Media Center PC Connecting Over Wireless

[Tuna]

As the title states I'm looking for a wireless solution (Router/AP <-> Pci/e Client) to provide good throughput to my MCPC. I know that to support applications like HD video streaming a wired network is preferred, but I live in a quad level house with lots of old drop ceilings that really complicate the wiring. There is some distance, walls and floors to go through between where my AP is now and the MCPC, and not a lot of wireless traffic to contend with in the neighborhood.

Reading up at smallnetbuilder It looks like I need a sustained 20MBps without buffer to support good HD, and that typical wireless is capable of this throughput but not consistently. My current thinking is to purchase a Linksys E4200 along with a Intel 6300 mini pci/e, mini pci/e to pci/e adapter, and 3 8dbi antenna's for it. Thoughts?

Is there a better low cost commercial solution for this? Could I build something specific for this application (6300 <-> 6300)? I'm not a networking professional but also not sacred to get my hands dirty.

Thanks in advance.

 

[thiggins]

If you have coax between where the router and media center are and are not using satellite, I'd try a pair of MoCA adapters first. Or a pair of 500 Mbps HomePlug AV compatible powerline adapters. They will provide much more stable throughput in the range you need.
NETGEAR XAVB5001 Powerline AV 500 Adapter Kit Reviewed
More MoCA: D-Link DXN-221 & Actiontec ECB2200 Reviewed

 

[Tuna]

Thanks Thiggins, It seems as if the Powerline adapters have made some strides since I last looked at them. I'll give those a try.