Wireless streaming

[ewerx]

I've been running SageTV for several months now. Just got a laptop and decided to try SageTV Client on it. It's connected via 802.11g and even when my signal strength shows excellent (54mbps) I get constant stuttering/skipping during playback. I also tried just opening one of the MPG files over the network using WMP, and it exhibits the same behavior. I get a couple minutes of continuous smooth playback at most, then it stutters for a while, then It'll be smooth again, and so on... overall it's totally unwatchable.

More info:
- Recording quality: DVD Extra Long
- Router: LinkSys WRT54G (stock firmware), no encryption (only MAC filter)
- Wireless card: Intel Pro 2915
- Laptop: Pentium M 1.86Ghz, 1gb RAM

I'm pretty sure it's my wireless at fault here, so any suggestions on boosting/maintaining a good enough signal?

[Kanati]

wireless streaming is the holy grail... And probably an unreachable goal. I think you'd need something using much less bandwidth to get a reliable stream... Or convert to a streaming format like wmv... Try using the "fair" setting and see if you can get a good stream.

Personally I don't even try. It's not worth the headache it will cause. I plan to wire the house for gigE within the next few months and then it will be a non-issue.

[ewerx]

Is it really that bad? When I searched for answeres, I saw dozens of posts from people here who say they've got streaming over 802.11g working without any problems... but I didn't find a specific solution.

I have confirmed that it is my wireless at fault. I connected my laptop to the router via cable and it could stream just fine with no hiccups.

[thatdude90210]

It does work well, but I think it's likely due to hardware combinations that make it work.

I'm using a Netgear WGR614 with a Netgear WG511 combo and it works fine at all recording rates. I didn't do any tweak, it just worked so I'm not sure what to tell you to tweak.

Maybe make sure you don't have any 802.11b device on your system, or make sure there is no wireless phones around that might interfere.

[stanger89]

Bandwidth isn't the problem, it's reliability. Wireless often just isn't stable enough for streaming video. A dropped/degraded connection here or there won't show up when surfing or copying files, but is painfully obvious when you're streaming high bitrate video.

[Kanati]

Wireless is just unreliable... sometimes you'll get perfect signal, other times you'll get interference from unknown sources and lose packets... sometimes you'll... you get the idea.

It's great for internet access via a laptop or handheld... But it's definitely not something I'd want to use as a source for streaming video on a regular basis.

[Kanati]

stanger beat me to it.

[JUC]

Well, it can work. I have been streaming wirelessly with my linksys WAP54G and linksys WPC54G with absolutely no problems for a few months now. For me and many others--it works great. But it also causes nightmares for lots of folks too. Basically, if you can get it to work-it works great, if you are having trouble--forget about it because no amount of tweaking will help. Wall, corless phones...all cause interference. But, it does work for some people...quite reliable
JUC

[cmaffia]

I am streaming wirelesss to both my MediaMVP client and also my 1.6ghz Celeron laptop (Simultaneously) and I have no hicups at all. My server records using the "GREAT" setting. My laptop uses a generic "TrendNET" wireless G pcmcia card and my MediaMVP is connected to my Linksys game adapter. My wireless router is a Linksys WRT54G.

Originally Posted by Kanati

wireless streaming is the holy grail... And probably an unreachable goal. I think you'd need something using much less bandwidth to get a reliable stream... Or convert to a streaming format like wmv... Try using the "fair" setting and see if you can get a good stream.

Personally I don't even try. It's not worth the headache it will cause. I plan to wire the house for gigE within the next few months and then it will be a non-issue.

[Griff]

I am also streaming wirelessly to an MVP (from a Linksys WRT54G router to a Linksys WAP54G access point) with very few issues. In fact, for some bizarre reason the quality of the wireless stream is typically better than the quality I get streaming to the wired MVP in my office (on which I get some stutters and delays). I did not tweak anything to get the wireless streaming to work, although I had previously used one of the firmware hacks available on the internet to boost my signal from the WRT54G because the connection was dropping out to my laptop in the master bedroom.

I had researched the threads here and was not optimistic about getting acceptable wireless streaming, but decided to try it anyway because of the difficulty of running ethernet lines up to the bedroom. I was very pleasantly surprised when it worked so well. I just wish I could stream DVD's saved to my networked hard drives through the MVP (without having to re-encode them).

[Kanati]

As JUC said... sometimes it worky... sometimes it no worky...

[glbrown]

So how far are you guys going with G? I am in a situation for the summer where the client is about 300 feet from the entrance. Running CAT5 now with no problems but the truck will be moving a lot and twisted pair is a pain. I was thinking about springing for N instead of G.

thanx in adavance -gary-

[GbrNole]

that would be pre-N which is just G on steroids (very good in the belkin form) but still suffers from the dreaded popcorn maker signal loss.

i can't wait for true N though.

[Kanati]

Yeah, I'd wait until it's a done deal on the protocol. Way I understand it it's still a bit "fluid" and likely to change. You don't want to get stuck with something that can't run the real deal when it's finalized.

[ewerx]

Well thanks for all the input. Can't say I'm too encouraged though. Looks like it's just hit and miss. I'm pretty bummed because I was really hoping this could be one of the uses of my new laptop... in fact, it was partly how I justified buying it to my gf: "just think! you'll be able to watch tv in bed while I play xbox!"

I just tried again, and I got a good 5 straight minutes before it started choking. I am within 20 feet of the router, and I practically have line of sight too! Bah.

I think I will try that signal-boosting firmware for the WRT54G. I'm not ready to give up on this yet...

[mdmint]

Originally Posted by thatdude90210

or make sure there is no wireless phones around that might interfere.

Which doesn't even have to be in your house, a neighbors 2.4Ghz phone knocks my wife's PC off the network now and then. (Have Sage Client on her PC, but not used for playback, just browsing what coming up and setting up Fav's etc. so it's not an issue) I too do not rely on wireless for Sage Server to HTPC Client, strictly hardwired gigabit.

[Kanati]

I think I will try that signal-boosting firmware for the WRT54G. I'm not ready to give up on this yet...

For about 50 dollars you can get a pair of high gain antennas for that as well. Staples carries them in stock I know.

[shhas]

We had a similar discussion on this before
http://forums.sagetv.com/forums/show...ghlight=belkin

Here is the bottom line as other people have described above.

Wireless is possible BUT you need to have the right hardware/environment and also accept that the best wireless solution still is not as reliable as a wired solution.

Having said that, Belkin Pre-N router and Belkin Pre-N cards so far work the best. I have tried other combinations (D-link, Netgear) for myself and friends but not as reliable as Belkin.

I have had Pre-N Belkin working without any special antennas in 5000 sq foot environment.

Every little help is welcome when it comes to wireless. The first thing you need to do is to get rid of anything in the 2.4 gighz range (e.g. cordless phones... switch to the 5 gig hz devices). One of the most annoying things I have noticed that makes the connection unreliable and at time useless is Micorwave and microwave oven usage. It pretty much kills the connection. Even if your neighbor has it on and they are close enough, it will affect your connection. Also, stay away from crowded channels if you can (e.g. channel 6).

[Opus4]

I recently got a laptop and am about to try out the world of wireless... I'm curious: do 2.4Ghz phones interfere with G simply by existing, or only when the phones are actually being used?

- Andy

[Kanati]

Personally I've never had a problem with my 2.4Ghz phone and my wireless, though I have no doubt at all that they can interfere. I would guess that it would only really affect it when the phone is being used though.