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Need Router Help

2515 Views 33 Replies 15 Participants Last post by Derek K., Jul 29, 2009

hussain

Discussion Starter · Jul 23, 2009

My htpc is my living room however the my main computer with 2tb memory is in the study. I want to stream hd mkv's to my htpc. I have read that my only option to do that is an N Router.

The issue is that all laptops in my house have g wireless adapters. I know N is backwards compatible but would running a laptop with g network adapter and htpc with N network adapter hinder the speed in anyway.

If yes by how much.

Thanks

1 - 20 of 34 Posts

hirent

· #2 · Jul 23, 2009

AFAIK, wireless may not work. I have tried to stream BD ISOs over a Wirless N Bridge and the bandwidth is just not enough.

Maybe somebody here has had better luck with MKVs.

Running a cable is the best solution, IMO.

Also, even if N works for you, any G devices on your network will pull your network down to G speeds.

stanglx

· #3 · Jul 23, 2009

MKVs dont help either.. I have tried everything even in the same room using N - H.264 was not too bad - VC1 forget it.. no way and this was with FLAC for audio. Now I was using the 2.4 Ghz which is ridden with interference.. The 5Ghz N may be better. Again, generally wireless is only good for HD with no interference at short distance...

I gave up and resorted to running ethernet CAT6 (since I was running cable why not future proof)..

Quote:
Originally Posted by hirent /forum/post/16876077

AFAIK, wireless may not work. I have tried to stream BD ISOs over a Wirless N Bridge and the bandwidth is just not enough.

Maybe somebody here has had better luck with MKVs.

Running a cable is the best solution, IMO.

Also, even if N works for you, any G devices on your network will pull your network down to G speeds.

hussain

Discussion Starter · #4 · Jul 23, 2009

Quote:
Originally Posted by hirent /forum/post/16876077

Also, even if N works for you, any G devices on your network will pull your network down to G speeds.

Is this true????can you quote any sources because i think this is not the case with n router.

mike_311

· #5 · Jul 23, 2009

Quote:
Originally Posted by hussain /forum/post/16876432

Is this true????can you quote any sources because i think this is not the case with n router.

if it is, that's just dumb engineering...

bjterry62

· #6 · Jul 26, 2009

3

Quote:
Originally Posted by hussain /forum/post/16875968

My htpc is my living room however the my main computer with 2tb memory is in the study. I want to stream hd mkv's to my htpc. I have read that my only option to do that is an N Router.

The issue is that all laptops in my house have g wireless adapters. I know N is backwards compatible but would running a laptop with g network adapter and htpc with N network adapter hinder the speed in anyway.

If yes by how much.

Thanks

How far from the LR to the study? My solution foir HD throughout the house was hard wire and a Gig-e switch. Buy the cable on ebay and get a good switch from the EGG. Going wireless will be continuous headaches. Run the wire and be happy.

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MrBobb

· #7 · Jul 26, 2009

Quote:
Originally Posted by mike_311 /forum/post/16876452

if it is, that's just dumb engineering...

This was the case with G/B. Even if you are running a G AP, any client B will "pull" everybody down to B speed.

Dumb or not, that's the way it is.

Of course one can have multiple APs. One dedicated to N, and another one servicing the Gs.

But I gotta go with everybody else, run a cable and be done with it.

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G--

· #8 · Jul 26, 2009

It's called mixed mode it and your speeds will be slower then straight N. I run 2 routers, a G and N at 5 GHZ side by side to avoid this. 5ghz N will stream HD fine for up to 50-75ft maybe longer depending on what bitrate your streaming , the problem is at 5ghz the signal drops off faster then 2.4 and dosen't pentrate walls as well. In the end, I still have the two wireless routers, but I also ran Cat 5 across my house because the bluray .iso's were stuttering badly.

hussain

Discussion Starter · #9 · Jul 26, 2009

Now to revisit my problem again and a possible solution I have come up.

I have an xbox and htpc in my living room, a "storage computer" in study, three 11g laptops around the house, one media extender dma2100 in my bedroom.

