Comments on: Streaming Media: Not Just For Computers http://the-gadgeteer.com/2009/05/10/streaming-media-not-just-for-computers/ Gadget reviews and news by Julie Strietelmeier and friends since 1997 Sun, 27 May 2012 00:39:26 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v= By: Markus http://the-gadgeteer.com/2009/05/10/streaming-media-not-just-for-computers/comment-page-1/#comment-35374 Markus Fri, 15 May 2009 03:57:46 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=15144#comment-35374 Mark, a portable unit? nothing easier, look here: http://custobots.com/store/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=2&zenid=64b8a84f75bfbb18c7be48ab1634882b plug and play Media Players Mark,

a portable unit? nothing easier, look here:
http://custobots.com/store/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=2&zenid=64b8a84f75bfbb18c7be48ab1634882b

plug and play Media Players

]]> By: Mark Adkins http://the-gadgeteer.com/2009/05/10/streaming-media-not-just-for-computers/comment-page-1/#comment-35168 Mark Adkins Tue, 12 May 2009 15:23:16 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=15144#comment-35168 Heck, all I want is to find a portable unit that lets me show whatever is on my laptop (with no special video jacks) on a TV so I can use it for presentations, as a DVD player, etc. and I cannot seem to find anything that will do this relatively simple thing (you know, a unit that does it without getting trashy reviews). Heck, all I want is to find a portable unit that lets me show whatever is on my laptop (with no special video jacks) on a TV so I can use it for presentations, as a DVD player, etc. and I cannot seem to find anything that will do this relatively simple thing (you know, a unit that does it without getting trashy reviews).

]]> By: Cameron Church http://the-gadgeteer.com/2009/05/10/streaming-media-not-just-for-computers/comment-page-1/#comment-35157 Cameron Church Tue, 12 May 2009 09:00:25 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=15144#comment-35157 John and Julie Apologies I should have quantified things a bit more with some context: I'm running a Windows 7 box that hosts all my media files and stream, over Netgear N and 5GHz, to a Mac Mini connected to my home theater. You're spot on John that you need a solid pipe of 40Mb to get a seamless playback - although N is theoretically capable of this it hardly meets the need in the real world (as seen in many review tests splashed over the interweb) - what struck me as unique about the NetGear offering is that it operates in the5GHz range, the interference of the microwave, cordless phones and the the littering of wireless AP all over the building I live in were all effecting my signal. Putting the NetGear in place seems to have solved this and, as mentioned, I haven't noticed any degradation of quality of service. I will admit I haven't perform formal speed tests but am happy to do so if people would find that useful. A real world example: I have a 24 Mb internet provider and downloading files at around 500Kb, at the same time I'm able to stream HD videos between points with no buffering or skipping. The distance between the machines is about 20ft, on the same floor and through a couple of interior walls. If you believe NetGear's hype they also put QoS priority on Media files being sent around but I'm not sure how effective that is. The only problem is that soon enough more manufactures will be jumping into the 5 GHz range to help improve their wireless offerings and the cycle will start all over again! John and Julie

Apologies I should have quantified things a bit more with some context: I’m running a Windows 7 box that hosts all my media files and stream, over Netgear N and 5GHz, to a Mac Mini connected to my home theater.

You’re spot on John that you need a solid pipe of 40Mb to get a seamless playback – although N is theoretically capable of this it hardly meets the need in the real world (as seen in many review tests splashed over the interweb) – what struck me as unique about the NetGear offering is that it operates in the5GHz range, the interference of the microwave, cordless phones and the the littering of wireless AP all over the building I live in were all effecting my signal. Putting the NetGear in place seems to have solved this and, as mentioned, I haven’t noticed any degradation of quality of service.

I will admit I haven’t perform formal speed tests but am happy to do so if people would find that useful.

A real world example: I have a 24 Mb internet provider and downloading files at around 500Kb, at the same time I’m able to stream HD videos between points with no buffering or skipping. The distance between the machines is about 20ft, on the same floor and through a couple of interior walls. If you believe NetGear’s hype they also put QoS priority on Media files being sent around but I’m not sure how effective that is.

