Wireless-G media adapters

[DGath]

I want to be able to stream video from my computer to my living room and am looking into getting a wireless media adapter. I could build a system to do this with no problem, but I don't need to be able to surf the internet or play games, all I want is video, so this looks like it will be the cheapest route. I'm particularly interested in something that might be linux based because I've seen how the linksys 54G has exploded with options because it's firmware is linux based, and would like those same opportunities with this peice of equipment, but does anyone even make them?

Any suggestions on something like this?

Thanks

 

[Lonyo]

Suggestion: Go super G.
Something that will try for 108mbps, I think D-Link do the stuff.
I have a G router and G network card, different rooms, 2 doors and walls between them, I lose the signal a lot (54mbps, different mfr).
Also have a laptop with D-Link card that works OK most of the time with the router (it loses signal sometimes though).

Either try for very good singnal strength, or get a repeater if you want to make sure of the signal. Depends on the distance between the two rooms, and the obstacles. Strength is more important than options though.

 

[DGath]

I'm reall ynot a big fan of D-Link, at least their routers. But for $150 I could go for it if someone recomended it. How about the MediaMVP? It's linux based. No wireless, but I could figure something out.

 

[VirtualLarry]

"Super-G" is bad. Takes up too much channel bandwidth, interferes with the entire chunk of spectrum in that region.
Better, would be units based on Broadcom chipsets with "Afterburner" technology, they can do up to 125Mbit/s (theoretical, actual is about half that), with only the channel bandwidth of a single channel required, so that they can co-exist with other wireless devices on a different channel.

However, all "faster than just 802.11g / 54Mbit/s" wireless standards are fairly proprietary, so you do need devices with chipsets made by the same vendor for them to work together seamlessly.

 

[WHipLAsh13]

Originally posted by: VirtualLarry
"Super-G" is bad. Takes up too much channel bandwidth, interferes with the entire chunk of spectrum in that region.
Better, would be units based on Broadcom chipsets with "Afterburner" technology, they can do up to 125Mbit/s (theoretical, actual is about half that), with only the channel bandwidth of a single channel required, so that they can co-exist with other wireless devices on a different channel.

However, all "faster than just 802.11g / 54Mbit/s" wireless standards are fairly proprietary, so you do need devices with chipsets made by the same vendor for them to work together seamlessly.

Definately a great suggestion. Super G is very bad. I work for a wireless network company and that stuff wreaks havok on anything in the 2.4 ghz range.

 

[Jeraden]

Well, the Media MVP means you still would need to buy a wireless bridge to use it.

I believe the only media player out now that supports wireless-g is the d-link unit - DSM-320:
http://dlink.com/products/?pid=318
Although the reviews on it are pretty poor.

The best out of the box option is the Govideo D2730 (which is also the gateway connected dvd player). It only does 802.11b though. They are supposed to be releasing a D2740 which has 802.11g built-in, but not sure when its officially released. Gateway has a 802.11g connected dvd player listed though - I'm unsure if this is just an upgraded 2730 or an early release 2740. Maybe you can't even order it yet though.

Personally, I want to do the same thing and am waiting for the 2740. The media mvp supposedly has some problems with dark video.

 

[DGath]

The more I think about it, I'll probably go the safe route and just modify an old Dell 1.4 sitting around that I haven't touched for a year. I think I'll just buy a WRT54G that I've wanted to play with for a while (use that as an access point) and then buy a cheapo TV-out card to display the video to my TV. I have a Remote Wonder that I can use on it too so I think I'm set.

Then in the future when I have more money (just graduated so I'm still broke) I'll splurge on a nice say.... wireless network DVD player mentioned above.