Media Sharing

paradisiac · 14 Mar 2012 at 09:21

ok, so here is the thing. I have my HTPC, Gaming PC and a Media Server/Internet PC. Now in the Server I have 2 1TB drives with my films and music on which I have shared and mapped to my HTPC and Gaming PC. The problem is, Media Center is very slow. It takes an age to load the libraries, and during video playback it can get jerky.
Specs are as follows :

Gaming PC :
i5 2500k
Z68-EXTREME4
8GB Team Elite RAM
GTX560 2GB
WiFi

HTPC :
Pentium G620
H61M-US3
4GB Zepplin RAM
LG BH10LS38
WiFi

Media Server/Internet PC :
Celeron E3400
Gigabyte G41MT-S2PT
4GB RAM
2x 1TB Western Digital Black
Ethernet

BT Homehub

Do you think it could be the Server isn't powerful enough (Media Center is slow loading libraries on that too) or the fact its over wireless?

sypher365 · 14 Mar 2012 at 09:31

I would take a guess at it being wireless as you don't need that powerful a machine for playback, I would try running a long network cable to the htpc as a test and see how it works then and take it from there.

If it is the wireless then look at hardwiring in the htpc or homeplugs if no easy way of running the cable.

paradisiac · 14 Mar 2012 at 09:40

would something like Devolo 1628 dLAN 200 AV Mini Kit Wireless Network Adaptor be ok? that way it would boost my wireless downstairs too.

picnic · 14 Mar 2012 at 09:55

What OS is on the server? I've got to the point where I'm going to bin my WHS as the demigrator.exe is forever slowing the whole thing down. I don't have problems streaming music but hi-def video is a no no now

paradisiac · 14 Mar 2012 at 10:02

picnic said:
What OS is on the server? I've got to the point where I'm going to bin my WHS as the demigrator.exe is forever slowing the whole thing down. I don't have problems streaming music but hi-def video is a no no now

Sorry forgot to say, server is running win8:CP the other 2 are running win7:HP

paradisiac · 14 Mar 2012 at 14:17

got some cheap (well £40) TPLink homeplugs and seems to of done the trick

Confused · 14 Mar 2012 at 14:33

I'd say it's 100% the wireless.

I had wireless on my HTPC originally, experienced the same.

Managed then to plug it into my router at 100mbps, much improved.

I also noticed a huge difference when I got myself an HP ProCurve 1410-8g gigabit switch and everything was on that

paradisiac · 14 Mar 2012 at 22:24

well the homeplugs sort of worked, I think. the menu in media center is more responsive, but its not always loading the thumbnail pics

GSXRMovistar · 15 Mar 2012 at 15:03

picnic said:
What OS is on the server? I've got to the point where I'm going to bin my WHS as the demigrator.exe is forever slowing the whole thing down. I don't have problems streaming music but hi-def video is a no no now

Just set demigrator.exe to run during hours of little use (say 2am - 10am), have done that with my WHS and it cured all playback issues.

Confused · 15 Mar 2012 at 17:47

GSXRMovistar said:
Just set demigrator.exe to run during hours of little use (say 2am - 10am), have done that with my WHS and it cured all playback issues.

Ahh - yes... I forgot I did this too!

I run the following batch files as scheduled tasks:

DeMigratorOff.bat

Code:

@echo off
sc stop "DriveExtenderMigrator"
sc config "DriveExtenderMigrator" start= disabled
exit

DeMigratorOn.bat

Code:

@echo off
sc config "DriveExtenderMigrator" start= demand
sc start "DriveExtenderMigrator"
exit