Viera TX-P42G15B with Media Sharing

[Kevvyg]

Hi, I wonder if anyone can help me?
I have a Viera TX-P42G15B, which is connected to my wireless router via a home plug network.
My PC is running Windows XP Home edition, and I have Windows Media Player v11.
I know I can use the TV to view files stored on my TV, but am not sure how to set it up.
The manual mentions Twonky Media Server which is software I need to download and install on my PC, but I need a licence key after 30 days and don't know where to get one. I've also come across some forums that recommend I don't use the Twonky software.

I've read that Windows Media Player can act as a Media Server if set to share files. If I turn this on, will I be able to access the stuff on the PC via my Panny Viera when I switch it to Viera Cast Media mode, or is it more complicated than that?!!

Any info on how to get this up and running will be greatly apprecited!!

Regards,
Kevin 

[speculatrix]

I have one of these and it streams fine over my cabled network. I rip/transcode DVDs from my linux box using a script I adapted/stole/hacked up, find it here: http://www.zaurus.org.uk/download/scripts/avi-recode-2pass.sh

avforums have discussions on this TV so you might find you're better asked there, but anyway some brief answers to get you started.

I installed twonky v5 on my linux box - there's a licence to use it included with the TV - if you haven't downloaded it already you have to find older version. It works fine, and is quite fast, but doesn't support mkv without a hack. It installs itself well out of the way into /usr/local/twonky, so it won't wreck your system if you decide you don't like it.

I've also tried coherence, which is fast but has other issues.

I find the best solution is Playstation Media Server - http://ps3mediaserver.blogspot.com/ - which is slow but seems to have the best support for different file types/codecs.

what does irk me about the TV is that it won't stream mp3 files, and there's no technical reason for it to not do so!