Streaming media on a htpc

[arnee]

I am currently using an old xbox as a media center, streaming media from my pc via a wireless (54M) bridge. It can be quite unreliable, even though I was sure the wireless should be quick enough (in a very small house).

My question is, I am putting together a parts list for a htpc, and I need to have onboard wifi, or add a wifi card - will this solution be quicker and more reliable than the wireless bridge I have setup ? I would hate to build the media center and then find that I can't stream media well enough. That would mean either transferring stuff physically to the htpc HD, which obviously is not the nices solution ..

Thx

[ExtremePC]

Originally Posted by arnee

I am currently using an old xbox as a media center, streaming media from my pc via a wireless (54M) bridge. It can be quite unreliable, even though I was sure the wireless should be quick enough (in a very small house).

My question is, I am putting together a parts list for a htpc, and I need to have onboard wifi, or add a wifi card - will this solution be quicker and more reliable than the wireless bridge I have setup ? I would hate to build the media center and then find that I can't stream media well enough. That would mean either transferring stuff physically to the htpc HD, which obviously is not the nices solution ..

Thx

Simply changing to an HTPC instead of the old xbox may not fix the problem at all, the old xbox if you think about it (I'm assuming your running xbmc) has a much smaller OS footprint and less overheads than a full blown PC so it should actually perform better than a PC. I'd first have a better look at the wifi set up you have.

[badapple]

Yep, ExtremePC is right. Your issue is principally in the networking aspect.

If you don't have the option to hardwire, you may need to consider draft 'n' wireless for both throughput and range.

Another option to consider is the new "200Mbs" powerline networking solution from Netgear. See the thread below for more info:

http://www.xpmediacentre.com.au/comm...light=amilwain

Both options are pretty new to the market and have mixed reviews and varied degrees of success dependent largely on the operating environment.

If you decide to go with draft 802.11n, there are some new options coming to the market with both 2.4 and 5Mhz bands (sometimes referred to as dual-pipe technology) for optimal performance and signal robustness. Some manufacturers guarantee compliance with the final 802.11n specification also.

Whichever way yo go, do plenty of research.

Also with regards to wireless PCI cards, often they give poorer performance unless they have an external aerial on a lead (ie. not the stubby arial which comes directly off the card itself).

Metal HTPC cases, AV racks and other AV devices act as great blockers of WiFi signals, so it's best to get the aerial as for from them as possible.

Often wireless bridges work much better for that very reason.

Bottom line though, even the best 54Mbs signal ain't gonna cut it for reliable HD streaming I'm afraid.

[arnee]

interesting advise guys .. thx for the input - looking at that netgear now.
I have the bridge sitting atop my t.v (43" rear projector crt) so its away from the case/cabinet, but could the t.v be causing issues. Like i said, its a very small house and not too many walls/obstacles in the way.
ExtremePC - what other "wifi setup" issues can i look at ?

[ExtremePC]

Originally Posted by arnee

interesting advise guys .. thx for the input - looking at that netgear now.
I have the bridge sitting atop my t.v (43" rear projector crt) so its away from the case/cabinet, but could the t.v be causing issues. Like i said, its a very small house and not too many walls/obstacles in the way.
ExtremePC - what other "wifi setup" issues can i look at ?

A CRT tube radiates massive amounts of RF from the chokes and coils that surround the electron guns, the tube itself acts like a big capacitor that emits static charge from the front of the screen, so yeah it would probably be wise to move the netgear.

[arnee]

OK so what do people generally to if they want to use the htpc for internet usage ?
I prefer wifi instead of running the wires, but if its not going to perform well for everything - ie, internet, media streaming, then obviously i need to rethink it .
Also, I will be leaving it on top of our cabinet because i'll be getting the antec fusion case, so blockage of the signal shouldnt be TOO much of a problem.

[DDH]

arnee,

I have an ADSL modem that includes a 4 port switch and wireless-G. Having said that I only use the wireless for my laptops for doing stuff like writing this. My two MCEs are hard wired. This is despite the fact that given the difficult nature of my house it took 2 days to wire up the last one!

I'd always recommend a wired LAN if at all possible.

[arnee]

well after having moved the bridge high up a wall and away from tv and speakers, i can now say its not happening. When i build my mce machine it'll have to go hard-wired lan ...