Wireless Router for Xbox gaming!

[ainsley80]

Hi all,



When I'm gaming on the 360 downstairs my connection if fine, but when on the elite in the attic, my connection is always poor, even though the router is directly below me and closer than the downstairs box!



Would an upgrade of router be in order? I currently have a Linksys WRT54GL 54Mbps Open Source Wireless router.



I'm thinking of getting a Belkin F5D8631UK4A 300Mbps Wireless ADSL2+ Modem/Router.



Thing is, I don't know a damned thing about routers! The latter is twice the price and the numbers are bigger, but will it translate to a stronger connection, and if not what do I need to be looking for?!



Kindest regards



Ainsley

[deckard]

Another option to consider might to use a pair of Homeplugs.



Sorry if you're already familiar with them, but they carry an ethernet signal around your mains circuit. I just used a pair of them for the first time yesterday to install our new BT Vision box on our network and they're a piece of cake to install.



Ours are rated at 200 MPS and apparantly there's no problems with latency for gaming purposes.



Might fit the bill nicely!

[ricdiggle]

Another option to consider might to use a pair of Homeplugs.



Sorry if you're already familiar with them, but they carry an ethernet signal around your mains circuit. I just used a pair of them for the first time yesterday to install our new BT Vision box on our network and they're a piece of cake to install.



Ours are rated at 200 MPS and apparantly there's no problems with latency for gaming purposes.



Might fit the bill nicely!




If I ever get a spare minute, I've got a pair of these to install too :thumbup:

[CarlB]

I switched to Homeplugs for my 360 and PS3 after having trouble with wireless signal strength; I wouldn't go back now, not had a single problem since installing the Homeplugs.

[deckard]

If I ever get a spare minute, I've got a pair of these to install too :thumbup:


A minute is literally about all it would take!

[ainsley80]

Hi all,



I actually haven't heard of them - I've just had a look on overclockers.co.uk for them, but how exactly do they work? In my attic, the only plug I can use near the xbox already has a 4 way adaptor plugged into it.

[deckard]

It doesn't matter about a 4 way adaptor, just as long as it doesn't have a surge protector on it - that messes things up apparantly.



Basically you take an ethernet cable from a socket on your router, plug it into one Homeplug and insert it in a mains socket or a multiway extension as the case may be, then take another ethernet cable and connect it from the other Homeplug upstairs into the ethernet port on your 360.



It's about as easy as that just so long as the two areas of the house are on the same ring main.



As to how do they work? Er, dunno!

[holtehero]

I'll also praise the homeplugs, swapped from a wireless bridge and wouldn't go back now

[Cessquill]

Forgive my ignorance, but a lot of manufacturers are using the homeplug name now - is it a standard? Do they work together?

[ainsley80]

Great!



I'll get some this weekend! Thanks guys!



:thumbup:



Ainsley

[deckard]

Forgive my ignorance, but a lot of manufacturers are using the homeplug name now - is it a standard? Do they work together?


I'm not entirely sure Simon. I think they have to be paired as they do have some form of encryption built in.

[ainsley80]

Problem! I checked out my wiring yesterday, and my attic is on a seperate ring main!



Now its back to upgrading my wireless router.....any ideas?!

[sprainedmind]

PC Pro's A List router (http://www.pcpro.co.uk/labs/122211/dlink-rangebooster-n-650-dir655.html)

[ricdiggle]

Problem! I checked out my wiring yesterday, and my attic is on a seperate ring main!



Now its back to upgrading my wireless router.....any ideas?!




My garage is on a separate ring too but for some reason it still worked just fine :shrug:

[Cessquill]

<table border="0" align="center" width="90%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td class="SmallText">ainsley80 wrote on Sun, 21 October 2007 11:33</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">
Problem! I checked out my wiring yesterday, and my attic is on a seperate ring main!



Now its back to upgrading my wireless router.....any ideas?!




My garage is on a separate ring too but for some reason it still worked just fine :shrug:


Does that potentially mean that your neighbour might be able to get onto your network too?



I was also thinking - I run X10 across my mains (which also hops over rings fine) and I'm guessing this may interfere with running a network signal through there...?

[ainsley80]

Interesting! If that's the case, I'd much prefer to go down the homeplugs road........Can anyone else confirm that it works over a seperate ring?



No offence ricdiggle - I just want to check you weren't lucky! ;)~;-)~:wink:

[deckard]

<table border="0" align="center" width="90%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td class="SmallText">Quote:</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">
Does that potentially mean that your neighbour might be able to get onto your network too?


I don't think so mate, they have some built in encryption for just such a reason, ie blocks of flats etc.

[Acen]

Powerline Homeplug devices are encrypted and because they transfer data using the electricity mains in your house the signal is contained only to the circuit in your house. The only way someone could get hold of the data or hack the network would be to actually be inside your house.



I'm currently using ZyXEL Powerline Homeplug PLA401's and they work like a dream. Especially good if you want to use your Xbox as a media streamer to stream movies from your PC device :o~:-o~:eek:).



www.zyxel.co.uk/consumer - gives your more info on powerline devices