What are some cloud-based music services and cloud-based video services?

-->

Cloud-based Music Services

There are several forms of cloud music services that offer different functionality depending on how you want to listen to music. One type of service operates like a storage locker, where you can store thousands of music files from your computers library and have them accessible on nearly any Internet-connected computer or mobile device.

Another is more akin to an Internet radio station that either plays curated mixes or randomized songs that are tailored to the sound of an artist or song that you select. Finally, a third type enables you to listen to as much music as you like on a computer or mobile device for a monthly subscription.

Some examples of music storage lockers include:

Amazon Cloud Player: As noted above, the Amazon Cloud Player allows you to store MP3 files on the Amazon Cloud Drive and then play them on any Internet-connected computer as well as select Android smartphones and tablets (running Android OS 1.6 and later). 

Google Music Beta: Similar to Amazon's cloud music offering, the Google Music Beta service allows you to upload MP3 files from your computer hard drive to its cloud-based storage locker, and you can then access the music via a web browser on any computer as well as on Android smartphones and tablets. Additionally, you can create playlists in a web browser on your computer and have it replicated on your Android device. Any changes you make while accessing the music are synced across devices. Currently, Google Music Beta is free, but is limited to uploading 20,000 song files and requires an invitation.

Here are some examples of personalized cloud-based Internet radio sites:

Pandora: One of the most well-known music streaming services, Pandora helps you discover new music by allowing you to create a personalized radio station that plays music that's similar to a selected artist or song. This free service can be accessed from your web browser and it's also available via dedicated apps for a wide range of mobile platforms, including iPhone, Android, BlackBerry, and WebOS. Additionally, the Pandora service is available on many Internet-connected HDTVs and media streaming set-top boxes.

8tracks: Calling itself "handcrafted Internet radio," 8tracks enabled users to create a mix by uploading MP3s (a minimum of 8 songs) and then sharing those mixes either publicly or just with friends. But you don't have to be a DJ. You can simply browse through mixes to discover new music and then follow your favorite 8tracks users.

Subscription-based cloud music services include Rhapsody and Napster, and both provide streaming capabilities via a web browser as well as dedicated apps for iPhone and iPod touch, Android devices, and BlackBerry smartphones. Monthly subscription rates range from $5 to $15 a month, depending on how many devices--in-home and mobile--you want to connect with the service.

In addition to mobile devices, Rhapsody can be accessed via the Sonos in-home streaming system and select Vizio HDTVs, while Napster can be streamed via the Xbox 360 plus Sonos. However, one downside of music subscription services is that you don't own the music--so once you cancel a subscription, your favorite music and playlists will be gone.

Cloud-based Video Services

The benefit of cloud-based video services -- instant gratification, no discs to return either to the video store or pop in the mail.

Amazon Instant Video: Choose from thousands of TV shows and movies to rent or buy from Amazon Instant Video, which will stream commercial free through your computer's web browser as well as a variety of home entertainment devices. Movies can either be rented for a period of 24 to 48 hours (depending on the title) or purchased, enabling you to watch it as many times as you want for as long as you want. Individual TV episodes can be purchased, or you can choose to buy a TV Pass that will give you access to all of the season's episodes.

In addition to streaming to a web browser on a PC or Mac, you can watch Amazon Instant Video titles instantly on your TV via compatible Internet-connected HDTVs from Sony, Samsung, and Vizio plus Blu-ray Disc players from Sony and Panasonic. Amazon Instant Video is also available on a variety of set-top boxes from Roku, TiVo, and Sony, plus the Google TV service available on the Logitech Revue and select Sony HDTVs and Blu-ray Disc players.

And if you're an Amazon Prime member, you'll also get access to free streaming of a selection of over 5,000 commercial-free movies and TV shows as part of your Amazon Prime membership.

Learn more about home entertainment devices compatible with Amazon Instant Video:

Apple iTunes: Purchase or rent movies and TV shows through Apple's iTunes software, which can be downloaded and viewed on PCs and Macs as well as iOS devices. With the latest version of the Apple TV, you can stream movie and TV show rentals directly to your HDTV.

