Setup
A wired connection provides you with better performance (for those HD videos), so you might want to connect directly from the system to the extender. To do this, follow these steps:
- Plug your Ethernet cable into the router.
- Plug the other end of the cable into the media extender.
- Ensure the extender is plugged in and receiving power.
- Make sure the network activity light shows a connection on the router.
If you choose a wireless setup, here are some basic points to keep in mind:
- Clear the path between your wireless hardware.
- If possible, try to make it so there are no obstructions in the line of sight.
- Here are some devices that might affect overall performance: Microwave ovens, 2.4 GHz devices, and other wireless networks.
- The position of your antennas can have a big effect on signal reception. You might have to move the antenna only slightly to greatly improve signal.
- Ad hoc wireless networks are not supported.
During setup, media located on the PC is added to the content presented on the media extender. Keep in mind that the Media Center PC or the media extender cannot be simultaneously connected to wired networks and wireless networks. Also, USB wireless network adapters are currently not supported.
After your hardware is in place and you have set up your Media Center PC, the Network Performance Tuner will perform a series of checks to make sure that your network is capable of sharing TV. Moving the antenna while the Network Performance Tuner is checking your signal might improve the result. If the Network Performance Tuner discovers problems, verify that your hardware meets the Media Center requirements. If all else fails, you can try plugging into your Ethernet connection. In most cases, this is the best solution for high performance.
For more information on setting up an extender, visit http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-vista/Set-up-a-Windows-Media-Center-Extender-device.