Using Wireless routers/bridges with Sage HD Extender

[wayner]

Does anyone have the Sage HD extender working fine (playing back H.264 files) over wireless? Any suggestions on how what hardware I will need? Can you buy basic routers and upgrade the firmware (i.e DD-WRT or something similar) to use the router as a bridge? Will I definitely need N devices or could you get away with a good G connection?

[Taddeusz]

I have mine working more or less ok. I have a D-link DIR-625 router and have a D-link DWL-2100AP set in bridge mode connected to my HD100. I wanted to get a D-link DAP-1522, which is pre-N to go with my pre-N router but at the time I needed it nobody had one in stock. Not even D-link. In fact, D-link still doesn't have it, although Newegg shows they have it.

It works ok most of the time but if it's even a couple inches in the wrong direction the video starts skipping really badly. The video also starts skipping a bit when the wireless is being used more extensively. Not sure what my throughput ceiling is but I've been able to watch transcoded 1080p BD rips which can go up to 6000-7000Kb/s.

[harrijay]

I had one of my HD extenders working over wireless. my router was a Dlink DIR-655 which is wireless N and I was using a Linksys WRT54G with DD-WRT as bridge. something happened on my setup not sure what at this point but I am slowly working back to getting it working. I will let you know if I get it working again

[reggie14]

I use a wireless N bridging kit from Netgear, model WNHDEB111. It works pretty well. If you're in apartment/condo/townhome, or otherwise around lots of other wireless access points, I highly recommend getting an AP and bridge that operate in the 5GHz range. A lot of the cheaper 802.11n APs only work in the 2.4GHz range. Even if you get a more expensive one, I don't think DD-WRT works with the 5GHz antennas, so you'd be stuck with 2.4GHz.

I think the WNHDEB111 kit is pretty good and reasonably priced. It is sold out on Newegg right now though.

[evilpenguin]

802.11n (802.11g prolly won't work for HDTV) is more than capable of feeding an STX-100, but your milage will vary depending on a lot of other factors like distance to Access Point, type of construction, outside interfecence etc. If your curious if it'll work, buy the equipment from a store with good return policy and just try it for yourself.

[Taddeusz]

The D-link DWL-2100AP I'm using as a bridge is 108Mb 802.11g but according to my router is only going at 54Mb. I can actually watch HD stuff but as I said it is prone to misbehaving if it's not exactly in the right spot.

[othy]

Originally Posted by reggie14

I use a wireless N bridging kit from Netgear, model WNHDEB111. It works pretty well. If you're in apartment/condo/townhome, or otherwise around lots of other wireless access points, I highly recommend getting an AP and bridge that operate in the 5GHz range. A lot of the cheaper 802.11n APs only work in the 2.4GHz range. Even if you get a more expensive one, I don't think DD-WRT works with the 5GHz antennas, so you'd be stuck with 2.4GHz.

I think the WNHDEB111 kit is pretty good and reasonably priced. It is sold out on Newegg right now though.

I have been wondering about the WNHDEB111. Can you tell me a little more about your performance and setup? How much distance are you bridging? Do you get stutter-free playback of HD files? Is playback noticeably different from a wired connection?

I'm trying to decide if I want to take a crack at this kit to get a wireless connection to a TV in one of my bedrooms.

Thanks,

Tim