Google TV: More of a platform than a video streaming service, Google TV allows you to search TV listings and a connected DVR as well as the web to watch streaming videos from favorite web sites. It also includes apps that provide direct connections to such streaming services as Netflix, NBA Game Time, Pandora, and Napster. Its available via the Logitech Revue set-top box as well as integrated into select Sony HDTVs and a Blu-ray player.

Hulu: This ad-supported library of TV shows and movies can be can be streamed to your web browser for free. However, its Hulu Plus paid subscription service (which also serves up ads) offers a larger selection plus HD video streams, and it can be accessed on Apple iOS devices, Roku set-top boxes, and a variety of Internet-connected HDTVs and Blu-ray players.

Netflix: Originally a DVD rental-by-mail service, Netflix allows subscribers to stream movies and TV episodes via select Internet-ready HDTVs, game consoles, set-stop boxes (like Apple TV, TiVo and Roku), and Blu-ray Disc players.

Vudu: Rent and purchase movies (some available in 1080p HD) and stream them to your computer, Boxee Box, Sony PlayStation 3, and select Internet-ready HDTVs.

YouTube: Video sharing site that allows you to post your own video creations, plus view clips from millions of other users. It's also begun to offer thousands of full-length movies for rental. YouTube is included on a wide variety of media streaming devices, however movie rentals are available only to computer web browsers.

How to back up computer to the cloud?

-->

You might back up your PC or Mac at home to an external hard drive, but an online backup solution ensures that your data is safely protected away from your home--and available to you if your home has been robbed or suffered an unfortunate catastrophe.

Some services such as Apple's MobileMe provide a small, pre-determined amount of storage (such as 20 GB), allowing you to select just your most important files to back up--such as just your photos or your work documents. Amazon's Cloud Drive provides 5 GB of free online storage space, but this can be increased up to 1000 GB (i.e., 1 TB) at $1 per GB for a year.

Other services provide more open-ended storage space, enabling you to back up your entire computer. These include SugarSync, Mozy, Backblaze, Carbonite, Crashplan, SOS Online Backup, and Amazon Simple Storage Service (S3). It can take several days, at minimum, to perform an initial backup over the Internet, as it will consist of hundreds of gigabytes. But after that's been completed, only files that have been added or modified will be uploaded incrementally to the servers. If you need to retrieve a file or folder, you can typically do this via a web browser interface. However, if you need to restore your entire computer, some services can send you a hard drive with your backup at an additional charge. Speaking of pricing, online backup services charge either subscription fee (monthly or annual) or by the amount of data uploaded.

The cloud has brought about a revolution in inexpensive storage, making backing up online inexpensive and fuss-free. But with so many choices out there, how can we narrow it down? Rather than directly recommending services, here are requirements to consider.

• Types of cloud storage available for workstations. Essentially, there are 2: dedicated backup services and cloud sync services.
• When it comes to choosing any kind of service, the first question to ask is what computing platforms are supported. Some cloud storage services offer clients not only for Mac and PC but for mobile devices like iPhones and Android phones, too.
• Consider security. Your data will be undoubtedly be stored encrypted but that doesn't amount to a hill of beans if the sign-on system is weak. If you choose a strong and unique password then this shoudn't be an issue, of course.

Learn more about Cloud Home !

-->

One of the newer buzzwords in the online world is cloud computing. The word “cloud” refers to the Internet, with a network of computers from around the world combining to store data files on remote servers and transmit them to individual users.

Thankfully, there are actually a number of devices that let you have your own personal Home Cloud. The move to cloud computing isn't just for businesses. At CES, home network giants D-Link and Netgear are showing a range of equipment that leverage cloud services to give consumers more access to and control over home networks--and network content--from mobile devices.

But with cloud computing, the Internet has matured way beyond its origins, where text files were shared amongst a small group of scientists. Today, you can stream the latest Lady Gaga album or an HD movie rental, share vacation photos or a PowerPoint presentation files, back up your computer, create a single family calendar that can be accessed by everyone in the home, and even run word processing software from a web browser without having to install the application on your hard drive.

All you need is a web browser to upload, download, and access your files and run browser-based apps.

