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Author Topic: HTPC help  (Read 1421 times)

Offline _!Rathe!_

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HTPC help
« on: June 22, 2010, 02:38:09 PM »
I have an old Celeron 2.4 Ghz (single core no hyperthreading) system with 4 gigs of Ram and a Nvidia 8500 that I use for a HTPC.  When I first set it up it worked fine for streaming video from the internet (fox.com, fancast.com etc.) but since I moved my router it is very choppy.  The system went from being wired to wireless but I didn't think it would make that much of a difference since the internet is still slower than the wireless connection.  The system is running Windows media Center.  Does anyone have any ideas on how to make it so things work better? 
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Offline The Shoctor

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Re: HTPC help
« Reply #1 on: June 22, 2010, 03:06:20 PM »
Is it only streaming media? Like from the intardwebs? Cause the sites my have upped their codec and your little machine can't do it no mo.
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Offline sully!

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Re: HTPC help
« Reply #2 on: June 22, 2010, 03:31:42 PM »
Even with a faster local wireless, you could also still be dropping packets causing your issues, but my first guess would be the slow CPU.

If that's the case, it looks like your GPU is supported by the new Flash 10.1 that includes GPU acceleration: http://www.nvidia.com/object/gpus_supporting_adobeflash.html Try updating your Flash player and see if that helps.

You'll also need to have the 195 drivers for your card to utilize this.
« Last Edit: June 22, 2010, 03:46:24 PM by sully »
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Offline _!Rathe!_

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Re: HTPC help
« Reply #3 on: June 22, 2010, 04:01:51 PM »
Thanks for that tidbit Sully.  I will definitely look into that one.  The local media that I play does take a second or two to buffer but it seemed to play without an issue.  I will see if I can't get a bigger antenna for the wireless card in the system to improve the connection.   
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Offline zx2slow

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Re: HTPC help
« Reply #4 on: June 22, 2010, 04:49:16 PM »
What OS are you using, that is pretty lightweight if you want to do HD content.  I use vpdau in Linux to offload video to the GPU, I think you need purevision in windows to do the same.
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Offline _!Rathe!_

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Re: HTPC help
« Reply #5 on: June 23, 2010, 07:43:31 AM »
I really don't do much HD content.  I did install the new graphics drivers and I updated to the new flash as well.  The streaming performance didn't improve at all so I did a speed test and it failed that miserably.  I am trying out a new wireless networking card that I had laying around.  Hopefully it will connect better and have a higher speed. 
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Offline sully!

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Re: HTPC help
« Reply #6 on: June 23, 2010, 12:17:33 PM »
I don't know if you live in a crowded area at all, but something else to look at is interference from other wireless networks in your vicinity. Use inSSIDer to map what channels other Wi-Fi networks are on and adjust yours to be on the least crowded.

http://www.metageek.net/products/inssider

All else fails, bust out a drill and run some damn Cat5e!
« Last Edit: June 23, 2010, 12:19:35 PM by sully »
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Offline Czar

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Re: HTPC help
« Reply #7 on: June 25, 2010, 08:14:39 AM »
Quote from: sully on June 23, 2010, 12:17:33 PM
All else fails, bust out a drill and run some damn Cat5e!

I have a 25' fish tape if you need to borrow it to run cables. Also, I did the inSSIDer thing, moved to a new channel and it worked great.
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Offline _!Rathe!_

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Re: HTPC help
« Reply #8 on: June 25, 2010, 08:30:24 AM »
I have already changed the channel I operate on.  Default is 6 for most routers and I have switched to 1 or 2 I think.  The wireless does seem to be the issue but I think I need a bigger antenna for the wireless card.  The PC is behind my TV and I think that is causing interference.   I have my laptop in the living room and it gets 4 or 5 bars while the TV gets 1. 
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Offline Czar

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Re: HTPC help
« Reply #9 on: June 25, 2010, 08:31:16 AM »
Is running cable an option?
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Offline _!Rathe!_

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Re: HTPC help
« Reply #10 on: June 25, 2010, 08:49:00 AM »
I would rather avoid it if I can.  Front part of the house (where all this is taking place) was built in the early 1900's from what I have been told.  10 foot ceilings and plaster walls and I am not sure how I would get a wire from the downstairs up to the second floor as there are very few shared walls between the floors.
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Offline Czar

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Re: HTPC help
« Reply #11 on: June 25, 2010, 08:53:39 AM »
Eh..yeah that seems like a pain in the hiney.
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Offline The Shoctor

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Re: HTPC help
« Reply #12 on: June 25, 2010, 11:55:36 AM »
How about a USB wireless NIC and a longish USB cable to get it out from behind it all.
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Offline Czar

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Re: HTPC help
« Reply #13 on: June 25, 2010, 12:00:46 PM »
I have a belkin router that I installed DD-WRT on for use with my xbox to stream from a PC elseware in the house. I don't need it anymore. Would that work for ya? You can place that in a good spot then run cat5 to the PC
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