Browse Forums Home Theatre & Automation 1 May 15, 2009 3:47 am hi hi... The ideal scenario i would like to have: (a) i will have my video and music files all stored in a computer in my study room. (b) i would like my respective TV and sound system at different parts of the house to be able to access to the files on this computer. (i.e. i like to play music off this computer in the kitchen) Question-> is there a way to do that? accessing the files by the use of a wireless keyboard or controller via the TV in the kitchen? or three TV at different locations all watching the same video file accessed via the same computer? seeking your advice.... thanks. Building in Harvest Lakes, Atwell (Perth) status: design phase with builder Re: What does this mean? 2May 15, 2009 5:52 am championboxer hi hi... The ideal scenario i would like to have: (a) i will have my video and music files all stored in a computer in my study room. (b) i would like my respective TV and sound system at different parts of the house to be able to access to the files on this computer. (i.e. i like to play music off this computer in the kitchen) Question-> is there a way to do that? accessing the files by the use of a wireless keyboard or controller via the TV in the kitchen? or three TV at different locations all watching the same video file accessed via the same computer? seeking your advice.... thanks. Audio is relatively easy IMO with regards to devices for streaming; these days many of the AVR’s are able to stream audio files directly. Video is also relatively easy, but at the moment requires additional hardware. The upside is these devices can do other things besides play video files, most can view your stored images, stream audio, and some have the ability to record TV as well. BTW most of these boxes are reasonably affordable, but at around $300ea delivered (yes there are cheaper and more expensive) the price soon adds up for multiples. At this stage wired LAN is the only way to get smooth quality video streaming, WiFi is okay for audio, so factor in data cabling to your budget. An example of a popular streaming device is the PopcornHour A-110 Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Re: What does this mean? 3May 15, 2009 8:01 am I concur with the above. Definitely hard-wire LAN connections where ever you can - more stable (no drops in bandwidth due to interference). I too was thinking one of the simplest options would be to have media players in the locations where you want to watch your stored video files - and the PopcornHour is one of the better devices (there are so many of varying capability and price out there. I myself use a Media Centre PC in the cinema and a Ziova Z500 networked DVD/Media player in the bedroom). Extra points of consideration: - Unless you want to listen to your audio in the other rooms using the TVs in those rooms you will need an amp and speakers for those rooms too (1 centralised amp that can service multiple rooms or multiple amps...). - If you want to record TV and be able to watch those recordings in other rooms (other than the room with the recorder) then you will need different devices than simple media players (this can also depend on what you are using to record TV and what format it stores those recordings in...). You might need to run a Media Centre PC in the central location and use Media Centre Extenders (eg. XBox 360) in the other rooms... Re: What does this mean? 4May 15, 2009 11:00 am Rodda I concur with the above. Definitely hard-wire LAN connections where ever you can - more stable (no drops in bandwidth due to interference). pardon my ignorance... are LAN connections the same as CAT6? also.. anyone reliable or reasonably-priced in WA/Perth that i should get a quote from for cabling up my house? thanks! Building in Harvest Lakes, Atwell (Perth) status: design phase with builder Re: What does this mean? 5May 15, 2009 11:46 am LAN stands for Local Area Network and is often used as another word for network. The actual type of cabling run for networks is either Cat5E or Cat6 (where the performance of Cat6 is slightly better than that of Cat5E, meaning it will be more reliable over longer distances. However, Cat5E is still perfectly fine for most if not all domestic applications...). Don't know anyone in WA... Re: What does this mean? 6May 15, 2009 12:42 pm championboxer (b) i would like my respective TV and sound system at different parts of the house to be able to access to the files on this computer. (i.e. i like to play music off this computer in the kitchen) You could also use an Apple TV for this. It comes with a remote and connects automatically to an iTunes library on your main PC. Re: What does this mean? 7May 15, 2009 12:49 pm Hi hi... its me again... i have quickly drawn up a simple layout to determine my requirements. questions: (a) does it mean i need one Popcorn/network player for every room that i want to access the media files? (b) the LAN cable is for video/audio. What if i like internet access in the rooms as well? Is it the same cable? or i need to install another CAT5e/CAT6 cable solely for internet access? Rooms that are close, i can consider wireless. Thanks Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Building in Harvest Lakes, Atwell (Perth) status: design phase with builder Re: What does this mean? 8May 15, 2009 2:17 pm championboxer (a) does it mean i need one Popcorn/network player for every room that i want to access the media files? I reckon you will - mainly because if you try to do it another way you will likely find that it's no cheaper and messier, and not as straight forward to operate. championboxer (b) the LAN cable is for video/audio. What if i like internet access in the rooms as well? Is it the same cable? or i need to install another CAT5e/CAT6 cable solely for internet access? Rooms that are close, i can consider wireless. You can use the same cable, however you need to think about how many devices you will have 'network connected' in each room. If you plan to have 1 media player and then a separate device for browsing the internet (I don't know everything that's available out there, but there are plenty of devices that easily do both - from the PS3 to all sorts of network media players) and need to have both networked then you will need 2 connections which means 2 runs of cable (as each device will have it's own Network Interface Card (NIC) with it's own MAC Address