Why do movie files, avi mpeg etc run jerky when played over the Network

[Smokin Joe]

Hi

I really would like to know why movie files that are stored on one computer will play jerky over my intranet. avi. mpeg it doesn't matter.
I mapped a network drive to have my itunes play over my intranet without taking a pause now and again.
I tried that with the movies but no change in performance.
I have a couple of computers that I have movie files stored on.
One is an older Asus P4 which which uses a number of harddrives which are all enhanced ide and has a 100mb connection to my network. The other is a P5b which has a Sata drive and a 1gig connection to the network.
When I try and play the files from my laptop over a wifi connection the movies play jerky. Either computer and I am not sure how to fix it.
The wifi runs at 54mb
Do I need to create a special computer or some special file sharing software in order watch movies over my wifi?

[Ferrit]

Umm anything played over wifi is the likely suspect.
Pretty much for that sorta thing wifi sucks

[Smokin Joe]

Thanks Ferrit
I disabled the wireless card and enabled the wired one on the dock, of the laptop, to test what you are saying and it appears you are correct.
The computer I tested the file from was on a 1gig ethernet connection (P5B with sata) and that part of the network is 1gig through to the laptop.

Since I don't have an ethernet cable where I would like to play the movies would an N Wifi access point correct the problem?

[Ferrit]

For it to be 1 gig to the laptop the router must be a gigabyte router and the cables I believe have to be Cat6e.
But I am glad we got to the source of the issue.

[Guts3d]

Smokin Joe, I have an "N" router, and I can stream video fine, as long as I get 4 bars on my wireless connection. If I have less than 4 bars, I sometimes get a stutter, but only for a few seconds. When I used a D-link G router, I used to have to start the video, hit pause, and wait until the video pre-loaded about halfway. Not such a big deal, if you don't mind the wait.

[Smokin Joe]

Sorry I missed your reply Guts3d
I have 2 N access points now. One is connected to my network and the other I can connect to my laptop over in the guest house when I want to show movies on their tv.
The tplink N bridge has a number of settings and I have eliminated the jerky problem over WiFi
Thanks everyone