Re: [H] Powerline questions
At 05:46 PM 19/02/2013, Brian Weeden wrote: Three. One at my router (which is also where the media server downstairs HTPC are), one at the upstairs HTPC, and one where my desktop is. Excellent. I need one at my router, one in my wife's office, and one in the basement. Are you using the single port boxes, or the multi-port ones? T
Re: [H] Powerline questions
Single. --- Brian Weeden Secure World Foundation +1 202 683-8534 On Feb 21, 2013, at 4:27, Thane Sherrington th...@computerconnectionltd.com wrote: At 05:46 PM 19/02/2013, Brian Weeden wrote: Three. One at my router (which is also where the media server downstairs HTPC are), one at the upstairs HTPC, and one where my desktop is. Excellent. I need one at my router, one in my wife's office, and one in the basement. Are you using the single port boxes, or the multi-port ones? T
Re: [H] Powerline questions
I did some reading of reviews on the Netgear 500 on Amazon today. I found a reviewer who agrees with Brian So, Thane, I think it is worth giving this a go. I might get one myself so I can put a Tivo or WD Live in my workout room and not have to depend on Wifi. Brian -- I assumed you checked yours with some of the tougher blu-raysAvatar, The Dark Knight are two that give problems. Lots don't. On 2/18/2013 7:56 PM, Brian Weeden wrote: I use the Netgear 500 Poweline stuff specifically to connect my HTPC front ends to the server and can stream 1080p BluRay rips no problem. Brian Sent from my iPhone On Feb 19, 2013, at 6:38, Thane Sherrington th...@computerconnectionltd.com wrote: At 04:19 PM 18/02/2013, Anthony Q. Martin wrote: They are all overrated in terms of those numbers. There is some site on the web that has measured throughput of the various powerline devices...you might google for it. No where near 500 Mbps end-to-end. I think those numbers mean rates at the same time...as in between different endpoints, for a total bandwidth rather than end-to-end. IMO, none of these are fast enough to ensure reliable streaming of blu-raybut not all BDs are created equal. Some will work fine and others will choke [Avatar, The Dark Knight]. So, you have to define what you mean by HD streamingif you are compressing blu-ray, then these will work fine, IME. Ripped files generally work well on these. That's why I went to the trouble to run ethernet cable from upstairs at one end of the house to downstairs at the other end of the house...and that meant getting under my deck...and getting under the crawl space..on my belly in the dirt and grassYuck! reliable streaming is worth it to me. Gigabit has enough bandwidth to stream several BDs at a time...I find you need 10MB/s for reliable streaming. IIRC, the best of these max out around 80 Mbps (megabits, not bytes). So, in theory, the best should work. That report should have the numbers. Ok, thanks. I don't feel like running ethernet cable, so I'll live with power line for now. T
Re: [H] Powerline questions
Yep, those are ok for me. However, they may not be ok for everyone. My 3 Powerline drops all get different speeds depending on where they are in the house and the quality of the particular electrical circuit. But for me it works, and was a much better solution than trying to do it over WiFi or having cables everywhere on the floor (we rent so running a LAN in the walls was not an option). --- Brian Weeden Secure World Foundation +1 202 683-8534 On Feb 19, 2013, at 21:15, Anthony Q. Martin amar...@charter.net wrote: I did some reading of reviews on the Netgear 500 on Amazon today. I found a reviewer who agrees with Brian So, Thane, I think it is worth giving this a go. I might get one myself so I can put a Tivo or WD Live in my workout room and not have to depend on Wifi. Brian -- I assumed you checked yours with some of the tougher blu-raysAvatar, The Dark Knight are two that give problems. Lots don't. On 2/18/2013 7:56 PM, Brian Weeden wrote: I use the Netgear 500 Poweline stuff specifically to connect my HTPC front ends to the server and can stream 1080p BluRay rips no problem. Brian Sent from my iPhone On Feb 19, 2013, at 6:38, Thane Sherrington th...