A Home Networking Solution for "XBox 360" extender and Windows Media Center PC's

You may have read my reviews on one of Intel's then latest motherboards, namely, the DG965WH motherboard that supports the Intel Core 2 Duo line of processors. You may have grown somewhat familiar with the Intel ViiV technology that these motherboard/processor-types support. What is Intel ViiV technology you may ask? Microsoft has it all wrapped up for you in a little bundle called "XBox 360", which retails for around $399.00 USD, including hard drive. And, with an upgrade version of Microsoft's Operating System that includes, "Windows Media Center", such as "Windows Vista Home Premium Edition" operating system,(~$159.99 USD), a couple of 50' spools of ethernet cable, (~35.00 USD each), and the "D-Link 4100" ethernet cable router, you can watch downloaded movies for your enjoyment and communicate with your grandchildren while playing the latest online games with them.

As previously mentioned, the central hub of all of this is the D-Link 4100 GamerLounge Router. I prefer this router because it is a hard-wired router by means of ethernet cable, the only type of connection that is recommended by Microsoft for streaming High Definition movies onto your HDTV w/1080i resolution capablilities. (1080i resolution is the superb HDTV resolution, by the way.)

What I did:
First, on my PC, I made sure it had a fast "SATA" hard-drive such as the Western Digital RaptorX that is capable of transferring data at 1 gigabyte per second. Easier yet, just buy a Windows Media Center PC.

Second, I installed Windows Vista Home Premium Edition software onto my newly custom-built built PC. (Or, "Windows XP Media Edition" operating system software will work.)

Third, I placed the XBox 360 next to our television in the living room. (The Windows XBox Universal remote control is available at your local Best Buy store, (~20.00 USD)

Fourth, I placed the D-Link 4100 router next to the PC in the office, located on the other side of the house.

Fifth, I took two spools of 50' ethernet cable and ran the ethernet wire down where existing cable had already been installed, down into our family room and down into the office. To connect the two spools of 50' cable together in the attic, I used an ethernet connector that comes with an Xbox ethernet connector kit, available at your local Best Buy, (25.00 USD). I plugged one end of this cable into the XBox 360 in the living room.

Sixth, I then plugged our broadband modem's (our high speed internet connection) ethernet cable into the D-Link's, "WAN" port. The other end of the Xbox's cable and the PC's ethernet cable were plugged into two of the four remaining ports on the D-Link Router.

Then...Wha La! Upon turning the PC on, it basically networked itself! (When setting up the Xbox extender, the PC will ask for a code that the Xbox gives you from its own setup menu.) It found the XBox extender, configured the D-link Router and we now can listen to music from the PC and view movies downloaded onto the PC with the Starz Vongo movie download service, at only $9.99 per month! Goodbye "Pay Per View DVD movie kiosks" at the supermarkets and all "Premium Cable/Satellite" movie channels.

So...with the D-Link 4100 router, our home network's bandwidth signal remains strong and consistent. It has plenty capacity for transmitting HD movies to your HDTV. And, since it is wired, you will not have to fuss moving things around in your home in order to obtain the best wireless signal while watching a "signal strength meter" on your TV. Besides, you can't move that microwave or the cabinets from your kitchen wall now can you? And, you now can play Xbox 360 games with your loved ones, wherever they may be. You are now a truly connected person!

Note: Other "media extender devices" allow you to view movies, only. With the XBox 360 extender, you can play the latest games and watch movies. The D-link 4100 router keeps your home networked connection strong, despite your house configuration.