But the cloud isn't confined to just your PC or Mac. Cloud-based files and apps can be accessed from mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets, as well as media devices in your home such as Internet-connected HDTVs, Blu-ray Disc players, and dedicated media-streaming set-top boxes like the Apple TV or Roku.

You might be a cloud computing pro without realizing it if you've been using a Web-based e-mail service like Gmail--where all your messages are stored in the cloud on Google's servers. While it's possible to download messages to an e-mail program on your computer (such as Outlook), it's not a requirement. In fact, the cloud-based Gmail provides many of the same functions of a desktop application within your web browser, such as filtering messages, adding them to folders, labeling them, and more. And because your e-mail is stored in the cloud, you can access your e-mail from any Internet-connect computer, smartphone, or mobile device with a web browser.

Amazon's Cloud Drive is an example of the growing category of cloud-based storage lockers. With Cloud Drive, you can store music, videos, photos, and document files on Amazon's secure servers, and then access them via a web browser to upload or download files from any computer. 

With a cloud-based storage locker such as Cloud Drive, you'll be secure in the knowledge that your most important files are backed up and will be accessible even if your home computer crashes, or is lost or stolen. Additionally, with MP3 files stored on the Cloud Drive, you can play your stored music from any Internet-connected computer (as well as Android-powered mobile devices) using the Amazon Cloud Player.

What is a LAN?

-->

Local Area Network (LAN) is a computer network that interconnects computers in a limited area such as a home, school, computer laboratory, or office building using network media. Early LAN cabling had always been based on various grades of coaxial cable.

Within a LAN, you can share data amongst many devices and keep it as a closed system. However, you can also access the Worldwide Web on your LAN by connecting your network's router to your broadband Internet modem (provided by your Internet service provider, or ISP).

Once your LAN is set up to access the Internet, you can network the devices in your home or business using one (or more) of several methods: wired (using Ethernet or powerline networking) or wireless (Wi-Fi).

Ethernet provides connectivity to you home or business LAN by simply plugging a cable into your computer. Today, Ethernet is available in two main flavors with the difference being data speed: Fast (with data transfer of up to 100 Megabits per second, or Mbps) and Gigabit (up to 1000 Mbps).

While, Wi-Fi encompasses a several variations in standards that differ in speed and range. You've probably seen these variations listed as their alpha-numeric standards names (such as 802.11a/b/g/n) or their shorthand names (such as Wireless-N).

What is network-attached storage (NAS)?

-->

Network-attached storage (NAS) is a combination of hard disk-based storage and a network adapter. Its purpose is to provide a centralized data repository for computers sharing a network. Rather than connecting to your computer via a USB cable (like a typical external hard drive), a NAS connects to your local area network (LAN) via an Ethernet connection to your router, and it becomes available to all computers and devices connected to your network. Some NAS devices allow you to expand storage with additional hard drive bays, or USB ports for connecting external hard drives.

A NAS unit is a computer connected to a network that provides only file-based data storage services to other devices on the network. Although it may technically be possible to run other software on a NAS unit, it is not designed to be a general purpose server. For example, NAS units usually do not have a keyboard or display, and are controlled and configured over the network, often using a browser.

NAS is useful for more than just general centralized storage provided to client computers in environments with large amounts of data. NAS can enable simpler and lower cost systems such as load-balancing and fault-tolerant email and web server systems by providing storage services. The potential emerging market for NAS is the consumer market where there is a large amount of multi-media data. Such consumer market appliances are now commonly available. Unlike their rackmounted counterparts, they are generally packaged in smaller form factors. The price of NAS appliances has plummeted in recent years, offering flexible network-based storage to the home consumer market for little more than the cost of a regular USB or FireWire external hard disk. Many of these home consumer devices are built around ARM, PowerPC or MIPS processors running an embedded Linux operating system.

