Testing d/l's for best connection

[pyronn]

I hooked up my newly received powerline connection and I'd like to try and get "smart" on testing download speeds for the best connection. On 5mg dsl, getting about 4.0, I have a wrt54g wireless linksys router with a network printer, xbox360 and powerline adapter (panasonic from newegg) with the other end of the powerline to the dtv recorder. I would imagine the best way to hook up the recorder is have it hooked directly to the router, but I wanted to try it this way first so I didn't have to buy a switch (to hook the printer and xbox360 to the powerline).

Using downloaded samples and my laptop to test connection, what is the best way for me to test the connection speed to dtv's servers as well as between the connection in the house to the recorder, both through the router hardwired and through the powerline adapter?

I'd appreciate any help or pointers! Thanks