Homeplug:85mbps good enough to stream HD Content?

[Skyline34_]

Hi all,

I'm considering having a PS3 in the living room to serve as a media client so that I can stream videos over.

I understand recently, there have been new releases of Homeplugs Powerline Adapter rated at 200Mbps. These are supposedly meant to stream HD Content.

Although realistically, I am only expecting the device to hit max 120Mbps, is it still an overkill? A full HD typically requires 40-50Mbps. And also considering my ethernet is a 10/100, the 200Mbps rated Homeplugs look even more of an overkill.

Hence, I would like to ask if any current owners of 85Mbps Homeplugs have streamed HD content (both 720p and 1080p) and reported good results.

Many thanks in advance! :)

[alanchia67]

homeplug 85M i doubt you can get effective throughput around 40Mbps. i'll stick to homeplug av (aka 200Mbps). it's not an overkill for 100/10Mbps network.

[liangtam]

200Mbps is theory. u see the nic component of homeplug you will get a realistic idea on the throughput. Will post another thread on it these few days :)

[Skyline34_]

homeplug 85M i doubt you can get effective throughput around 40Mbps. i'll stick to homeplug av (aka 200Mbps). it's not an overkill for 100/10Mbps network.

That's true, you do have a point there.

I guess the only reason why I am asking this question is that the 200Mbps ones are still a little pricey for my liking.

Anyway, thanks for your advice! :)

[Skyline34_]

200Mbps is theory. u see the nic component of homeplug you will get a realistic idea on the throughput. Will post another thread on it these few days :)

yea i know, im only expecting the max 120Mbps and that's also under very favorable conditions.

Great, I will be eagerly awaiting your thread! :)

Cheers

[liangtam]

yea i know, im only expecting the max 120Mbps and that's also under very favorable conditions.

Great, I will be eagerly awaiting your thread! :)

Cheers

Errm, you made me having doubts of you really know wor.
Anyway, read my thread at a later time after I clear my school work and if you're not in rush to get.

[Skyline34_]

Errm, you made me having doubts of you really know wor.
Anyway, read my thread at a later time after I clear my school work and if you're not in rush to get.

hehe do enlighten me, my network knowledge is pretty bad..

[alanchia67]

ts, homeplug av throughput is very much <100Mbps, to set expectation right.

cant remember detail, i think it's in the region of 50+Mbps.

[hersvim]

blu-ray's bandwidth requirement is around 40mbps to my recollection, so fast ethernet 100mbps should be enough.

[lenkiatleong]

The problem is not with 85mbps homeplugs. Its the streaming from internet to your PC. Even with MOL Ultimate, i have breaks streaming HD (from USA websites) to my PC. So unless you are getting HD contents from S'pore (if they exists) then you are fine.
Once i obtained the HD content into my PC, i am able to stream them to DLNA client (Marantz AV8003) perfectly using 85mbps homeplugs. FYI, the signal strength on my homeplugs is between 50-80mbps.

[liangtam]

Usually stream providers will use CDS to deliver the videos, and hence the server may be nearer than you thought. Example would be Veoh with llnw, except the flash player dl rate is capped.
But then again, HD stream would be better streamed from LAN instead...

[Pokémon]

The problem is not with 85mbps homeplugs. Its the streaming from internet to your PC. Even with MOL Ultimate, i have breaks streaming HD (from USA websites) to my PC. So unless you are getting HD contents from S'pore (if they exists) then you are fine.

From how I look at this thread, TS seems to mean Internal Streaming, not through Internet. This portion seems not so applicable.

[shadowandy]

ts, homeplug av throughput is very much <100Mbps, to set expectation right.

cant remember detail, i think it's in the region of 50+Mbps.

I think it is in the range of 50+ Mbps. Did a speedtest last time on the aztech homeplug av (http://www.shadowandy.net/2007/09/aztech-200mbps-speed-test.htm)

[Skyline34_]

From how I look at this thread, TS seems to mean Internal Streaming, not through Internet. This portion seems not so applicable.

Yupps, you are right. I am intending to stream videos from my WD Home Edition FW400 that is hooked up to my macbook.

Which brings me to another question (I know this question should probably be in the Storage section). Considering that the source is an external FW400 HDD, will there be any impact on the video streaming, particularly HD Content?

[liangtam]

Err, do look at http://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/showthread.php?t=2247154 after I've updated about the practical rate :)

Does the FW400 even have Ethernet port? If no, then theres no way to stream through network without a PC or some usb nas.

[Skyline34_]

Err, do look at http://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/showthread.php?t=2247154 after I've updated about the practical rate :)

Does the FW400 even have Ethernet port? If no, then theres no way to stream through network without a PC or some usb nas.

Okay maybe I should describe what my intended setup will be like to clear up any confusion.

I currently own a Macbook with a FW400 HDD hooked up to it. I intend to use the FW400 HDD as the primary source. I have identified the Sony PS3 as the media client I will be using. There is a PS3+Mac integration software called MediaLink (http://www.nullriver.com/products/medialink) which will allow the Sony PS3 to browse through whatever I have on my macbook. I have placed a shortcut / alias in the Movie Folder of OS X that points to the FW400 HDD directly.

