Wireless Router buying

bassaholic

I've been reading router reviews and still cannot figure out which 1 to buy. I just bought a PS3 and want to stream movies/ music from my desktop. Price is not too much of an issue. Reliability and speed are. Thanks, Steve

wutadumsn23

Just got a wireless router about 6 months ago to replace my crappy Linksys, it's a D-Link Xtreme N Wireless-N Gigabit Router. I have had 2 PS3's, an XBox 360, Itouch and a laptop all pulling a signal off of it at once and it kept right on chuggin. Haven't had a problem with it locking up or dropping a signal even with everything on at once. May not be the best option out there, but has worked very well for me. 4.3 out of 5 stars from 119 reviews at BB. Link below.

-Jeff


http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8040121&type=product&id=1157068454881

bdaley6509

If you want to stream HD, you'd better run some cat5 or 6. Otherwise, I've had pretty good luck with Netgear and PS3 Media server. Make sure it has QOS.
http://www.staples.com/Netgear-HD-Gaming-5-GHZ-Wireless-N-Networking-Kit/product_754679?cmArea=SEARCH

Demiurge

Linksys WRT54G2 Wireless-G Broadband Router

I have always used Linksys, and they have never failed me. I just bought the above unit 2 months ago and it's been flawless. I use it in conjunction with this modem:



Linksys CM100 Cable Modem with USB and Ethernet Connections

bigaudiofanatic

Linksys almost any of them are going to be fast and reliable.

thsmith

D-Link

Sherardp

Another vote for Dlink, my whole house is run with Dlink stuff: two wireless N routers, and a switch.

ballen823

Another vote for the Linksys WRT54G2 Wireless-G Broadband Router. I've had issues with D-Link's in the past (can't connect to certain people no matter which ports you open up).

Never had an issue with the Linksys. Now I'm stuck with a crappy Actiontec that's been manhandled by Verizon's software.

jinjuku

Netgear, D-Link, Linksys will all do the job for vanilla wireless G.

Just make sure you use WPA2 encryption and use a 504 bit key. If you plan on streaming any HD (like the other poster said) you would optimally want to string some CAT5 cable. If you can't then go with an N wireless router and N cards.

mshan242700

I tried streaming to my PS3 over my Apple Airport Extreme (Gigabit with draft n) and latency was annoying (e.g. when changing tracks).

Don't know about other wireless routers, but I think I agree with above who recommend hard wired system.

When tested with Windows Home Server, speeds and latency were better, but still rather slow. Connecting hard drive to Apple Airport Extreme and trying to stream media that was was much slower.

You could also try some powerline ethernet adapters (I stream to a Slingcatcher using some rather generic Netgear XE102 refurbs I got off of ebay and it works well; but it is rather hit or miss depending upon how your electrical wiring in house is). I bet Slinglink Turbos would probably have better performance, though it is still ymmv.

jinjuku

mshan242700 wrote: »

I tried streaming to my PS3 over my Apple Airport Extreme (Gigabit with draft n) and latency was annoying (e.g. when changing tracks).

Don't know about other wireless routers, but I think I agree with above who recommend hard wired system.

When tested with Windows Home Server, speeds and latency were better, but still rather slow. Connecting hard drive to Apple Airport Extreme and trying to stream media that was was much slower.

You could also try some powerline ethernet adapters (I stream to a Slingcatcher using some rather generic Netgear XE102 refurbs I got off of ebay and it works well; but it is rather hit or miss depending upon how your electrical wiring in house is). I bet Slinglink Turbos would probably have better performance, though it is still ymmv.

Hmmm... I have an HTPC with wireless and the music streams fine. I can also stream a DVD with no problem. Just watched Abyss.

avelanchefan

mshan242700 wrote: »

I tried streaming to my PS3 over my Apple Airport Extreme (Gigabit with draft n) and latency was annoying (e.g. when changing tracks).

Don't know about other wireless routers, but I think I agree with above who recommend hard wired system.

When tested with Windows Home Server, speeds and latency were better, but still rather slow. Connecting hard drive to Apple Airport Extreme and trying to stream media that was was much slower.

You could also try some powerline ethernet adapters (I stream to a Slingcatcher using some rather generic Netgear XE102 refurbs I got off of ebay and it works well; but it is rather hit or miss depending upon how your electrical wiring in house is). I bet Slinglink Turbos would probably have better performance, though it is still ymmv.

Agreed with hard wiring your system if at all possible. If you plan on steaming movies/videos then you will be better off that way. I can be full bore uploading and still stream fine while hard wired. But trying that with the wireless is almost impossible.

amulford

I have an Apple Airport extreme. I play a game, Aces High, on it all the time. High resolution graphics and multiple players, never have a problem. And I'm talking hundreds of people on at the same time...

