More Powerful Wireless Network Adapter Support

[ageld]

It would have been nice if HD200 supported more powerful wireless network adapters. Alfa adapters like:

http://www.amazon.com/AWUS036H-Wirel...9539719&sr=8-1

comes to mind. It is supported by various Linux implementations. Please, consider supporting it (or similar adapters).

More information on installing Alfa network driver in Ubuntu Linux:

http://rtl-wifi.sourceforge.net/wiki/Installing

Thanks...

[gplasky]

Originally Posted by ageld

It would have been nice if HD200 supported more powerful wireless network adapters. Alfa adapters like:

http://www.amazon.com/AWUS036H-Wirel...9539719&sr=8-1

comes to mind. It is supported by various Linux implementations. Please, consider supporting it (or similar adapters).

More information on installing Alfa network driver in Ubuntu Linux:

http://rtl-wifi.sourceforge.net/wiki/Installing

Thanks...

Not quite sure what you mean by "more powerful". You have linked to a USB wireless b/g device. The HD200 currently supports a wireless n device which to me is the more powerful. You have a much better chance of streaming HD video over n than with g.

Gerry

[ageld]

I have tested the adapter I purchased together with HD200 from your website and the one I mentioned previously against Linksys WRT64L with Ubuntu laptop situated in very close proximity to HD200. AWUS036H Alfa adapter tremendously outperformed the other one. HD200 equipped with supported adapter lost connectivity to the access point quite often, reporting 0% of signal strength. Similar behavior was seen with the laptop. However, AWUS036 Alfa adapter held 70-90% connection quality throughout the test. I guess, 500 mW power and the antennae definitely helped. Besides, Alfa adapters are fairly cheap. It could be tremendous help to HD200 users if such a powerful adapter (or similar one) is supported by HD200.

[gplasky]

But you're also comparing connecting at G to connecting at N. G can cover more distance than N. And with N covering a shorter distance it is more affected by its surroundings such as walls. And that's great that the Alfa held its connection and signal better but was it successful streaming HD recordings? I can't find a Linksys WRT64L but if you're connecting to a G access point or router I wouldn't be surprised of the Alfa giving a stronger connection.

Gerry

[ageld]

Gerry,

I completely agree with your comments. I am connecting to G-type access point. I believe that N is just making its en-routes into home networks. There are still more G-type access points and people, when they buy AP200 expect to stream via G-type connection. I did test the system in close proximity and it streamed videos pretty well over G-type connection. I believe supporting more powerful adapter will make the product better. I do not know how much development it is going to take. The drivers have been ported to Linux. It might not be such a big effort.

Thanks a lot for your help on this matter.

[gplasky]

Not a problem. Anything more powerful is better. And I also agree it would be nice to have some more devices supported by the HD200. You'll also find out that just about any product out there will recommend and insist on wirelss N for any type of HD streaming. Even Windows Media Center recommends N, not for HD streaming for wireless. Wired is preferred for rock solid HD streaming.

Gerry

[wayner]

Don't forget that you can always use a wireless bridge - many routers have this option and routers that are upgradable to 3rd party firmware (such as DD-WRT, OpenWRT, Tomato, Sveasoft, etc.) will generally be able to be used as bridges. That will obviously be more expensive since you will need two routers or one router and one bridge but it will also allow you to connect several devices to your LAN via ethernet cables.

[ageld]

Originally Posted by gplasky

Not a problem. Anything more powerful is better. And I also agree it would be nice to have some more devices supported by the HD200. You'll also find out that just about any product out there will recommend and insist on wirelss N for any type of HD streaming. Even Windows Media Center recommends N, not for HD streaming for wireless. Wired is preferred for rock solid HD streaming.

Gerry

Kindly let me know when such support is added to HD200. It will mean a world to me, since I hate drilling holes in walls and hard wiring.

[wayner]

One more thing to keep in mind is that the longer that the HD-200 is out of stock the higher the probability that the HD-300 is on its way. This is speculation on top of speculation but perhaps it will support wireless out of the box or suppport more wifi adapters.

[ageld]

I am glad that 300 is coming out, but I did not get my return on investment from HD-200. Honestly, wireless support is mediocre. The card I purchased from Sage most of the time cannot connect to the wireless access point, although Nintendo Wii standing 10 inches to the left does not have a problem with it at all. All the laptops works in that room, showing Very Good or Good signal strength. Only HD-200 shows 0... Sometimes, very rarely, it connects when I completely power-cycle the box. But connection does not stay for more than several hours. It's mystery to me. I am PISSED.

The other pitiful thing is that the unit in its stand-alone mode does not rotate photos. A little thing made by WD, which costs twice as less does support picture rotation. I just do not understand why it is so hard to implement it on this platform.