Media Center Extender
Improving Your Network Performance
Last Updated: June 24, 2004
Quick Tips
Introduction
Basic Troubleshooting
Advanced Troubleshooting
Using the Network Performance Tuner
Quick Tips
Introduction
The high quality TV video sent between a Media Center PC and a Media Center Extender requires significantly more performance from home networks than is typically used for browsing the web, checking email, or for other network related productivity tasks. Many problems with network performance can go unnoticed with these types of activities since the network is not in constant heavy use. With high quality TV video, even very minor problems can affect the quality such that there is a noticeable interruption in the experience. The convenience and flexibility of wireless networks makes them an attractive option for many people but the downside is that their performance is much more difficult to optimize. Even once wireless networks are working well they are susceptible to occasional interference which can cause temporary reliability problems.
Many seemingly trivial factors can have substantial effects on home networks. The Media Center Extender Network Performance Tuner utility and this companion troubleshooting guide exist to help provide a way to better understand how a home network is performing, and what kinds of things can be done to improve the Media Center Extender experience.