Questions about home networking .

[Liquid_Scope_99]

Hello guys i have a ton of question any help appreciated i guess i should start
With running the cables questions i want to run cat6 to my living room ,kitchen ,man room 1.0 Man cave 2.0 , wife sewing room .
Should i just make cables to go from the router to the rooms or should i make a home run of sorts .
What other cable line swould you recommend i would like to run sat ,and like a computer juke box to the rooms as well im going to google it now any info apprecitated . I have never really done anything of this magnatude so im outta my league . LOL

[Bopher]

What I did at my Dads house was run everything from one point in the basement to wall plates in each room he wanted run to. We ran cat6 to each room for networking, RG60 for tv and standard 4 wire for telephone. If you saying sat as in satellite tv then go with the RG60 as that is suggested for the best signal carry. You'll also need a multiplexer if going to more then 2 rooms.

[Liquid_Scope_99]

hey thanks i really appreciatte it did you just use a regular router or something like this

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817111012

Also i would like to have some kind of HTPC\jukebox where i could have our mp3 libiary and movies and the satellite also where w could watch it in the living room or even in man cave 2,0 i know there is a i jsut need a direction lol is this in the ball park http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882082009
or is that a way off thanks in advance

[Bopher]

nah we just used one of these (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833124010). We were going to only 4 places anyway, if you're going more then I would say you need something like this (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833127082). I don't think the switch will work for internet sharing, but I could be wrong. As for the jukebox I'm not exactly sure how you'd be able to have something for each room other then a small linux box in each area that could be controlled with some sort of usb touchpad or touchscreen. I did satellite sales for a while so I know whats needed there for that one.

[Liquid_Scope_99]

Im sorry my explanation is very vague if i knew what i was talking about would help i want to make a media pc server type thing basically but split the signal i think lol i will read more .

[BuzzKillington]

You should probably look into setting up some HDMI inputs around the cable outlets too just to semi-future proof your setup. It's cheap and it saves you a project.

They have setups where you can run HDMI over RJ45 through your walls then their are inputs with a wall plate.

EDIT: I was just thinking why you would want HDMI wall inputs but I do remember reading about it and it was a cool/useful setup. Damn... lol

[Outlaw]

From what I read and understood on Sling Media (http://www.slingmedia.com/go/products)'s site, you will also need a Sling Box to go with the Sling Catcher you have listed above. You would have to have your Sling Box hooked up to the Satellite or External HD and it can be controlled from a Sling Catcher. You would have to have a Catcher at each TV you wanted to access it though which looks like it can get pricey.

*update*
Here is what I would do if I had the budget. This would include Running at least 2 Data Lines to each room (1 for Sling Catcher and 1 for pc). If you are going to have a pc setup in the room and it is beefy enough, you could just have your tv as a second monitor and stream video/music from the server to your pc in that room and play on the TV.

This is our house.
http://i43.tinypic.com/286y2zd.jpg

[Liquid_Scope_99]

Thanks alot guys im going to look into this my budget is low btw i dont know if any of you watch hulu at all but when i watch something in full screen it jerks a little does that mean its time to upgrade ? thanks again all

Thanks for the diagram it helps a lot outlaw .

[Outlaw]

It may just be a simple driver update. Your hardware is pretty aged, but that 6800GT should be able to handle the videos. What about internet speeds? I still have a 6600GT (AGP) that I use. The CPU is probably holding you back. I would definitely do a driver update first though. It's free!

Glad to help and GL with your upgrade! Wish I could do it.

*update*
What resolution is your monitor set at? Is it just when it's in full screen? When you watch videos online, it may be trying to play faster then you can DL it. What if you play a video from disk? ex. AVI, DVD, mp4...etc? When you are playing a Hulu video watch for the... nm, it is not a good example. Try playing a youtube file. Here is a screenshot of one. I used this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q_RSWsbj_XA. It's just some people driving go karts on city streets. lol but it will work. You can also go to speedtest.net (http://speedtest.net/) and check your speeds up/dwn if you don't already know them or you can call your ISP and they should be able to tell you.

If the "current location" icon is right at the "already loaded" edge, it is not your pc that is at fault. Usually pausing the video and waiting a couple min will help reduce the choppiness of it. Hope this helps.
Sorry if this is too obivous, I'm a picture guy and like to use them for reference.
http://i39.tinypic.com/ncfcq9.jpg

Sorry if this was way off topic, but hope it helps.

[BuzzKillington]

http://www.geeks.com/details.asp?invtid=CAT5E-1000-BLU&AID=10440852&CJPID=227502

[Liquid_Scope_99]

yeah i do need to update video , the cpu is more than pretty week lol .
Oh it will be a while before i upgrade .It never hurts too look ahead lol i hope .

resolution 1280 x1024
yes it is when its at full screen
Its not from the internet lag i pause it and let it buffer and it still jerks on hulu
you tube dosent really seem to do it though .

No problem i appreciate all the pictures hel p i can get lol .