I want 11n network on my htpc, xbox and dma2100. The way plan to do it is can be best explain via the following diagram.

So is it possible because i am getting incredible deal on 160n routers.

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hussain

Discussion Starter · #10 · Jul 26, 2009

Going wired is not an option for me because i live in a rented apartment and don't want to dig the place up because the owner won't be very happy about it. Just tell me if the diagram i posted above will work.

Thanks

umdivx

· #11 · Jul 26, 2009

is that all laptops in my house have g wireless adapters. I know N is backwards compatible but would running a laptop with g network adapter and htpc with N network adapter hinder the speed in anyway.[/quote[\\quote]

Quote:
Originally Posted by hussain /forum/post/16876432

Is this true????can you quote any sources because i think this is not the case with n router.

Click to expand...

unfortunately yes it is true. You can not oppperate any wireless with mutliple standards and have then all run at their optimume speeds.

So just like a G access point, if you have B client on a G network G speeds get reduced to B speeds, same goes for N, if you have G clients, the N will get dropped down to G speeds.

Like what was already mentioned, you can get either a dual radio N router (2.4ghz and 5ghz) use 2.4ghz for laptops and everything else and then the 5ghz for the htpc.

The Dlink DIR 655 is a great dual radio router/ap.

another option is keep whatever wireless you have now, and just get a second N router just for the HTPC.

- Josh

umdivx

· #12 · Jul 26, 2009

Quote:
Originally Posted by hussain /forum/post/16889726

Now to revisit my problem again and a possible solution I have come up.

I have an xbox and htpc in my living room, a "storage computer" in study, three 11g laptops around the house, one media extender dma2100 in my bedroom.

I want 11n network on my htpc, xbox and dma2100. The way plan to do it is can be best explain via the following diagram.

So is it possible because i am getting incredible deal on 160n routers.

just an fyi, if you use a second router as a "cleint" adapter to feed the htpc and 360 don't use WDS mode, WDS cuts through put in half.

- Josh

ilovejedd

· #13 · Jul 26, 2009

Quote:
Originally Posted by umdivx /forum/post/16890492

unfortunately yes it is true. You can not oppperate any wireless with mutliple standards and have then all run at their optimume speeds.

So just like a G access point, if you have B client on a G network G speeds get reduced to B speeds

Not exactly. Yes, you do get drastically reduced throughput, but it doesn't go all the way down to B. Actual throughput of B devices are around 6Mbps, while G devices are around 20~25Mbps. When using mixed mode with a B client (PSP), throughput on the G clients (laptops) drop down to approximately 12~16Mbps which is still better than 6Mbps.

umdivx

· #14 · Jul 26, 2009

ok yes being a bit over dramatic but you get the point. Your speeds will reduce when using legacy devices was the end point.

- Josh

stanglx

· #15 · Jul 26, 2009

If wired is not an option - then you have two more options either PowerLine (Ethernet of Power) OR MoCA (Multimedia Over Coax) - option 2 seems to be the best route for you..

Read here for MoCA: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1145636

It operates on the same princple as Verizon FiOS except your creating your own MoCa Network. If you are not comfortable buying from ebay and configuring the Moca routers to become a bridge then you can purchase similar devices from Netgear. So far MoCA is much better and more reliable the powerline. I have personally tested it and get about 85 Mbs throughput BUT for some reason I am still getting stuttering - I am suspecting I have a bad splitter..

Anyways.. those are last 2 options - dont bother with Wireless even N. 5.0 Ghz may be better but is more limited in distance and physical wall/building interference and 2.4 Ghz interferrs with all the G routers/Microwaves/Cordless Phones, etc. - and really dont bother if your running in mixed Mode (G+N) as it pulls down your speed to G speeds which is useless for HD content. I think the guys above have given good feedback... Im still working on my MoCA connection as MANY have had good success... I have not given up.. if that doesnt work then CAT 6 here I come... (sucks but its my last resort). And yes.. I have tried Wirless N - good when in the same room for H.264 but not VC1

Quote:
Originally Posted by hussain /forum/post/16889884

Going wired is not an option for me because i live in a rented apartment and don't want to dig the place up because the owner won't be very happy about it. Just tell me if the diagram i posted above will work.

