Move it with you!

So the future is definately DLNA (digital living network alliance) to move content around the home. The problem is i'm waiting for a digital TV from SONY to come to the UK with DLNA in it (hint hint SONY!)

Until then i have tried streaming audio/video from PC wirelessly. Nice try tonto! So many integration issues + the fact the PC has to be on all the time, the media server software is rubbish etc etc. I have a life and can't be bothered to go through all the issues one after another. ROi is just not worth it!

Found a stopgap if your an iTunes/Ipod user. Buy the AV connection kit. I was a little skeptical as i play music vides purchased via iTunes on a 2-head flat panel monitor setup. Playback is a little pixilated but acceptable. However, connecting the IPOD to the a 32" Sony WEGA TV in widescreen mode playback is good and will be a stop gap for the next couple of years. It's so good i've actually bought 3 TV shows off ITunes to checkout playback of those. Just for the record - South Park, Pimp My Ride and Jongleurs unleashed were the only "suitable" shows i could find for research purposes. Cough!

Works tough....

Spent a couple of hours this afternoon working on a special project - playing content around the home! yep, its work folks and i'm getting paid for it!

Looking at bringing in video, music, pictures or text into the home, storing it on Network Attached Storage, PC or say a PVR! From here, we look to either stream it around the home (or move it to other compatible devices in the home). One interesting test case i saw a couple of weeks ago was a Sony Cybershot camera with photos on it. It looks for compatible devices on the wireless network. Camera finds a new digital TV. We could then view the photos (which were still on the camera) on the TV. As you flicked through the pictures on the camera they updated on the TV (via the wireless link). Very cool way for the family to share and look at photos.

All the consumer electronics companies are bringing our more compatible devices. If you interested check out www.dnla.org You find find out how it works and also devices that are out there in the marketplace now!

Not only can it handle photo's, but also music and video. So if you want to watch a video upstairs you can stream it from the PVR or NAS! No more cupboards full of DVD's, or finding the case but no DVD inside. With DNLA you can search all available storage for the title you want!

Good news is that the PS3 is DLNA enabled......and so is the PSP. Mmmmhh. Might have to start looking at funding for the home! Now for that 4 Terrabyte NAS!