HTPC-sort-of

[glal14]

I have a main machine up on my second floor which stores all my media. I want to stream this media wirelessly down to my HDTV, which is in the basement.

I'm thinking of building a really basic HTPC with an HDMI-capable motherboard and a decent wireless card so I can get the streaming going. I wouldn't really need the HTPC itself to store media, so I could go with a cheap HDD and DVD-ROM drive.

What sort of processor/how much RAM would I need on a machine like this? Or is there a better way to go about doing what I need to do?

 

[glal14]

Anyone?

 

[Blain]

Have you considered just buying a Media Streaming box?

BTW, Are going to be streaming "actual HD" content?

 

[heyheybooboo]

I don't think it's an issue of cpu/mobo/ram - it's the wireless connection.

I haven't poked around the issue recently but I think most folks would recommend against wireless streaming. I think you can make it work but to make it work well you have to deal with issues of packet size, buffering, etc ...

 

[glal14]

Well, the two computers would be a floor apart, and I won't be able to run Ethernet through the wall, so wireless is my only option.

And the vast majority of the content would be standard-def, but I want to have the option of HD as well.

 

[Blain]

Running Cat5e down a wall is pretty simple.
Copper Is King! :laugh:

 

[dbcooper1]

How about something like this?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...rnet+powerline&x=0&y=0

I'm running the Airlink version from Frys and have been happy with it for months now.

 

[mc866]

It shouldn't matter what type of pc you are using, if you are trying to stream true HD signals wirelessly your main issue will be bandwidth

 

[glal14]

Well, in that case, what's the borderline for reliable Wi-Fi streamed video? Let's say I don't do any HD stuff, just SD. Would it still be more than what Wi-Fi can handle under my conditions, or?

 

[razor2025]

If you want SD stuff, a good wireless-G connection should be enough. I've been able to stream SD movies at 36-54mbps without much of an issue. Anything HD, and you'll need wireless-N, and even then I've only tried 720p, haven't tried 1080p.

 

[Blain]

Originally posted by: Blain

Copper Is King! :laugh:

Why is running Cat5e down through your wall forbidden?
As a wise man once said... "Coper Is King!" :thumbsup:

 

[glal14]

Originally posted by: Blain

Originally posted by: Blain

Copper Is King! :laugh:

Why is running Cat5e down through your wall forbidden?
As a wise man once said... "Coper Is King!" :thumbsup:

I don't live in my own house, that's why

 

[Blain]

You can run Cat5e in duct work and avoid any holes in the wall.