Thanks

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MrBobb

· #16 · Jul 27, 2009

If ur lucky, some apartment, u have access to the attic. Run the CAT5 there.

hussain

Discussion Starter · #17 · Jul 27, 2009

All you htpc, Gaming, Media Center Extender Fanatics after intensive research into my issue stated above I have finally come up with fantastic and dirt cheap solution to all my problems and the name of the solution is Netgear WNHDE 1111.

Just Read the following review and you will know what i am talking about.

http://www.cnet.com.au/netgear-wnhde...-339291827.htm

Here is finally networking diagram that i am going to implement. Just beware that Netgear WNHDE 1111 only works in 5 ghz frequency.

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stanglx

· #18 · Jul 27, 2009

If your thinking of streaming HD movies it will barely work and thats if your 15m away with minor (not cement or steel) walls.. 55Mbs and higher typically is needed for VC1 or high ref frame movies.. Which based on this review was the max it could sustain - they also didnt talk about latency or jitter which is inherant in wireless networks but adversely affects HD media streaming. Seriously take our feedback and dont waste the $300 plus on these units if your thinking about streaming HD movies.. if its SD, Gaming, Music then they are actually overkill.. Any G will handle this..

Quote:
Originally Posted by hussain /forum/post/16894596

All you htpc, Gaming, Media Center Extender Fanatics after intensive research into my issue stated above I have finally come up with fantastic and dirt cheap solution to all my problems and the name of the solution is Netgear WNHDE 1111.

Just Read the following review and you will know what i am talking about.

http://www.cnet.com.au/netgear-wnhde...-339291827.htm

Here is finally networking diagram that i am going to implement. Just beware that Netgear WNHDE 1111 only works in 5 ghz frequency.

hussain

Discussion Starter · #19 · Jul 28, 2009

Quote:
Originally Posted by stanglx /forum/post/16895616

If your thinking of streaming HD movies it will barely work and thats if your 15m away with minor (not cement or steel) walls.. 55Mbs and higher typically is needed for VC1 or high ref frame movies.. Which based on this review was the max it could sustain - they also didnt talk about latency or jitter which is inherant in wireless networks but adversely affects HD media streaming. Seriously take our feedback and dont waste the $300 plus on these units if your thinking about streaming HD movies.. if its SD, Gaming, Music then they are actually overkill.. Any G will handle this

Yes it is impossible to stream full bluray rips via wirless. Wrong if you want to stream .mkv's.

Here is a calculation. Suppose a blurage mkv 1080p has a size of 10gb and is 1.5 hours long. The size of the file shall not be more that 10GB.

So

10 GB * 1000 = 10000 Mega Bytes = 10000 * 8 = 80000 Mega Bits

80000 / (90 min * 60 sec) = 14.8 Mega Bits per second

Even with any overhead if the player is setup for proper buffering. Streaming shall be a piece of cake.

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umdivx

· #20 · Jul 28, 2009

Quote:
Originally Posted by hussain /forum/post/16899752

Even with any overhead if the player is setup for proper buffering. Streaming shall be a piece of cake.

actually NO it won't be. I am using 2 linksys dma2100's on 5ghz wireless N with a Dlink DIR655 which is one of the best off the shelf N routers/access points out there right now.

I am using the 5ghz side of it for the two linksys extenders, and even with only using one at a time, there are still times I can't get perfect 100% HDTV streaming which is way less than the bit rate of a blu ray/mkv.

you will have marginal success at that.

like others have already said the MOCA solution like this: http://www.netgear.com/Products/Powe.../MCAB1001.aspx

or going the cheap route and buying two actiontec verizon fios boxes and using them for moca bridges: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1145636

those two solutions will be 1000 times more stable, and reliable than wifi.

yes I am using wireless N right now, but I had to tweak it, and the farthest distance I am doing with it is less than 40 feet and on the same floor as each other.

just don't expect miracles is all I am going to say.

- Josh

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1 - 20 of 34 Posts

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