what's my best option here?

[finallygreen]

First post, so first off, hello!

I'm thinking of getting NetRemote, but I'm trying to figure out the best way to set this up in my house. From what I've read, I'm sure I don't have everything I need to take ANY of the available approaches to this, so I'm trying to figure out what I'll need to buy now before I take the plunge.

In the house, I have 2 PC's, both running JRMC, with all the media files stored on Buffalo TerraStation across a WIRED network. I also have a Palm Treo 700wx running Windows Mobile 5. I'm also getting ready to install an iSymphony V1Blue (bluetooth speaker/stereo system, for those who may not know) in the kitchen.

So....already once the V1Blue is installed I'll be able to play media that's ON my Treo (it has a 4Gb storage card in it), as that's just a bluetooth signal. However, I eventually want to be able to use NetRemote to control JRMC from one of the PCs in the house so that it can broadcast ANY of my music files to the kitchen's V1Blue system via bluetooth (as bluetooth is all the V1Blue is designed for). So...

1. None of my PC's are 'bluetooth compatible' right now, but if I go and buy a bluetooth adapter for one of them, will I be able to transmit info TO a PC from my Treo while sitting in the kitchen (so that the PC can then transmit to the V1Blue) without the V1Blue (ie the closer device) simply intercepting the info? (Sorry...clearly I'm not up to snuff on bluetooth either, lol!)

2. What kind of range would I get with Bluetooth anyways? From the kitchen, one of my PC's is about 20 feet away, and the other is about 30-35 feet (and both with walls between, obviously).

3. Those of you with a Treo know that the reason I'm trying to go without Wi-Fi if at all possible is that the Treo doesn't COME with Wi-Fi. Now, I DO have a Wi-Fi card for the Treo, so if Wi-Fi does turn out to be the solution, I have the PPC-end of it covered. However, there is nothing wireless in my home network ATM. If I buy a router that has wired and wireless capabilities to replace my wired-only router, will that allow me to use NetRemote on the PPC to reach one of my PC's, even though they're hard-wired (but still hard-wired into a router that now handles wireless)?? Or, will the physical PC itself that I'm trying to reach HAVE to be a wireless PC?

4. Perhaps I'm going about this all the wrong way, and one of you experts can nudge me in the right direction??? :)

Any help would be appreciated. Nobody wants to start spending money on peripherals that are not going to wind up being useful in the final solution...

[tmorten]

1. None of my PC's are 'bluetooth compatible' right now, but if I go and buy a bluetooth adapter for one of them, will I be able to transmit info TO a PC from my Treo while sitting in the kitchen (so that the PC can then transmit to the V1Blue) without the V1Blue (ie the closer device) simply intercepting the info? (Sorry...clearly I'm not up to snuff on bluetooth either, lol!)I'd strongly suggest going the WiFi route, as it is more proven, and has better range.


2. What kind of range would I get with Bluetooth anyways? From the kitchen, one of my PC's is about 20 feet away, and the other is about 30-35 feet (and both with walls between, obviously).
Bluetooth could work; it just depends how much signal is lost going through the walls. Again, WiFi will have better range for sure.


3. Those of you with a Treo know that the reason I'm trying to go without Wi-Fi if at all possible is that the Treo doesn't COME with Wi-Fi. Now, I DO have a Wi-Fi card for the Treo, so if Wi-Fi does turn out to be the solution, I have the PPC-end of it covered. However, there is nothing wireless in my home network ATM. If I buy a router that has wired and wireless capabilities to replace my wired-only router, will that allow me to use NetRemote on the PPC to reach one of my PC's, even though they're hard-wired (but still hard-wired into a router that now handles wireless)?? Or, will the physical PC itself that I'm trying to reach HAVE to be a wireless PC?Pick up a WiFi router... they can be had quite inexpensively these days. Any device on the network can be controlled via WiFi once there is a router in the loop -- there is no need for each PC to have its own wireless card (unless you have PC's that are not already connected to your wired network, and you wanted to add them to the network via a wireless connection).


4. Perhaps I'm going about this all the wrong way, and one of you experts can nudge me in the right direction??? No worries -- I think you've got the right idea! I would just recommend going WiFi instead of Bluetooth.

Cheers,
Tim

[finallygreen]

Oh that's excellent....couldn't have asked for a more helpful reply (and quick, too!)...

Many thanks....now I'm off to shop for a wireless router :)

[theguywiththefunnyhair]

Pick up a WiFi router... they can be had quite inexpensively these days. Any device on the network can be controlled via WiFi once there is a router in the loop -- there is no need for each PC to have its own wireless card (unless you have PC's that are not already connected to your wired network, and you wanted to add them to the network via a wireless connection).

Tim has given you some great advice here, i just wanted to point out that if you currently have a connection to the internet through a non wireless router you only need a WAP (Wireless Access Point). This is a device purpose built to provide wireless functionality to an existing wired network. Should be possible to get one of these at a better price than a router and it may give you more flexibility when it comes to placing it in your house.

Cheers

Dan