home network backup solutions

[windy_miller]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_WLAN_channels

As you can see there are loads more channels in the 5GHz range than in 2.4Ghz.

[Paul ™]

The new virgin superhub will be able to broadcast both at same time anyway

[eFestivals]

set up my Pi as an XMBC server at the weekend. As others said here, it's a breeze.

I've not actually used it yet, but have tried out the plug-ins for iPlayer, etc - and they all work great. The only thing which doesn't appear to be available there (perhaps I've missed it?) is the option to get the iPlayer streams in HD.

I also loaded the plug-in which George suggested, for getting hooky footie streams. I was pleased to see lshunter listed as one of the source options, as that's what I always use nowadays on my laptop for streams (the streams aren't always great quality, but there's normally enough there to find a good one). However, when I tried it on Saturday I couldn't actually get as far as getting a stream.

At the time I put it down to my powerline adapter giving a slow speed (the utility was reporting just 11Mbps for that one at the time), and it might have been that. I've since tweaked a few bits which might have improved the adapters - they're now both reporting a 180Mbps speed (tho that might be the speed between adapters, cos my LAN isn't that fast), and having just done a more thorough test I've had data transferring to one of them at over 5MB/s (bytes, not bits; it's the best part of 100Mbps) and a quality stream from the iPlayer to the other adapter, so they're definitely working well now.

I'll give the sports plug-in another test tonight, and hopefully I'll have better success - and then be ready for the Arsenal match tomorrow.

Does anyone know if there's any other good plug-ins worth getting, apart from the UK TV ones and the sports one?

[Spindles]

The new virgin superhub will be able to broadcast both at same time anyway

[Paul ™]

Last night I ordered a new 8 port Gigabit switch to connect up from my VM Superhub to my PC, NAS, Downstairs TiVo, Smart Bluray Player, Smart TV and PS3.

I also ordered enough CAT 6 Network Cables and a new Gigabit NIC for the PC.

I checked with Samsung and the TV and 2 x Bluray players I have all have Gigabit NIC's in them, so basically the only 10/100 devices left will the the TiVos.

This lot should arrive the start of next week, and I also plan to get a couple of homeplugs and a 5 port Gigabit switch to go upstairs to replace the wireless repeater I have for another TiVo and Smart Bluray Player.

Then I plan to upgrade from 60mb to 100mb Broadband once all the above is in place.

I am still to buy the upstairs part (2 homeplugs and a 5 port Gigabit switch), but this is less important than sorting out the downstairs wired kit.

[Essex_George]

set up my Pi as an XMBC server at the weekend. As others said here, it's a breeze.

I've not actually used it yet, but have tried out the plug-ins for iPlayer, etc - and they all work great. The only thing which doesn't appear to be available there (perhaps I've missed it?) is the option to get the iPlayer streams in HD.

I also loaded the plug-in which George suggested, for getting hooky footie streams. I was pleased to see lshunter listed as one of the source options, as that's what I always use nowadays on my laptop for streams (the streams aren't always great quality, but there's normally enough there to find a good one). However, when I tried it on Saturday I couldn't actually get as far as getting a stream.

At the time I put it down to my powerline adapter giving a slow speed (the utility was reporting just 11Mbps for that one at the time), and it might have been that. I've since tweaked a few bits which might have improved the adapters - they're now both reporting a 180Mbps speed (tho that might be the speed between adapters, cos my LAN isn't that fast), and having just done a more thorough test I've had data transferring to one of them at over 5MB/s (bytes, not bits; it's the best part of 100Mbps) and a quality stream from the iPlayer to the other adapter, so they're definitely working well now.

I'll give the sports plug-in another test tonight, and hopefully I'll have better success - and then be ready for the Arsenal match tomorrow.

Does anyone know if there's any other good plug-ins worth getting, apart from the UK TV ones and the sports one?

Edited March 12, 2013 by Essex_George

[eFestivals]

I found with the sport plug in I couldn't get any streams at first, I then updated to the latest version and it worked after that.

ahhh .... a part of my problem was finding what the latest version actually is. I was wary of the version on google code because of it's different filename to the plug-in name, tho having found a list of versions of the plugin elsewhere (along with each download) I got to discover I needant have been wary.

Is the version that you installed the one from google code? If so, I'll try getting that one.

Navi X is pretty good for movies, I am still having trouble with streaming films but they can be downloaded and watched later easily.

thanks, I might check that out.

[Essex_George]

ahhh .... a part of my problem was finding what the latest version actually is. I was wary of the version on google code because of it's different filename to the plug-in name, tho having found a list of versions of the plugin elsewhere (along with each download) I got to discover I needant have been wary.

Is the version that you installed the one from google code? If so, I'll try getting that one.thanks, I might check that out.

[eFestivals]

It is from Google code. I still had to update it though. I did that once it was installed on the Pi, can't remember where the option is but I can check later when in home.

thanks .... if you can try to post where the update option is as early as you can I'll be very grateful, as I'd really like to use this tonight for the Arsenal match.