[Outlaw]

Cool. :D If its when its full screen at that res, I would turn it down to 1024x768 or even 800x600 just to test if it is the playback. You could also open Task Manager's Performance tab. I am will to bet (only a small amount :D) that your CPU is maxing out when you play full screen at 1280x1024. If you lower the res, you should see some improvement for playback but may not be desired for daily use.

[Liquid_Scope_99]

Thanks man that did it +rep

[Outlaw]

Sweet deal! Always glad to help where I can.

[Liquid_Scope_99]

Hello all this is kind of related to this thread so instead of starting another one .
I want to try building a mythtv or mythbutu box to try it out i dont have a tv capure card but i do have this http://www.amazon.com/Diamond-VC500-Touch-Capture-Device/dp/B000VM60I8/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1243717892&sr=1-8 can i use that ? i know its a strecth
can anyone reccomend a good captur card thanks again all

[Outlaw]

That adapter you have looks like it can only be used to hook up DVD/VCR or something with a composite out on it but that looks like its used more for the recording video to pc.

Here's a link to neweggs capture cards
Rated Best to worst (http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2000380047%201685342847&bop=And&ActiveSearchResult=True&Order=RATING).

I have wanted to do this too but it seems even the "ok" ones are only 4 eggs at most and cost xxx amount. Since I haven't used one, I don't want to recommend a bad one. And if you are going to use linux, make sure your hardware is linux compatible. Worst case with that is you have to put Windows back on if you can't get them to work together. That was the issue I had with my blu-ray player. Linux doesn't have anything for it yet.

[Luke122]

Here's what I did:

I have my cable tv/internet connection enter my house through the mechanical room in the basement. I split my cable input 2 ways.. one to another splitter, and one to a cable modem.

Video/cable television is distributed to 3 rooms in the house through coax to wallplates.

My cable modem is connected to a 4 port gigabit router with N wifi. Three of the ports are connected to wall plates throughout my house, giving me gigabit networking between my home PC's. (One in bedroom, one in livingroom, one in basement)

The last port will be connected to a switch later on, in case I need to expand my data connections (one for my sons room once he's old enough, one for kitchen, etc).

For media distribution I'm currently running an external hdd through my Toshiba laptop in my bedroom, which shares movies/music to the other PC's. Livingroom media center is a Mac Mini running XBMC for Mac, and is connected to my soundsystem and my HDTV.

[Liquid_Scope_99]

Very good info +rep i will be calling on you as soonas i get the money to start lol .
Oh ,yeah i dont really want to keep starting new threads for a question since this will be related i will keep asking if you guys dont mind sharing info .
Has anyone heard of or used Zulu i use Hulu some but what do you guys think of Zulu is it legit , or too good to be true is it legal?

Also i was looking a parts for building a HTPC of sorts .
IF anyone wants to chime in your more than welcome .
I know it will be a low end HTPC but , funds are low

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103300

motherboards options any other ideas i just needs to be in that general price range .
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130222
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131318
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131324

memory
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145229
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820104073


Hard Drives
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136284
X2





video card this is where im lost i have always bought Gaming cards im not saying i will never game on this .
It will be for the HTPC i Know i will need two cards i think
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127414


Tuner cards
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127414

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16815306006

[Outlaw]

Are you partial to AMD?

Here is an Intel setup for slightly more. I also noticed you didn't have a power supply selected.

Here is what I had picked for an Intel/Graphics setup:
Intel C2D E7400- $119.99 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115206)

BFG 9600GT 512GB/256Bit- $79.99 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814143130)

GIGABYTE Intel G41 Micro ATX- $ 64.99 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128388)

Kingston HyperX 4GB (2x2GB) DDR2 1066- $47.99 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820104073)

WD Caviar Black 1TB- $99.99 (x2) (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136284)

Diamond ATI TV Wonder- $109.99 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16815306006)

Total- $601.93

AMD Setup with the parts you chose (using the HyperX and the $78.99 motherboard) came to $585.93. My personal opinion would be to go with the Intel setup.


For a power supply. I chose a 600W PC Power & Cooling (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817703005). It is $94.99 before $25 MIR. From what I have read in the past (not sure about today) they are one of the top dogs in the PSU world. This would not leave much if any room for expansion though (based on Neweggs PSU Calculator).

What I chose for reference only.
C2D Series CPU
High end Desktop Motherboard (obviously this is not)
Nvidia Geforce 8800GTX (obviously this is not)
2GB DDR2 (x2)
DVD-RW
7200RPM 3.5" HDD (x2)
Total WATTAGE: 565

Obviously these parts don't exactly match what i have chosen, but I would rather select higher wattage parts and overshoot the psu needed then under power the system and have issues later on down the road.

Here is a 750W PC Power & Cooling (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817703009) for $119.99 before $30 MIR.

I have a Silverstone 850W PSU and can't say I have ever had a problem with it.
Here is a 650W Silverstone (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817256012) for $139.99 before $20 MIR.

Hope this helps and good luck. And don't forget to factor in the price of your case to the budget!

[jackjo789]

You gave great information about home networking.....
I have two systems in my home...
I want to connect that systems .
Hope your informations will be useful to me!!!!!!

Sig edited.