WiFi and HD video

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Des

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#106507 25-Jul-2012 10:54

I have an HTPC computer receiving full HD satellite TV. Works beautifully. The software I use (DVBLink TVSource) allows me to share that TV signal with other computers on the network. And this works pretty well with SD channels. But when you try to view HD, its hopeless!

The thing is, I have 3 N-network Wireless Access Points in my house. I can put one 20cm from the computer I'm streaming too, with 300Mbps connection, and nothing! Terrible HD signal. Its all broken up and unwatchable. But plug an ethernet cable into that same AP, and instantly it's working perfectly.

Does anyone know why WiFi is so uncapable? I'd think with a sufficiently good signal (like, right next to the PC), it should be able to cope.

Thanks!

kobiak

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#661586 25-Jul-2012 11:15

yeah WIFI and FullHD are hopeless together. I would not even bother to get it working after I tried few times.

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CYaBro

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#661599 25-Jul-2012 11:25

Are you sure it's not being transcoded on the server PC and that is too slow?

But yea more than likely the wireless causing the issues.
People keep going on about how everything is wireless now, no need to run cables everywhere when building a new house, yea right!

Opinions are my own and not the views of my employer.

Des

54 posts

Master Geek

#661601 25-Jul-2012 11:27

Why is that, do you know? Lame, cos basically wasted $50 on a wireless adapter if I don't end up using it.

Another question...anyone have any experience with Ethernet over Powerline adapters? Are they any more stable than WiFi? Or is there a chance I'll still end up with a connection inadequate for HD?

Des

54 posts

Master Geek

#661603 25-Jul-2012 11:29

CYaBro: Are you sure it's not being transcoded on the server PC and that is too slow?

But yea more than likely the wireless causing the issues.
People keep going on about how everything is wireless now, no need to run cables everywhere when building a new house, yea right!

The server PC is pretty powerful...and the thing is, it works completely perfectly through LAN. So I would have thought, if there were an issue with the server sending the data, that should exist regardless of how my client PCs connected?

freitasm

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#661605 25-Jul-2012 11:31

How do you know it's connected at 300 Mbps? Most likely it's connected at 65 Mpbs or less (right-click the WiFi adapter properties and click Status to see its current connection speed). And if you have more than one access point, and all of them using the same channel, then you will find there is interference.

Des

54 posts

Master Geek

#661620 25-Jul-2012 11:46

Yeah, that's where I go to check. It says 300Mbps (though I know that doesn't necessarily mean its going to transfer anything like that). At the moment I'm connecting to the regular AP I have downstairs (and inSSIDer reports an RSSI of 50 - I don't have the one next to the computer connected at the moment). I've turned off all other Wireless APs, so it's the only one working. And I can't even watch SD at the moment, its all broken up.

I didn't realise having multiple APs on the same channel was a problem though, I thought thats how you were supposed to set it up! So thats interesting.

freitasm

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#661622 25-Jul-2012 11:48

How to chose the right WiFi channel

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davidcole

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#661714 25-Jul-2012 13:00

Hmm, I can play 1080p via wireless - admitedly the wireless router is about 5m away. But it's only G wireless.

These aren't BluRays though but run to about 2gb for 30 mins. So not utter crap quality as well.

It's not recommended for HD, but it does work.

Previously known as psycik

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NonprayingMantis

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#661730 25-Jul-2012 13:14

I'm able to play 720p via wifi on my ATV2 with no issues

what bitrate is your HTPC streaing the video over wifi at?

Kiwipixter

246 posts

Master Geek

#661735 25-Jul-2012 13:19

I use the same DVBLink software and stream Freeview HD channels over Wifi N 2.4GHz. the trick is to select wifi channels that are not congested, especially on 2.4G. Put your HTPC on a separate network, wired Ethernet or 5GHz like i have.

Cheers.

DarthKermit

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#661837 25-Jul-2012 15:56

A wired connection will always beat a wireless connection in terms of data transfer speed.

Whatifthespacekeyhadneverbeeninvented?

Des

54 posts

Master Geek

#661972 25-Jul-2012 19:01

Hmm, there several other networks around so I've got as far away from them as I can, channel wise. But there is still overlap. I wish I had 5GHz routers...mine only operate at 2.4.

The video comes through at between 10 and 20 MB/s. Are there things on the computer end that can make a difference? Or is it only an interference with Wifi issue. As I said, I brought the router right up next to the computer, so that, I'd have thought, interference should be negligable. But still had no luck.

tdgeek

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#661984 25-Jul-2012 19:27

These days I copy my HD from my N laptop to my HDD attached to an N WDTV Live, and using a TPLink WR8960N. The transfer rate is usually around 2.8 MBytes/sec minimum which equates to about 10GB per hour.

When I had streamed SD or HD from the WDTV drive to my laptop, it played fine, an 8GB BluRay rip stuttered, but that played ok once I went N. Certainly YMMV depending on other wifi in the immediate area, and active devices on your wifi network.

Question. If you have 3 wifi devices, 2 inactive, that still affects the transfer rate of the one active device?