Wireless for Dummies (me)

[Hdhead]

I have a Linsky WRT54G router. Exactly what piece of equipment do I need for my HR20 for a wireless connection. I looked through many wireless posts but my head is spinning. Thanks.

[Michael D'Angelo]

Any wireless adapter with an ethernet connection, not USB.

A couple that will work are the Linksys WGA54G and WGA600N. You may want to look at the WGA600N. It is wireless N but it will work with wireless G too, but if you upgrade your router to wireless N down the road you will be good to go. Plus the WGA600N will be officially supported by DIRECTV soon.

[Hdhead]

Thank you!

[Grentz]

I will second the WGA600N. It will be officially supported soon and even configurable via the HR2x receivers on screen.

[dettxw]

The Linksys WGA600N is on sale at Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/Linksys-Dual-Band-Wireless-N-Gaming-Adapter/dp/B0010TEOLQ/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1224430207&sr=8-1) for $75!!

[Indiana627]

I have 2 HR21s that I'd like to connect wirelessly to my network. I too have the Linsky WRT54G router with 2 open ports on it.


With the Linksys WGA600N, how does it connect to the HR21 and the router? I assume it comes with two separate pieces: 1 that plugs into the HR21, and 1 that plugs into the router right?

Can I connect two HR21s to my network like this? Or is only one supported?

If I connect my HR21 like this, can I then plug my TV's network cable into the HR21's network passthrough port so I can get my TV on my network too?

Thanks so much!

[bobnielsen]

I have 2 HR21s that I'd like to connect wirelessly to my network. I too have the Linsky WRT54G router with 2 open ports on it.


With the Linksys WGA600N, how does it connect to the HR21 and the router? I assume it comes with two separate pieces: 1 that plugs into the HR21, and 1 that plugs into the router right?

Can I connect two HR21s to my network like this? Or is only one supported?

If I connect my HR21 like this, can I then plug my TV's network cable into the HR21's network passthrough port so I can get my TV on my network too?

Thanks so much!

You connect the WGA600N to your HR21 with the supplied ethernet cable. It connects to the router via wireless.

You can connect another HR21 using another wireless adapter. Wireless networking supports multiple devices.

You can connect another device to the passthrough port (I haven't heard of a TV with builtin network capability).

The next national software release should support setup of a WGA600N via the DVR's setup screen (it's currently in a CE release). You can also connect it to a computer for setup.

[V'ger]

In my bedroom, I run the WGA600N to a 4 port switch, then feed cables to my HR20 and HD-DVD. The Drawback is that you have to program the WGA600N manually. You don't necessarily need a seperate WGA600N for each DVR.

The WGA600N then connects to my main wired network in my living room.

Works great. I went N only and actually use a WRT54G as the four port switch (after turning all router stuff off).

[Indiana627]

You connect the WGA600N to your HR21 with the supplied ethernet cable. It connects to the router via wireless.
Well duh on me! Of course wireless - meaning I don't need to physically connect anything to my existing wireless router!

</wipe egg from face>

How big is the WGA600N that connects to the HR21? My HR21 sits in a little cubby in my entertainment center which is only about twice as tall as the HR21 itself, so height of the WGA600N is a consideration for me. If need be, I could set it up on the TV console behind the TV, which is what I ended doing with my eSata. Thanks.

[Michael D'Angelo]

How big is the WGA600N that connects to the HR21? My HR21 sits in a little cubby in my entertainment center which is only about twice as tall as the HR21 itself, so height of the WGA600N is a consideration for me. If need be, I could set it up on the TV console behind the TV, which is what I ended doing with my eSata. Thanks.

4.3" x 4.3" x 1.3"

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833124279&Tpk=wga600n

[Norm]

Another option (which I am currently using) is from Directv. They are adaptors that you plug in the wall and they use your home electrical wiring to carry the signal. I have had no problem with them. You will need two to begin with, one for your DVR and one for your router. They have a max throughput of 84 mps. I have 3 HR21's hooked up this way and also a access point. They are $25 each and if you logon to your Directv account and go to accessories they are there. :)

[dennisj00]

The Linksys WRT600N is on sale at Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/Linksys-Dual-Band-Wireless-N-Gaming-Adapter/dp/B0010TEOLQ/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1224430207&sr=8-1) for $75!!

This is a GREAT price on a good dual band (G & N) Router that with dd-wrt installed you can make into a client - bridge. I'm using a couple both as a router and bridge.

As a bridge you can use all 5 ports (including the WAN port) for multiple devices.

[dettxw]

This is a GREAT price on a good dual band (G & N) Router that with dd-wrt installed you can make into a client - bridge. I'm using a couple both as a router and bridge.

As a bridge you can use all 5 ports (including the WAN port) for multiple devices.Oops, brain fart. Should have typed in "WGA600N".
They don't make the WRT600N any more and the price has jumped way up on these dual-band N routers with all the antenna.

[V'ger]

Another option (which I am currently using) is from Directv. They are adaptors that you plug in the wall and they use your home electrical wiring to carry the signal. I have had no problem with them. You will need two to begin with, one for your DVR and one for your router. They have a max throughput of 84 mps. I have 3 HR21's hooked up this way and also a access point. They are $25 each and if you logon to your Directv account and go to accessories they are there. :)

Word to the wise. Most homes are wired for 240 VAC. 120 VAC circuits in a house are generally wired such that half the circuits are between one side of the 240 VAC and ground and the other half of the circuits are between the other side of 240 VAC to ground. If your two rooms are wired such that they come from the same side of the 240VAC circuit, then the power line network devices work great as the signal has to only go, at the worst, to the circuit panel and back.

If the 120 VAC in one room is on the opposite side of the 240 VAC line as the other room , issues often occur. It depends on what equipment you have on the 240 VAC as something has to allow the signal to cross sides to communicate with the other network device. If the nearest connection is the power transformer feeding your house, it can be quite a distance the relatively weak signals need to travel.

Many people return power line networking gear for this reason. They just plug it in, it doesn't work as advertised and they return the gear and badmouth it.

[allenn]

I have a wga600n which works great with On Demand. Don't expect any miracles with the Media Share feature which works on only on occasion.