mooreman

Hi all, I have read alot of threads about people recommending Windows Media Encoder to stream video content via their wireless network. My question that I'm having trouble finding an answer to is this, Is anybody streaming content already ON their hard drive in lieu of streaming content from a tuner card or other such source? I only want to stream video files from my hard drive (to my X50v) and don't see any way to do this. Currently I am using Resco File Explorer, and it works great, etc., but every file I play at some point hangs for several seconds and then resumes, which is not really a huge problem, but just a little annoying. I have read that WM Encoder is better to use for this, but you know my problem. Any suggestions? Thanks in advance!

Cov

I can indeed stream video files from my hard drives wirelessly to my axim. I set it up as follows (with my firewall disabled for simplicity)

1. Start WME9, select custom session.
2. Under Session Properties, there is a bit with "blobble buttons" (the little green blobs?) that says "Source from: Devices O File O Both devices and file O" Select File.
3. Click Browse, select file you wish to stream.
4. wait for WME9 to sort itself out. (sigh)
5. Under output select "Pull from encoder (Connection initiated by player etc)
6. Under compression select a sensible bandwidth ( i selected 282 Kbps on my G network)
7. Click apply, wait again.
8. Re-verify firewall is down, click "Start Encoding"
9. On the axim, open WMP and click "open URL" type in the URL listed in output section of WME9 (currently defaulted to "computerIP:8080")


Hope that helps you get it working. The trick is to select a lower bandwidth than your capacity, so that if the signal drops you maintain a steady stream.

mooreman

Groovy, thanks for filling in the blanks! Unfortunately, every time I hit the "apply" button, WM Encoder encounters a fatal error and closes. Guess there's bigger problems going on here.

CdSlc

Have a look at this FREE Orb software at www.orb.com.

Its great for streaming audio, video and photos.

mooreman

Originally Posted by CdSlc

Have a look at this FREE Orb software at www.orb.com. Its great for streaming audio, video and photos.

I'll try it, but it looks as if it's only for streaming live video/audio? Is this true, or can you also stream movie files (.avi) saved to a hard drive?

CdSlc

Originally Posted by mooreman

I'll try it, but it looks as if it's only for streaming live video/audio? Is this true, or can you also stream movie files (.avi) saved to a hard drive?

Yes, you can use it to stream movie files saved on your hard drive. I had a Godfather I movie that was ripped and stored on my laptop which was in the basement. Lying down on my bed I was watching the movie on my X50v being streamed from my laptop's hard disk. :approve:

Also, the audio files can be streamed from the computer's hard drive.

Orb's documentation sucks, but their application is so small and straight forward that it does not take a lot to have it up and running.

tancerman

Originally Posted by CdSlc

Have a look at this FREE Orb software at www.orb.com. Its great for streaming audio, video and photos.

Don't like orb, it is tooo slow.
I am successful streaming with WME over the net and my home network.

mooreman

I figured out how to stream files using Orb, but it defaulted to the Windows Media Player (sucks). Any way to change that to the Beta player?

OddbOd

No, it can only stream in Windows Media or Realnetworks formats. Problems with WME shutting down unexpectedly are usually symptomatic of a codec problem, the only guaranteed fix is to remove all 3rd party video codecs and then reinstall them one at a time until WME breaks.

fibes7

Glad i found this thread, iv been trying to do this for about 2 weeks now, wne starts encoding fine but it takes forever to buffer then plays for 3 seconds and freezes, any ideas? i have road runner cable at home im streaming from and work has fast connections too

Cov

Could it be that your computer is simply boggin down? it uses quite a fair chunk of processing power.....

Try lowering the bandwidth settings, i was having problems as my home PC is also connected via wifi, and the stream was using too much bandwidth...

I am really enjoying ORB now, the ability to browse the music collection over the wifi means i use it more than WME now. Only problems come about because the wifi access point goes down......... It doesnt seem too hot at picking up the connection again after net downage ( although it's brilliant for buffer overruns.)

Vanamonde

Okay a few things about Orb and WMP on a PPC:

Does the company behind Orb, know what media you are streaming? (does it send to Orb all the files you are sharing)

When I stream files from my PC to my PPC, does it go via the wireless router direct, or over the internet?

Any way to force an aspect ratio of 16:9 on anamorphic videos on WMP?

Cov

It doesnt send a copy of your video files to orb's server - It does send a list of filenames and where they are on your computer though. However, filenames could be anything if you are that paranoid. And if you turn folders off, they are taken off your list on orb's website very quickly...

I dont honestly know whether it just uses the home network or the internet, but i will endeavour to find out. (when i said net outages, my entire network connection goes down, not just the web passthrough)

I havent had any aspect ratio problems, so i cant really help on that front.

Also, to fibe7: Just re-read your post, you are streaming using WME to work as well? If so, there could be a firewall problem-I have to disable norton and windows firewall to use WME at all, even over the home network..... another advantage of using ORB....... :-)

Vanamonde

Originally Posted by Cov

I dont honestly know whether it just uses the home network or the internet, but i will endeavour to find out. (when i said net outages, my entire network connection goes down, not just the web passthrough)

I've checked, goes over the internet, means my upload speed is limited to the 25.6 k/s (which obviously effects video quality) upstream of my cable connection.

So does anybody knows if you configure Orb to connect directly over a router or an alternative software that would?

darkdestroyer

I did everything above, and when i tried to open file, it said

THe source filter for this file could not be loaded.

Help????