Possible to stream 1080p videos wirelessly without any hiccups?

all depends on the bitrate of the file and quality of your network connection.

your standard 720p file will be 4-5mbps, easily doable on most wireless connections.

Blu-ray is usually closer to 40-50mbps so for that you'll need wireless-n to even have a legit shot at doing it.


Wireless g is 54mbps max, but throughput rates are usually closer to 30mbps
Wireless n is 150mbps, haven't used it but I'd guess you'll get 80-100mbps out of it.

It's possible on wireless N. The likelihood of that happening, though, depends on placement of your equipment and interference from other devices (microwave, cordless phone, neighbor's wifi, etc).

As mentioned, lower bitrate files (even full DVD ISO rips) can be streamed fairly easily even under not so ideal network conditions.

in an ironclad nutshell, NO !! when the planets line up correctly, maybe...

Absolutely. I can stream 2 1080p mkv files(flac audio) at the same time from my downstairs server to 2 different media portal front ends using my 'N' network bridge. No hickups or glitches.

I went through this a few weeks ago.. between speaking with Intel support, Linksys Support and DLink support here are my findings..

Results from my tests using N on 2.4 Ghz band using 20 Mhz frequency

Findings:
- I could not sustain a connection above 133 Mbps even in the same room
- 300 Mbps is only supported on the 5 Ghz band - 150 is the theoretical max in the 2.4Ghz band (confirmed via Intel)
- 40 Mhz frequency is only supported on the 5 Ghz band though it is selectable in most wireless access points (confirmed via LinkSys)
- Mixed mode causes enough interference that the connection fluctuates between 50 and 133 Mbps... this change in speed causes enough latency to affect smooth playback of HD Video / Audio (my observations)
- Greenfield (Pure N) not mixed with G will allow best connection - though only at 133 Mbps due to interference of other 2.4Ghz routers in the area.
- WEP is not supported. You will be limited to less then 70 Mbps if using WEP. WPA supports full through put. (Confirmed via Intel)

All 1080p 60hz
Each movie requires different codecs thus different bandwidths
(Underworld Evolution) MPEG 2 w/ LPCM 5.1 - NO issues smooth playback - like DVD
(Batmand Begins) VC1 w/DTS-HD - Minor issues not smooth but only once in a while you get a hick-up
(Fantastic 4 Silver Surfer) MPEG4 using H.264 profile 4.1 w/TrueHD - Major issues. Using fantastic four I was hitting greater then 60 Mbs (yes there is packet overhead thats why its going above the 50Mbs that profile 4.1 is restricted to). For me this movie was not watchable BUT it was not a total loss. It would hickup at random high Mbps spots in the movie. I just can not accept any stuttering while watching a movie.

Distance will play a factor.. my tests where taking my laptop (with wired to N access point) and watching in the same room.. I did confirm the laptop plays ALL movies fine directly wired to the 100 Mb network.

Its not just the Mbps that make the difference but also jitter and latency will play a factor... Latency and Jitter is most affected by interference. The greater the distance the greater the interference.

The 5Ghz band is your best bet.. I have not confirmed these movies on the 5Ghz band as I made the mistake and bought a 2.4Ghz single band N router not knowing that a dual band router was the way to go..

If you want fool proof wire it up.. if you want almost fool proof get ethernet over power... if you want to take some risk get 5Ghz dual band router.. if you dont believe me... go cheap and get the 49.99 N single band router and see for yourself..

Good Luck!

OP: Theoretically? Yes. Practically? No

Or to put it another way, I wouldn't setup a dedicated HT system that is reliant on wireless of any kind. Further, I wouldn't start buying expensive equipment without trying it out in your actual setup/usage scenario.

Stanglx, the hiccups you had with SS is probably due to your network gear involuntarily dry heaving at having to transfer such an awful movie

-Suntan

-The format and the resolution are not relevant here; what matters is the bitrate. Are you wanting typical blu ray bitrates or something lower?
-Maybe use a player where you can set a large buffer? What players allow this?

100% agree... So if your going to lower the bitrate that means your going to re-encode your movies...

For me..with the cost of 120 bucks per TB in storage.. I dont have the time to wait 10 hours per movie re-encode (I tried). I remux to strip out the garbage to a m2ts (then to a MKV if you like) OR just rip to ISO (or folder) and play that way..

Definately 2 Dlink DAP-1522s running @ 5.0GHZ over powerlining any day. Mine are about 15 feet apart with a floor between them. The link is about 70% in my case.

Like I said I have zero problems streaming HD through them. I'm getting about 12MBps on file copies so your 9-15 mbps files will be a breeze.