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+--- Thread: help with high speed internet, wireless, media center, etc. (/showthread.php?tid=7305)
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help with high speed internet, wireless, media center, etc. - Maengelito - 05-13-2008
Okay folks, when it comes to anything computer related more than teh internetz, email and youtube, I'm mildly retarded. Jenn currently has comcast high speed internet and a wireless router. However, I just found out that she's paying like $3 a month to rent the cable modem. I figure after like a year, it'd pay for itself, so I want to pick up a cable modem. However, do they make cable modems with routers or wireless routers built in? Also, I'm going to be buying a friend's used laptop with wireless capability so eventually I'd like to turn my desktop into a media center as well. What will I need to do to comp in order to stream media to various computers and TV's? I'm sure I'm missing a few steps or components and whatnot, so any help would be appreciated. Again, I'm retarded when it comes to things like this, so dont assume I know any products or acronyms or anything like that. Help this asian fit the "IT" stereotype!
- Sijray21 - 05-13-2008
they have wireless gateways (modems with routers)
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.nextag.com/Linksys-WCG200-Wireless-G-59516611/prices-html">http://www.nextag.com/Linksys-WCG200-Wi ... rices-html</a><!-- m -->
i think Leech had one for a while, but it crapped out after 4 years? matt and evan are good to chime in here - even had the streaming media thing and matt's good with networks
- Apoc - 05-13-2008
If she's already got a wireless router, why pay for a modem that has the capability? Just buy the cheapo Linksys cable router and replace the rental with it.
For the desktop, you can stream media over the network with no real config changes. To stream to TVs, I think the easiest way is to is to install Windows XP Media Center on the desktop and get a hacked Xbox running Media Center hooked to the TV.
- Evan - 05-13-2008
better to rent the cable modem. gives you the flexibility to change to DSL, or FiOS, etc. Otherwise its going to take you 3 or 4 years just to recoup the cost of the modem. And the good part about renting is that if it craps out, they just give you a new one.
As far as media stuff, youre going to have to be more specific with exactly what you want to do. Streaming to other computers isnt anything more than a file share.
TVs/Stereos could be a little more complicated depending on your gear. I just setup a Vista Media Center with a hdtv and hooked into the stereo/surround.
A media center remote helps especially if you are on a standard def tv and have to use the media center UI. If you have a high def TV you can use it as a computer monitor, but will then need a wireless mouse and keyboard.
if you want to DVR with your media center you will need a tv tuner card.
- Apoc - 05-13-2008
Evan Wrote:better to rent the cable modem. gives you the flexibility to change to DSL, or FiOS, etc. Otherwise its going to take you 3 or 4 years just to recoup the cost of the modem. And the good part about renting is that if it craps out, they just give you a new one.
3 or 4 years? More like 1 year if you buy new, less than that if you buy used.
Ebay has a billion of 'em, especially now that people are switching over to FIOS.
I agree with the "what if you switch" part, but it doesn't sound like they plan on that any time soon. I purchased a cable modem at the old house, changed to DSL, then ended up having to use it again in the new house... and then just switched to FIOS. It ended up saving me in the long run but your mileage may vary.
- Evan - 05-13-2008
Apoc Wrote:you suck at mathEvan Wrote:better to rent the cable modem. gives you the flexibility to change to DSL, or FiOS, etc. Otherwise its going to take you 3 or 4 years just to recoup the cost of the modem. And the good part about renting is that if it craps out, they just give you a new one.
3 or 4 years? More like 1 year if you buy new, less than that if you buy used.
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.nextag.com/Linksys-WCG200-Wireless-G-59516611/prices-html">http://www.nextag.com/Linksys-WCG200-Wi ... rices-html</a><!-- m -->
$105-$135/ 3 = 35-45 months
- ViPER1313 - 05-13-2008
I recommend you buy one of the Motorola cable modems on Newegg (look at reviews to find the better one - the model numbers are deceiving, higher does not necessarily mean newer) and a good wireless router separate of the modem. If you were a nerd like me I would tell you to buy a router that you could flash with the DD-WRT firmware (Buffalo makes one for $30 or so, gives you the features of a Cisco router), but that is probably overly complex for your needs. If you can man up on it though it will be the most stable router money can buy, initial setup is a b!@#h though.
Modem - $35
Router - $30-$50
Evan being wrong at the maths - priceless.
- Apoc - 05-13-2008
Evan Wrote:http://www.nextag.com/Linksys-WCG200-Wireless-G-59516611/prices-html
$105-$135/ 3 = 35-45 months
That's a Gateway donkey... plain ole modems are a lot cheaper.
- mrbaggio - 05-13-2008
Apoc Wrote:If she's already got a wireless router, why pay for a modem that has the capability? Just buy the cheapo Linksys cable router and replace the rental with it.
For the desktop, you can stream media over the network with no real config changes. To stream to TVs, I think the easiest way is to is to install Windows XP Media Center on the desktop and get a hacked Xbox running Media Center hooked to the TV.