@computerconnectionltd.com wrote: At 04:19 PM 18/02/2013, Anthony Q. Martin wrote: They are all overrated in terms of those numbers. There is some site on the web that has measured throughput of the various powerline devices...you might google for it. No where near 500 Mbps end-to-end. I think those numbers mean rates at the same time...as in between different endpoints, for a total bandwidth rather than end-to-end. IMO, none of these are fast enough to ensure reliable streaming of blu-raybut not all BDs are created equal. Some will work fine and others will choke [Avatar, The Dark Knight]. So, you have to define what you mean by HD streamingif you are compressing blu-ray, then these will work fine, IME. Ripped files generally work well on these. That's why I went to the trouble to run ethernet cable from upstairs at one end of the house to downstairs at the other end of the house...and that meant getting under my deck...and getting under the crawl space..on my belly in the dirt and grassYuck! reliable streaming is worth it to me. Gigabit has enough bandwidth to stream several BDs at a time...I find you need 10MB/s for reliable streaming. IIRC, the best of these max out around 80 Mbps (megabits, not bytes). So, in theory, the best should work. That report should have the numbers. Ok, thanks. I don't feel like running ethernet cable, so I'll live with power line for now. T
Re: [H] Powerline questions
At 08:56 PM 18/02/2013, Brian Weeden wrote: I use the Netgear 500 Poweline stuff specifically to connect my HTPC front ends to the server and can stream 1080p BluRay rips no problem. How many of the Netgear boxes do you use? Just point to point, or point to multipoint? T
Re: [H] Powerline questions
Three. One at my router (which is also where the media server downstairs HTPC are), one at the upstairs HTPC, and one where my desktop is. Brian Sent from my iPhone On Feb 20, 2013, at 0:06, Thane Sherrington th...@computerconnectionltd.com wrote: At 08:56 PM 18/02/2013, Brian Weeden wrote: I use the Netgear 500 Poweline stuff specifically to connect my HTPC front ends to the server and can stream 1080p BluRay rips no problem. How many of the Netgear boxes do you use? Just point to point, or point to multipoint? T
[H] Powerline questions
I know we've discussed Powerline in the past, but I'm not very familiar, so I have a few questions. I was looking at this device: http://ca.netgear.com/home/products/powerline-and-coax/high-performance/XAVB5004.aspx# Am I right in assuming I can put the single port thingy in the room with my router and plug it into a power socket and them put the 4 port thingy in another room and attach 4 devices to it? Can I get another 4 port thingy like this: http://ca.netgear.com/home/products/powerline-and-coax/high-performance/XAV5004.aspx# And expand my network that way? IE: Single port thingy -- 4 port thingy Devices | | 4 port thingyDevices Or do I need a single port thingy for each 4 port thingy? T
Re: [H] Powerline questions
The answer to the first questions is yes. I'm not 100% on the second question as I have not done it before, but I do believe the answer is yes. I have also mixed devices between brands and they work. I think this was actually doing the thing above, but memory fades over time and I have moved on to gigabit network. I would consider the WD version, too, as you don't get the one port thingy but two thingys will multiple ports (up to 7 devices), so you expand on each side. Better because you get something back for giving up a port. That huge one port thingy is rather wasteful IMO. It eats an entire socket and only gives you one port. The WD version is better, IMO. These things travel well, which is mainly when I use them now. http://www.amazon.com/Livewire-Powerline-Network-Kit-200Mbps/dp/B003VWY0VY On 2/18/2013 2:03 PM, Thane Sherrington wrote: I know we've discussed Powerline in the past, but I'm not very familiar, so I have a few questions. I was looking at this device: http://ca.netgear.com/home/products/powerline-and-coax/high-performance/XAVB5004.aspx# Am I right in assuming I can put the single port thingy in the room with my router and plug it into a power socket and them put the 4 port thingy in another room and attach 4 devices to it? Can I get another 4 port thingy like this: http://ca.netgear.com/home/products/powerline-and-coax/high-performance/XAV5004.aspx# And expand my network that way? IE: Single port thingy -- 4 port thingy Devices | | 4 port thingyDevices Or do I need a single port thingy for each 4 port thingy? T
Re: [H] Powerline questions
