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A Wireless Multimedia Solution for Dual Console Households (Xbox 360 and PS3)

g$ — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 00:23:51 +0000

I have the tendency to believe wireless streaming was already a known trend with console owners: everyone owns either or both, yet there are mass tutorials all over the internet and youtube. After discussing this topic with a few relatives within the past 2 weeks, I’ve come to realize a handful of peers didn’t have a clue about wireless streaming capabilities to their consoles. Today, our household can easily access a digital collection of our DVDs, and its pretty awesome once the groundwork is laid out. Today’s Come-Up is a vigorous attempt to share a tested setup with the least amount of steps where I excluded a couple of detailed moves. You definitely need patience to readily troubleshoot and test, and probably could use some tech savviness (is that even a word?)

An XBox 360 wireless stream from Sound of Music

Remember, if you choose to, please attempt this at your own risk! Cannot help but repeat it takes time and patience to get comfortable with the setup, especially from the family given they have to sit through occasional stream breaks (movies would pause.) It also takes time and patience to stock up on the media collection, converting DVDs to wmv format is a TIMELY process. There’s obviously a loss in quality when DVDs are compressed. However, its decent enough to remain cost effective in terms of consuming more storage space and labor time in general, the compressed files are optimal for better wireless streaming in terms of less skipping and streaming breaks. Just an opinion, considering we’ve gone a full year with this setup, WMV happened to be the best medium for the 2 consoles.

Requirements:
PS3 (Upgrade latest firmware)
Xbox 360 (Upgrade latest firmware, Wireless Adapter)
PC running Windows XP or Vista (Must be wired to network router)
Windows Media Player 11+
Wireless G Router (N Routers for optimal)
Lots of storage! A local 1TB+ drive
Software used: DVDFab 5.1 Platinum with Mobile Option

We’ll start with the software…
DVDFab5.1 Platinum gets the job done for us. I remember spending around $20 for the full version with “Mobile Option,” this allowed me to fully control conversion settings: from 30 fps, to max resolution, optional subtitle control, and video formats. I tend to max the output settings possible for wmv conversions, but refuse to spend any more time on “optimal” performance because this setup simply works.

PS3
1. Connected to our secured wireless network. You’re straight if you’re already gaming online.
2. a.) Enabled WMV Playback under System Settings, b.) Enabled Media Server Connection under the Network Settings.
3. Restarted the console.

Xbox 360
4. Purchased a Wireless Adapter and connected to our network.

PC running Windows XP or Vista
5. Opened Windows Media Player.
6. Under the Library dropdown, checked the Media Sharing settings. Allowed the Xbox and the “Unknown Device.”
7. Under the additional Settings, I chose “Media Library” as the media server name and made sure everything was selected.

8. Back under the Library dropdown, “Add to library” specified my media folder.

9. Double-checked Windows Media Player background services, made sure Windows Media Player Network Sharing Service was started and set to automatic.

10. I also tend to restart every time, so I must have restarted the PC.

Results
Restart and test the PS3. select the setup media server. Here you could see my “Media Server.” Under All Folders, you could access the WMV backups from the main PC. The video download stream ranging from 1.1-1.5Mbps was pretty good for my standards, pretty clean considering the movie was compressed to about 1/5 of the actual DVD. I know there are probably better, more efficient, and more secure setups and tutorials out there…. But really… this setup is perfect for the household – it gets the job done, and we are truly satisfied accessing a digital library of our DVD collection. Not to mention, there are 2 Zune players in the household and have yet to explore their potential with their native wmv format and wireless capabilities. There are folks out there who need a quick yet effective way to learn, and there isn’t much time to run in triangles from each setup when you’re already running in circles with the family. Hopefully, today’s come-up will limit the triangles for you.

Beware, test at your own risk. I’m basically sharing our household’s current setup for Today’s Come-up thinking some of you could benefit. This also might save me a couple of trips to set up my relatives. Geestreet.net is not liable for problems that may arise from mirroring my setup. Feel free to comment and let us know if you dive into this madness!

