Wireless Router Question

David · Post by **David** » Mon Feb 07, 2011 5:01 pm

I have a question about a wireless set up that I have.

I have a Linksys WRT54GS wireless router. It has been a good router for my network. We just bought a Sony Blu-ray player with built in wi-fi. I use the blu-ray to stream videos from Netflix.

Every once and a while, while the video is playing, it pauses because it needs to download more video to play. It does download/buffer the video and the video continues to play.

My question, is there a way for me to tweak/improve the speed of wireless speed to the blu-ray player so it will not pause? Or should I buy a more current router? I am sure that they have made some improvements for wi-fi with the progression of streaming videos.

What are your thoughts?

I was looking into routers as Linksys E3000 http://homestore.cisco.com/router_stcVV ... lpmechoose and the Linksys E4200 http://homestore.cisco.com/en-us/Router ... ewprod.htm.

If I am able to tweak what I have and make it work, that would be the best (money wise).

Or if I should buy a current router, that has better capabilities, then I guess I can go in this direction.

Background, wireless items connected to my router are the following: Laptop, wireless printer, Tivo, and Sony Blu-ray.

David · Post by **David** » Mon Feb 07, 2011 5:20 pm

I found this answer on a Cisco forum. Try to change the Wireless Channel on the router and do the Advance Wireless Settings on the router like...Change the Beacon Interval to 75,Fragmentation Threshold to 2304,RTS Threshold to 2307. I guess it is trial and error right now. I will try the above mentioned suggestion and see if that helps.

Post by **Hermskii** » Mon Feb 07, 2011 5:21 pm

Great question and I have no answers. Sorry. I think the router you have is good enough though. I think I use one of those too.

Sir Mandrake · Post by **Sir Mandrake** » Tue Feb 08, 2011 9:22 am

Yes! Your router is quite the router. I have a few of those myself.
There are newer routers out today that are optimized for gaming or multimedia streaming, like the E3000. The 54GS can be tweaked to a certain extent but its true capabilities are locked away by Linksys.

Things you can try first:

1. Check your signal - If its weak...like below 50% strength you can try repositioning the router or get a bigger antenna. They sell bigger 7db gain types that will boost signal.

2. Try alternate channels. If you have 2ghz phones or other 2ghz devices in your house these may interfere. Also if you are in a dense population of neighbors, thier wireless signals may be interfering.

3. Update the firmware of the router to the lastest version if you havent already done so.

...If you have tried all that and still have issues there is a way to Boost the Power Output of the router and add MANY MANY more features to it. Effectively turning it into a corporate level router device. Take a look here: http://www.dd-wrt.com

Ive upgraded dozens of these routers for myself, Work, and clients and they work much better than the standard Linksys firmware.

I hope something here helps out. Holler if you have any questions.

*edit: Fixed my link.

Post by **Hermskii** » Tue Feb 08, 2011 10:12 am

Awesome answer there Sir Mandrake. Thanks! I'll have to take a closer look at my stuff now but note I play from a connected PC and would never play from a wireless one myself. My son Hermskki Jr. (Age=6) does play from his wireless PC and he still does very well!

Sir Mandrake · Post by **Sir Mandrake** » Tue Feb 08, 2011 10:18 am

I agree, I dont play on wireless myself..but Wireless can be just as reliable if set up correctly.

David · Post by **David** » Tue Feb 08, 2011 1:59 pm

Well,

First I have updates the firmware for the router.

Second, the router sends out a strong signal. All the wireless (wife's laptop, Tivo, Blu-ray, and wireless printer) have an excellent signal.

I did read about "hacking" the router with use of DD-WRT or the Tomato. I just do not feel relaxed doing this because of my inexperience. I would not know what do with the additional settings.

Why I was thinking of a new router was because the Linksys E4200 claims "•Maximum speed (300 + 450 Mbps) for ultra-fast wireless transfer rates" compared to the standard 54 Mbps on the Linksys WRT54GS that I have now.

It would be nice to have the wireless being bumped up to those speeds, even if it does not reach the full 450 Mbps, it would be nice if it doubled the 54 Mbps.

Will either hack bump up the speeds to 300 or 450 Mbps?

