Ethernet(LAN) 1080p streaming PC-SmartTV (UA55D8000)

Hi All!

Have had issues for a while with streaming 1080p wireless-ly from my PC-SmartTV (Samsung D8000 LED TV) - the movies are buffering for 60% of the time. After numerous attempts to rectify my wireless issues I have decided to install Cat-6 cabling in our house.

I plan to run the cable from my PC (in my office) to my SmartTV (in the living room). I have since realized I have all the Cat-6 cabling ready (inc. face-plates) necessary to reach the two points.

Can anyone give me a run down on how to setup the cables and what components I will need to run Serviio from my PC-SmartTv through an Ethernet plug - I hear a SWITCH is required?

I doubt that cabeling is the issue. It might help though if you have a bad wireless connection. I have no problem streaming 1080p wirelessly. 10 Mbps should be enought. You need a UPnP capable network.

[atc98092]

You can run two Ethernet cables between two devices without a switch, but there's really no good reason to. By using a switch, you've created a basic home network and can easily add additional devices.

If you run a single cable between the two computers, the cable must be what is called a crossover. It is wired differently that a cable you might buy off the shelf. A switch makes the crossover internally, so standard cables work fine.

The other issue is each device would need an IP address. With only the two devices, you would have to assign these manually. If you use a router instead of a switch, the router would assign these numbers automatically. If the IP addresses are not entered correctly, the devices will not see each other.

Now, it you already have WiFi in your house, how is that set up? If you already have a router (that is providing the WiFi), it likely has switch ports available for you to plug the cable into. Please provide a description of what equipment your existing network contains.

Hi All!

Thankyou for your help with this matter - apologies if it sounds like I am a bit of a NOOB when it comes to networking. I am certain that the Wireless Network is just not going through the walls in our house PLUS we do have a number of devices connected.

As a result, the equipment i have at my disposal are as follows:

-CAT6 Cabling: Office-Living Room
-RJ45 Sockets/Faceplates: Already installed in Office and Living Room
-SWITCH: 5-port Gigabit Desktop Switch (D-Link DGS-1005D)
-Modem/Router: Dual Band Wireless Gigabit ADSL2+ (D-Link DSL-2870B)

I also have a couple of spare old routers: D-Link DSL-G604T and Belkin F9J1002AU - if these will be useful at all.

The Modem/Router is situated in the Kitchen - will that be a problem? The phone line is currently situated in the kitchen however I could get it relocated to the office with little hassle. Just wondering if it would be feasible and if it were possible to setup the network without moving the current router?

Most of these items were from an office that was decommissioned - feel free to let me know if any of these items are unnecessary.

Thankyou in advance for the help!

[atc98092]

OK, I now see you have a DSL Router/modem that is providing DNS and DHCP for you network. Based on the specs I read, that's a good box. So, there's your backbone of the network. It has four gigabit ports, so there's where you can plug a cable from the TV in. Another switch isn't necessary. Just use a normal CAT5/6 cable.

As to location, it doesn't matter where your router is located, if you can run your Ethernet cables to it without making a mess. Because of the wires, you may prefer to relocate the router. With DSL, you can plug the router into any phone jack in the house, as long as there isn't a DSL filter upstream from the jack. My router is in the garage, with the phone line coming straight to it, before it even feeds the house. I then send the line back to the junction box from the DSL filter/splitter. Put the router wherever it fits best for your cable runs. If it's convenient to keep it in the kitchen, no problem.

Cat5/6 cables can be run a maximum of roughly 300 feet without a switch between segments. That covers most homes pretty well. For my home, I have one of the DSL router ports feeding an 8 port gigabit switch, because I have too many connections for the four ports on the router. I'm going to have to get a 16 port switch one of these days. For home use, there shouldn't be any issues chaining switches like this, but it does restrict your bandwidth between the switches if multiple devices are in one switch trying to reach the other. However, unless you are transferring very large files it shouldn't be a problem.

Don't try to use the other routers on the same network. They will end up fighting each other for control of the IP addresses, and unless you know exactly how to configure them to play nice, not worth the potential problems. If you want to use the switch for additional ports, no problem because it doesn't attempt to manage anything.

So, you have some Ethernet jacks already in the house. Do they terminate at a jack panel somewhere, or are the other ends just loose somewhere? They need to be plugged into a switch, either the one built into your router, or the 2nd switch. This switch must then be plugged into the router.

Once all cables are plugged in, the router will assign the necessary IP addresses and everything should work. Have at it!

OK, I now see you have a DSL Router/modem that is providing DNS and DHCP for you network. Based on the specs I read, that's a good box. So, there's your backbone of the network. It has four gigabit ports, so there's where you can plug a cable from the TV in. Another switch isn't necessary. Just use a normal CAT5/6 cable.

As to location, it doesn't matter where your router is located, if you can run your Ethernet cables to it without making a mess. Because of the wires, you may prefer to relocate the router. With DSL, you can plug the router into any phone jack in the house, as long as there isn't a DSL filter upstream from the jack. My router is in the garage, with the phone line coming straight to it, before it even feeds the house. I then send the line back to the junction box from the DSL filter/splitter. Put the router wherever it fits best for your cable runs. If it's convenient to keep it in the kitchen, no problem.

Cat5/6 cables can be run a maximum of roughly 300 feet without a switch between segments. That covers most homes pretty well. For my home, I have one of the DSL router ports feeding an 8 port gigabit switch, because I have too many connections for the four ports on the router. I'm going to have to get a 16 port switch one of these days. For home use, there shouldn't be any issues chaining switches like this, but it does restrict your bandwidth between the switches if multiple devices are in one switch trying to reach the other. However, unless you are transferring very large files it shouldn't be a problem.

Don't try to use the other routers on the same network. They will end up fighting each other for control of the IP addresses, and unless you know exactly how to configure them to play nice, not worth the potential problems. If you want to use the switch for additional ports, no problem because it doesn't attempt to manage anything.

So, you have some Ethernet jacks already in the house. Do they terminate at a jack panel somewhere, or are the other ends just loose somewhere? They need to be plugged into a switch, either the one built into your router, or the 2nd switch. This switch must then be plugged into the router.

Once all cables are plugged in, the router will assign the necessary IP addresses and everything should work. Have at it!

I just wanted to say:

-Firstly, Thankyou so much for your help! These forums were designed to help people - you have certainly done that

-Secondly, I may come back here and upload a 'plan-of-attack' if that is okay - just to get your opinion on layout of equipment? In addition, would it be hard to setup the DHCP and protocols or do you think the router should do this automatically?

Thankyou again!

[atc98092]

Your router seems to be doing DHCP just fine already, so I don't think you need anything there.

Happy to help. If you want a plan reviewed, no problem. You can just PM me if you don't want to clutter the forum, but it may be of some help to others.

Thankyou! I'll keep asking on this post to help any others.

Also, are there any settings in Serviio that need to be adjusted?

Just a quick update - the setup I have is: PC->Router (via. Ethernet Cable)->Ethernet Wall Port(OFFICE)->Ethernet Wall Port(LIVING ROOM)->Samsung SmartTV(UA55D8000)

After hooking it up and restarting the router, the server works flawlessly and streams 1080p content.

Thankyou all!