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Re: Great deal on an external HD
Unless you're browsing the web, streaming content from HBOGO, SHOWTIME (apps), I'm not a fan of WiFi. It's just too unreliable and in my house, it's tough to get a consistent connection especially when interferences start cropping up (ie.. running a Microwave Oven).
I've been running Windows Media Center since the XP release back in 2005. Currently running a primary HTPC that has the Ceton Infinitv 4 (4 HD channel tuner), provider is Verizon FiOS.
The HTPC is connected directly to my primary display, 60" LED and I connect from other rooms using Media Center Extenders:
- Linksys DMA2100
- Ceton Echo
On my server I also store mpg4 mpg2 some avi formats of various movies. I've ran this configuration in both a small apartment and currently in my home (3 floors) where my wireless router is located in the basement. Unfortunately, no matter where I located the wireless router, the DMA2100 could not consistently stream HD content. In fact, Ceton didn't even build WiFi into the new Echos because Media Center practically needs a LAN line to deliver content to extenders.
So I ended up dropping CAT5 in all my rooms, luckily I was able to reuse the COAX cable drops and purchased dual COAX and CAT5 face places.
I also helped a buddy setup the same for his town house, also 3 floors, but he had some wicked angles and there was no way to drop CAT5 through the house without having to make significant cuts to his drywall. So he used AC Network Adapters and they worked perfectly for Media Center and Movie Streaming:
Best power-line adapters - CNET Reviews
Unless you're browsing the web, streaming content from HBOGO, SHOWTIME (apps), I'm not a fan of WiFi. It's just too unreliable and in my house, it's tough to get a consistent connection especially when interferences start cropping up (ie.. running a Microwave Oven).
I've been running Windows Media Center since the XP release back in 2005. Currently running a primary HTPC that has the Ceton Infinitv 4 (4 HD channel tuner), provider is Verizon FiOS.
The HTPC is connected directly to my primary display, 60" LED and I connect from other rooms using Media Center Extenders:
- Linksys DMA2100
- Ceton Echo
On my server I also store mpg4 mpg2 some avi formats of various movies. I've ran this configuration in both a small apartment and currently in my home (3 floors) where my wireless router is located in the basement. Unfortunately, no matter where I located the wireless router, the DMA2100 could not consistently stream HD content. In fact, Ceton didn't even build WiFi into the new Echos because Media Center practically needs a LAN line to deliver content to extenders.
So I ended up dropping CAT5 in all my rooms, luckily I was able to reuse the COAX cable drops and purchased dual COAX and CAT5 face places.
I also helped a buddy setup the same for his town house, also 3 floors, but he had some wicked angles and there was no way to drop CAT5 through the house without having to make significant cuts to his drywall. So he used AC Network Adapters and they worked perfectly for Media Center and Movie Streaming:
Best power-line adapters - CNET Reviews
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