The only problem is that soon enough more manufactures will be jumping into the 5 GHz range to help improve their wireless offerings and the cycle will start all over again!

]]> By: Markus http://the-gadgeteer.com/2009/05/10/streaming-media-not-just-for-computers/comment-page-1/#comment-35127 Markus Mon, 11 May 2009 20:30:58 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=15144#comment-35127 Hi, I see you guys are still talking about an HTPC? Iam dealing with that subject since 2003 and must say, that people are still spending thousands of dollars for Home Theaters which I don't understand. My setup at home: Living Room - 24" Samsung Monitor (just to catch the news,sports) Theater Room - HD-Projector, surround sound, HDD Media Player (both are hooked to mini-computers with Internet to get anything I want, whenever I want it). Channels are pre-set and customized On the Road - Zeiss Cinemizer with iPod Connector Setting everything up took me 1 day. Everything is legal and was below $5000 Hi,
I see you guys are still talking about an HTPC?
Iam dealing with that subject since 2003 and must say, that people are still spending thousands of dollars for Home Theaters which I don’t understand.

My setup at home:
Living Room – 24″ Samsung Monitor (just to catch the news,sports)
Theater Room – HD-Projector, surround sound, HDD Media Player
(both are hooked to mini-computers with Internet to get anything I want, whenever I want it). Channels are pre-set and customized
On the Road – Zeiss Cinemizer with iPod Connector

Setting everything up took me 1 day.
Everything is legal and was below $5000

]]> By: John Schettino http://the-gadgeteer.com/2009/05/10/streaming-media-not-just-for-computers/comment-page-1/#comment-35084 John Schettino Mon, 11 May 2009 14:12:32 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=15144#comment-35084 Cameron, I agree that for some folks, there might be some form of wifi that might work. Bluray quality movies are going to need 40mbit rock solid, which you can get out of N (not the bogus "300mbit" number, but the actual throughput) but as you noted, not in every setting. It sure will consume most of your wireless bandwidth while streaming! I did the whole N thing, and my range is only 30' and 1 wall, and it worked most of the time for some of the content. Cameron,

I agree that for some folks, there might be some form of wifi that might work. Bluray quality movies are going to need 40mbit rock solid, which you can get out of N (not the bogus “300mbit” number, but the actual throughput) but as you noted, not in every setting. It sure will consume most of your wireless bandwidth while streaming! I did the whole N thing, and my range is only 30′ and 1 wall, and it worked most of the time for some of the content.

]]> By: Julie http://the-gadgeteer.com/2009/05/10/streaming-media-not-just-for-computers/comment-page-1/#comment-35083 Julie Mon, 11 May 2009 14:10:10 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=15144#comment-35083 @Cameron I noticed with my testing of the Popcorn Hour, that I wasn't able to stream an 5GB ISO from less than 20 ft using WiFi. @Cameron I noticed with my testing of the Popcorn Hour, that I wasn’t able to stream an 5GB ISO from less than 20 ft using WiFi.

]]> By: Cameron Church http://the-gadgeteer.com/2009/05/10/streaming-media-not-just-for-computers/comment-page-1/#comment-35081 Cameron Church Mon, 11 May 2009 13:53:12 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=15144#comment-35081 I would have to disagree with you on wireless being too slow, and therefore not suitable for the home theater. I have purchased and am running NetGear's 5 GHz Wireless N Bridge components (http://www.netgear.com/Products/APsWirelessControllers/AccessPoints/WNHDE111.aspx) - the key here is it runs at 5 GHz which is above and beyond the 2.5GHz of every other bloomin' wireless product out there (even your microwave)! The outcome is I can stream Bluray quality movies wirelessly from my PC to my Media Centre with no stuttering/buffering during playback. It's pretty sweet. But will caveat this all that there are distance and price limitations that you need to factor in. If your living/renting a flat/apartment in urban areas that are littered with wireless interference and a lease that doesn't let you put even bluetack on the wall I'd definitely recommend trying this kit out. I would have to disagree with you on wireless being too slow, and therefore not suitable for the home theater.

