Wireless MVP vs. Standard w/ Game adapter?

[Stuntman]

I have a game adapter I had previously used to connect an ethernet device to my wireless network.. I am wondering.. is there any benefit to me having a wireless MVP vs. using a cheaper non-wireless MVP along with the game adapter?

Thanks!

[cmaffia]

I used to use one of my wired MVP's with a Linksys game adapter... I had nothing but problems even when every other wireless device didn't regardless where you were in my home. I gave up and ended up wiring the bedroom I was trying to use it with. It was extremely unreliable and to get any type of performance... I had to hook it up to a switch... force the server it was connecting to to 10/half duplex... it was ugly. Again.. this was my experience. I can't vouch for the new Wireless version as I don't own one

Originally Posted by Stuntman

I have a game adapter I had previously used to connect an ethernet device to my wireless network.. I am wondering.. is there any benefit to me having a wireless MVP vs. using a cheaper non-wireless MVP along with the game adapter?

Thanks!

[stevech]

you can use a cheap Wireless Router as a "game adapter" a.k.a. wireless bridge.
Some newer w-Routers have a "bridge" mode. If not, then...

Just buy a $25 or so wireless router (11g I suppose).
Plug a LAN port into your PC. Set your PC to the router's IP subnet, like 192.168.1.something, depending on the brands.

Configure the router:
Disable DHCP server
Erase all port forwarding and games/applications setups
Set the router's IP so it has a static address in your LAN but not in the range of DHCP addresses that your "real" router dispenses.
Set the SSID and WEP/WPA as you do for others on your W-LAN.

Unplug PC from router.
Connect LAN port of this w-router (now it's a pseudo-bridge) - to the subject device (media player, PC, etc).
Don't use the WAN port.

The subject device should get its power-up DHCP exchange to pass through the pseudo-bridge OK and start working.

Use the IP address you assigned to the pseudo-bridge to administer it, if needed, from a PC on your LAN.

[Stuntman]

I already have a game adapter, and have a location I need an MVP.. I'm just trying to determine if I buy a new MVP and use the game adapter if I will get better or worse performance than if I bought the MVP wireless unit... Seems like I could save some money buying the non-wireless model.. but if it doesn't work as well... then I'm more than happy to cough up the difference.

[walts81]

I use a dlink game adapter with my wired MVP. Every now and then a problem will occur (not very often). But when it does, it's usually a crap-shoot on what to do to fix it. Usually some combination of rebooting wireless router, unplugging the game adapter, and unpluggin the ethernet and/or ac of the MVP. It sucks when it happens but like I said, it doesn't happen very often. And if works flawlessly otherwise.

- Josh

[MrD]

i have tried to use wireless for HTPC, Sage, and SlimP3 products....

I have tried using Dlink, Netgear, and Linksys wireless gear, all with varying degrees of success.

My opinion: use wired devices for *any* streaming time sensitive protocols. Wireless is good for surfing and email only.

-MrD

[craigdthom]

I am currently using the Belkin client bridge(game adapter 54g) and it works great!!! I got it for about $65 w/shipping off of Ebay and I am using it with the Belkin Pre N router. Very easy set up ... Plug and Play. From test I've conducted ... using the same manufacturer for both the game adapter and router will provide far better and more dependable results.

Although most of my recordings are done in the Fair mode(0.9 GB/hr), I do record all my sports and shows I want to save in either Best(3.0 GB/hr) or DVD Standard Play(3.2 GB/hr) mode. My play back experience is great, but as Josh mentioned there are occasions where I may need to reboot the MVP (not too often). This appears to also happen with the new wireless MVP unit as well

I like the idea of a 1 piece unit, but more so I would rather have a reliable & stable setup. All in All I love my 2 piece setup, which is also scalable
... Once we have an approved draft of the 802.11n mode standard or when Belkin releases their 180Mb/s game adapter ... I'll just upgrade the 1 piece game adapter. Hi-Def streaming here I come

There are also a few Cons with this setup ...
more pieces possibly more problems !!
Pricey if purchased new ($110 MVP + $99 Game Adapter)
Space conservation and aesthetic appeal (blinking lights on adapter)
(this greatly reduces the WAF )

I would love to have the 1 piece wireless unit, but for now what I have works great and I'm willing to wait on the 802.11n release of the wireless MVP

-Craig

[Necro]

I'm actually trying to decide on buying one of these...but tell me if I'm wrong on this but wireless sould be fine even at the high levels (3.2gb/hour).

I'm figuring it like this...

3.2gb = 3200mb / 60 minutes = 53.3 mb/minute = ~0.9 mb/sec = ~7mbits/sec

Which should, theoretically, be way WAY below whats needed to transfer on a decent 802.11g connection...especially with lower quality recordings.

...or am I missing something critical?

[Menehune]

Multiply your 7mb/s by two for the typical networking overhead, multiply by two again since the network is not in the lab in a perfect environment and then you still need to worry about possible RF multipath and transmission retrys due to interference.

Some people are able to get wireless MVPs to work, others never do. IMHO there are too many variables for wireless to work in every instance, 100% of the time. The slight delays and retrys that are common in wireless networks are fine for web browsing and email where 100mSec delays are not noticable, but when time critical applications are used (video and even VOIP) the network usually stutters and causes unacceptable performance.

We have IPTV running over an OC3 network on fiber and even that does not perform as advertised 100% of the time.