wireless networking question

PhantomOG
PhantomOG Posts: 2,409
edited March 2009 in The Clubhouse
Can someone recommend a wireless device to hook up home theater equipment to my existing wireless network?

I'm looking to hookup my DVR and PS3 to a device like this:

http://www.amazon.com/D-Link-DAP1522-GigaBit-Selectable-Wireless/dp/B001769K3O/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1234975612&sr=8-1

Is this the best thing out there? I was hopeful to find something cheaper, but I can't seem to find any products like it (with multiple ports). I currently have a wireless Linksys G router in the computer room for the network. Upgrading it to wireless N in the future is a possibility so I don't mind buying something N compatible.
Post edited by PhantomOG on
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Comments

  • bruss
    bruss Posts: 1,039
    edited February 2009
    linksys wrt54g with custom firmware.. http://www.dd-wrt.com/dd-wrtv3/.. Im sure everyone has their own firmware recomendations.. but the concept is there. Turning the wrt54g into a bridge.

    why do you need to plug your ps3 into that? just go straight to your wifi..
  • PhantomOG
    PhantomOG Posts: 2,409
    edited February 2009
    well, I already need the device for the DVR which has no wireless, so I figured it would help to hook up the PS3 as well since I seem to lose connection periodically. I know a wired connection is best, but wouldn't a bridge offer better performance (for streaming video etc) than the built in wireless in the PS3?
  • bobman1235
    bobman1235 Posts: 10,822
    edited February 2009
    I agree with bruss : just do a WRT54G with custom firmware.

    If you really don't want to do that you can try one of these for about half the price of the unit you're looking at :

    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833124012&nm_mc=OTC-Froogle&cm_mmc=OTC-Froogle-_-Network+-+Wireless+AP/Bridge-_-Linksys-_-33124012
    If you will it, dude, it is no dream.
  • polktiger
    polktiger Posts: 556
    edited February 2009
    I never could get adequate wireless streaming for my PS3 using its internal device. I tried a variety of wireless routers both G and even N. The line of sight was even pretty clear about 20 ft with only 1 interior wall. I did not try the WRT54G becuase I heard that newer models had mixed results with changing firmware. I eventually caved, returned all the routers and pulled the wire. Good luck, it seems to be a mixed bag with wireless streaming.
  • bruss
    bruss Posts: 1,039
    edited February 2009
    PhantomOG wrote: »
    well, I already need the device for the DVR which has no wireless, so I figured it would help to hook up the PS3 as well since I seem to lose connection periodically. I know a wired connection is best, but wouldn't a bridge offer better performance (for streaming video etc) than the built in wireless in the PS3?

    Maybe.You would just have to try it. but its still a wireless shot from the bridge to your wifi router. It may be a better radio in the bridge..

    No room for a wire huh?
  • PhantomOG
    PhantomOG Posts: 2,409
    edited February 2009
    To run wire I'd have to go up the wall in the computer room, through the attic, and down the wall in the living room.

    I'd love to do it, but I'm not very "handy". :(
  • bruss
    bruss Posts: 1,039
    edited February 2009
    all the work looks like attic work.. wouldnt be to hard.. but i understand.
  • Systems
    Systems Posts: 14,873
    edited February 2009
    PhantomOG wrote: »
    Can someone recommend a wireless device to hook up home theater equipment to my existing wireless network?

    I'm looking to hookup my DVR and PS3 to a device like this:

    http://www.amazon.com/D-Link-DAP1522-GigaBit-Selectable-Wireless/dp/B001769K3O/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1234975612&sr=8-1

    Is this the best thing out there? I was hopeful to find something cheaper, but I can't seem to find any products like it (with multiple ports). I currently have a wireless Linksys G router in the computer room for the network. Upgrading it to wireless N in the future is a possibility so I don't mind buying something N compatible.

    This is what I'm using on my Directv HD DVR,

    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833124279

    The DVR is setup to recognize this unit when you plug it in so the installation was pretty seamless....
    Testing
    Testing
    Testing
  • PhantomOG
    PhantomOG Posts: 2,409
    edited February 2009
    only one port though right?
  • PhantomOG
    PhantomOG Posts: 2,409
    edited February 2009
  • Systems
    Systems Posts: 14,873
    edited February 2009
    PhantomOG wrote: »
    I'm even considering this:

    http://www.amazon.com/Linksys-PLK300-PowerLine-Ethernet-Adapter/dp/B001J2ZSL4/ref=pd_bbs_sr_3?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1234983964&sr=8-3#

    Since it has 4 ports. Although I wonder how well the powerline stuff works.

    I had the netgear powerline kit for my 360 when we we're living in our trailer house. Worked very well although I could never really check to see what the speeds were....

    Once in awhile I had to unplug it and plug it back in to reset it...
    Testing
    Testing
    Testing
  • PhantomOG
    PhantomOG Posts: 2,409
    edited March 2009
    Ok, I think I'm going to try to run wire myself. Could use some help. I've never done it before but I just can't imagine it being that complicated. I want to fix up the wall plates behind my tv with a better speaker terminal wall plate like this.

