Need advice for home entertainment setup

Babalou · Sep 18, 2005, 06:39 PM

Hi guys,

Sorry if this is not the right place to post, I wasn't sure where to make the thread.
If i'm in the wrong forum, Mods please move.

I need some advice on what hardware, or even software might accomplish my task.
I'm not sure if my goal is even possible, but I figured I'd ask here.

I have a home stereo in both my living room, and bedroom. both are 5.1 systems.(Pioneer, Kenwood).
I have two PC's, and an Ipaq.
All(PC, Ipaq) are networked through a Netgear WGT624 router.
Only the Ipaq is wireless, the PC's are wired.

What I want is..

I would like to create an environment that allows me to stream media(audio/video) from a shared folder or even from my dvd-rom on my PC to any of my two stereo systems. So that I may watch a movie stream, or listen to a music stream from my living room, or bedroom.
If possible it would be nice to have this setup via wireless connection, as running wires may not be entirely possible.
It would be great to pick something to watch/listen to from either location.
The Ipaq is capable of acting as a remote control to infrared devices.

Like I said, I don't know how much of this can be done, but i'd love to hear some input.
If theres anything more you wish to know about my components, ask away.

Thanks!

**dj_stick** · Sep 19, 2005, 01:33 AM

sounds like you'd need two media PCs at each entertainment system

AttroPheed · Sep 19, 2005, 02:05 AM

mythtv for linux or (maybe) mediaportal for windows? (both are opensource) Or are you talking about just wanting additional hardware to simply stream things from the 2 PCs to your setup? google 'wireless streaming media device' or something similar.

pr0digal jenius · Sep 19, 2005, 02:07 AM

linksys makes some wireless media routers, but they tend to only work with Windows MC 2005

Babalou · Sep 19, 2005, 02:38 AM

Thanks for the responses guys!

So far this is what I was suggested to.

http://www.dlink.com/products/?sec=0&pid=318#

I beleive 2 of these for each stereo setup will take care of my needs.

swimtech · Sep 19, 2005, 03:40 AM

Sounds like a lot of fun too! You've done some good research already - according to the specs and the bandwidth of gigabit wireless, you should be able to transmit HDTV level content as MPEG2.

Be aware though - you're on the cutting edge in use of the technology for this purpose and you'll likely run into hitches and glitches. I would call and talk to the folks at D-Link about this - tell them what you've got and what you want to do. They'll probably be excited to talk to you about it too. It's new for them this year I see.

BTW, thanks for asking here - you've tweaked my interest in coming up with application for this where I work. I wasn't aware this existed in working form yet at such high data rates - good enough to look really good! I gotta see if it would interfere with other wireless networks nearby, and so on...

Babalou · Sep 19, 2005, 07:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by swimtech

Sounds like a lot of fun too! You've done some good research already - according to the specs and the bandwidth of gigabit wireless, you should be able to transmit HDTV level content as MPEG2.

Be aware though - you're on the cutting edge in use of the technology for this purpose and you'll likely run into hitches and glitches. I would call and talk to the folks at D-Link about this - tell them what you've got and what you want to do. They'll probably be excited to talk to you about it too. It's new for them this year I see.

BTW, thanks for asking here - you've tweaked my interest in coming up with application for this where I work. I wasn't aware this existed in working form yet at such high data rates - good enough to look really good! I gotta see if it would interfere with other wireless networks nearby, and so on...

I'll be looking into as much info as I can about this unit.
It does seem rather impressive I must say, and quite a bang for the buck!
Its cheaper than most units that only stream music.
It does offer 54mbps wireless, and my router is 108mbps, so hopefully this should pan out.
As it is now I use my modded xbox to stream music/videos using xbmc with no problems, so hopefully this little D-Link unit can replace that.
As far as components, both my home stereos have svideo, coax, and digital plugins, so I should be ok in that respect.

Sep 18, 2005, 06:39 PM	#1
Babalou HardwareHeaven Lover Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Canada Posts: 132 Rep Power: 0	Need advice for home entertainment setup Hi guys, Sorry if this is not the right place to post, I wasn't sure where to make the thread. If i'm in the wrong forum, Mods please move. I need some advice on what hardware, or even software might accomplish my task. I'm not sure if my goal is even possible, but I figured I'd ask here. I have a home stereo in both my living room, and bedroom. both are 5.1 systems.(Pioneer, Kenwood). I have two PC's, and an Ipaq. All(PC, Ipaq) are networked through a Netgear WGT624 router. Only the Ipaq is wireless, the PC's are wired. What I want is.. I would like to create an environment that allows me to stream media(audio/video) from a shared folder or even from my dvd-rom on my PC to any of my two stereo systems. So that I may watch a movie stream, or listen to a music stream from my living room, or bedroom. If possible it would be nice to have this setup via wireless connection, as running wires may not be entirely possible. It would be great to pick something to watch/listen to from either location. The Ipaq is capable of acting as a remote control to infrared devices. Like I said, I don't know how much of this can be done, but i'd love to hear some input. If theres anything more you wish to know about my components, ask away. Thanks!

Sep 19, 2005, 02:05 AM	#3
AttroPheed DriverHeaven Addict Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Paris Posts: 386 Rep Power: 0	mythtv for linux or (maybe) mediaportal for windows? (both are opensource) Or are you talking about just wanting additional hardware to simply stream things from the 2 PCs to your setup? google 'wireless streaming media device' or something similar. __________________ "Facts seldom interfere with belief." - James Randi "Where knowledge ends, superstition begins." - Some Guy "A wise man proportions his belief to the evidence." - David Hume [COLOR=red]Flying Spaghetti Is Lord!![/COLOR] My PC Stats

Sep 19, 2005, 03:40 AM	#6
swimtech HardwareHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: North Carolina Posts: 4,040 Rep Power: 124 System Specs	Sounds like a lot of fun too! You've done some good research already - according to the specs and the bandwidth of gigabit wireless, you should be able to transmit HDTV level content as MPEG2. Be aware though - you're on the cutting edge in use of the technology for this purpose and you'll likely run into hitches and glitches. I would call and talk to the folks at D-Link about this - tell them what you've got and what you want to do. They'll probably be excited to talk to you about it too. It's new for them this year I see. BTW, thanks for asking here - you've tweaked my interest in coming up with application for this where I work. I wasn't aware this existed in working form yet at such high data rates - good enough to look really good! I gotta see if it would interfere with other wireless networks nearby, and so on... __________________ It's not so much getting your way that matters or not - what matters is how you go about getting it.

Sep 19, 2005, 02:07 AM	#4
pr0digal jenius Delete Me Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 14,648 Rep Power: 0	linksys makes some wireless media routers, but they tend to only work with Windows MC 2005

Sep 19, 2005, 02:38 AM	Thread Starter #5
Babalou HardwareHeaven Lover Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Canada Posts: 132 Rep Power: 0	Thanks for the responses guys! So far this is what I was suggested to. http://www.dlink.com/products/?sec=0&pid=318# I beleive 2 of these for each stereo setup will take care of my needs.