Knight or Iron Man, you might start pushing the envelope little bit. I never successfully streamed 1080p (except for a few cartoons like "Bolt") over a Wireless G network, though. 720p/1080i rarely gave me problems.

 

[BTRY B 529th FA BN]

Thank you for sharing your experience!

I'm only going about 20' to my HDTV. How would I be able to tell how much bandwidth I am receiving on the media player (HDTV) end?

The only other traffic would be one laptop doing minimal surfing and casino gaming during my time on my PC (gaming)

Could I use the 5Ghz instead of the 2.4ghz for more bandwidth?

Unfortunately, no. I wouldn't let that stop me from using it, though. You might find out that everything runs harmoniously on the 2.4ghz band, anyway. Depending on distance and signal strength, you could reasonably expect 60-80Mbps to be available on either band. A 1080p stream will average from 12-20Mbps with peaks nearing 48-50Mbps. That would leave 10-30Mbps for internet or intranet use. If you're just watching an average romantic comedy, you'll probably never get a hiccup. If you watch The Dark Knight or Iron Man, you might start pushing the envelope little bit. I never successfully streamed 1080p (except for a few cartoons like "Bolt") over a Wireless G network, though. 720p/1080i rarely gave me problems.

Wait, does the one I have run 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz simultaneously?

 

[smitbret]

You could use the 5Ghz instead of the 2.4Ghz, but I'll bet your laptop won't support 5ghz. You'd also lose a good amount of range switching to 5ghz and the extra real bandwidth offered by 5Ghz is only something like 5-10 percent from what I have seen. The only real advantage is that the 5Ghz spectrum isn't overcrowded like 2.4 can be (cordless phones, other people's wireles networks, etc.) so you could get a cleaner signal.

I don't know of any easy way to measure bandwidth. I'm sure there's got to be an app somewhere that you could install on your laptop that would measure available bandwidth, I just don't know what it is.

Best way is to try it out. Get a dual-band bridge like this one:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-256-_-Product

Hook it up and check it out. If you end up in a situation where you need the 5Ghz instead of the 2.4 Ghz, you'll be set. I suspect you'll be fine with the router you already have. I just had nothing invested in a wireless network so I figured I might as well start high with a little overhead to work with.

 

[s44]

Powerline might be simpler, though it's hit and miss depending on your house/apt setup.

$40 for both ends of a connection.

 

[simonizor]

If you're only going 20' what's the point in wireless? An ethernet cable of that length can be had for less than $10...

 

[smitbret]

If you're only going 20' what's the point in wireless? An ethernet cable of that length can be had for less than $10...

Cuz it is so much nicer to be able to rearrange furniture, go to different rooms, etc. And pulling cables through floors and walls is neither easy or cosmetically pleasing.

 

[BTRY B 529th FA BN]

If you're only going 20' what's the point in wireless? An ethernet cable of that length can be had for less than $10...

If I was sure I wouldn't ruin the carpet, i'd pull it up and run a 25' cat6 cable. It may be a better option. It would relieve the necessity for a Wireless N media player. :hmm:

Although a Wireless N capable box would be future proof if I decide on running it to the HDTV downstairs.

 

[Modelworks]

If I was sure I wouldn't ruin the carpet, i'd pull it up and run a 25' cat6 cable. It may be a better option. It would relieve the necessity for a Wireless N media player. :hmm:

Although a Wireless N capable box would be future proof if I decide on running it to the HDTV downstairs.

You can pull up a small part of the carpet near a wall or poke a hole about the size of a quarter in the carpet and use a wire or fish tape to reach the other side then attach the cable and pull it through.

Flat cable like this works great for carpet
http://www.vpi.us/cable-sf-cat6.html

 

[BTRY B 529th FA BN]

Flat cable like this works great for carpet
http://www.vpi.us/cable-sf-cat6.html

Awesome!

 

[ericlp]

My Media tanks are all wired tho, I got a full size basement. Easy as hell to run where ever I need it... except for up stairs. I was thinking if I had to run wires up stairs (second floor) I'd just use the furnace vent as an access way.

 

[BTRY B 529th FA BN]

OMITTING THE PS3 - will any of these do 3D ?

And final opinions about the Netgear EVA 9150? They just dropped the price 64$ + free shipping. Ya or Nay?

 

[Kanalua]

Just bite the bullet and get a PS3. There is software out there you can dl that will stream whatever you have to the ps3.

 

[BTRY B 529th FA BN]

Just bite the bullet and get a PS3. There is software out there you can dl that will stream whatever you have to the ps3.

I was just informed by a person who I don't know is credible or not, but they said a "future PS3 platform" will be able to do 3D as he was informed at CES. Could he be referring to a firmware update this summer?

 

[Aarondeep]

I use an acer Aspire REVO. Playing 1080p stutters unless I use media player classic and hardware acceleration. I haven't figured out how to get media center to use hardware acceleration.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-235-_-Product

 

[smitbret]

I was just informed by a person who I don't know is credible or not, but they said a "future PS3 platform" will be able to do 3D as he was informed at CES. Could he be referring to a firmware update this summer?

That's the story and I believe it's an official one.

 

[BTRY B 529th FA BN]

I'm sorry, I was confused by the persons statement, so there will be a new PS3 (platform) or firmware update that will play 3D content?

 

[nonmiraj]

Look up Patriot's Box Office on Newegg. Can get it for under $100. Plays anything you throw at it, .iso, avi, all the HD formats, can be networked hardline or with wireless USB stick. It uses the Reakteck chip, so if you can find a stick that uses the Realtek chip and supports N speeds (maybe airlink products), you're good. This box can also stream from the PS3 (upnp server) or any PC and has a bittorrent client built in. Nice remote, it accepts USB playback so you can play movies off of a jump drive or external harddrives (this is very common for media players) but my favorite thing was that it could house a 2.5" hard drive internally (i have a 500gb in mine). This is great so you don't always need to access the network. If i have a new movie i want to take to the in-laws house we can watch it on any TV they have if i carry this tiny media player (about 5"X5") and i can take it on vacations too since hotels don't ever have any good movies playing.
Patriot is also currently working on the firmware to allow Blu-ray .iso 's to work.

Here is an indepth review:
http://www.legitreviews.com/article/1136/1/

So basically, don't worry about your TV purchase, enjoy the TV, for $150-$200 more you can have a great media setup, one way or the other.

 

[nonmiraj]

BTRY, to answer your question...

Yes, the only Blu-ray player currently on the market that WILL HAVE a free firmware update to allow it to play 3D content (granted that your TV will do 3D) is the PS3. Sony has confirmed that they will do that, no other company has mentioned being able to do that yet.

 

[s44]

I'm sorry, I was confused by the persons statement, so there will be a new PS3 (platform) or firmware update that will play 3D content?

Firmware.

 

[nonmiraj]

I like the Patriot Box Office since it's a cheaper solution for you, but without a doubt the PS3 is an amazing machine. If you get it, i think Tversity is a program people have had great success with as far as streaming media from the PC to the TV using the PS3 (hooked up to tv). I don't have much experience myself with playing HD content through the PS3, i have converted HD movie files to be able to play on the PS3 but i have a hard time keeping the audio and video synced. I would suggest not streaming HD through the PS3, streaming HD is difficult without an N setup. I would always recommend running an ethernet cable if you're able to.