[boomhower]

I am not going to bore you with my long history of trying to get 1080P streaming to work but here is the final set-up:

Router: Linksys WRT610N
Server: Acer EasyStore
Mediaplayer: WD HD TV Live
Bridge: Netgear WNHDE111

The distance is only around 30' but 1080P is streaming wirelessly perfectly. I can download files from the net on the 2.4Ghz G network and stream media via the 5Ghz N network with no interference on compromise in speed of either. Overall I am very very happy with the end result. I just though sharing my experience with others hopefully saving someone else some time, frustration, and money. Now I just need to figure out how to get disc covers working and I'll be good to go.

[Terry (WGS)]

Nice work! Any special configuration, or just plug and play?

[boomhower]

Pretty much just plug and play. I had a bit of an issue getting the bridge connected to my network. For whatever reason I can't get it to open in my browser. I ended up using the push button connect deal, first time I have ever done that as I like having control over everything. Other than that it was all plug and play. I am not running any media server software, just browse network shares on the WD box. It's simple but works very very well. I really think 5Ghz is the secret to streaming 1080P.

[GaPony]

I think the bitrate of the movie is the key... 1080p at low bitrates has never been that much of an issue for Wireless N, within reasonable distances. The the full sized 40gb/50Mbs Blu-Ray movies that will always be a challenge.

[boomhower]

Got the thumbail figured out, just need a jpeg with the same file name in the folder. Now to figure out how to get a picture on a folder, like where I have TV seasons embedded.

[GaPony]

boomhower, on 01 August 2010 - 09:58 PM, said:

Got the thumbail figured out, just need a jpeg with the same file name in the folder. Now to figure out how to get a picture on a folder, like where I have TV seasons embedded.

Stick another .jpg in there and name it folder.jpg

[boomhower]

I'll try it again. The latest firmware was supposed to get it to stop showing the jpegs but I'm still getting the jpegs along with the actual movie. It's getting a bit irritating.

[GaPony]

The whole thumbnal view thing on my WDTV Live got old rather quickly, to be honest. I found that I prefer the speed of list view more more to my liking. I'd much rather just scroll to the title than go through a bunch of covers... lean and mean is the way to go.

[boomhower]

GaPony, on 10 August 2010 - 06:41 AM, said:

The whole thumbnal view thing on my WDTV Live got old rather quickly, to be honest. I found that I prefer the speed of list view more more to my liking. I'd much rather just scroll to the title than go through a bunch of covers... lean and mean is the way to go.

That's what I have ended up doing. It works fine for me. The reason I wanted thumbnails is I have a four year old and it's nice for her to be able to look at some thumbnails to pick out the movie she wants to watch. Oh well, maybe in a later update. Never have gotten folder thumbs to work though.

[Drashna Jaelre (WGS)]

have you tried metabrowser? I believe it does generate folder.jpg files for movies/tv series. Much more useful if you're using mediabrowser though. ;)

[GaPony]

@boomhower

Its a problem with the WDTV firmware... not the thumbnails specifically.

Server software, such a PS3MediaServer do work well with thumbnail view, but they also have limitations on the format of the movies. PS3MS works great with .mpg, vob, .avi and .m2ts files, so I keep all the kid movies in these formats. Its not all that strong with .mkv, .iso, and video_ts folders. In fairness, I have been running this version for more than a year, so I'm sure there have been several updates and at least a few improvements.

I switch to PS3MS and thumbnail when my 3 y/o grandson comes to visit. It only takes a second or two, because I run PS3MS as a service, on my WHS, which is always on (even though I rarely use it) and you know how fast the WDTV can be switched between the different view modes.

The things we do for our kids and grandkids... :)

[boomhower]

Drashna Jaelre (WGS), on 11 August 2010 - 09:58 AM, said:

have you tried metabrowser? I believe it does generate folder.jpg files for movies/tv series. Much more useful if you're using mediabrowser though. ;)

Haven't heard of it, I'll have to look into it.

Quote

@boomhower

Its a problem with the WDTV firmware... not the thumbnails specifically.

Server software, such a PS3MediaServer do work well with thumbnail view, but they also have limitations on the format of the movies. PS3MS works great with .mpg, vob, .avi and .m2ts files, so I keep all the kid movies in these formats. Its not all that strong with .mkv, .iso, and video_ts folders. In fairness, I have been running this version for more than a year, so I'm sure there have been several updates and at least a few improvements.

I switch to PS3MS and thumbnail when my 3 y/o grandson comes to visit. It only takes a second or two, because I run PS3MS as a service, on my WHS, which is always on (even though I rarely use it) and you know how fast the WDTV can be switched between the different view modes.

The things we do for our kids and grandkids... :)

But using PS3MS requires transoding right? I don't want to do that. I don't want to have my server running full bore transcoding a file that streams perfectly fine as is.

[boomhower]

I installed metabrowser and I like the way it works. BUT, I can't save anything. I'm not going to pay $30 to find out if it works with the WD Live player. It says you can save random files with the trial but I can't save anything. It does a darn good job finding the info and pics but if I can't save it to see if it comes up on the player it's pretty worthless.

[GaPony]

Whether PS3MS does transcoding depends on the device you're setting it up for. You don't have to transcode anything, but since most users have PS3's and X-Boxes, they need to set it to transcode for various file types (containers). I have plenty of horsepower, so I never give much thought to transcoding.

You could also use the B-Rad firmware. It supports alot more functionality, including movie sheets, which are way better than thumbnails.