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.