HT, iTunes and Streaming. Wireless or direct cables?

I have a laptop, panny blu ray dmp bd65, and a Denon's 2112 AV receiver. and a Sony laptop. The laptop and cable modem are side by side with the bluray,receiver and TV in the next room about 6 feet away.

Everything is wireless capable except the TV. I have Airplay on the Denon that I need to access. I could hook up all this by ethernet but wireless would be more convenient.

I watch a lot of Netflix streaming so have to unplug the ethernet from my laptop and run it around the corner into the bluray that is connected HDMI to TV

Is a wired connection actually the best as far as streaming and integrity of picture? I just read about special cables. I could live with cables running under a door if that assures me of the best connection in all ways. Just upgraded my Hometheater so I want HD capable.

Do not foresee any other additions to my setup so it is pretty simple but I do want it all convenient. I do have ITunes on my laptop and that is about it as far as music files.

Can anyone suggest a router that would suit my purposes on a budget but I want a reliable one?

I want to watch TV and be on my computer simultaneously.

I am not a tech geek so please take it easy on me. I kind of lose it when giga whatever and bytes r used more than twice in the same sentence.

Thanks ahead. Help!

The 4 port is if i was running ethernet cables from the modem to the laptop, bluray and receiver? Would I then be able to play itunes on Receiver?
If i went wireless what would that look like? I'm lost at 4 port AND wireless router. How would that look?
Once u learn it is a piece of cake but until then I'm eating bit by bit

Just read about the netgear 3400. Wanting to make sure I don't buy this and find out there was something else I should have looked for in capabilities.

What is Gigabyte ethernet that 3400 does not have?. What is Network storage ? What would external hard drives do or be?

My needs are simple, just want to be able to access i tunes and watch HD quality stuff with Netflix. Went through this with TV and now if I had known would have bought a TV with internet access.
Edited by kauaidoug - 7/20/12 at 10:55pm

Help.

I just pulled the trigger on Airport Express from Apple. Please let me know if I did the right or wrong thing. According to the sales person I can network my Denon 2112 with Airplay to access my iTunes on my Sony Laptop. Also I will be able to use the computer and internet at the same time I am watching/listening to Netflix.

Anyone watching let me know as I just ordered and could cancel. Thanks. I probably could have gone a cheaper route but ,damn it , I just needed to buy something. It's my bday!!

No, I am the confused one but I have asked about my situation and not gotten answers that I comprehended. Read impatient. Maybe, Gus u answered part of it by telling me my Denon needs an internet connection only I don't know how to network it. After spending a few hours here and there and learning enough to realize how sophomoric my questions have been I just wanted to get over it.

In any case my needs should be met by this solution, if not then i need to know what I do need.

I liked the AE so I could Netflix or use iTunes and surf the web at the same time if desired. I enjoyed my Apple experience over the phone while purchasing.

Also, I have been a PC user and when buying the Denon with the Airplay it was my first step into Apple World. Next step is a laptop or Ipad.

Thanks for everyone's input

^^^ What do u mean" play my music stored in my server",,,

Out of curiosity, if Apple could somehow bring production home would u be more likely/unlikely to purchase. Might mean a higher price possibly. I'm not a pollster in disguise I just watch too much CNN in the middle of the ocean.

^^^Ok. Just went to wikipedia and webomedia and read about "server." So would my laptop which includes the ability to process iTunes be my server?

I have a very simple set up. PC laptop that i keep ethernetted into the internet from my cable modem. I have a 2112 with a panny tv and panny bluray player. the tv,blu ray and avr are hooked up via HDMI.

My laptop and cable modem are in one room and TV,br and 2112 are in the next room but very close. When I want to watch netflix i have to disconnect my laptop and run the ethernet cable to the BR player that has internet capabilty.

Finally after exasperated from research I bought an Airport express only to discover that I still have to run an audio cable from the express to my 2112 in order to stream iTunes. I want a wireless hookup so I don't have a wire running under my door to the 2112.

I would call Denon's but living in Hawaii they are closed by the time i can make a call. I think I just need to know how do I get my 2112 hooked to the internet? I thought I read somewhere you cannot simply run an ethernet cable from the cable modem to the 2112.

I want to listen to iTunes on my PC over my new HT system with the 2112.
I would like to be able to watch a movie while having internet access to my computer.
My Computer does not have HDMI.

Well, Gus Gus, The Airport is NOT what I wanted since it does not allow me to wirelessly connect my laptop to my 2112 denon AVR..

Using words from one of your replies. How do i get internet to my receiver? Being in Hawaii it is hard to call back east mainland for support.

It's amazing what a difference a day makes. Bowmah, where were you when I was pulling my hair out over what i knew was not that hard a problem in itself or to understand?. The key was the Denon has to be wired. But the AE had such a dinky looking wire for connection plus the $50 difference in it and the Netgear I just returned the AE.

Now just to show what a dork I am it took me 3 hours to get the Netgear N300 working. Took me 20 minutes to get it out of the box and wires connected. This was after being assured by the peach fuzzed faced salesguy at Radio Shack it would be "pretty simple". I still haven't gone back to do double duty on what was wrong.The operative word here is "working". Missed the opening of the Olympics. Got it all going for the most part and listening to music I spent all Sunday selecting and downloading . That was fun. Reliving college days and all.

All this so that when my NHT 12d Sub shows up I'll be in biz. Gotta get Jurassic Park bluray. Some scenes filmed right up the street from where i live.

I think some people know the stuff so well they forget that if ur asking advice here then u may not know the difference between ethernet and a power cord.

Prime example right here.
Thanks to all.
Now already wondering about the quality of sound from iTunes. It never stops

I did exactly as u suggest it's just I finally figured it out a day before.