All about Networked Media Tanks (NMT)

**oj88** · November 25th, 2010 11:39 PM

My concern with the Xtreamer Sidewinder is the apparent slow performance of its LAN port. As quoted from http://www.digitalversus.com/xtreame..._9367_426.html

Networking is covered by a 100 Mbps Ethernet port. Wi-Fi is available in the form of an optional USB adapter. In both cases transfer speeds are low, at around 5.2 MBps for the wired connection or 3.0 MBps for Wi-Fi. This makes streaming 1080p videos housed in an MKV container a pretty painful process. The maximum transfer speed via the wired connection is 28 Mbps, or 15 Mbps for Wi-Fi. You'd therefore be better off sticking to 720p or SD videos for glitch-free viewing.

Take note of the following norm in describing bandwidth, in case you're not paying attention:

Mbps - megabits per second
MBps - megabytes per second

All of my SD and HD video collection are hosted on my home network, so LAN throughput is important.

**oj88** · November 25th, 2010 11:44 PM

Originally Posted by Horsepower

I take it you don't like Apple's Mac Mini?

I don't get it. Wrong thread?

**oj88** · November 30th, 2010 11:00 PM

So I bought the WD TV Live.

I know some of you are disappointed with my decision, so allow me to finish.

I decided to hold on the HTPC for a bit longer. But to make it bearable, I started looking for add-ins. Doing so, led me to the Media Browser plug-in. MB adds Cover Flow and automatic download of metadata (among others), making Windows 7 Media Center more polished. It really gave new life to my HTPC.

As for the WD TV Live, I installed it in my parents bedroom as a Christmas gift. They were ecstatic! Hindi lang pala ako ang nagsasawa na sa cable TV.

**badsekktor** · December 1st, 2010 12:24 PM

congrats! I would also prefer the WD TV live but it is not yet available when i purchased mine.

**Horsepower** · December 2nd, 2010 08:34 AM

OJ88, apple's Mac mini is a good home theater media player that's why I asked if you don't like it. hehe

**oj88** · December 2nd, 2010 01:15 PM

Originally Posted by Horsepower

OJ88, apple's Mac mini is a good home theater media player that's why I asked if you don't like it. hehe

Oohh... You meant it in that context. My bad.

Anyway, I personally do not hate Apple in general. I agree that the Mac Mini presents a very good platform to build an HTPC. I just find the solution too expensive. I can't afford to pay 3-4x as much compared to a MS-based DIY HTPC.