I am not sure if there is a solution for this. I have a good linux box that can easily be turned into a myth box in addition to whatever it is already doing. The reason I have not done it because I can't figure out how to connect my second TV.

The present setup is with Dish Network + Dish's PVR (2 tuner). One TV connected to the PVR and the 2nd TV in upstairs bedroom also runs off of this PVR. A regular coax cable runs through out the house. The second remote works via radio control to tune channels in the Dish PVR

The problem is it's impossible to run a network cable between upstairs bedroom and the router downstairs without causing significant destruction in the home drywall etc. I understand the myth architecture - and can setup a backend + one frontend - but of course the backend and the frontend can't talk without a network cable running. Hence, no mythtv.

Any innovative idea to solve this problem? TIA

I have/had a similar situation. I ran two networked boxen located in another room. I then used the existing coax cable connected to a RF Modulator (I think that's what their called) that inputs RCA cables from boxen to converter.

Myth SFE > RCA cables > RF Modulator > coax > TV

Then you only need a RF remote like an ATI remote wonder.

Any reason you don't use a wireless network? If your recordings are standard-definition, 802.11g should be sufficient.

Marc

Too Many Secrets, Can you tell me a bit more about these RF Modulators? Brand name etc. so I can look them up? This can work. (Edit: Never mind, googling "RF Modulator" solved the problem - many thanks)

Mark, Yes, the upstairs TV is SD. I am a little reluctant to use wireless - not sure how the connection would be. Last thing I need is wife & kids all upset that TV picture keeps pausing because of connection issues. My router is wireless N. Wife's macbook, with a Wireless-N adapter definitely freezes while playing content stored in the server when she is in the bedroom upstairs. So while 802.11g might be sufficient, in my case signal strength issues prevent that

I use a wireless for my frontend without any issues. It sometimes takes a second for the selection to start playing, but once it plays I have no pauses, etc.

Maybe you could look at a wireless range extender to give a little boost to the signal strength.

Hope this helps.

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Wireless - Netgear wg311
Tuner Card - PVR-150

For wireless A lot depends on the construction of the building. If it's an older building built with plaster walls instead of sheetrock, the metal mesh that the plaster is built on can cause a lot of problems. Having said this, I found that a repeater did solve the problem in my daughters apartment.

marc

deyab: I am curious what was used to create that stored content on the server and or how your are serving it up.

Here is why, a couple of weeks back I was at my Brother in Laws house, he was showing me his PVR solution. It is on that Commercial O/S.

He said playback at the main box was fine, but the wireless connections used by family were skipping. We did some research and found it was not only wireless but also Wired 100Mb connections to that box through a switch.

We found that even if we tried copying content off that platform it would skip when played back, then all of a sudden we got some form of a Copyright notice from the pvr platform.

So that seemed to point to a possible isssue.

To test, he had some downloaded movies that were larger and a higher bit rate than the content being served up by the PVR. It played fine across his 802.11g and 100Mb wired networks.

Needless to say he is looking at learning Linux and moving to Knoppmyth after I let him stream a movie from my box here at home.


So may not be related, but just an observation I cam across recently.

Revisit "impossible"? Get an electrician to run a cable for you. DIY is possible if you use a long drill bit. Like 4' flexible shaft. Look for opportunities to run up/down the house such as laundry chutes, ducts, alarm systems, and the central chimney (usually a large void running alongside the chimney). There's usually something that can be exploited, to let you pull wires.

Edited to remove bad advice about running plenum-rated Cat5 inside a heat register.

Can plenum rated cable be run up a hot air duct?

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Thanks for all the replies.

thornsoft, yes, I am revisiting the impossible part. My best bet would be to run a network cable, and I am trying to come up with a plan, tools and a weekend to get this done.

bigbro - I was referring to some movies I have stored in a kubuntu box - no pesky pvr imposed throttling issues here - just running the files over a samba share. I would turn this thoroughly underused kubuntu box into a myth box. The kubuntu box and a windows box are on a gigabit ethernet, running through a gigabit router with wireless N. So I was really surprised that I had problems playing content back over wireless N in a macbook.

Thanks again

Cold air return would probably be better. But hmmmm... Further research indicates that "plenum" wire is for ceiling spaces where the whole ceiling is used as an air return, and that you can't really use it within a duct unless it's in a sealed conduit. Sorry, my mis-understanding.

Been there, done that.

If you can get to spots where pipes go through the floor,
there might be a gap large enough for cable.

There's always the old "out one window and in a different one"
hack.

Not to sound out of place (I also have my share of cable under the house, in the attic, network wire out the window, and coffee can wireless antennas - -being a Ham Operator)), but what about "powerline" networking. thay have come along ways since I last investigated it, and it seems to be alot faster, and now able to transverse "some" breakers (with some limitations on specific instances). have you looked into this route? basically 2 wall jacks that plug into a outlet with a cat5 jack on each box. plug one in downstairs, and plug the other upstairs, and the network is routed through the home electrical wiring.

Good part about this... they sell them at Circuit City, Best Buy, Fry's, etc. If it doesnt work as expected, you can always return it (ask them about return policy first).

Bad part: Costs around $70-299 for the set unless you find it on clearance or they have a good price. The list below is just examples to get you in the right direction.

Carefully read the descriptions as some are the old 10MB stuff, and you want the newer ~85-200Mbs. Might be pretty tight for HD, but you can play multiple streams on 10/100 switch so even if you only get half a 100Mbit speed, limited to 1 frontend upstairs, you should easily be able at minimum do video playback on the frontend, and possibly even have a slave backend server (record and playback at same time).


Examples:
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8219741&type=product&id=1166840584599
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8385847&st=powerline&lp=2&type=product&cp=1&id=1179876185243
http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Linksys-PowerLine-AV-Ethernet-Adapter-Kit-PLK200/sem/rpsm/oid/171644/catOid/0/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do


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I am do not work for BB/CC/Frys, but foudn these during another project of mine, and figured I would post. Next, here is the scary part of posting such a long post. Responses usually include Either 1) "That is the stupidest idea...", 2) "great idea, that would work", or 3) is from the user themself. usually a "I wouldnt spend that kind of money" but usually those people are the ones with the cable hanging out the window because there is less drilling to the downstairs" so I think I am ok on #3.

Thoughts anyone (Good or bad).
--James

I've played with both 85mbps and 200mbps units -- the actual throughput I measured ranged from 0.5mbps to 8mbps. Never got anything higher. The throughput you achieve will depend on how much "noise" there is on your electrical lines. They may be worth trying, but be sure you get them from a place where you can return them if they don't work out in your environment.

Marc

I will second this. I have a couple of XyZel powerline ethernet units that claim 200 mbps. The best I've gotten is about 25 mbps, and typically around 8-10. That is enough for standard def, which is what I use it for. They're an easy solution - just plug them in and they work, but it is disappointing that they don't get anywhere near the advertised throughput.