Wireless Tech Help

[edfunder]

I need some help.

I spent a couple of hours on Friday at Best Buy looking for a new computer for the family. I came home without a new PC, but I narrowed my search.

I am attempting to hook up my TiVo/Onkyo Receiver/new PC through a wireless network so I can record shows off my TiVo hard drive to DVD on the PC. I am also hoping to listen to mp3s from my PC on the Onkyo.

I don't want to run wires everywhere. I hope to use wireless technology to accomplish all my goals. It can be done ... but it might cost more than what I want to spend. I'm a cash only guy, so I may wait a bit.

Any techies out there that want to make a suggestion? By the way, I hope to do all of this for about $1200-1500.

[Jeffbx]

Originally posted by edfunder
I need some help.

I spent a couple of hours on Friday at Best Buy looking for a new computer for the family.

OK, I have nothing more productive to add than, "Don't buy a PC from Best Buy!" The stuff they sell is not that great, and the high pressure sales for the extended warranties will drive you batty. HP, Compaq & Sony are good companies, but they don't make very good home PCs.

You'll get it cheaper (or with more features) and better support from Dell. If you like getting your hands dirty, build it yourself. But stay away from Best Buy.



Originally posted by DarkFury
Chosen... ok, so what exactly is the "wireless bridge" that you speak of versus connecting directly to the router with the wireless reciever?

The bridge allows you to extend your wireless network to a device that doesn't necessarily support wireless:

PC ==> wireless router ~~> (wireless signal) ~~> wireless bridge ==> Tivo (replay, whatever)

The wireless router communicates with the wireless bridge, which connects to the Tivo. The only other way to do this is to have 1) your PC sitting right next to your Tivo, or 2) a 2nd PC connected to the Tivo to send the wireless signal back. If you have a dedicated HTPC, this might not be an issue. But if your PC is in a different room, the solves the distance problem.