If you want to know more clearly go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Network-attached_storage

Learn more about Sonos Multi-Room Music System

-->

As its product name would imply, the Sonos Multi-Room Music System is an in-home audio sharing solution that works in multiple rooms throughout your house, and it's capable of transmitting different audio to different rooms at the same time. A Sonos system connects to your music source--whether it be stored on a computer running iTunes or Windows Media player, or a network-attached storage (NAS) drive--and works as both transmitter and receiver via its two parts:

• Controllers: You can manage audio playback to the whole house or to individual rooms via remote control with touchscreen interface. Additionally, the Sonos system can be controlled via an iPhone/iPod touch app as well as software for PCs and Macs.
• ZonePlayers: These are the wireless receivers that connect your music source to your speakers, and they come in several flavors--from one that allows you to connect either powered or powerless speakers to one with integrated speakers.

Tip: In addition to stored music, the Sonos system can also connect to Internet radio stations as well as a variety of Internet streaming music services, such as Pandora, Rhapsody, Sirius Internet Radio, Last.fm, and more.

The ZonePlayer receivers connect to your music source via your wireless network, and you can place multiple receivers throughout your house. You can then choose music to play via the touchscreen Sonos Controller. And if you have multiple ZonePlayer receivers, the Controller can select different music for different rooms as well as adjust volume independently for each receiver.

To get you started playing music in two different rooms in your house, the Sonos Bundle 250 (with the Controller and two ZonePlayers) retails for $999. Individual component vary from $349 for a Controller to $349 to $499 for a ZonePlayer.

Learn more about Airport Express

Selection of music and play/pause of audio is controlled through the iTunes software on your computer. If you have an Apple iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch, a downloadable remote app is available that can control these functions in iTunes over a Wi-Fi connection.

A Wi-Fi product from Apple, the Airport Express is a compact wireless base station that acts as a receiver to audio transmitted over Wi-Fi from a computer music source running the Apple iTunes software. The Airport Express connects to an amplified speaker via an integrated 3.5mm audio jack output.

You can transmit audio from compatible digital audio files (MP3s, AAC files purchased from Apple) stored in your iTunes library on your computer's hard drive, as well as Internet radio stations played from within iTunes.

Tip: Music sharing is just one function of the Airport Express, which can also be used as a standalone Wi-Fi router (great using while traveling), extending the range of your main Wi-Fi router, or providing access to a printer (via its USB port) to a wireless network.

The Apple Airport Express work with Windows-based PCs, it comes with software (Airport Utility) that helps you connect your Windows PC to the Airport Express, and iTunes is available in a Windows version.

The Airport Express is a Wi-Fi base station, it can talk to any other wireless router that speaks in the 802.11a/b/g/n languages. Thusly, neither an Apple Airport Extreme base station nor Time Machine is required to stream audio to the Airport Express. However, your PC or Mac must have the iTunes software installed, So You don't need an Apple Wi-Fi router to stream audio with the Airport Express.

The Airport Express work in multiple rooms. However, you'll need a separate Airport Express connected to amplified speakers in each room you want to stream audio to. Additionally, all the Airport Express base stations connected to your iTunes software will play the same audio--you can't configure different rooms to play different music.

Learn more about Wi-Fi radio & Internet radio

-->

What is a Wi-Fi radio?

A type of device that streams content from Internet radio stations, which (as you might expect) requires an Internet connection. As the name suggests, a Wi-Fi radio can wirelessly connect to the Internet (the source) over your home's wireless network router (the transmitter), and it acts as the direct receiver. It doesn't require connection to your computer, only to your network router.

Tip: While Wi-Fi radios don't require a connection to your computer, some offer the capability of streaming stored digital audio files (such as MP3s) from your computer's hard drive. Also, some Wi-Fi radios offer a wired Ethernet option as a feature.

What is Internet radio?

A service that streams audio to your computer or connected device from the Internet. And it comes in a variety of flavors. An Internet radio stream may duplicate the broadcast from a national or local radio station (such as the BBC or your local NPR station), or even satellite providers (such as Sirius Satellite Radio).

Some sites offer streams of music based on specified genres--from mainstream styles such as rap and hip-hop to lesser known genres such as dubstep. Other specialized services, such as Pandora, serve up a stream of music that is tailored to the sound of an artist or song that you select.

Wi-Fi radios work in multiple rooms, but you'll need to have a separate Wi-Fi radio for each room you want Internet streaming audio to be played in. On the downside, you won't be able to synchronize the audio between multiple devices. However, each room can play different audio streams.