I also vote for a hacked xbox running XBMC. Setting it up is a pain, but once you are rolling you are golden. I converted my old xbox 2+ years ago and its still going. It plays vid, music, pics, and even games.
I like the idea of renting. I have had more than my share of internet devices burn up on me. Free replacement is nice.
- ViPER1313 - 05-13-2008
On another note - the modems that you can buy 3rd party usually suck a lot less than the modems that a cable company will give you. There actually are speed differences depending on the chipset your modem comes with.
- JackoliciousLegs - 05-13-2008
Agreed with everyone who says buy them separate. Don't worry about all the tech stuff adam says. Just buy a the modem that was linked earlier and a belkin or linksys wireless router (ps, most wireless routers come with a couple ports for your wired devices too). It'll take you 5 mins to set up and you'll be ready for wireless.
As far as the media center goes... you're going to have to beef up on the tech stuff to make your own. There are lots of options. Do you want to record video? Do you just want to play stuff from the internet? If you want a DVR, then building your own is not trivial. If you just want to play video from the web... XBMC is ok (but also needs some techyness). If you just want something easy, but a prebuilt something or other (or a mac or winbloze Media Center Edition)
- CaptainHenreh - 05-13-2008
I have a moto surfboard that I can't seem to sell (even on ebay), it's never been used.
If you can use it, you guys are welcome to it.
- Andy - 05-13-2008
When we move, I'll sell you our Westell WIreless Router for a 12 pack of Newks. You can have it at Hyperfest.
- Apoc - 05-14-2008
Andy Wrote:When we move, I'll sell you our Westell WIreless Router for a 12 pack of Newks. You can have it at Hyperfest.
Maybe I misread his original post but doesn't she already have a router?
- Andy - 05-14-2008
Apoc Wrote:Andy Wrote:When we move, I'll sell you our Westell WIreless Router for a 12 pack of Newks. You can have it at Hyperfest.
Maybe I misread his original post but doesn't she already have a router?
You're right. Maeng's poor use of spacing confused me.
- Maengelito - 05-15-2008
CaptainHenreh Wrote:I have a moto surfboard that I can't seem to sell (even on ebay), it's never been used.
If you can use it, you guys are welcome to it.
I assume thats a cable modem? If so, I'll take it, lemme know how much you want for it.
Unfortunately, FIOS isnt available in Cville and DSL is only available if you have a telephone landline? Yeah, dont have that either, so Comcast is what we're doing for the foreseeable future.
She does have a wireless router, but I didnt know if there were versions that combine the modem and router into a cheap little package. Apparently, two cheap packages are better than one moderately priced package for my application?
As for media center stuff, she's got an HDTV and ideally I'd like to have some sort of DVR capabilities. The current DVR provided by Comcast is kinda crappy. If I get a TV tuner card for the PC, will I still have to pay for DVR service? Using it as a computer monitor would be nice too. Do I just get a DVI -> HDMI cable and plug it in? Obviously a wireless keyboard and mouse if I want to be able to sit on the couch.
- Mike - 05-15-2008
Maengelito Wrote:She does have a wireless router, but I didnt know if there were versions that combine the modem and router into a cheap little package. Apparently, two cheap packages are better than one moderately priced package for my application?
yes. cable modems with built-in wireless are 100% shit. not sure why nobody can get it right... i'm speaking from experience with 4 different units. i've ended up tacking on my own wireless afterwards.
- Evan - 05-15-2008
Maengelito Wrote:As for media center stuff, she's got an HDTV and ideally I'd like to have some sort of DVR capabilities. The current DVR provided by Comcast is kinda crappy. If I get a TV tuner card for the PC, will I still have to pay for DVR service? Using it as a computer monitor would be nice too. Do I just get a DVI -> HDMI cable and plug it in? Obviously a wireless keyboard and mouse if I want to be able to sit on the couch.yes, DVI to HDMI converter (or cable - check <!-- w --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.monoprice.com">www.monoprice.com</a><!-- w -->)
You're on your own with going the DVR route. Pain in the ass, not as user friendly. Better to just get the HD comcast DVR and use that IMO. If you do, you will need a hd tuner card, either GB PVR or windows media center, a bigger hard drive, and a media center remote.
- CaptainHenreh - 05-15-2008
Maengelito Wrote:CaptainHenreh Wrote:I have a moto surfboard that I can't seem to sell (even on ebay), it's never been used.
If you can use it, you guys are welcome to it.
I assume thats a cable modem? If so, I'll take it, lemme know how much you want for it.
Whatever. I "sold" it on ebay for 15 bucks, then the guy said "D'oh! My son bought this, logged into my paypal account, and paid for it...can I have my money back?"
So at this point, whatever.
- ViPER1313 - 05-15-2008
Depending on the TV it might already have a DVI hookup for a computer.