[Essex_George]

Trying to think but is there an option called add on settings and the update is in there? I will check later though. Firstrowsports.eu is the streams that I have been using, not all work but can normally find one that does.

[eFestivals]

thanks George, every little bit helps.

[eFestivals]

I found the update option, buried where you don't expect to find it (why do they do that?). But it's greyed-out, which presumably means it's already up-to-date (it's v1.8.5.4).

I'm still not having any luck at getting a working stream via sportsdevil, from either Firstrowsports or lshunter tho.

Edited March 13, 2013 by eFestivals

[Essex_George]

I know, why do they like hiding these things where they shouldn't be?! Does sound like its up to date then. I have read about another plug in called Veetle but haven't tried it. I also think that Navi X can be used for dodgy footie streams.

[eFestivals]

I know, why do they like hiding these things where they shouldn't be?! Does sound like its up to date then. I have read about another plug in called Veetle but haven't tried it. I also think that Navi X can be used for dodgy footie streams.

have persevered with it, and managed to get SSN thru firstrow, so it's defo working. I'm guessing I was failing before because there wasn't a stream behind the match options I'd tried... but perhaps i'd been too impatient. It was quite a while before SSN fired up.

The picture quality I got wasn't fantastic, but it was no worse than some streams I've watched on my computer before now, including recently.

I'll definitely give it a go again tonight to try and get a match stream, tho I think I'll have my laptop ready on standby just in case.

[Essex_George]

Well thats good news, at least it is working. The first game I watched through sportsdevil the picture quality was really good, couldn't really tell it was a stream. The second game I watched wasn't as good but no worse than any streams I have used on the laptop. Good luck with it tonight!

[The Nal]

Neil, a lot of the footie is streamed via Flash which the Pi doesn't support. So if the link seems valid but you get nowt thats probably the reason.

I've never tried to stream on the Pi so can't help you there but seems like the percentage of stream that'll work are limited on the Pi. And from what I've read, Navi-X seems to be best for it.

Edited March 13, 2013 by The Nal

[eFestivals]

OOO, I'll keep my fingers crossed for a perfect stream then.

Can you remember which channel you got that good stream on? Or was it just a channel that was titled the name of the match?

[eFestivals]

Neil, a lot of the footie is streamed via Flash which the Pi doesn't support. So if the link seems valid but you get nowt thats probably the reason.

ahhh, OK. I thought they might be cleverer than that, and only present non-flash streams. I can't see much point in listing lshunter stuff if they're not filtering it, because nearly everything on their website is flash.

I've never tried to stream on the Pi so can't help you there but seems like the percentage of stream that'll work are limited on the Pi. And from what I've read, Navi-X seems to be best for it.

thanks, I'll get that sorted and see if I get any better luck.

[Paul ™]

Do you not know anyone with Sky that subscribes to Sky Sports?

We use a family members login to get Sky Go and just either stream it on my Laptop via HDMI cable to our TV or just use the browser (if it supports the stream) on the built in browser on our Smart TV.

[eFestivals]

Do you not know anyone with Sky that subscribes to Sky Sports?

you know, i'm not sure if I do.

[Essex_George]

OOO, I'll keep my fingers crossed for a perfect stream then.

Can you remember which channel you got that good stream on? Or was it just a channel that was titled the name of the match?

[Essex_George]

Do you not know anyone with Sky that subscribes to Sky Sports?

We use a family members login to get Sky Go and just either stream it on my Laptop via HDMI cable to our TV or just use the browser (if it supports the stream) on the built in browser on our Smart TV.

[Paul ™]

Still stuck with what Sky choose to broadcast by doing that though

[eFestivals]

I got streams last night that were certainly no less good than the average i've got via a normal web-browse, and some much better.

The downsides were that it takes a minute or more to try to load any stream, which can eat into time if they stream you try returns nothing watchable. It was the 5th stream I tried which gave me the first actual picture.

Also, the streams kept dropping out on me, so I ended up losing quite a few minutes of the match trying to find others (with the same problems as I mention in the para above). It's possible that part of the problem was me having a dynamic IP set on my Pi, because one of the times the Pi came back online with a different IP which stopped my (Android) remote control working. After the match I set a fixed IP on my Pi, so I'm hoping that might help keep the stream working if there's a momentary glitch with my data traffic.

(All the streams i watched were via Sportsdevil ... Navi-X I'm having less luck with)

Edited March 14, 2013 by eFestivals

[Paul ™]

My new Gigabit NIC, 8 Port Gigabit Switch and a load of Cat 6 cables has just arrived so going to set them up and test them out.

Anyone got a good free app that gives decent results for testing throughput from one device to another?

*edit*

Just realised I've ordered a PCI card and not a PCI-express.

I have slots available for either, will it make much of a difference if I just use the PCI card?

It states on the packaging "Up to 2000Mbps" but unsure what the benefit would be to have PCI-e

Edited March 14, 2013 by Paul ™