    While I'm back that I might as well cut a hole in the wall and try to run some wire. I'm assuming I'll need this:
    http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=105&cp_id=10517&cs_id=1051703&p_id=1101&seq=1&format=2#description
    and and 4 of these:
    http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=105&cp_id=10513&cs_id=1051302&p_id=1087&seq=1&format=2

    Do I need to actually get a light switch type box to go behind the wall plate? If not, will the wall plate be secure just to drywall?

    I don't know how to cut/crimp ethernet cable so I'm just going to buy a few of these:
    http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10208&cs_id=1020812&p_id=2162&seq=1&format=2


    Any other tips, tricks? Best tool for cutting a hole in the wall?
  • PhantomOG
    PhantomOG Posts: 2,409
    edited March 2009
    or should I go for cat6 cable? what's the difference?
  • CaligulaPolk
    CaligulaPolk Posts: 1,650
    edited March 2009
    I have wirless d link router, that will help u being wireless.

    am selling it. Its like brand new, dont need it anymore since i got wireless modem with verizon.
    I am 100% BORN DEAF and No I am not kidding! :D Why am I here? My wife's hearing! :p

    My Home Theater Rig || Television: 58" Panasonic TH-58PZ800U Viera Plasma || Power Conditioner: Power Monster HTS 3600 MKII || Receiver: Onkyo TX-SR805 || Blu-Ray/Gaming: 60 Gigabytes Playstation 3 || Amplifier: Emotiva XPA-5 || Fronts: Polk Audio RT800i || Center: Polk Audio CS245i || Surrounds: TBA|| Subwoofer: TBA
  • unc2701
    unc2701 Posts: 3,587
    edited March 2009
    Get an "old work" low voltage box. should be less than a dollar, orange and have an open back. Cat 6 is probably overkill, but might as well.

    Trace around the box w/ a box cutter- make sure it goes all the way through the paper part of the drywall, then you can just smack it with a hammer. If you're not comfortable w/ that, do the thing w/ the box cutter, then use a drywall saw (cut just inside your outline- cutting through the paper first will give you clean edges.
    Gallo Ref 3.1 : Bryston 4b SST : Musical fidelity CD Pre : VPI HW-19
    Gallo Ref AV, Frankengallo Ref 3, LC60i : Bryston 9b SST : Meridian 565
    Jordan JX92s : MF X-T100 : Xray v8
    Backburner:Krell KAV-300i
  • unc2701
    unc2701 Posts: 3,587
    edited March 2009
    Oh, before you cut any holes, get a stud detector and make sure that there isn't any horizontal blocking in the wall. That really sucks. and that keystone jack you linked is wrong. you want an rj-45, not rj-11.


    You won't need to crimp anything- the rj-45 jack should come with a disposable punch down and you can just cut it w/ a box cutter. just follow the same color coding on each end and you'll be fine.
    Gallo Ref 3.1 : Bryston 4b SST : Musical fidelity CD Pre : VPI HW-19
    Gallo Ref AV, Frankengallo Ref 3, LC60i : Bryston 9b SST : Meridian 565
    Jordan JX92s : MF X-T100 : Xray v8
    Backburner:Krell KAV-300i
  • PhantomOG
    PhantomOG Posts: 2,409
    edited March 2009
    does the voltage box need to attach to a vertical stud?
  • PhantomOG
    PhantomOG Posts: 2,409
    edited March 2009
    http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=105&cp_id=10513&cs_id=1051303&p_id=1044&seq=1&format=2#description

    So that one? So I do have to cut the ends of the cable? sounds complicated... How do I know which wire attaches to which post?

    product.asp?c_id=105&cp_id=10513&cs_id=1051303&p_id=1044&seq=1&format=1#largeimage
  • PhantomOG
    PhantomOG Posts: 2,409
    edited March 2009
    http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=105&cp_id=10513&cs_id=1051301&p_id=1089&seq=1&format=2

    Looks like that one might have a little wiring diagram.

    Will cat6 cable connect to a cat5 jack? are cat5/6 jacks the same? just the wire is different, right?
  • unc2701
    unc2701 Posts: 3,587
    edited March 2009
    "Old work" boxes have two fins that pop out and hold it in place when you screw it in. Just don't cut the hole too big or it'll fall into the wall (here's a high voltage one)

    The high voltage boxes are harder to work with, but I couldn't find a low voltage one on the lowes webpage... they're orange and will be fine for this job.

