Must players be connected to Ethernet all the time?

You are correct.

No, you do not need an ethernet connection for day to day use. (I only pulled my ethernet line over to the Toshiba A-3 to do the firmware update.) Some players don't even take an ethernet connection, like the Panasonic DMP-BD30K I'm considering. . .

You don't have to have them connected while playing. But, you can get an adapter for only a couple dollars that has two ethernet outs that go into one in. So you could get that so both can be plugged in at the same time. You, ofcourse, will only be able to on-line one at a time, but at least you don't always have to unplug one and the other to do so.

Get a switch, problem solved. Wire in all your components and never mess with them again.

Don't you already have a router? What's on the other end of the ethernet cable? If it's your cable/DSL modem, and that's normally connected directly to your computer, BUY A ROUTER IMMEDIATELY, regardless of the setup in your HT. If it's a broadband router, then you're good--you don't need two. Just connect the switch to the cable at your equipment rack, then wire up all your components.

Completely seperate from any HD player issues, you should NEVER put your computer directly on the internet. EVER. Having a router to protect your computer (and other devices) is simply a necessity. But that can go upstairs next to your cable modem--it doesn't have to clutter up your home theater.

Uhm... Actually, if you run a Mac, a PC, a Linux Box, or any other device that runs software and connects via TCP/IP, you need a router. Every operating system has 0-day exploits. Granted, the Mac will have fewer but, they still exist. It is a farce that a router will protect you against viruses for the most part. Most Mac users who run antivirus only run it to protect their Windows counterparts from receiving a virus from them. A router, on the other hand, is there to protect you from the internet itself. There are numerous exploits that will allow an attacker to compromise an available port on your computer (even with a built-in firewall) and take control. They won't be moving your mouse around so you probably won't notice but, your system will be an unwilling participant in a botnet or worse. Becoming a slave on a botnet can get you into trouble with your ISP or, at the very least, make things unstable and/or slow. In addition to this possibility, keyloggers are commonplace nowadays. A malicious attacker could install a keylogging daemon on your system that will then forward along your passwords, usernames, credit card info, etc. Anything you type could be captured and provided to the individual or bot that is receiving the keylogs.

I have multiple Macs, a PC, a PS3, a Wii, and several other devices all running through my router. Any one of those devices needing internet access is reason enough to invest in at least a basic NAT router.

I still dont understand how anybody can hook a player up to the internet. Arent most peoples internet connections in another room like mine?

It's according to what kind of modem you have. Most DSL modems have a built in DHCP server.

Why don't I see the line in on that switch, I currently have a line run to my theatre room, and switch using 2 Pelican game switches that have ethernet ports on them. This switch would allow me to get rid of those two but I dont know if it will work for me.

PS3
XBOX360
PC
Toshiba A2
Tivo HD

All in the rack, Will this switch work?

So far I am enjoying the new web interactive features on HD DVD plus the ability to plug in my ethernet to download firmware updates but No, you do not need to leave players from either format plugged into the internet at any time. Most BR players do not even have an internet connection. You are fine, just plug in the ethernet to either player whenever needed. And as someone posted above a switch could be the branch piece you need to provide multiple connections from your one existing line.

Because a network switch is an any-to-any device. How much would it suck if, at your office, only one person could access the network at one time, then you had to physically walk over to the wiring closet and push a button or turn a knob to get a different user online?


Yep. In my office I have 2 PCs, Vonage box, 2 printers and a 360 hooked up to one switch. In the living room, my receiver, HD-A1, PS3 and PS2 (soon to be removed) are hooked up to another.

Can't speak for others, but in my house I have ethernet running to every room. In my HT room, I have a network switch. The switch is connected to the ethernet wall outlet; the 2 optical players, XBox360, and receiver are connected to the switch.

All of the ethernet runs in the house terminate in a wiring panel in the garage. My router and connection to the internet (Verizon FiOS) are there too.

The long and short of it is that it's possible to have wired networking in every room in a house sharing one internet connection... but no Blu-Ray player that I am aware of requires a constant connection to the internet. My Sammy 1400 doesn't even use that connection for anything other than firmware updates.

"Yep. In my office I have 2 PCs, Vonage box, 2 printers and a 360 hooked up to one switch. In the living room, my receiver, HD-A1, PS3 and PS2 (soon to be removed) are hooked up to another."

Thanks geko, I was told previously by a BB employee that it would not be possible like that.

Just to clarify, a physical line runs from my router in another part of my house to my home theatre, single line.

Just add this switch out in the theatre, and I will be able to get rid of the manual pelican switches I use now, Correct?

Thanks again.

Right. Go get a network switch and be happy.

My player solves the problem by having built-in wireless, so it's always connected with no wires. This is true of nearly all PS3s (the 20GB being the exception) and may be true of Xbox 360s as well.

Well we don't call them BBBs for nothing!


Absolutely. Unless you need those switches to still handle audio/video. A network switch won't help you there. But yes, you can connect as many devices as you want to as many interconnected switches as you want (within reason--4,000 devices on 60 switches with no routers in between is a recipie for disaster), and have all of them online at the same time.