Wireless network - advice needed

freeworld777 · 04-12-2008, 01:09 PM

I'm new to the forum so apologies in advance if this question has been raised before.

I want to set up a wireless network at home, comprising of my main laptop (vista), a cheap desktop (XP), an Xbox 360, and some sort of media streamer/mass storage device (not yet purchased).

I already have my laptop streaming media wirelessy to my television via the Xbox 360 and a router, but i'm limited in functionality and as my library grows I would prefer to have all my media files stored on a device that would sit underneath the TV.

I want to be able to play movies, music etc without having to power on the laptop the whole time, can anyone reccommend a media/storage device and what's the best way to go about setting this up.

I'd also really like to be able to browse the internet from my television, i've tried to do this through the Xbox but i dont have a media centre pc so i think its a lost cause (tried through TVersity but no joy).

**johnwill** · 04-12-2008, 01:45 PM

I think you have to figure out what is most important to you and start from there. Browsing the Internet from the TV will be a pretty low quality resolution affair unless we're talking about HDTV here.

There are many media servers that have embedded hard disks, which would probably be a good choice for your application. I'd pick carefully and search out reviews, because there are also many disappointments.

**Raylo** · 04-13-2008, 07:30 AM

This is something I'd also like to do... eventually. I'd like to have a NAS store the media files and stream them over the network to media extender boxes (like the XBox in your case) connected to TV. I have done a bit of research and have not found a media server/NAS drive that can do this on a network without a computer in the loop. The HP MediaSmart severs come close to what I am looking for, but they still require a computer with Windows media center to stream. Keeping a media center PC at the TV would work. But I'd rather not have another PC to maintain and operate.

Maybe someone has this worked out (w/o PC)? If so, I'd love to see the hardware setup.

04-12-2008, 01:09 PM	#1 (permalink)
freeworld777 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 2 OS: vista business	Wireless network - advice needed I'm new to the forum so apologies in advance if this question has been raised before. I want to set up a wireless network at home, comprising of my main laptop (vista), a cheap desktop (XP), an Xbox 360, and some sort of media streamer/mass storage device (not yet purchased). I already have my laptop streaming media wirelessy to my television via the Xbox 360 and a router, but i'm limited in functionality and as my library grows I would prefer to have all my media files stored on a device that would sit underneath the TV. I want to be able to play movies, music etc without having to power on the laptop the whole time, can anyone reccommend a media/storage device and what's the best way to go about setting this up. I'd also really like to be able to browse the internet from my television, i've tried to do this through the Xbox but i dont have a media centre pc so i think its a lost cause (tried through TVersity but no joy).

04-12-2008, 01:45 PM	#2 (permalink)
johnwill Manager, Networking Forums Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania, US Posts: 41,940 OS: Windows 7, XP-Pro, Vista, Linux Blog Entries: 1	Re: Wireless network - advice needed I think you have to figure out what is most important to you and start from there. Browsing the Internet from the TV will be a pretty low quality resolution affair unless we're talking about HDTV here. There are many media servers that have embedded hard disks, which would probably be a good choice for your application. I'd pick carefully and search out reviews, because there are also many disappointments. __________________ If TSF has helped you, Tell us about it! or Donate to help keep the site up! Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience

04-13-2008, 07:30 AM	#3 (permalink)
Raylo TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Maryland, USA Posts: 525 OS: XP Desktop, Vista HP Notebook, XP Notebook	Re: Wireless network - advice needed This is something I'd also like to do... eventually. I'd like to have a NAS store the media files and stream them over the network to media extender boxes (like the XBox in your case) connected to TV. I have done a bit of research and have not found a media server/NAS drive that can do this on a network without a computer in the loop. The HP MediaSmart severs come close to what I am looking for, but they still require a computer with Windows media center to stream. Keeping a media center PC at the TV would work. But I'd rather not have another PC to maintain and operate. Maybe someone has this worked out (w/o PC)? If so, I'd love to see the hardware setup. Last edited by Raylo; 04-13-2008 at 07:32 AM.