    That last link has the right jack. That one doesn't even need a punchdown- just match the colors and you're set. Look at the larger picture- sold orange goes to the orange square; orange/white striped goes to the orange triangle; green solid goes to the green square... etc.
    Gallo Ref 3.1 : Bryston 4b SST : Musical fidelity CD Pre : VPI HW-19
    Gallo Ref AV, Frankengallo Ref 3, LC60i : Bryston 9b SST : Meridian 565
    Jordan JX92s : MF X-T100 : Xray v8
    Backburner:Krell KAV-300i
  • PhantomOG
    PhantomOG Posts: 2,409
    edited March 2009
    I see the color diagram. How does the wire attach? Do I need to strip each wire? Can't really see a binding post.
  • unc2701
    unc2701 Posts: 3,587
    edited March 2009
    Yes, cat5, cat5e and cat6 are interchangeable in a mechanical sense. If you were doing full duplex gigabit over a long distance, I'd tell you to use cat6 everywhere, but as it stands, cat5e will more than suffice.
    Gallo Ref 3.1 : Bryston 4b SST : Musical fidelity CD Pre : VPI HW-19
    Gallo Ref AV, Frankengallo Ref 3, LC60i : Bryston 9b SST : Meridian 565
    Jordan JX92s : MF X-T100 : Xray v8
    Backburner:Krell KAV-300i
  • unc2701
    unc2701 Posts: 3,587
    edited March 2009
    don't strip- you'll just pull the wires through the slots, then the top clamps everything down. the slot is sharp, so it cuts the jacket of the internal wires and makes the connection. You will need to cut off some of the outer jacket to get to the inner wires. Try to cut off as little as possible and untwist the inner wires as little as possible.
    Gallo Ref 3.1 : Bryston 4b SST : Musical fidelity CD Pre : VPI HW-19
    Gallo Ref AV, Frankengallo Ref 3, LC60i : Bryston 9b SST : Meridian 565
    Jordan JX92s : MF X-T100 : Xray v8
    Backburner:Krell KAV-300i
  • PhantomOG
    PhantomOG Posts: 2,409
    edited March 2009
    thanks a ton. doesn't sound too bad. Here's hoping I don't step through my ceiling or screw up my walls too bad.
  • unc2701
    unc2701 Posts: 3,587
    edited March 2009
    Yeah- that's the part you need to be worried about, NOT the punch down.
    Gallo Ref 3.1 : Bryston 4b SST : Musical fidelity CD Pre : VPI HW-19
    Gallo Ref AV, Frankengallo Ref 3, LC60i : Bryston 9b SST : Meridian 565
    Jordan JX92s : MF X-T100 : Xray v8
    Backburner:Krell KAV-300i
  • PhantomOG
    PhantomOG Posts: 2,409
    edited March 2009
    What about the cables in the attic? Are there any building codes I need to be aware of? Do the cables need to be secured to studs in the ceilings in a certain fashion?
  • unc2701
    unc2701 Posts: 3,587
    edited March 2009
    There's nothing really to watch out for in the NEC- local codes may require it. The only thing that you typically see for low voltage wiring is that in business installs you have to use plenum wire if it's going through a drop ceiling which has air circulating through it, but that wouldn't apply to you. If the wire is going to hang more than 20 feet vertically, you need to use "riser rated" but that's not a code thing. Keep it away from florescent lights and avoid running it over power cables and you'll be fine.
    Gallo Ref 3.1 : Bryston 4b SST : Musical fidelity CD Pre : VPI HW-19
    Gallo Ref AV, Frankengallo Ref 3, LC60i : Bryston 9b SST : Meridian 565
    Jordan JX92s : MF X-T100 : Xray v8
    Backburner:Krell KAV-300i
  • CaligulaPolk
    CaligulaPolk Posts: 1,650
    edited March 2009
    what happened to wireless plan? seems itd save you time and trouble.
    I am 100% BORN DEAF and No I am not kidding! :D Why am I here? My wife's hearing! :p

    My Home Theater Rig || Television: 58" Panasonic TH-58PZ800U Viera Plasma || Power Conditioner: Power Monster HTS 3600 MKII || Receiver: Onkyo TX-SR805 || Blu-Ray/Gaming: 60 Gigabytes Playstation 3 || Amplifier: Emotiva XPA-5 || Fronts: Polk Audio RT800i || Center: Polk Audio CS245i || Surrounds: TBA|| Subwoofer: TBA
  • PhantomOG
    PhantomOG Posts: 2,409
    edited March 2009
    what happened to wireless plan? seems itd save you time and trouble.

    I'm also going to get my home alarm system monitored by nextalarm, so I want to run an ethernet cable from the home office to the closet where the alarm panel is located. Since its an alarm system I don't want a wireless adapter for reliability reasons. I'm going to be up in the attic anyways, I figured I might as well run a couple more wires to the living room as well.

    Yeah it is more time consuming, but it will probably save me some money. I should get much much better streaming performance on the PS3 with the cat6 run directly connected to my router.
  • PhantomOG
    PhantomOG Posts: 2,409
    edited March 2009
    Ok, one more question.

    I took a look behind my entertainment center last night and there is already a 3-gang box that is not being used. There are some speaker wires in there (I assume they go to the front left/right ceiling mounts), however, I have towers so I don't use them.

    Would it be impossible to just re-purpose that 3 gang box? The current plate is completely solid.

    I was looking at this last night:
    http://www.parts-express.com/pe/pshowdetl.cfm?&DID=7&Partnumber=261-120&ctab=1#Tabs

    and hoping I could use it with 3 of these:
    http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&DID=7&Partnumber=261-444

    The big question is whether I can feed the cat6 cables into the existing 3-gang blue box. It looks like I would have to take a pair of pliers and try to rip open the top of the box more. It looks like there are these punch down type tabs, a couple are already down for the existing speaker wires.

    Will those components work together?