Difficult project

docrhody · Member Joined: 07 Aug 2002

I am attempting to stream PC from a computer in my home to the TV in another room.
I want to use all freeware an purchase no additional hardware.

The equipment I have--
Computer 1-- Home built ASUS A7N266E Athlon XP 2200 1GB mem and windows XP Home Has ATI TV-wonder PCI Capture, BFG Nvidia GeForce 6800 OC, Sound Blaster Audigy 2--does recording and editing well, barely plays CIV4, prone to unexplained system shutdown while playing CIV4 or recording live tv programs over 90 minutes in length.

Computer 2-- Sealed box, small form with built in Monitor (free be some one was throwing away. Gigabyte Motherboard G7 series, 266 Bus speed, windows XP Pro, Pentium 4 2.8 GHZ, 1 GB, Same video card as above, WinTV togo PVR, onboard sound. Does editing and recording well, won't play CIV4 at all. Errors on some recordings over 2 hours long.

Dish Network PVR500, it has USB ports but they are not supported, I know there is way hack the whole thing and make the USB work, I cannot however, open the box. Wife's rule for this project.

The movies are on a LaCie 500GB External HD, with a USB connection.

I currently have a standard xbox, but will soon have an xbox360. Now you know where all the budget went.

There is a standard network port behind the TV that is connected to the hub in the room with the computers. I have plenty of cables and wires. I can't alter the normal function of the TV and PVR.

Using this equipment and all the free software I can get my hands on I want to stream video to my TV.

I know the xbox360 will use the network port, so if the solution requires a second port, I do have spare network hubs, but no switches.

Any suggestions.

Any suggestions

ROF · **Banned** Joined: 04 Feb 2005 Location: USA

Nope. More hardware and cabling is definitely needed.

VidaBox · Member Joined: 14 Jul 2006 Location: United States

i agree with ROC.. it maybe do-able, not without tons of R&D and loads of time. Why the limitation on no hardware? Is it a money issue? If it is, keep in mind that you can spend the time used to build & troubleshoot the media center/HTPC working instead to make more $$$. After the hundreds of hours spent tweaking it, you'll still probably come out ahead by working.

Some DIY projects are good to do, but without the proper equipment, it'll take forever and your results may be disappointing.

Best of luck!
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docrhody · Member Joined: 07 Aug 2002

Found the solution. A new program called Tversity (not a hack) and it is free. It is a multiplatform solution. Works very well. Runs over existing network, plays all formats of videos, not just wmv files.