Choosing the Files
Once you have completed the networking set up, you’ll need to decide which files on each device you would like to share on the network. Any file can be shared on the network simply by right clicking on the file and then choose “Share.”  If password protection is on, you will need to choose which users you would like to allow access. If you do not want to limit access - turn off this feature by adjusting the settings in your “Networking and Sharing Center.”

Accessing the Shared Files
In order to access the files go to “Network” and select the device you want to access. All the shared files will appear and you are free to listen to music or work on files that are stored somewhere else.

Setting up Home Networked Media Basics
There are many choices for storing and playing media content. Almost every edition of Windows comes with a program called Windows Media Center or MCE. This program allows users to store and locate all their media content in one easy-to-use location even if it is stored on other devices on the network. There are also a number of other great features in MCE, too numerous to list for this article.

Tips
If you’ll be storing and playing media, I highly recommend using a 1GB router. This will allow faster downloads and streaming between the networked devices without the content constantly buffering.

You should also consider a 1GB managed switch. This allows you to set up which “packets” take priority. When information is sent from one location to another it is divided up into packets so that information can be sent quickly. If someone is online downloading and you are watching a movie from a networked device without a managed switch in line, you may see interruptions in the movie.

The most efficient way of designing this type of system is by having all you media stored on a server. This can be your office PC with a partitioned hard drive or a dedicated machine located in your family room.

For those with extensive collections of music CDs, loading all your music will take some time but once the system is set up - it is worth it. Before you start loading all your media onto your machine, create a folder that will be the designation for you music. This will make finding your media much easier when you set up your system.

Click here for more information about cabling, structured wiring systems, IP-enabled networks and mesh networks.

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Graig Stephens - Executive Partner, Visually Sound

Visually Sound is a dynamic group of professionals who incorporate the most up-to-date audio, video, lighting, communications, and automation equipment into both new and existing residential and commercial construction. With over a decade of professional experience, we have been faced with many challenges and have always exceeded our client's expectations, in quality, ingenuity, and timeliness.