Sir Mandrake · Post by **Sir Mandrake** » Tue Feb 08, 2011 5:29 pm

To get the speed you are asking will require that the router is manufactured with that capability. Some Linksys routers have SpeedBooster, then theres Wireless N ... The DD-Wrt hack will support these speeds only if the router is capable of producing that speed.

Since you have other devices on the wireless, make sure they are not using up your bandwidth.. I used to own TIVOS and they were always performing updates and grabbing new tv listings. Sched them to update late at night so they wont try to update as you watch a movie..

Its been known that some encrytion technologies can slow down the connection speed of your wireless. As a Test, Try disabling wireless security and run open as you watch a movie and see if that solves your problem.

Try enableing or disabling Multicast Filtering and see what happens.

David · Post by **David** » Tue Feb 08, 2011 7:44 pm

Sir Mandrake, thanks for the input. You have been helpful. My router does have speed boost, but I also know that the router is designed for 54 Mbps. So I know I can not be asking it to go higher even with those "hacks".

My wife and I just watched some video from Netflix with no problems. I think as the cable internet is being used by more people in the area, it effects/slows down and causes the slowing speed of the downloading of the movie. This is my theory.

Tivo is set up to download information at 0400 hours. Thanks for the ideas!

Sir Mandrake · Post by **Sir Mandrake** » Tue Feb 08, 2011 8:55 pm

Your Theory is correct on Cable...It can be super fast but unfortunately each Cable Hub is shared among its users and your speed my dip or spike. DSL, which can be slower, is more consistant.

As far as the speedbooster goes, in order to get double that of the 54mb, the connecting wireless client needs to have speedbooster capability.

In any case, Im glad you have norrowed down the problem. Im sure tweaking the router or netflix will let you achieve desired result regardless of your Cable speed.

David · Post by **David** » Mon Apr 04, 2011 6:49 pm

This is related to my router question. It is the cable modem....get the connections....

(ok bad connection...

I did it again..lol)

Anyway, I was looking at my cable service provider website. I see that new cable modems are coming out that are "DOCSIS 3" technology. I have a Motorola surfboard SB5120, an older model that is not "DOCSIS 3" technology.

Cableone.net Support wrote:Cable One systems are upgrading to DOCSIS 3 in 2011-2012. A DOCSIS 3 modem has features which take advantage of this upgrade. These features are designed to enhance your speed and overall performance by creating a large pipe from smaller ones (known as channel bonding). Some packages may require a DOCSIS 3 modem. A DOCSIS 2 modem will take advantage of portions of the upgrade, and remains compatible; it will not, however create a larger pipe.

So my question, should I upgrade a newer modem such as the Motorola SB6120, which is a DOCSIS 3 cable modem? If so, do I need to upgrade my router afterwards? My router is a Linksys WRT54GS, which has been a good router for me in the years that I have had it.

Sir Mandrake · Post by **Sir Mandrake** » Tue Apr 05, 2011 12:15 am

Im pretty sure your router will be fine and not have to be DOCSIS3 compatable. Sounds like the DOCSIS3 technology will only affect your broadband speeds to the ISP and out onto the internet. That is my educated guess anyway lol

Post by **Hermskii** » Tue Apr 05, 2011 1:38 pm

Agreed. that router is just fine. I have one too. it is perfectly awesome. Don't mess it up but do make sure it is running the lastest firmware version.

David · Post by **David** » Mon Apr 09, 2012 6:36 pm

I was trying to get answer about the whole docsis 3.0 question (If I upgraded to a docsis 3.0 modem, would I need to upgrade my router as well).

According to this post I found at http://www.dslreports.com/forum/r224725 ... -30-speeds

It states

a.JPG

and

b.JPG

So it seems that if I stick with my trusted WRT54GS, then I would be limiting the speed on my network.

The reason I am looking into this is that my ISP rates are $50 for my residential 5mb and then if I sign a contract for 1 year, I will get upgraded for the 50mb for $45. And if I sign up the next year after the contact, it will stay at $45 as long as I keep a contract.

David · Post by **David** » Mon Apr 09, 2012 6:39 pm

I was looking at buying these
http://www.amazon.com/Motorola-SB6121-O ... 224&sr=1-3
and
http://homestore.cisco.com/en-us/Router ... ewprod.htm
or
http://homestore.cisco.com/en-us/Router ... ewprod.htm

Really, I think due to budget and medical bills, I will be paying more for the slower speed.

House of Hermskii {HOH}

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