Does anyone have a Linksys Wireless B Media Adapter?

[Guest glynton]

I've been looking for something that can recieve audio from a wireless laptop/wireless network and play on my stereo. I was originally looking for a bluetooth device, but failed somewhat. I have, however, found this...

Linksys Media Adapter

But i'm worried that i'll need a TV to be able to use it. I'd like to know about the remote control that comes with it, and whether or not it supports Windows Media Playlists. Also, can it be controlled from a PC or laptop with WinXP Home? Or would it need to be XP Media Edition?

This looks like the only solution to my prolblem, but if anyone knows of something other than this or something cheaper, then please respond!

Thanks in advanced,

Glyn

[Guest glynton]

Also... It needs to be able to receive audio from a film if i want to view it on my laptop

[Guest AngelOfRage]

at the moment my PC is next to my DVD surround sound setup so its linked up by wires and i control Winamp3 via my remote for my Sound Blaster card.

but i was trying to look into taking my PC upstairs but still be able to play my music through the stereo setup downstairs. the easiest way i could think of was to buy a crappy old machine (capable of running Winamp) link it up to a wireless network + the stereo and play music accross the network, but i wasnt sure how well it would play.

[Guest martinb]

I picked up one of these Linksys devices today.

First impressions:

Set up is a nightmare! Install first using a wired connection before delving into the wireless setup.

The user interface is very simple and does the job. It is not a fantastically sophisticated piece of kit, but it does what it says on the box.. ;)

The host software runs as a service, so does not need to be always logged in.

The software only runs on XP, but I believe there is a version on the linksys site that runs on W2K.

The configuration wizard does not run on Windows Server 2003, but the host software seems to without issue.

The software cannot share music which is located on network drives, it must be stored locally.

Yes, you do need a TV to operate it, but you can feed the sound out a stereo.

Yes it does support Windows Media Playlists.

R,

Martin

[Guest glynton]

Thanks for responding,

I have just received this email back from Linksys in response to an enquiry made...

1. Am I able to control it without a TV?

A:  Yes, you can control it on the computer you are connected to.

 

2. I'd like to be able to control what is heard through the Media Adapter from my wireless enabled laptop using my media player. Is this possible?

You would need to configure the laptop to the media adapter and yes, you control it from your laptop (to determine which

mp3 files you want to play on your stereo.  

 

3. I'd like to be able to play movies on my laptop, but have the audio streamed to the Media Adapter and broadcast through my stereo. Is this possible?

A:  No, sorry, the media adapter can only send MP3 files from the laptop to the stereo, you cannot play a DVD movie and hear

it from your stereo,  neither can you play a movie and view it on your TV.

The Wireless Media adapter, WMA11B, will only send picture files such as a slideshow of photographs from the computer to the  

TV set, and it will play MP3 sound files from the computer to the stereo.  

This kind of conflicts with your statement that Audio can't simply be streamed and that you dont need the TV to work it.

Glyn

[Guest martinb]

Hmm, I don't want to contradict Linksys support, but I think there is some cross communication here. This is my understanding from playing with the unit and flicking through the manual:

1. Am I able to control it without a TV?

A: Yes, you can control it on the computer you are connected to.

MB: Yes, you use a PC to specifiy the folders containing the music and you can then use the remote control to play tracks, skip next, etc with no UI. There is no interface from the PC to go in and pick specific tracks. I think it would be great if the device hosted a web version of the Media Navigator that is displayed on the TV. Correct me if I am wrong, but I think you want to have a pool of media files and, without using a TV, pick and choose which tracks you want to play?

2. I'd like to be able to control what is heard through the Media Adapter from my wireless enabled laptop using my media player. Is this possible?

A: You would need to configure the laptop to the media adapter and yes, you control it from your laptop (to determine which mp3 files you want to play on your stereo. )

MB: Yes, you can use the laptop to specify the folders containing the music, but you can't use the laptop to say "now go and play Twist & Shout". There is a difference between telling the adapter which media files to play and being able to specify a particular file for it to play. I think you want to do the latter, correct?

I had said that music could not be hosted on network drives, well apparently if you ignore the errors it works okay. Not sure if it's a supported use though.

The device does not support streamed music, as the support email says it only supports MP3 and WMA.

Download the manual from here and have a look for yourself....

R,

Martin

[this is not an official Microsoft statement and is based on my personal experience of setting up and using one of these devices at home!]

[Guest glynton]

Thanks for the reply, I get the jist now. I dont think it's what I'm looking for. I guess i'll have to wait for something like a bluetooth dongle to come out that streams real-time audio from the audio Jack.

thanks anyway.

Glyn

[Guest mcwarre]

Angel,

I had a problem playing media across a wireless network (using WMP9). I just increased the buffer size to 10 secs (okay it has a resultant delay on starting) but it solved the problem. Not sure if winamp has this.