Will a network media player work for me?

[Soldierxx]

I have a Panasonic TX-P42UT30B and a computer in one room and a Netgear router in another room. I would like to be able to play videos from my computer to my TV.

For this to happen, would I buy a network media player such as http://www.netgear.co.uk/home/products/hometheater/media-players/NTV550.aspx . Then plug it into my TV by USB? Would the network media player also have to be plugged into the router, because this isn't a possibility as they are in different rooms.

What would I require for me to be able to play videos from my computer over the network, while my router is in a different room?

Or would I need something like http://www.netgear.co.uk/home/products/hometheater/media-players/PTVU1000.aspx

 

[Soldierxx]

Or would it be something like this: http://www.netgear.co.uk/home/products/hometheater/media-players/PTVU1000.aspx

 

[next010]

Get a WDTV Live it is a better player for beginners and comes with wireless built in.

You plug the player into the HDMI port on the TV and player connects to your network via wireless or wired. You share out a folder on your PC and the player accesses that folder to play the media on it.

A brief video overview of the player

 

[MarkE19]

For this to happen, would I buy a network media player such as http://www.netgear.co.uk/home/products/hometheater/media-players/NTV550.aspx .

There is a massive choice of media players to choose from. Some are good and others not so, but it mainly comes down to the amount you have to spend and what features you require.

Then plug it into my TV by USB?

As next010 says a media player connects to your TV by HDMI, or some also have other connections on them. USB is purely a data connection for the likes of a HDD or USB Flash drive, or even a WiFi dongle.

Would the network media player also have to be plugged into the router, because this isn't a possibility as they are in different rooms.

Yes it does, well to get the most out of the player at least. But there are a few options, from best to worst:
A network cable - cheap & reliable
Homeplugs - uses your mains wiring in the home, but more expensive
WiFi - needs a good quality signal and only Wireless N is (might be) good enough for HD video.

What would I require for me to be able to play videos from my computer over the network, while my router is in a different room?

Any of the above connections between the media player and your router.
The folder with the media you want to play 'shared' so it can be accessed by the media player.

Mark.