I have purchased and am running NetGear’s 5 GHz Wireless N Bridge components (http://www.netgear.com/Products/APsWirelessControllers/AccessPoints/WNHDE111.aspx) – the key here is it runs at 5 GHz which is above and beyond the 2.5GHz of every other bloomin’ wireless product out there (even your microwave)!

The outcome is I can stream Bluray quality movies wirelessly from my PC to my Media Centre with no stuttering/buffering during playback. It’s pretty sweet.

But will caveat this all that there are distance and price limitations that you need to factor in. If your living/renting a flat/apartment in urban areas that are littered with wireless interference and a lease that doesn’t let you put even bluetack on the wall I’d definitely recommend trying this kit out.

]]> By: John Schettino http://the-gadgeteer.com/2009/05/10/streaming-media-not-just-for-computers/comment-page-1/#comment-35026 John Schettino Sun, 10 May 2009 19:52:29 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=15144#comment-35026 Thanks for the examples - in fact I have a nice shuttle-based HTPC (you can see it in the lower left corner) but getting there is hardly the same as the plug-n-play experience of the "many little boxes". There are a million ways to make a HTPC, all of which require much more effort. Sure, its possible - some might even enjoy it - but it hardly passes the gadget test. What I'm looking for is that shrink-wrapped appliance you buy at the Big Box store, yet delivers the experience of a fully tricked out HTPC, say at a sub-$300 price point. If you know of one of those, point me at it! Thanks for the examples – in fact I have a nice shuttle-based HTPC (you can see it in the lower left corner) but getting there is hardly the same as the plug-n-play experience of the “many little boxes”. There are a million ways to make a HTPC, all of which require much more effort. Sure, its possible – some might even enjoy it – but it hardly passes the gadget test.

What I’m looking for is that shrink-wrapped appliance you buy at the Big Box store, yet delivers the experience of a fully tricked out HTPC, say at a sub-$300 price point. If you know of one of those, point me at it!

]]> By: Ken http://the-gadgeteer.com/2009/05/10/streaming-media-not-just-for-computers/comment-page-1/#comment-35015 Ken Sun, 10 May 2009 14:44:39 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=15144#comment-35015 1. Build a computer with one of the Gigabyte AMD 780G chipset mobos and give it 4GB RAM, 1TB Drive and an AMD 5050e processor. You now have a very low cost, low power using HTPC. Get a BD drive for about $100 more if you want. No video card needed for even BD playback. This runs cool and quiet 2. Install Windows 7 RC1 which includes Windows Media Center 3. Pinnacle Media Center Remote control and an Adesso Wireless keyboard You now have a media center computer that plays all your videos, music, hows pictures, plays DVD and BD discs...and will allow you to play whatever you want off the net. .... Second solution www.popcornhour.com 1. Build a computer with one of the Gigabyte AMD 780G chipset mobos and give it 4GB RAM, 1TB Drive and an AMD 5050e processor. You now have a very low cost, low power using HTPC. Get a BD drive for about $100 more if you want. No video card needed for even BD playback. This runs cool and quiet

2. Install Windows 7 RC1 which includes Windows Media Center

3. Pinnacle Media Center Remote control and an Adesso Wireless keyboard

You now have a media center computer that plays all your videos, music, hows pictures, plays DVD and BD discs…and will allow you to play whatever you want off the net.
….
Second solution
http://www.popcornhour.com

]]> By: Shkermaker http://the-gadgeteer.com/2009/05/10/streaming-media-not-just-for-computers/comment-page-1/#comment-35008 Shkermaker Sun, 10 May 2009 14:12:03 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=15144#comment-35008 one word - PS3 :-)  Install vuze on mac/pc and stream all you content  Get a decent wireless keyboard for the PS3 et voila! Blu-ray player, HTPC with 5.1 sound and internet. Install a linux system on it and you can even install openoffice and a printer if you really wanna do work on your tv! one word – PS3 :-)
 Install vuze on mac/pc and stream all you content
 Get a decent wireless keyboard for the PS3
et voila! Blu-ray player, HTPC with 5.1 sound and internet. Install a linux system on it and you can even install openoffice and a printer if you really wanna do work on your tv!

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