Quick networking question :)

Bezzaboy1234 · 19 Jan 2013 at 22:57

Hi guys,

So basically on my network I have my Desktop, And my HTPC running all the time, My Laptop and iPad. I set up my HTPC Specifically so that I can watch films on the iPad/Laptop e.t.c, But when accessing more than one movie at a time the machine tends to struggle, Its currently an AMD Athlon II X3 running at stock speeds, 4GB of DDR3 G.Skill ram. and No graphics card.

I do have a 5870 1GB sitting about but usually don't bother using it as I assume it wont affect the streaming greatly as its more down to the network? Is that right, Or should I put the 5870 in? Or should I look for a new router perhaps? I have a fairly modern Net gear RangeMax router, and has perfectly good signal on all devices using it.

Where should I look first/Whats the problem?

Thanks guys

Jaskaran · 19 Jan 2013 at 23:01

My bad didn't realise it was a HTPC lol. :/ Looking at your pictures for it, are all the movies on the SSD?

Reedy · 19 Jan 2013 at 23:03

Jaskaran said:
This looks like your internet can't handle the streaming, I would suggest lowering the quality of some of the moves if you can.

Internet?

What hard drives (make, model, speed) etc are you storing the source files on?

pepp77 · 19 Jan 2013 at 23:12

To give an example my server is a Q6600 with several 2TB 5400rpm drives. The server is connected to a gigabit switch and I can happily stream the same 1080p mkv file to two separate HTPCs (one gigabit, one 10/100) and my ipad with on the fly conversion using airvideo with no issues.

Reedy · 19 Jan 2013 at 23:14

Are they all using wireless?

andy_mk3 · 19 Jan 2013 at 23:34

Your PC should be able to cope fine. I can happily record 2 HD channels while watching another streaming a film downstairs. Sounds like it's a network speed problem to me. How is everything connected?

Bezzaboy1234 · 20 Jan 2013 at 22:45

All of the hard drives are samsung, 5 x 1TB Samsung spinpoint M8's 5400rpm
and 1 3.5 Samsung drive 7200rpm

The HTPC is connected to a Netgear RangeMax DG834PN via Wired, And then I would just stream using AirPlayIt to my iPad, or on the desktop just use the HomeGroup.

I have just had a message pop-up saying my windows 8 evaluation has run out and the PC will restart every two hours so I am just re-installing windows 7 to see if that has any sort of effect.

The router is also setup more or less on the network as a Switch as its connected to the main router in another room and so does not have DHCP on, Could this possibly affect it?

Bezzaboy1234 · 27 Jan 2013 at 16:26

OK So I have finally finished installing Windows 7, I'm surprised as the machine takes longer to start up but feels faster once logged in than windows 8 did, Weird.

However all the networking problems have stopped, Streaming 4 different films at once and its a breeze, no problems at all.

Probably the Windows 8 thing restarting every 5 mins.

Thanks for the help!