I want to connect 4x media players to my home pc via ethernet cable. The question is how do i go about it. I have a i3 pc with windows 7. Also do i need a switch aswell with the router? Or is a router all i need .
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Media network question
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ChocolateBadger
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The question is do you have internet already? Taking that as yes, you going to need the router for your internet connection. If all your media players are in close proximity to each other like on the tv table then use a switch with one wire running from your router to the switch and then connect all the media devices to the switch.
At the moment i have no adsl. But using the router to stream media to one media player. Just going to add another 3 media players. Another question is , will the pc be able to handle it if i stream maybe 2x hd movies at the same time ?
rrh
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A router is used to provide a connection to the internet.
A switch (or network hub) connects the various devices to the network.
Most routers have a built-in switch, simply 'cos that's what the market calls for.
If you are intending to have four media players plus your PC then you will require a switch with a minimum of five ports, i.e. one port per device. If you intend to connect the network to the internet at some future stage you should allow for another port for the router.
I would look for either a five-port or eight-port gigabit switch (I've never seen a six-port). When it comes to the actual cabling CAT-5E should be adequate for your requirements.
Your PC should handle the load. NB: I'm assuming that the PC has a reasonably fast hard drive and a gigabit LAN port.
A switch (or network hub) connects the various devices to the network.
Most routers have a built-in switch, simply 'cos that's what the market calls for.
If you are intending to have four media players plus your PC then you will require a switch with a minimum of five ports, i.e. one port per device. If you intend to connect the network to the internet at some future stage you should allow for another port for the router.
I would look for either a five-port or eight-port gigabit switch (I've never seen a six-port). When it comes to the actual cabling CAT-5E should be adequate for your requirements.
Your PC should handle the load. NB: I'm assuming that the PC has a reasonably fast hard drive and a gigabit LAN port.
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A router is better cause you can share stuff via wifi as well (nice for phones & tablets)
Most have 4 ports, so if you want a PC + 4 media players you're 1 port short - either:
A) Connect 3 + PC via cable and the 4th player via wifi.
B) or shell out for a switch.
I'd go with option A.
You can only stream 2 movies at a time from your PC, i'm guessing 3 is gonna be too much.
I reckon if you connect some of your hard drives to the other media players though, that you will be able to get out a lot more, as the HDD bandwidth is "split" better
(The ones with the drives attached must obviously be powered on to access everything from every room though)
I'd say connect a drive or two to ONE OTHER media device, and always keep that one one - maybe the living room one
(Use your "best" player there, that could be able to connect to 2 hard drives)
*Im not sure what players you have and if they can take internal drives or if you even have external drives, it's just an idea to share the load. (my theory, at least)
Most have 4 ports, so if you want a PC + 4 media players you're 1 port short - either:
A) Connect 3 + PC via cable and the 4th player via wifi.
B) or shell out for a switch.
I'd go with option A.
You can only stream 2 movies at a time from your PC, i'm guessing 3 is gonna be too much.
I reckon if you connect some of your hard drives to the other media players though, that you will be able to get out a lot more, as the HDD bandwidth is "split" better
(The ones with the drives attached must obviously be powered on to access everything from every room though)
I'd say connect a drive or two to ONE OTHER media device, and always keep that one one - maybe the living room one
(Use your "best" player there, that could be able to connect to 2 hard drives)
*Im not sure what players you have and if they can take internal drives or if you even have external drives, it's just an idea to share the load. (my theory, at least)
i have the following media players : 1x Mede8er 500x2(with 2TB internal hdd) and 2x WD Live media players. only the Med500x2 has wifi.
going to get another player soon. Probably another WD player. I do have external hdd's but the ethernet route just makes more sense. the speed of the streaming should be constant. i tried streaming on the med500x2 but for some reason the hd movies battled a bit some times(even though it is wireless N). i guess my router also cant handle the 2 HD streamed movies at the same time.
so a switch would seem to be a better option like you guys said earlier.
the prices of the 5 port switches aint bad either +/- R300.
going to get another player soon. Probably another WD player. I do have external hdd's but the ethernet route just makes more sense. the speed of the streaming should be constant. i tried streaming on the med500x2 but for some reason the hd movies battled a bit some times(even though it is wireless N). i guess my router also cant handle the 2 HD streamed movies at the same time.
so a switch would seem to be a better option like you guys said earlier.
the prices of the 5 port switches aint bad either +/- R300.
+1 for Gigabit switches. Get a good brand with power saving feature and jumbo frames.
Any thoughts on the following 8 port switch : Tenda G1008D