Amazon.com review on adding units to the WD (this means the answer to your second question is yes, if you get the WD): This is a terrific product. It does what it says that it will do. You will get much faster speeds than wireless without all the dropouts. Each box comes with two units. These units are identical. The one that you plug into your router becomes the home unit. The second box becomes the remote unit. If you're only planning on using these two boxes then you're fine. The problem becomes adding additional units (which is the beauty of purchasing this system.) There are no decent instructions. Not on the WD website, not included in paper form, and not set out in any clear fashion the pdf User Guide on the included CD. If you want to add addtional units around your house, then you will have to install the utiliy on the CD. Next -- AND THIS IS CRITICAL -- your computer will have to be attached by an ethernet cable to your HOME Live Wire device. The setup won't work otherwise. You will then: 1) Have to use the ADD button on the utility to add new devices. 2) You will have to locate the password for the additonal units, which is marked P/W on the bottom of the device. 3) You will have to enter the passcode and name the additional device. 4) Then hit the add device button on the computerized utility. 5) Once you've done this, all the devices should reboot, and the within 60 seconds, the utility should scan and locate all the devices on your system. 6) If the utility does not locate all the devices within 60 seconds, it means that the devices did not properly reboot. (This is what happened to me.) You will then have to unplug ALL the devices, and then replug them into the wall, and then close and reopen the utility. It should now work. Whatever you do: Don't bother calling customer service. You'll get someone too dumb to work at a McDonalds who won't have the slightest clue what your problem is or why the devices don't work. You will spend 15 to 30 minutes on hold before they confess that they don't know anything about the product. I almost gave up and returned these devices four or five times before I finally got them working. It's a shame Western Digital can't be bothered to provide instructions for one of the most basic functions associated with creating a powerline network. I guess they are selling to many of these units and don't want the supply to dry up because customers are adding third, fourth, and fifth boxes to their homes. On 2/18/2013 2:03 PM, Thane Sherrington wrote: I know we've discussed Powerline in the past, but I'm not very familiar, so I have a few questions. I was looking at this device: http://ca.netgear.com/home/products/powerline-and-coax/high-performance/XAVB5004.aspx# Am I right in assuming I can put the single port thingy in the room with my router and plug it into a power socket and them put the 4 port thingy in another room and attach 4 devices to it? Can I get another 4 port thingy like this: http://ca.netgear.com/home/products/powerline-and-coax/high-performance/XAV5004.aspx# And expand my network that way? IE: Single port thingy -- 4 port thingy Devices | | 4 port thingyDevices Or do I need a single port thingy for each 4 port thingy? T
Re: [H] Powerline questions
At 03:42 PM 18/02/2013, Anthony Q. Martin wrote: Amazon.com review on adding units to the WD (this means the answer to your second question is yes, if you get the WD): Awesome, Anthony. Thanks! Are the 200Mbps models like the WD fast enough for HD streaming? The reason I was looking at the Netgear was the claimed maximum speed of 500Mbps, which I figured would mean a higher actual speed. T
Re: [H] Powerline questions
+1 for the wd version. It really is great. On Feb 18, 2013 10:54 PM, Thane Sherrington th...@computerconnectionltd.com wrote: At 03:42 PM 18/02/2013, Anthony Q. Martin wrote: Amazon.com review on adding units to the WD (this means the answer to your second question is yes, if you get the WD): Awesome, Anthony. Thanks! Are the 200Mbps models like the WD fast enough for HD streaming? The reason I was looking at the Netgear was the claimed maximum speed of 500Mbps, which I figured would mean a higher actual speed. T
Re: [H] Powerline questions
