Questions regarding ac routers

[dikkiedirk]

Do these ac routers really add performance regarding High bitrate streaming (BD rips)? Or is a MOCA connection still a better option?

What are the better options? Are there already 2nd or even 3rd gen. routers?

What adapter should I get for my laptop?

 

[thiggins]

ac routers based on second-generation chipsets are appearing, as well as routers based on Qualcomm Atheros chipsets. All ac routers to date have been based on Broadcom chipsets.

The focus, however, in this round of introductions is cost reduction, not performance improvement.

ac routers with ac clients can achieve average throughput well above that needed for BD streaming (typically about 40 Mbps peak).

For highest throughput get a 3x3 (AC1300/AC1750) adapter to use with an AC1750 router. There are no AC1300/AC1750 laptop adapters. So you'll need to use a second router in bridge mode or a dedicated AC1750 bridge.

The problem is that wireless throughput varies too much. Unless the player you are using has enough buffering, you'll still get problems with ac. Throughput drops quickly too as you move away from the router, due to the higher attenuation of 5 GHz signals (vs. 2.4 GHz).

The most reliable solutions for high bitrate streaming are in order:
Ethernet
MoCA
Powerline
Wireless