The basics needed to wirelessly transmit audio through your home!

-->

The idea of wirelessly streaming the music collection on the computer to the stereo system in the living room is Fantastic idea. To realize the idea you need:

• A music source, which can be either your computer or your network router connected to the Internet.
• A transmitter, which can be a separate device connected to your computer (such as a radio frequency transmitter connected via USB) or a Wi-Fi router.
• A receiver, such as one part of a radio frequency transmitter/receiver package
• A set of amplified speakers with an audio input jack that's compatible with the output jack of the receiver. They can be the speakers connected to your home theater stereo system, powered computer speakers, or an iPod speaker dock.

If using Wi-Fi as your transmitter, you can choose from a variety of receiver schemes that vary in available music sources, access throughout your home, and cost. We'll cover a few of them in in the next article, including:

• Wi-Fi radio, which receives Internet streaming audio through your network router
• A Wi-Fi base station with audio output (such as the Apple Airport Express)
• Proprietary whole-home systems (such as Sonos).

What is streaming audio?

-->

Streaming media is multimedia that is constantly received by and presented to an end-user while being delivered by a provider.

In a connected home, streaming audio can refer to one of two things:

• Internet Streaming Audio: Music and radio programming that is delivered over the Internet to a computer or network-connected device.
• In-Home Sharing: Audio distributed across your network from one device to another.

With Internet streaming audio, music and radio programming are delivered in a compressed format over the Web and can only be accessed when you are connected to the Internet. And unlike a file that you save to your hard drive from the Web (such as an MP3 file), streaming audio is not saved permanently to your device's storage memory. Rather, a Web browser or audio software decodes the audio file as it's being streamed to your computer or device, and then the data is discarded once you've played it.

With in-home sharing, you are transmitting audio from a central location (such as your computer) to a plethora of amplified possibilities: a home theater stereo, powered speakers, an HDTV, and more. The audio that is being served up through your home can either be the digital audio files stored on your computer's hard drive or audio streamed from an Internet radio station.

Reviews: ASUS ASUS RT-AC66U Dual-Band Wireless-AC1750 Gigabit Router, Is It exelent product..!

I think the ASUS ASUS RT-AC66U Dual-Band Wireless-AC1750 Gigabit Router is exelent product for the money. On the plus side, I think we're getting closer! Just give me all of the good features from ASUS ASUS RT-AC66U Dual-Band Wireless-AC1750 Gigabit Router.

You are not wrong if interested ASUS ASUS RT-AC66U Dual-Band Wireless-AC1750 Gigabit Router, You can see good reviews already proving the quality of this product.

The ASUS ASUS RT-AC66U Dual-Band Wireless-AC1750 Gigabit Router completed with a lot of capabilities which makes it great product at the price point. If you wish to know further of this location finding tools, just read its main features below.

ASUS ASUS RT-AC66U Dual-Band Wireless-AC1750 Gigabit Router Overview:

• 1 x Gigabit WAN port
• 02.11AC(1300Mbps over 5G) + 802.11N(450Mbps over 2.4G)
• IPv6 support
• VPN Server Support
• 2 x USB2.0 support got Printer sharing or HDD sharing
• 3 x Detachable antenna for 2.4GHz/5GHz with peak gain 3dBi/ 5dBi
• 4 x LAN ports for 10/100/1000 BaseT
• Antenna: 3x Detachable antennas
• Button: WPS Button, Reset Button, Power Button
• Encryption: 64-bit WEP, 128-bit WEP, WPA2-PSK, WPA-PSK, WPA-Enterprise, WPA2-Enterprise
• LED Indicator: 1x PWR, 4x LAN, 1x WAN,?2x AIR, 1x USB
• Network Standard: IEEE 802.11a, IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g, IEEE 802.11n, IEEE 802.11ac, IEEE 802.3u, IPv4, IPv6
• Operating Frequency: 2.4~2.4835GHz / 5.1~5.8GHz
• Supports Ethernet and 802.3 with max. bit rate 10/100/1000 Mbps

The Advantages & Disadvantages a Powerline Network Solution

The advantages to a powerline network solution

Because you're using already the electrical wiring infrastructure of your home--and the electrical outlets that are spread throughout your home--powerline networking offers great flexibility on where computers and peripherals can be placed.