They are all overrated in terms of those numbers. There is some site on the web that has measured throughput of the various powerline devices...you might google for it. No where near 500 Mbps end-to-end. I think those numbers mean rates at the same time...as in between different endpoints, for a total bandwidth rather than end-to-end. IMO, none of these are fast enough to ensure reliable streaming of blu-raybut not all BDs are created equal. Some will work fine and others will choke [Avatar, The Dark Knight]. So, you have to define what you mean by HD streamingif you are compressing blu-ray, then these will work fine, IME. Ripped files generally work well on these. That's why I went to the trouble to run ethernet cable from upstairs at one end of the house to downstairs at the other end of the house...and that meant getting under my deck...and getting under the crawl space..on my belly in the dirt and grassYuck! reliable streaming is worth it to me. Gigabit has enough bandwidth to stream several BDs at a time...I find you need 10MB/s for reliable streaming. IIRC, the best of these max out around 80 Mbps (megabits, not bytes). So, in theory, the best should work. That report should have the numbers. On 2/18/2013 2:54 PM, Thane Sherrington wrote: At 03:42 PM 18/02/2013, Anthony Q. Martin wrote: Amazon.com review on adding units to the WD (this means the answer to your second question is yes, if you get the WD): Awesome, Anthony. Thanks! Are the 200Mbps models like the WD fast enough for HD streaming? The reason I was looking at the Netgear was the claimed maximum speed of 500Mbps, which I figured would mean a higher actual speed. T
Re: [H] Powerline questions
At 04:19 PM 18/02/2013, Anthony Q. Martin wrote: They are all overrated in terms of those numbers. There is some site on the web that has measured throughput of the various powerline devices...you might google for it. No where near 500 Mbps end-to-end. I think those numbers mean rates at the same time...as in between different endpoints, for a total bandwidth rather than end-to-end. IMO, none of these are fast enough to ensure reliable streaming of blu-raybut not all BDs are created equal. Some will work fine and others will choke [Avatar, The Dark Knight]. So, you have to define what you mean by HD streamingif you are compressing blu-ray, then these will work fine, IME. Ripped files generally work well on these. That's why I went to the trouble to run ethernet cable from upstairs at one end of the house to downstairs at the other end of the house...and that meant getting under my deck...and getting under the crawl space..on my belly in the dirt and grassYuck! reliable streaming is worth it to me. Gigabit has enough bandwidth to stream several BDs at a time...I find you need 10MB/s for reliable streaming. IIRC, the best of these max out around 80 Mbps (megabits, not bytes). So, in theory, the best should work. That report should have the numbers. Ok, thanks. I don't feel like running ethernet cable, so I'll live with power line for now. T
Re: [H] Powerline questions
I use the Netgear 500 Poweline stuff specifically to connect my HTPC front ends to the server and can stream 1080p BluRay rips no problem. Brian Sent from my iPhone On Feb 19, 2013, at 6:38, Thane Sherrington th...@computerconnectionltd.com wrote: At 04:19 PM 18/02/2013, Anthony Q. Martin wrote: They are all overrated in terms of those numbers. There is some site on the web that has measured throughput of the various powerline devices...you might google for it. No where near 500 Mbps end-to-end. I think those numbers mean rates at the same time...as in between different endpoints, for a total bandwidth rather than end-to-end. IMO, none of these are fast enough to ensure reliable streaming of blu-raybut not all BDs are created equal. Some will work fine and others will choke [Avatar, The Dark Knight]. So, you have to define what you mean by HD streamingif you are compressing blu-ray, then these will work fine, IME. Ripped files generally work well on these. That's why I went to the trouble to run ethernet cable from upstairs at one end of the house to downstairs at the other end of the house...and that meant getting under my deck...and getting under the crawl space..on my belly in the dirt and grassYuck! reliable streaming is worth it to me. Gigabit has enough bandwidth to stream several BDs at a time...I find you need 10MB/s for reliable streaming. IIRC, the best of these max out around 80 Mbps (megabits, not bytes). So, in theory, the best should work. That report should have the numbers. Ok, thanks. I don't feel like running ethernet cable, so I'll live with power line for now. T
