Let your wireless network entertain you

Here's what you need to know about wireless networking, from the standards and technologies to the best products for your home or office.

Although most home networks are still used primarily to connect PCs for performing traditional tasks, such as sharing an Internet connection, exchanging files, and printing, an increasing number of home networks are being used for entertainment, such as online gaming or streaming audio and video files. With the right components, you can stream MP3s directly to your stereo and connect your gaming console to your home network.

Media adapters and gateways: Digital audio streamer |
Network video streamer | Wireless gaming

Digital audio streamers

Digital audio is everywhere--from gigabytes of MP3s stored on your computer's hard drive to Internet radio stations and subscription music services. But the challenge has always been to get the music from your computer to the stereo system. That's where digital audio streamers come in. While they're known by a variety of names--including digital audio receivers and digital media adapters--these products let you enjoy a wide range of digital music from your PC or the Internet over the big speakers of your home stereo, even if it's in a different room of the house. The streaming methods vary--some use a home network (Ethernet or Wi-Fi), others use plug-in transmitters and receivers--and most (but not all) models are still bedeviled by pesky DRM and copy-protection issues, so make sure your prospective player can handle your preferred audio file or subscription service.

Things to consider about digital audio streamers
• Does it support the file formats you need?
• Is it compatible with your music download service of choice?
• How good is its sound quality?
• What type of networking standard does it support?
• What audio outputs does it have?
• Does it have a TV output?

Network video streamer

Digital media is great, but who wants to watch everything while hunched over a computer when you have a comfy couch in front of your home theater system? That's where network video streamers come in, enabling you to stream digital videos, music, and photos over your home network, from your computer to your living room. Network video streamers are growing fast as a product category, but the list of recommendable products is still small--there just aren't that many reliable devices on the market. And if you have either a PlayStation 3, a Wii, or an Xbox 360, all of those devices can stream video across your network as well (the Wii via a third-party download).

Things to consider about network video steamers
• Does it support the file formats you need?
• Is it compatible with your video download service of choice?
• Does it have a high enough video resolution?
• Will its outputs connect to your television or primary display?

Wireless gaming

All of the current gaming consoles (and some of the older ones as well) offer some degree of online play and content downloads. Some can even stream content from a computer to your television. Of the three current gaming consoles, the Nintendo Wii and Sony's PlayStation 3 both come with built-in wireless networking adapters. Microsoft's Xbox 360 comes with a built-in Ethernet jack, but you have to spend an extra $99 for the wireless adapter accessory. Considering that those game consoles often live in your living room, we encourage you to eliminate as many wires as possible.

Things to consider about wireless gaming
• Does the console have a wireless network adapter built in?

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