sagetv client over 802.11b... audio choppy

[omega]

108Mbps wireless is one of those advertising myths, just like gigabit ethernet. They achieve "108" Mbps by combining two 54Mbps wireless-G channels. Keep in mind that 54Mbps per channel is the theoretical *raw* bandwidth, and that 802.11* protocols have a large amount of overhead. When you try to duplex two 54Mbps channels into one connection, there's even more overhead, and also a lot more opportunity for interference. One more thing to keep in mind is that when you use any of these "faster" wireless-G technologies like Extreme-G, SRX, SpeedBooster, etc, you have to use one manufacturer's hardware for the entire wireless network, otherwise it will fall back to standard 802.11g. This is a major problem if you are connecting a laptop that has a builtin wireless card. So, YMMV, but I personally stay away from wireless APs and NICs that have "extended" capabilities.

steingra, your comment about cordless phones is another important consideration, especially if you're thinking about getting a 108Mbps solution. In my house I can't use wireless channel 1 because of interference from something (might be the phones, I never tried to troubleshoot it). I had to set my access point to channel 11 before I got a reliable signal with any significant range. As you may know, there are officially 11 channels for 802.11 networks in the U.S., but what they don't tell you is that a signal on any of those channels actually overlaps the nearest 4-5 channels above or below it, so in reality, there are only 3 usable channels: 1, 6, and 11. You can use any channel in a single-home environment, but because of the overlap, if you were running 2 or 3 networks in the same area (such as on a college campus or a business), you can only use those three channels. Since 108Mbps needs two channels, it can only use 1+6, 6+11, or 1+11.

[ckron]

Originally Posted by steingra

I like newegg also. Been a customer for a while.
So whats up with the 79 product reviews of the router. Seems like some people say it stinks, and other rave about it. hmmmmmm That concerns me. Do you remember what other brands had this chipset? just curious.

PS
Dumb question, is this router considered an *Access Point*?

Yes, it can be used as an access point. Netgear makes similiar access points, but I have found that the router is usually no more expensive than the access point alone.

my current setup is like this:
1. Cable Modem --> 2. LinksSys Firewall Router (gives out DHCP) --> 3. Wireless B router (it has a static IP acting as a bridge - has a network cable running back to #2 router) <--> 4. Wireless devices (they get DHCP from #2 router.

This is essentially how I have mine set up, execpt I use a windows server as my firewall router.


This current setup has been working just fine for like a year or more. But I just want a big speed boost now, with one of these Super G wireless routers.


UH OHHHHHHHH
Was reading more reviews on newegg, and people were mentioning interference with their cordless phones. Doesnt a G class operate on 2.4 Ghz like the B class router? Maybe I wont have a problem. I have 5.8 Ghz phones...so maybe a false alarm

Since you have 5.8GHz phones you won't have to worry about G as it runs on 2.4 GHz. However, I have 2.4GHz phones and have never had an issue. One of my secrets is I use cordless phones with DSS so they never interfere with anything.

[steingra]

Originally Posted by djc78

steingra, your comment about cordless phones is another important consideration, especially if you're thinking about getting a 108Mbps solution. In my house I can't use wireless channel 1 because of interference from something (might be the phones, I never tried to troubleshoot it). I had to set my access point to channel 11 before I got a reliable signal with any significant range. As you may know, there are officially 11 channels for 802.11 networks in the U.S., but what they don't tell you is that a signal on any of those channels actually overlaps the nearest 4-5 channels above or below it, so in reality, there are only 3 usable channels: 1, 6, and 11. You can use any channel in a single-home environment, but because of the overlap, if you were running 2 or 3 networks in the same area (such as on a college campus or a business), you can only use those three channels. Since 108Mbps needs two channels, it can only use 1+6, 6+11, or 1+11.

Yes, I sort of forgot about that issue with the phone, until I was reading other peoples complaints. BUt then I remembered that I have a 5.8 Ghz setup. So that shouldnt cause me problems with one of these new routers

Good information on the 3 channel issue. Thanks.

Also, as far as being forced to use all matching hardware from the same vendor, that is not a problem in my case. Because I will only have 2 or 3 wireless clients. So I am OK with that requirement. Good point though

The price seems very fair for these 108Mbps solutions. Almost Cheaper than when I got my first wireless B network up and running...which still is BTW.

[steingra]

Originally Posted by djc78

... One more thing to keep in mind is that when you use any of these "faster" wireless-G technologies like Extreme-G, SRX, SpeedBooster, etc, you have to use one manufacturer's hardware for the entire wireless network, otherwise it will fall back to standard 802.11g. This is a major problem if you are connecting a laptop that has a builtin wireless card. So, YMMV, but I personally stay away from wireless APs and NICs that have "extended" capabilities.

When you said it will fall back, you mean just the laptop operates at 54Mbps? Or are you saying if just one standard G class 54Mbps client connects to the 108 Mbps network/router, that the 108 Mbps router will downgrade itself and only operate in a 54Mbps mode?

Just wanted to make sure I understand what you are saying...
Thanks

[ckron]

Originally Posted by steingra

PS
What about something like this from Netgear? Would it be even better than what products you mentioned? they have PC cards and PCMCIA cards to match it (RangeMax stuff) using MIMO 7 antennae's

http://www.pcconnection.com/ProductDetail?Sku=5672771

MIMO is supposed to be great, but is still a very immature technology. IEEE has not even finalized the spec for 802.11N yet. Last I knew, there were three competing standards being considered.

[ckron]

Originally Posted by steingra

When you said it will fall back, you mean just the laptop operates at 54Mbps? Or are you saying if just one standard G class 54Mbps client connects to the 108 Mbps network/router, that the 108 Mbps router will downgrade itself and only operate in a 54Mbps mode?

Just wanted to make sure I understand what you are saying...
Thanks

With my Netgear router, standard G and B clients cannot connect while the router is in SuperG (108MBs) mode. Like I said, I bought it mostly for the extended range beyond other G chipsets. Fortunately for me, I really like Toshiba laptops and many of them come with Atheros wireless built in.

[GTwannabe]

My D-Link DGL-4300 (Atheros chipset) supports dynamic 108mbps mode. It will allow G devices to connect in that mode, but not B. It runs at G speeds until there's enough demand to kick up to 108mbps (assuming interference is low and no plain-G devices need to talk) You are locked into channels 6 + 7 when using Atheros SuperG products, so make sure your neighbors aren't all on 6 (default)

[steingra]

Originally Posted by GTwannabe

My D-Link DGL-4300 (Atheros chipset) supports dynamic 108mbps mode. It will allow G devices to connect in that mode, but not B. It runs at G speeds until there's enough demand to kick up to 108mbps (assuming interference is low and no plain-G devices need to talk) You are locked into channels 6 + 7 when using Atheros SuperG products, so make sure your neighbors aren't all on 6 (default)

Thats interesting. So is there a way to force it into 108Mbps mode?

If you were using SageTV across it, or streaming video files, wondering if it would hit the high speed mode on its own.