BIZILL

just ask demiurge how many colorful 4 letter words i've been using due to my crap linksys wireless setup when we play xbox live. but i am utilizing 3-4 wireless g sytems at any given time plus 2 computers hardwired to the wireless router. so, YMMV.

as i told him, if i'm up to the task this coming winter when it's not 238 degrees F up in the attic, i'll try to run some hard-wire.

kuntasensei

Yeah, Linksys has gone to hell since Cisco acquired them. The UPnP doesn't work correctly, especially with Xbox Live, meaning you have to do port forwarding and give your 360 a static IP if you ever want to straighten out the NAT problems. Not too difficult to do, but still a pain in the ****.

I personally don't trust D-Link products, since everyone I know who has had one has had it die a fairly quick death. I got one to use as an access point for a conference room at my office and it died 2 weeks after purchase. YMMV.

So far, the most solid, reliable, and easy to set up router that I've used is the Netgear Wireless-N router that I'm using right now. I haven't had a single problem with it, it handles Xbox Live without any port forwarding, and has generally just been a joy to use. It also gets solid signal clear to the other end of my house, which my Linksys couldn't do even with DD-WRT, high gain antennas and boosted signal levels.

BIZILL

i'm keeping an eye on this here thread. my linksys with ddwkrp in cinncinnati or what not just ain't gettin' it.

TouchyFeely

I use all Lynksys Products and have never had an issue. For the most part routers and modems are just switches. Very Basic switches that have a bunch of hype to make people by theirs. Dont fall for the hype. However the user software that these products use and the support makes a big diff. Lynksys has always been good to me.

oifvet0608

Netgear for all windows systems, Airport for everything Apple.


Nuffsaid

nguyendot

I'm currently running all WRT54G's with DD-WRT. They are all rev4 or lower so they have more ram. One is a GS, which has double the original ram. I run them in bridge mode and mesh the house with signal. It's awesome, and rarely is there a problem unless the main one loses power. No lockups, no problems. Speed could be better, 54G is getting long in the tooth. Maybe I'll upgrade to N, but I'd rather hardwire and leave wireless for surfing only.

concealer404

D-Link for the past 7 years, here. I don't personally have anything bad to say about Linksys, though. I've set them up with no problems as well. D-Link used to be cheaper, which is why i initially went with them, but that gap seems to have closed some.

I'll be shopping for a new router here shortly, and it'll be D-link again.

wutadumsn23

concealer404 wrote: »

D-Link for the past 7 years, here. I don't personally have anything bad to say about Linksys, though. I've set them up with no problems as well. D-Link used to be cheaper, which is why i initially went with them, but that gap seems to have closed some.

I'll be shopping for a new router here shortly, and it'll be D-link again.

+1 I stand behind my D-Link recommendation, hands down the best router I have ever owned. I have owned most brands and the D-Link has given me the best results by far.

-Jeff

nguyendot

TouchyFeely wrote: »

I use all Lynksys Products and have never had an issue. For the most part routers and modems are just switches. Very Basic switches that have a bunch of hype to make people by theirs. Dont fall for the hype. However the user software that these products use and the support makes a big diff. Lynksys has always been good to me.

I'd worry about using those offbrand products. Maybe give Linksys a go instead?

Pauly

+1 on D-Link.


Pauly

polkatese

I have two Linksys rounters (54GS and WRT2) both works fine. 54GS bought in 2005, still going strong (knock on wood), WRT2 bought this year, courtesy of Newegg special refurb (as new) for $23.

PhantomOG

I'm looking for a router that I can use as a bridge in the home theater.

My main wireless router AP is a dual band Linksys (Wireless N). I don't use the 5GHz though because it doesn't go through walls nearly as well as the 2.4 band. That said, I'm happy enough with the Mixed Mode on the 2.4 band, my wireless N laptop shows connection speed from 150-300Mbps.

Any recs? I want something with 4 ports, doesn't need gigabit lan since the devices connected won't be talking to each other. Would like something wireless N using the 2.4 band and I'm ok with using 3rd party firmware, however, if I don't have to that would be great as well.

polkatese

Phantom, that's what I do with WRT2. I hacked it to work on bridge mode (instructions are readily available, and pretty straight forward). It is now hooked up to a DirecTV DVR to stream video on demand. Should play nice with your dual band linksys, after all, they are siblings.

PhantomOG

is wrt2 the model #? Is it wireless N?

don't see wrt2 listed here:

http://www.linksysbycisco.com/US/en/products/Routers

polkatese

http://www.linksysbycisco.com/US/en/products/WRT54G2

sorry, it's an abbreviation for WRT54G2. Unfortunately it's not a wireless N for your purpose. Are you running mixmode G/N?

PhantomOG

Yeah, mixmode G/N. I would use N only however, I also have another WRT54G in bridge mode connected to the alarm system. That said, the mixed mode still gets better results that G.

rdefer

I have owned a D-link and had nothing but problems, Linksys and Netgear have worked fine for me.

bigaudiofanatic

Well we have had our linksys for 4 year with no problems. But just to make me happy I tried a air port out, even vista computer love it better than the linksys. My apple likes it as well. So either linksys or apple airport.