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Media Center Extender
Improving Your Network Performance
Last Updated: June 24, 2004
Quick Tips
Introduction
Basic Troubleshooting
Advanced Troubleshooting
Using the Network Performance Tuner
Quick Tips
Introduction
The high quality TV video sent between a Media Center PC and a Media Center
Extender requires significantly more performance from home networks than is typically
used for browsing the web, checking email, or for other network related productivity
tasks. Many problems with network performance can go unnoticed with these types of
activities since the network is not in constant heavy use. With high quality TV video, even
very minor problems can affect the quality such that there is a noticeable interruption in
the experience. The convenience and flexibility of wireless networks makes them an
attractive option for many people but the downside is that their performance is much
more difficult to optimize. Even once wireless networks are working well they are
susceptible to occasional interference which can cause temporary reliability problems.
Many seemingly trivial factors can have substantial effects on home networks. The Media
Center Extender Network Performance Tuner utility and this companion troubleshooting
guide exist to help provide a way to better understand how a home network is
performing, and what kinds of things can be done to improve the Media Center Extender
experience.

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   Summary of Contents for HP X5400

  • Page 1

    Media Center Extender Improving Your Network Performance Last Updated: June 24, 2004 Quick Tips Introduction Basic Troubleshooting Advanced Troubleshooting Using the Network Performance Tuner Quick Tips Introduction The high quality TV video sent between a Media Center PC and a Media Center Extender requires significantly more performance from home networks than is typically used for browsing the web, checking email, or for other network related productivity tasks.

  • Page 2

    Printing this guide is recommended so that it is more easily available during troubleshooting. Basic Troubleshooting Reducing Obstructions in the Wireless Path Imagine a straight line between your two wireless components, every object that exists between them will likely degrade your wireless performance. If you’ve hidden your wireless access point or router behind a potted plant so that it will look nicer, that’s going to affect on performance.

  • Page 3

    Sometimes performance works best when the antennas at both components of the wireless network are pointing vertically straight up. In other cases positioning the antennas on all devices at a 45-degree angle yields the best results. Performance usually degrades significantly if the antennas are positioned vertically on one device (i.e. your home networking access point/router) and horizontally on the other device (i.e.

  • Page 4

    options for options on how to assign your wireless network to a different channel which may have less interference from neighbors. Changing Wireless Networking Channels Within a wireless networking standard such as 802.11g, individual channels exist which allow for multiple wireless devices to use different portions of the available bandwidth (for example in 802.11g there are channels 1 though 11).

  • Page 5

    Record TV Shows at Lower Quality Levels If you’re unable to solve your network performance problems, one option to consider is setting Media Center to record TV shows at a lower quality level. Each of Media Center’s recording levels uses less storage, but also requires less network bandwidth to watch on your Media Center Extender.

  • Page 6

    network must be in “Infrastructure” mode. If your Media Center PC is connected to the wireless network, it must be connected with an internal wireless networking PCI card or with an Ethernet wireless adapter (bridge). USB wireless adapters are not supported. Accessing the Network Performance Tuner When a Media Center Extender is initially set up with your Media Center PC the Network Bandwidth Monitor is launched in “Automatic Test”...

  • Page 7

    © 2004 Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. The only warranties for HP products and services are set forth in the express warranty statements accompanying such products and services. Nothing herein should be construed as constituting an additional warranty. HP shall not be liable for technical or editorial errors or omissions contained herein.

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