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1TB Western Digital External Drive for you MAC users SOLD OUT

g$ — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 17:24:14 +0000

As of today, I sadly come to realize I am gradually becoming outnumbered by MAC users… so why not headline a come-up for you guys.

Best Buy is offering a Western Digital 1TB Mac Edition External Hard Drive for $64.99. [Model WDH1U10000A]

Daily Check-up: Next best is 108.00 – 110.00 from verious merchants in froogle.com.

Jumping to Apple is strongly discouraged in my household, but I’m sure someone out there (if not the advertising) will persuade my family.

UPDATE as of 6:31PM 09/09/2009: *SOLD OUT*

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24″ Come-Up: w00t vs. Costco

g$ — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 21:43:19 +0000

Television sets remind me of “decent” monitors. We’re not PC monitor connoisseurs but at least we have preferences when selecting a decent monitor to handle blue-ray, gaming, audio work, etc. Forget the majority of LCD TVs offering only a 60Hz refresh rate, even where some around 24-inches still suffer producing only up to 720P. With proper hardware of course, get into sick HD feeds w/ a 1080P HDMI monitor for less then $200. There are 2 pretty sweet deals, woot’s deal expires 10PM PST 8/19, and costco.com through 9/6.

Lets compare both monitors currently offered:
sellout.woot.com vs. costco.com.

HP TS-W2408h – sellout.woot price: $189.99 + $5 shipping *EXPIRED*

HP TS24W8H-R offered @ sellout.woot.com.

Screen Size: 24″
Resolution: 1920×1200 (@ 60Hz)
Video Input Connectors: HDMI with HDCP, D-sub VGA
USB: Built-in USB hub with 3 USB 2.0 ports
Response Time: 5ms
Internal Audio Speakers: Yes
Adjustability Pivot, Tilt, Height: Yes
Warranty: 90 day woot warranty.
Refresh Rate (Max Resolution): 60Hz
Dynamic Contrast Ratio: up to 3,000:1

Samsung 2494HM – Costco.com price: $199.99 (FREE Shipping, members only)

Samsung 2494HM offered @ Costco.com

Screen Size: 24″
Resolution: 1920 x 1080 (@ 75Hz)
Video Input Connectors: HDMI, D-sub, DVI-D (with HDCP)
USB: n/a
Response Time: 5ms
Internal Audio Speakers: Yes
Adjustability Pivot, Tilt, Height: Not as nimble.
Warranty: Not sure, I’m guessing there’s a manufacturer’s warranty included in the box.
Refresh Rate (Max Resolution): 75Hz
Dynamic Contrast Ratio: up to 50,000:1

Samsung was always kind to us, comfort factor wins this battle, my garage workstation would’ve came up if we had $! Window shopping bites.

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Acer Desktop PC AX1700-U3700A – $299 + $5 Shipped offered @ Woot.com EXPIRED

g$ — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 09:39:23 +0000

Come-up for $305 @ Woot.com

Considering anyone who carefully reviews the overall pc and its performance, considering all the specs and pieces put together by a DECENT maker (personally no issues with ACER), and finally considering its FINAL price – As a PC head, yet a cheapskate at the same time… suga-mama would have to approve this come-up entering our home. Hmmm, what to justify? Come up again at Woot.com, headlined twice within a week! Consider it a sick entry level PC priced just right.

Daily Check-up: Next cheapest $349 (Without tax + shipping) @ SamsClub.com,. Please post if a better deal is caught!

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geestreet.net » computers

A Wireless Multimedia Solution for Dual Console Households (Xbox 360 and PS3)

1TB Western Digital External Drive for you MAC users *SOLD OUT*

24″ Come-Up: w00t vs. Costco

Acer Desktop PC AX1700-U3700A – $299 + $5 Shipped offered @ Woot.com *EXPIRED*

1TB Western Digital External Drive for you MAC users SOLD OUT

Acer Desktop PC AX1700-U3700A – $299 + $5 Shipped offered @ Woot.com EXPIRED