Popular Technology Degrees

Home Entertainment Networks

September 19, 2005
By Mary Hobson
Mary.Hobson@technology-schools.com
Technology Schools Columnist

Have you ever wondered why you have to buy a DVD player to attach to your television and a DVD drive for your computer? Or why you have a TiVo hard disk and a hard disk in your computer? Why not have one of each and then be able to network them together - it can't be that difficult, can it?

Sorting Out Network Interfaces

Well, it is and it isn't. The devices that we use for our entertainment and the devices that we use to store data in our computer are basically the same. The problems arise when we start to link the devices to each other. The interface for each device is different, partly because different features of each storage device are needed by different applications, and partly because each product has been developed to function in it's own environment.

However, with the advent of wireless networks of all different kinds, including developments such as Blue Tooth, theoretically it should be possible to create networks of all different kinds.

Home Entertainment via Wireless Networks

I have a plan for my next home which includes installing a home network of two computers, one which is basically dedicated to my work, and the second which will drive all the entertainment and communications devices in my house. This computer network will include screens and speakers for each room. I want to be able to receive television using a frame-grabber, and then direct the picture and audio into the room that I want to watch it in. If my children want to view a DVD, they will do it by playing it in the DVD player in the entertainment computer, and then directing it to the relevant screen and speakers. I can store programs, movies and music on my entertainment computer. I can even use this set up for radio, showing photographs from my digital camera, and reading email and web based material.

Because my work computer is a part of the network, I can work in any room I choose. If I have a meeting with a client, I can use the dining room as a conference room, and divert the relevant materials to the screen there. I can use my bedroom as an office if I have visitors using my study as a bedroom. The permutations are endless, giving me real flexibility and reducing redundancy when I buy and use the various devices.

So what are the problems? Well, basically the same as any network. Network security has to be good - you need firewalls and virus protection. You need access to real networking education, either you have to acquire it yourself or you buy it in. And you need someone who is prepared to put this home network together - not an easy job at the moment, although it is possible.

Home networks using wireless technology are the way forward, and with converging standards, broadband connections and voice over IP telecommunications, having one entrance point and a "switchboard" concept of delivery makes some kind of sense. Let's see how long it takes to be able to buy them off the shelf.

Sources:
http://computer.howstuffworks.com/home-network.htm
http://www.cert.org/tech_tips/home_networks.html

About the Author Mary Hobson is a consultant for technology start-ups in Russia. She has also worked as an executive officer in a defense facility and as a university lecturer in computer science and management information. Mary earned her first degree in textile marketing and subsequently studied education and computer science at a Master's degree level.

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