If you've had difficulty in creating a strong Wi-Fi network in your home--due to many factors, such as heavily insulated walls or interference from other devices in the home such as cordless phones--a powerline network can provide a stable, reliable connection throughout your home. And you can even pair it with a Wi-Fi router for wireless access.

Finally, a powerline network doesn't add any charges to your electrical bill.

The disadvantages to a powerline network solution

If your home electrical wiring isn't up to date, you might not get optimal performance from a powerline networking solution. It's not as fast as Gigabit Ethernet speeds (the fastest networking solution for home or office), but it is on par with current Wireless-N Wi-Fi networking.

Powerline networking is often touted as one of the easiest and most affordable whole-home networking solutions because you don't have to lay a lot of cable or install more wiring in your walls. However, you will still need to purchase adapters that will plug into your electrical outlets. Compared to buying multiple adapters, the price of a single wireless router might make more sense depending on what you'll be networking.

You also have to be careful to choose powerline networking adapters and accessories that use the same standard. There are three standards available from a variety of manufacturers:

- HomePlug AV (available from manufacturers like Belkin, Linksys, Netgear, and ZyXEL)

- UPA, which stands for Universal Powerline Association (available from D-Link, Netgear, and others)

- HD-PLC, which stands for High Definition Power Line Communication (available from Panasonic)

Use Powerline Networking in Your Home

Powerline communications networking uses the existing electrical wiring in your home or office as a closed medium for transmitting data between devices.

Powerline networking can be used just like a wired Ethernet or wireless Wi-Fi network for connecting to the Internet, sending video files from a computer to your HDTV or game console, printing across a network, backing up to a dedicated server, and more.

Additionally, because it uses existing electrical wiring and outlets, powerline networking is a great choice for use with home automation solutions.

Home Automation Solution

At its core, a home automation solution is a system consists of:

• A controller that transmits commands.
• A series of modules and adapters that connect to lights and appliances and accept commands from the controller.

This is the ability to control your home's lighting, appliances, thermostat, security, home theater, and more from either within your home or outside it.

The amount of control you want over your home automation--and where you want to access it--can also dictate the type of system you need. If you just want control over lighting and appliances in other rooms while you are physically in your home, a closed home automation system with controller specific to that system will be fine.

But if you want to access your home automation system remotely from your office or vacation destination, you'll want a system that can be accessed using a Web browser or even your smartphone.

There are several home automation technologies that utilize different standards and thusly don't talk to one another. This is unlike Wi-Fi networking, where all Wi-Fi-enabled devices speak the same language. The main technologies for home automation are X10, Insteon, ZigBee, and Z-Wave.

• X10 uses powerline networking to send commands to switches. However, commands go only in one direction--from controller to module--and they can sometimes not reach the destined module due to interference. Also, there is not feedback loop, so the controller can't tell if a command was received and acted upon.
• Insteon also uses powerline networking, but also adds RF (radio frequency) connectivity to create a wireless system. It is backward compatible with devices that use the X10 standard.
• Z-Wave uses a proprietary, low-power RF signal to wirelessly send commands from the controller to modules. It's been adopted by more than 200 manufacturers worldwide-- including Black & Decker, Schlage, Wayne Dalton, Leviton, and ViewSonic--enabling you to more easily mix and match components from different companies when setting up your home automation system.
• ZigBee uses an internationally recognized RF signal standard, but most home automation systems that use ZigBee require contractor installation.

The Insteon, ZigBee, and Z-Wave technologies utilize a mesh network solution, which means that the devices within the system can talk to one another and act as repeaters for commands. Also, the more devices you have connected to the system, the more reliable your system will be.

Differences Between The Types of Wi-Fi Standards?

An informal name for "wireless networking," Wi-Fi encompasses a several variations in standards that differ in speed and range. You've probably seen these variations listed as their alpha-numeric standards names (such as 802.11a/b/g/n) or their shorthand names (such as Wireless-N).

