Newb to networking ???

[duc999]

I have bought a Samsung 40D6530 TV and have a Dell XPS M7010 laptop with Sky Broadband.

I want to be able to game , watch Sky Player and downloaded content on my TV.

Can anyone help me with the type of kit needed to be able to do this with minimum fuss ? I would still like to be able to use my laptop if viewing downloaded content.

Budget isnt really an issue so any help would be more than welcome

Cheers in advance

 

[Sin_Chase]

That TV has an RJ45 Ethernet port and wireless.

You have 2 options.

Run a network cable from TV to ADSL Router, configure appropriately.

OR

Configure TV onto your wireless (assuming your router has it)

In the simplest configuration all you should need to do is go through the Wizard/Setup the TV provides and opt to Obtain an IP Address Automatically/Via DHCP.

 

[duc999]

Excellent and I didnt expect it to be that easy

Would it be prudent to get a WDTV Live or similar to store and play my downloaded content from without using the laptop HD space ?

 

[deuse]

You could take a look at Synology 211j for storage and the WDTV Live for play back.
I would get a cheap 5 port gig switch so you can then hard wire everything.

 

[duc999]

You could take a look at Synology 211j for storage and the WDTV Live for play back.
I would get a cheap 5 port gig switch so you can then hard wire everything.

Could I not stream directly from the Synology and not need a WDTV Live ?

Or just get a WD TV Live Hub and not need the Synology as the PC will always be stand alone ?

 

[deuse]

Streaming from the DS211j to the tv would work if all the videos was converted to the format the TV likes(which will be a pita)
There is a new update for the Synology brand that will do converting on the fly.
See the synology home page about this.

Using a WD TV Live Hub then yes but think about future proofing i.e you buy WD TV HUB this year only to find you run out of storage space
so then you have to go out and buy a small server or Nas.