kstevens4,
It's contributions like this that display the spirit of this forum.
I would like to pin this with your permission, and use your post as a starting point for the PC Share Manager how-to thread, with credit to you if I may.
Many thanks,
--HDTech
First, thanks to those who contribute to blogs, this is my payback for the help I have received.
We just bought the new Samsung LN52A860 television. Since I am a geek both by hobby and work, I wanted to take advantage of all the features of this very nice TV. It has taken me just over a week to figure out all that had to happen to make things work. I will let you know the steps that make the magic happen: (This does assume that you or a friend knows how to set up PC Networking, not for the feint at heart. )
Our house is two stories, with wireless connecting our five PCs. We use Time-Warner Roadrunner as our ISP. Two of the PCs run Windows XP, the other three a desktop and two notebooks run Vista.
1. Infolink Setup ? This is pretty simple. We ordered the Samsung WIS08BG2X LinkStick Wireless LAN Adapter ($39 at Amazon.com). Just follow the instructions in your Samsung users manual. This setup is quite easy. Just remember however the Linkstick only provides connectivity for Infolink.
2. Wise Link/DNLA/Samsung PC Share Manager: This was very tricky: there are issues with router settings, and wireless setup.
a. Samsung PC Manager: As with most software that comes with electronics, by the time the component is packaged, shipped, and you buy it the software is out of date.
i. First thing you should do is go to the Samsung.com download center site and download the latest version. As of 12/22/08 this is version 1. 4.3.
ii. Install the software, follow instructions.
b. Wireless Setup - Very tricky, this took me three nights to figure out.
i. You must have a network cable plugged into the RJ-45 network cable plug on the connections panel in back of the TV. If your home router is nearby, or there is a Network wall jack nearby, just run your cable to the router or wall jack. If not however you will need to purchase a router to plug the cable in. I just bought a simple TrendNet cheap router at Fry?s Electronics ($28), and plugged the cable from the TV to that.
ii. Setup the router (usually setup is best done directly connected to a PC or notebook) using the normal steps in the user manual for the router.
1. You MUST enable ?UPnP? in the router setup. Failing to do this will prevent Samsung PC Share Manger from seeing the television, and the message on the TV side will say something like ?no device connected? when you are trying to set up the TV Wiselink connection. One blog said to also enable ?filter multicast?, but I did not find that on my router settings (it was a cheapo remember).
c. Connect TV through the router to your PC(s) that have the Samsung PC Share Manager program installed.
i. This will require following instructions in your manual. If you have an existing wireless router before you start, this will require you to switch between routers to use this function. Not a big thing, but can be confusing for non technical folks. Just have your friend show you how, and write it down. This takes less than 30 seconds when you want to do it.
d. Samsung PC Share Manager - Now we are almost complete.
i. Open the Samsung PC Share manager program ? This is what communicates between your PC and TV.
ii. Click on the Share button in the program at top of the share window.
iii. Click on Set Device Policy - You should see your TV now with an IP Address and an Accept/Deny button to the right of the line.
iv. Click on the Accept/Deny button until Accept is shown.
v. Now follow the instructions in the Samsung PC Share Manager to set up the share for your videos, photo, and music folders. You will find the program currently allows 32 folders max to be placed in the share.
vi. Go to you TV, follow the instructions in the TV users manual for the DNLA Function, and enjoy your PC media!!
I hope this helps you all. Good Luck!!!
Ken Stevens
Round Rock, TX