Should I try the newest routers?

[VAT]

Hello.

In my home network I've got one "problematic" link - between my NAS and my streambox, the problem is (as usual) the lack of an ethernet cable. I run heavy full HD streams, so I need good throughput.

Right now I'm using a HomePlug AV500 link, and it's enough for ~15-20 mbps video, but anything higher and it stutters.

Some time ago I tried using a good wi-fi link - an Asus RT-N56 NAS-side, and a Linksys bridge (cant remember the name, looked like WES610 but with one port) streamer-side. At the time it was like the best equipment available.

I got about 5 MBps, but no more, no matter what bands I tried. The signal at 5 Ghz was kinda weak too, which is a mystery to me, since it's only like 30 feet and a wooden wall with some kitchen furniture between the devices. In fact, I only got 10 MBps with devices sitting next to each other. (Speeds were measured with win7 file copy) Then I returned the devices and got the HomePlug's, which gave the same performance, but steadier.

1) I'm reading about the newer stuff like RT-N66 and draft-ac, and thinking - should I try the new stuff, would it be any better than what I tried already? It seems that the RT-N66 + EA-N66 is the best combo now, except the dual AC66s, which is a bit rich for me. Is there anything else? Should I wait some more for .ac specs to become widespread?

2) I'd like to have stronger signal outside the house than I have now, but since I've got a real crappy router, that probably won't be difficult to achieve with something like a RT-N66. If I would still want more, are there any solutions? Repeaters, antennas, anything? Would it still be safe to use such equipment indoors?

Thanks

 

[thiggins]

You should be getting higher than 20 Mbps with 500 Mbps HomePlug. I'd first try looking for noise sources by unplugging things in the same rooms that the adapters are located. Also make sure the adapters are plugged directly into the wall sockets on both ends. Outlet strips and even just extension cords can reduce your throughput.

If you have uncompressed HD rips, then you seriously need to consider moving your NAS or running Ethernet. No wireless solution is going to give you steady, trouble-free 40+ Mbps throughput.

 

[VAT]

Thanks Tim, I'll try and tinker with the electric appliances, however I can only do so much - I've got all sorts of stuff sitting right next to the adapters - the TV, the streamer, the NAS, the router. All the stuff that the HomePlugs are really there for I've got the Netgears with the integrated sockets - I think I read somewhere here that they're filtered. If so, would plugging everything into them rather than the neighbouring sockets eliminate the interference?

Also, I do get more than 20 mbps - windows file transfer says it's about 5 MBps, so that would be 40ty-ish. And heavy rips do play, the stutter is only occasional - nevertheless unacceptable. Funny thing is, I did get exactly the same speeds out of AV200 Dlink homeplugs. But hey, there were no integrated sockets so the new ones were worth it

I guess I'll have to run the cord after all. Those RT-AC66 Location F measurements are quite astonishing though, I think I'll get an .ac device when the time comes, for the sake of other parts of the network.

Thank you for the advice, great website BTW. I really like your testing procedure too. I wish tests like these would be mandatory before putting a "300 mbps WiFi" sticker on a product. Or a "500 mbps HomePlug AV" for that matter. I would've put a lot of cat5 cables in the walls during construction then.

 

[stevech]

Re cat5 vs wireless...

"Wireless isn't a 100 times harder that wired....
it's a million times harder."

Prof. Paulraj, Stanford University.