Hence, although my FW400 is no NAS, theorectically, this setup should allow me to stream videos from the FW400 HDD to the PS3 for playback.

So again, my question was for a setup like this, will streaming from the FW400 HDD receive any major impact on performance, especially for HD Content. I will be using the 200mbps Homeplugs.

Thanks :)

[liangtam]

I guess not, unless your mac is choked at the moment with other activities...

[Skyline34_]

I guess not, unless your mac is choked at the moment with other activities...

thanks for the feedback! :)

and sorry for asking so many questions, I really want to make sure I've got all the grounds covered for my intended setup.

[alanchia67]

i am using a NAS with upnp av media server. and my client is PS3. have no problem with HD encoded media on both devices through my homeplug av (aka 200Mbps) bridge. have not tried full-hd material though.

[Skyline34_]

i am using a NAS with upnp av media server. and my client is PS3. have no problem with HD encoded media on both devices through my homeplug av (aka 200Mbps) bridge. have not tried full-hd material though.

well, I wish I had the budget for a NAS :(

thanks for sharing :)

[Skyline34_]

Hi Folks,

I've finally gotten everything setup nicely so thought it would be good to share it

I've essentially managed to get everything to work pretty seamlessly. Below are the details

Hardware

1 Pair Aztech HL-109E Homeplug 200Mbps
Sony PS3 80 Gb
WRT54Gv4 Linksys Router
WD MyBook 1 TB Home ED FW400 connected to my 1st Gen Macbook Black Core Duo 2Ghz

Software

Java PS3 Media Server (http://code.google.com/p/ps3mediaserver/)

720p HD Content streamed effortlessly to my Plasma TV in the living room. There was an occasional split second lag but overall, the experience was very smooth. I haven't tried 1080p content yet though. And I must say the Homeplugs worked nicely.

The real gem though is the Java PS3 Media Server. With it, even mkv formats can be streamed even though the PS3 doesn't support it natively. And best of all, it's free! It's a breeze to setup too. :)

[liangtam]

Congratz.
The next thing I have to say ish tis, lich~!!!

[Skyline34_]

Congratz.
The next thing I have to say ish tis, lich~!!!

thanks! :)

and nah, I'm not lich~ It's just a very humble setup.

[liangtam]

thanks! :)

and nah, I'm not lich~ It's just a very humble setup.
:eek:
No wai!!
Its a lie :spin:

[Skyline34_]

Okay, apologies for being annoying and digging this thread up but just wanted to share my experience and maybe get some feedback from fellow users.

I have finally gotten around to try streaming 1080p Content (.mkv format). And the result? BAD. The movie was stuttering every few seconds, making it unwatchable. I tried moving the file to my laptop internal HDD but there was only a very slight improvement.

I've given some thought about what could be the bottleneck and have mainly narrowed down to the below 3 choices.

1. My CPU Processing Power
2. My WRT54Gv4 Router
3. Aztech Homeplugs

1. CPU Processing Power: Because the PS3 doesn't support mkv natively, encoding is done entirely on my laptop's humble Core Duo 2.0Ghz Processor. I can hear the fan spinning very loud when the file was being played. Still, I think it's very unlikely this could be the bottleneck. It's not like I'm using some ancient P4.

2. WRT54Gv4 Router: My router doesn't support Gigabit but then, my laptop doesn't have a Gigabit port so it wouldn't make any difference. Hence, it is highly impossible for the router to be the bottleneck.

3. Aztech Homeplugs: which pretty much leaves the blame on the homeplugs. While these things are rated at 200mbps, looks like they are nowhere near even 50mbps. I am not sure how mature is powerline technology but it definitely still has lots of room for improvement.

Frankly speaking, 720p content is more than sufficient for good quality movies but for those folks out there who are bent on 1080p content, you may want to skip the powerline adapter option for streaming.

Anyone has any views or opinions to share? :)

[alanchia67]

i've mentioned before homeplug physical rate (200Mbps) is not the same as data rate (aka bandwidth) of about 50Mbps.

[Skyline34_]

i've mentioned before homeplug physical rate (200Mbps) is not the same as data rate (aka bandwidth) of about 50Mbps.

yea, I know that. But it's just a little disappointing though. I was not expecting the Full HD video to be stuttering so badly. :(

[liangtam]

1) Ctrl+Alt+Del OR Ctrl+Shift+Esc(both are same). If it hits 95%, it is possible this is the cause instead
2) Assuming Pc is connect to router by wired means, no apparent problem then
3) You know why I hinted earlier why does a 200Mbps claimed rate only have a 100Mbps NIC on the device? Pretty obvious now?

Try to see the b/w graph also

[lenkiatleong]

1. Have you check what is the signal strength of your homeplug? Get the utility from Aztech website.
2. Can PS3 handle full HD streaming from PC and pass it on to TV?
3. Is Jave PS3 or the PC fast enough to transcode full HD content to .mkv and then send to PS3? Maybe can check if there is any buffering?

AFAIK, full HD needs less than 5Mbps bandwidth. I reckon that homeplug 200Mbps is more than enough if the signal is good.
Even Vudu who streams 1080p to consumer requires only 4.5Mbps bandwidth. They only require you to purchase their set top box which is capable to handle 1080p. Read this http://www.vudu.com/product_vudu.html