There are 4 flavors of Wi-Fi networking, each possessing different specifications for speed and range that also translate to different recommended uses.

• 802.11n: Also known as Wireless-N, this Wi-Fi standard offers the fastest speeds (up to 248 Megabits per second, or Mbps) and the ability to retain its high speeds at a broader range (of up to 300 feet). It's a good choice for streaming multimedia in your home. It's also becoming more widely adopted by manufacturers, so you'll see more new routers with the 802.11n standard.
• 802.11g: Also referred to as 54g (as its data speed tops out at 54 Mbps), this standard boasts a range of up to 300 feet. However, its data speed tends to drop off the farther you get from your router. The 802.11g standard is good for fast Web browsing and can handle media downloads--but at a slower pace.
• 802.11b: The slowest of the Wi-Fi standards, 802.11b provides data speeds of just up to 11 Mbps. And like 54g, its data speed drops the further you find yourself within its 300-foot range. While not a solution for media streaming, it's fine for print servers and home automation applications.
• 802.11a: As fast as 54g, this standard provides a more targeted range of just 100 feet. Typically, 802.11a is used in closed office environments, where the router is situated near its users.

Tabel: Maximum data transfer speeds for different networking standards

Some Examples of Video Streaming Set-Top Boxes

Streaming set-top boxes are all the rage these days, especially with the rising popularity of subscription streaming services. There are a variety of set-top boxes that can help you access Internet video streaming sites.

You may be familiar with the TiVo, which enables you to pause live TV programming and record shows for later viewing. But the latest version of TiVo also includes access to streaming video from Blockbuster, Netflix, and Amazon Video On Demand.

Some set-top boxes are designed to only connect to video streaming sites, or to download content that is rented or purchased directly from one or a select number of providers. Here are three examples:

• The Apple TV streams movies and TV shows that are rented from the Apple iTunes Store plus movies and TV shows streamed from the Netflix site (subscription required).
  
• Roku primarily works with Netflix, but it's also compatible with rentals and purchases from Amazon Video On Demand as well as a wide variety of add-on channels, ranging from MLB TV to music sites like Pandora.
  
• The Boxee Box isn't tied directly to a provider. Instead, it's able to view streaming video from television network sites, video sharing sites like YouTube, and social networking sites.
  
• The VuNow also grabs video from popular Web sites but also adds Netflix and Amazon Video On Demand capabilities plus a selection of live TV channels from around the globe.

Some set-top boxes can stream Internet video content as well as video files either stored on an internal or external hard drives connected to the device or computers found on your network. For example, the Western Digital WD TV Live Plus connects to Netflix video streaming, but it also includes a USB port for viewing video from a connected external hard drive or camcorder. Plus, it has an Ethernet connection to your network, enabling it to play media stored on any PC or Mac on your home network.

Finally, some Blu-ray Disc players include Internet video streaming capabilities (made possible by their wired Ethernet or wireless Wi-Fi network connectivity). For example, the LG BD570 features Netflix streaming, while several Panasonic BD players (such as the Panasonic DMP-BD85K) include access to both Netflix and Amazon Video On Demand.

About Streaming Movies to Your TV

Unlike a video file whose digital bits are stored on your computer's hard drive, streaming video is delivered in a compressed format over the Internet and can only be accessed when you are connected to the Internet.

Additionally, unlike a file that you save to your hard drive from the Web (whether it be a PDF or MP3 file), streaming video is not saved permanently to your hard drive. Rather, your Web browser or video software decodes the video file as it's being streamed to your computer or device, and then your computer discards the data once you've played it.

You don't need connected a computer to your TV in order to watch Internet video. You can certainly connect your PC or Mac to your TV, as this is a low-cost way of accessing Internet video streaming sites. But if you have a laptop, dealing with the cable connections between computer and the TV in your entertainment center won't be convenient.

A better solution than connecting a computer to your TV is to use one of the following methods for accessing a plethora of video streaming content--some free and some requiring rental, purchase, or subscription.

• - A set-top box that hooks into your broadband Internet connection, receives streaming video from sites compatible with the device (and sometimes files saved on networked computers), and translates the video into a format that can be viewed on your HDTV.
• - An Internet-ready game console, which acts like a set-top box but adds gaming and multimedia functionality.
• - An Internet-ready TV, which cuts out the middle set-top box and connects directly to your broadband Internet.