and therefore will also have it's own IP address)... Re: What does this mean? 9May 15, 2009 2:20 pm Cat5e or 6 can carry audio signals and some equipment is designed for this ..just not amplified signals. if you are building getting a cabler to install some cables into a wall isn't that much more and way easier to configure then wireless not to mention 100% stable all the time no drop outs..... Kodiak Data Cabling onFaceBook Consult*, Design and Installation Data, TV, Home Theatre/ AV Cabling, Multi Room Audio, IP CCTV and Door Intercoms Ask for a Quote. *DIY DATA Cabling Is Ilegal Re: What does this mean? 10May 15, 2009 3:01 pm championboxer (b) the LAN cable is for video/audio. What if i like internet access in the rooms as well? Is it the same cable? or i need to install another CAT5e/CAT6 cable solely for internet access? Rooms that are close, i can consider wireless. Thanks As Rodda has indicated, run multiples of LAN cables to those rooms that you require Internet access. Remember the audio/video streaming device will usually be away from the area in the room where you’ll be using the Internet. You should avoid having cables draping over the floor, likewise adding switches to a LAN cable is relatively cheap and easy to do; but IMO can and does become unsightly, much better to have these type of devices out of sight. WiFi is also another option for some of your Internet devices. Re: What does this mean? 11May 15, 2009 3:17 pm much understood.. thank you all... guess the next step is trying to find someone to do the cabling.... is starserve system recommended? Building in Harvest Lakes, Atwell (Perth) status: design phase with builder Re: What does this mean? 12May 15, 2009 4:38 pm all depends on your needs Kodiak Data Cabling onFaceBook Consult*, Design and Installation Data, TV, Home Theatre/ AV Cabling, Multi Room Audio, IP CCTV and Door Intercoms Ask for a Quote. *DIY DATA Cabling Is Ilegal Re: What does this mean? 13May 15, 2009 4:42 pm Pugs all depends on your needs if its based on the needs illustrated in my attached image earlier? thanks! Building in Harvest Lakes, Atwell (Perth) status: design phase with builder Re: What does this mean? 14May 15, 2009 7:23 pm depnds also if you wan tot distro TV signals aswell... IMO star serve is good if you have or are wanting to have foxtel/ other "TV" distro'ed around the house... and even to a point some of their parts are ok but ther networking gear is far form great..... tho if you are serious about good Networking and TV signal distro I'd go for Hills/clipsal TV distro gear and then leave the networking side clear of it and be a seperate enity terminated in the study... while 100Mb is fine for most avi and such when you are talking large files that are blue ray disc's you are better off having some head room in the network and using GigE gear esp if you have others trying to use the network at the same time. even with two runs two each room that is 12 runs ... so all that is is 2 x 6way wall plates... and a seperate single gang wall plate for the incoming phone.... Kodiak Data Cabling onFaceBook Consult*, Design and Installation Data, TV, Home Theatre/ AV Cabling, Multi Room Audio, IP CCTV and Door Intercoms Ask for a Quote. *DIY DATA Cabling Is Ilegal Re: What does this mean? 15May 15, 2009 8:15 pm Pugs IMO star serve is good if you have or are wanting to have foxtel/ other "TV" distro'ed around the house... and even to a point some of their parts are ok but ther networking gear is far form great..... tho if you are serious about good Networking and TV signal distro I'd go for Hills/clipsal TV distro gear and then leave the networking side clear of it and be a seperate enity terminated in the study... while 100Mb is fine for most avi and such when you are talking large files that are blue ray disc's you are better off having some head room in the network and using GigE gear esp if you have others trying to use the network at the same time. Why would you suggest separating the TV and data circuits to different areas if they are considering to install a product along the lines of Starserve? Re: What does this mean? 16May 15, 2009 8:48 pm honestly some days i just don't care about anyone else in other states that i wouldn't be doing the work for anyways and they should realy start talking to data cablers/ tv guys in their own area...... and without talking to a client directly i have no friggin idea what the heck they want esp when they have no real idea on what they want to achieve out of the system >????? and I'm only pointing out things that the OP can look into..... http://updates.clipsal.com/ClipsalOnlin ... de=63&ref= <star serve Kodiak Data Cabling onFaceBook Consult*, Design and Installation Data, TV, Home Theatre/ AV Cabling, Multi Room Audio, IP CCTV and Door Intercoms Ask for a Quote. *DIY DATA Cabling Is Ilegal Re: What does this mean? 17May 15, 2009 8:50 pm Pugs honestly some days i just don't care about anyone else in other states that i wouldn't be doing the work for anyways and they should realy start talking to data cablers/ tv guys in their own area...... and without talking to a client directly i have no friggin idea what the heck they want esp when they have no real idea on what they want to achieve out of the system >????? and I'm only pointing out things that the OP can look into..... your pointers are much appreciated! Building in Harvest Lakes, Atwell (Perth) status: design phase with builder Re: What does this mean? 18May 15, 2009 8:54 pm championboxer your pointers are much appreciated! no worries sorry for the vent it is hard when working and pumping out quotes all day and people reject them without discussing what they actaully need (realistacally) Kodiak Data Cabling onFaceBook Consult*, Design and Installation Data, TV, Home Theatre/ AV Cabling, Multi Room Audio, IP CCTV and Door Intercoms Ask for a Quote. *DIY DATA Cabling Is Ilegal I've just built 3 stairs off a landing out the back and been told by the private certifier I need hand rails sorry tried to attach a pic but couldn't mine don't have sides… 5 5708 i had the my concreters concrete right up to the fence. I have pits all along my path, so the water tends to drain away from the house and into the pits. There's only one… 7 12767 Depends how much direct sun it gets. Is there any shading (eaves or trees)? If the sun hits a window directly it doesn't matter too much if it's double or single… 1 12662 |