Get more from your wireless network

All the music players mentioned here rely on some kind of server software. This special program runs on the computer that holds the music, normally in the system tray, and responds to requests from the player to send music over the wireless network.

Fortunately, most players include a CD of software in the box, and the majority can use the server program that’s built into Windows Media Player 11. The one exception is the Squeezebox 3, which requires its own special server program that must be downloaded from the Slim Devices website.

The only downside of using a music streaming device of this type is that in order to play music the computer that stores your music collection must be running. This means that you’ll either have to turn your PC on and off, or simply leave it running all the time.

One solution is to create a dedicated server by using an old PC ­ – see below for details on how to do this. Another is to buy a network-attached storage (or Nas) device that has the necessary server software on it.

Most devices use a standard type of server connection known as UPNP, and Maxtor’s Shared Storage II Nas devices include a UPNP server. After connecting one of these to your wireless router using an Ethernet cable, and copying music onto its hard disk via the network, you can then turn your PC off and leave the music player to stream music from the Nas device instead.

The Philips and Soundbridge players all support UPNP-compatible servers, but if you buy a Squeezebox 3 you’ll need a Nas with its Slimserver software instead. A suitable 250GB Nas costs £240 from www.amp3.co.uk.

Moving on
Streaming music from your computer to every room in the house is great, but it’s possible to go one step further. If you use a computer to store videos and pictures, you can send them wirelessly as well.

It’s important to note, though, that as video files are much larger than music files you’ll need a relatively fast wireless network to get the best from wireless video. An 802.11g or 802.11n network should be fine, but older 802.11b networks are usually too slow.

Video streaming devices work in a similar way to the music players mentioned earlier. They connect to your TV set, and link up with your wireless network to play files stored on networked computers. Like the music players, most require a server program to run on each PC that holds video or music files.

The Xbox 360 games console has a video streaming system built into it, so if you already have an Xbox connected to your network you can get started without buying any extra equipment ­ simply go to the System tab of the Xbox dashboard to get started.

The Xbox 360 can play media files stored on a Windows XP, Windows XP Media Center or Windows Vista computer. By default, only MPEG and WMA video files will work, but a program called Transcode 360 allows more files to be played. It’ll play music and photo files stored on a PC, too, making the Xbox a capable multimedia jukebox.

If you don’t own an Xbox 360, there are many other devices designed to do the same job but without the Xbox’s expensive gaming functions.

The Pinnacle Showcenter costs around £100 and looks much like a DVD player. It connects to a wireless network, and allows you to select music, video and image files to play using its remote control. It even supports high-definition (HD) video, although you’ll need a fast wireless network to show this kind of video without stuttering.

Another option is Netgear’s Wireless Digital Media Player, which comes in two versions: the EVA700 and EVA8000, costing around £100 and £200 respectively. Both stream video, music and image files from a PC, and the EVA8000 supports HD videos.

D-Link’s DSM-520 costs around £160 and can play HD video. It also supports Microsoft’s Plays For Sure DRM scheme, so it can play music purchased from online services. It also has a USB port so you can connect an external hard disk of video or music files and play them on your TV.