Smooth Video Playback over Wireless

I've just moved to a new place and unfortunately my flat is long, having the Wireless Router at one end and my Laptop at the other. This means that when I try to play an Avi file over the Wireless connection (using Windows Media Player or VLC) it often pauses and stutters. I'm assuming this is because the Wireless connection is only "Poor\Fair" and is therefore not fast enough to transfer the video. Can Windows Media player be set to buffer video over a LAN the same way most internet media players do. If it cannot is there a player that can (or any other solution that does not involve me copying the files to the local Hard Drive)
Many Thanks

Its a laptop it can be moved towards the router.

I'm want to watch the avi's in my bedroom which is far from the router

They do make a wireless repeater that will extend the range significantly. I just did a Google search for "wireless repeater" and found many. Now you can get a longer apartment.