New: Linksys EA6500 Smart Wi-Fi Dual-Band AC Router with Gigabit and 2x USB

Next generation Wi-Fi for the fastest video and media streaming. Ideal for:

• Speeds approximately 3x faster than Wireless-N*
• Optimizing your home network with mobile apps
• Networking large, multi-room homes and home theaters
• Streaming HD video, music and large files at fast speeds
• Connecting multiple users and devices — TVs, Blu-ray players, game consoles and tablets
• Simultaneously accessing and sharing stored USB content and a USB printer**

KEY FEATURES

• Latest Draft 802.11ac Wireless Technology*
• Backward Compatible with a/b/g/n Devices
• Simultaneous Dual-Band
• Ultimate Speeds - Up to 450 + 1300 Mbps*
• High Power Amplifiers for Ultimate Range*
• SpeedBoostTechnology for Increased Signal Strength
• WPA2 Encryption and SPI Firewall
• Four 10/100/1000 Gigabit Ethernet Ports
• 2 USB Ports to Simultaneously Share Printers and Storage**
• 3D Antenna Array Allows for Wall Mounted or Table Top Display
• DLNA CertifiedMedia Server
• Quality of Service (QoS) for Smoother HD Video
• IPv6 Enabled
• SimpleTapTechnology to add Wi-Fi and NFC-Enabled Devices to Your Network

9 Steps to Improve Cell Phone Reception

Keep in mind, poor reception is not something that your service provider will fix just because you want them to. Most users think there is nothing they can do to improve their cell phone reception by themselves.

While there is no free magical fix to poor cell phone reception, there are some things that you can do, and some money you can spend, to improve cell phone reception.

Instructions

1. Keep your battery charged to 2 bars or higher.
   Your cell phone uses a lot more power when connecting a call than when it is on standby.
   
2. Take a look at the terrain you are in.
   Cell phone reception is usually poor when you're in a valley, surrounded by trees, in between tall buildings or inside buildings. A simple way to get better reception is to physically move to a better location. Get on a flat space on a hill if you are outside of a city. If you are in a city, go outside and away from tall buildings. One of the best places to get cell phone reception is a street intersection because it offers an unobstructed reception area.
   
3. Utilize a personal cell phone network extender.
   These devices are a new technology that creates a hybrid amplifier/repeater for personal use through smart technology to extend your cell phone's reception.
   
4. Install a cellular repeater.
   If you are having cell problems in one location, such as your home or office, then try installing a cellular repeater.
   
5. Turn off other electronics around you.
   Many electronics, such as computer monitors, appliances and power tools, can cause interference to cell phone reception. Simply turning these off may help your reception enough to make intelligible calls.
   
6. Hold your phone correctly.
   Mobile phone antennas are designed to project a signal outward, perpendicular to the long axis of the antenna. As such, mobile phones seek signals in a donut-esque shape around the antenna. Normally, when a mobile is held upright, this is not a problem. However, if you are holding your phone in a strange way, such as on its side or upside down, you will hinder the operation of the antenna. Hold your phone upright to guarantee that your phone can "see" your carrier signal. On most newer phones the antenna is located at the bottom of the phone, so if you are experiancing signal problems on a newer phone turning it upside down will boost your signal.
   
7. Buy an external antenna or power booster.
   This is going to cost you a bit, potentially more than a hundred dollars for an external antenna or a few hundred dollars for a power booster, but it will help reception. This is a good way to improve reception in your car or in your home or office, but it is not portable and you have to physically plug your phone into it.
   
8. Purchase a wireless amplifier/repeater system.
   A repeater system can cost several hundred dollars but it does not require a physical connection and can improve reception on several phones at the same time. You can get a repeater system for your car, and they are especially useful in an office where several people may be using cell phones.
   
9. Change networks.
   If all else fails, switch your service provider.

Note: Don't buy cheap internal antennas. These may look like a small card that goes behind your battery and has a small wire in them. It is said that they can double your reception, but many do not make any notable difference.