LAN with NAS?

[moyboy]

I'm trying to setup a movie streaming network with 2 streamers (WDTV Live + Popcorn Hour) that's separate from the general home network that provides internet access. I don't have the option of plugging anything into the house router nor do I want to due to heavy traffic when everyone in the house all gets on the internet. The Buffalo Linkstation Pro seems like an ideal choice as the HDs can be popped out to be filled with my music/movies via wired USB connection. Currently I carry a bare SATA drive from room to room that goes into USB-connected docks in order for the streamers to read from. I want a slightly expanded version of this, allowing the adjacent room to perhaps have the same access simultaneously with maximum bandwidth for streaming.

Like I stated before I don't want this LAN to be a part of the general home network but if I need to buy a separate router or a gigabit switch in addition to the Linkstation then so be it. Also I don't really want any of my computers to be involved in this task as I'm also trying to reclaim some HD space.

My ideal solution is having the source (movies/music/photos) to broadcast a signal so that my 2 streamers can stream wirelessly, still separate from the home network. If that's not possible I'm willing to switch eternet or USB wires.

Any advice would be much appreciated.

 

[thiggins]

Do the computers that are going to be viewing the streams also need to be attached to the main house network?

If not, then set up a separate switch, assign static IPs to everything connected to it and you should be good to go.

 

[moyboy]

Thanks for replying thiggins,

All my computers get internet via wifi so yes they are already part of the house network. I'm not trying to use them as viewing stations.

This ideal setup I'm trying to establish is for my 2 hdtvs with streamers. So would a Linkstation Pro with a switch be able to assign static IPs to my HDTV Live and Popcorn Hour? Can you make some recommendations as I'm a noob at this.

 

[thiggins]

A switch does not assign IP addresses. There should be options in the HDTV live and Popcorn Hour Network settings to enter IP address information.

Since you are not connecting to the other network, just pick a private IP range.

For example set one device to 192.168.10.1, the next 192.168.10.2, etc.
Set netmask to 255.255.255.0. You can leave gateway and DNS settings blank. If the device insists you enter something, enter 192.168.10.254

 

[moyboy]

A switch does not assign IP addresses. There should be options in the HDTV live and Popcorn Hour Network settings to enter IP address information.

YES I have seen those settings before.

For example set one device to 192.168.10.1, the next 192.168.10.2, etc.

Now is this the setup for the wired (ethernet cable) solution? If I want both streamers to be able to stream from the same source shouldn't all 3 (WDTV, PCH, LS) all have the same IP address? Will adding a wireless router of sort allow the streamers to do their thing wirelessly?

 

[stevech]

Like houses on a street, no two network items can have the same LAN address.

 

[thiggins]

Each device must have a unique IP address.
For HD content, wired will provide a higher bandwidth and more reliable connection.

 

[moyboy]

Like houses on a street, no two network items can have the same LAN address.

I will remember this.

For HD content, wired will provide a higher bandwidth and more reliable connection.

So wireless streaming is out of the question without attaching to the main network?

 

[stevech]

Wifi streaming of video can work for low rate video such as Netflix and STD def, and some 1080i but not 1080p. Needs excellent signal strength and low competition for air time among neighbors.

 

[tipstir]

Netflix does offer HD 1080p on some of their videos but you need devices that support HD and router too. But they do offer HD you can also change the settings on your account via the web using a PC.

Set the Quality of the Image you want to stream down. Services like Vudu does this automatically they use Blue-Ray 1080p with 5.1 Dolby Digital via Cloud Base Servers. You need to sign-up for that feature if you want to buy or rent movies using the HDX 1080p, HD 720p SD 480p.

If the OP wants to have one network for Streaming and one network general he can do so. What he can do is use another WAP setup for just the streaming network and have all devices that stream use that WiFi access point. This is another way to go. But most of the higher end Wireless Routers can handle both traffic with RAM of 256MB or more and faster CPU.