Specing a home network / media network

[PFarrey]

Hi guys,

Once again I am requesting the advice and support from OCUK. I am extremely grateful for all advice given previously and currently.

I will be moving into my first house within the next month or so. I would like to set up a wireless or wired network (no preference which). To give some background I intend on having a Windows 7 Home Premium computer (spec in sig) in a study upstairs. I would like to be able to store my films / pictures / videos etc on a 'server' so that I can play them in any room of my choice. I have an LG 42" full HD tv for the lounge, and will have HDTV's in another room plus a bedroom. There will also be atleast one laptop, one netbook plus 2/3 wifi mobiles. I dont want my PC on unless I want to use it.

I'm not sure if this is even possible as I have no idea when it comes to this sort of thing. I am competent with building PCs etc as I built my own. I just need to know if I can set up such a network and what products I will need / cost.

*Edit - Sorry forgot to mention that budget isn't a major issue but value for money is a priority

 

[Mike1983]

If money is not so much of an issue then I would go for a wired network (this is the route I took). It will be more stable / reliable and have faster transfer speeds. Obviously still stick in a wireless router / AP for convenience and redundancy but use your wired network as the main method of streaming and file transfer.

Also, as it is your first new house can it be assumed you will be gutting every room and starting from fresh with the decorating? If so then installing a wired network makes a lot of sense.

Personally I would run cat5e or cat6 cable around the house behind the walls to each room requiring network points. Run as many wires / install as many networks points in each room as you see fit. Take the other ends of all these wires back to your study, terminate them onto a patch panel then connect them to a decent Gigabit rated switch.

Plug a NAS drive into your switch and use that as your "server" to alleviate the need for having your PC on all the time.

Let me know if you want me to elaborate on my setup wth photos etc...

Mike

 

[bigredshark]

If you're streaming then N wireless will be good enough unless you've bought a mansion. While wired gigabit is nice it's only really useful if you're transferring files around to different machines rather than playing them from their current location - a well thought out setup shouldn't need you transfer files around very much.

So from a value for money point of view wired may be difficult to justify (and even with wall points who likes cables?). Get a NAS which has DLNA server functionality if you can, that'll simplify playing back the contents on devices like consoles and newer TVs (and with the appropriate clients, PCs and phones).

I'm not saying don't do wired if you need the bandwidth or wireless if flaky due to interference, but N wifi is good enough for most things. I design networks for ISPs and I have appropriately fancy networking gear at home but aside from my office, the bits which are wired are at 100Mbps (media player included and it streams 1080p from my NAS just fine) and I use wireless for most stuff.

 

[Azra]

+1 for wireless N

If you have a blind spot you can always opt for some of these wired devices.

In terms of usage are the other spots (tvs in lounge / bedroom) only needing media streaming? (ie not full pc functionality?)

If so maybe a few Western Digital WD TV Live HD Media Player which can be used wirelessly if you go in that direction (with an added wifi dongle)

 

[PFarrey]

Thanks for the responses. I think its all a bit beyond me! I want a wired network because its more stable. My girlfriend has been in touch with a company who specialise in setting this sort of thing up and actually do all the wiring etc. Looks like its gonna cost me a bit so value for money is out the window!! Thanks guys.