Routers and HD streaming settup.

[Sammy]

Hi guys.

 

Yup time to upgrade my router. I have a 'g'. Ancient by todays standards. It worked fine for my needs until I started streaming HD both via Netflix/Amazon and locally. My ISP connection itself doesnt allow for really good quality (5MB usually) and there are times its less due to demand in the area. Various equipment in the area needs to be upgraded in the future but they have no idea when that will be done. But its fine at 720 albeit with some occasional buffer issues.

 

However recently there have been some local files that had periods of really high bit rates. 20MBps. No idea why since the scenes dont look overly complex. So router upgrade it is. Anyone with experience using TP-Link products? Decent sales on them.

 

Routers these days have USB3 so it would also be nice to have a basic external enclosure as a file store, which these models say they can do, instead of leaving my computer on. DLNA is not important since I will just make sure that it is a format the firetv supports. Which so far has been good.

[Slackernet]

I got this email The other day

 

Now Available for Pre-Order: Linksys EA7500 Max-Stream AC1900 Router

http://www.linksys.com/us/p/p-EA7500/?utm_source=exacttarget&utm_medium=email&utm_content=hero-image-hero&utm_campaign=march-madness

specs at a glance

AC1900 MU-MIMO Dual-band Gigabit, 600+1300 Mbps

Key Features:



    Easy Setup

    Medium Household

    Up to 12 Devices

    3x3 AC

    Advanced Security

    USB 3.0 Port

    Dual-Core CPU

    Beamforming Technology

    Smart Wi-Fi



Network Standards:



    802.11b

    802.11a

    802.11n

    802.11ac

    802.11g



Wi-Fi Speed:

AC1900 (N600 + AC1300)

Wi-Fi Bands:

2.4 and 5 GHz (simultaneous dual band)

Wi-Fi Range:

Medium Household

Number of Ethernet Ports:



    1x Gigabit WAN port

    4x Gigabit LAN ports



Other Ports:



    One(1) USB 3.0 port

    One(1) USB 2.0 port

    Power



Antennas:

3x external, dual-band, detachable antennas

Processor:

1.4 GHz dual-core 

Never used Tp Link before but they do get decent results in newegg reviews

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=-1&IsNodeId=1&Description=tp%20link%20router&bop=And&Order=RATING&PageSize=30

Edited February 20, 2016 by Slackernet

[Sammy]

Yea the $200 one is out of my price range. Budget considerations are always a big factor. The C7 for $95 is a good deal but there are limitations compared to what is desirable I suppose.  The next model up has a couple other nice things but not sure if its worth it for a typical home environment that basically comes down to usual internet usage, streaming, and possibly a media server.

[Marauder-CDN]

I have had good luck with this....beats the Linksys it replaced

 

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833320062

[Sammy]

After consideration I decided I had no need for an 'ac' router. Everything I have is 'n' and I dont foresee getting anything with ac in the future. So went with a linksys N900. Much cheaper and I can use the savings elsewhere on something I would actually use now.

[KaptCrunch]

sammy you didnt say  Cable , Sat or DSL

 

with TP-link   DSL  their  hand shaking is meticulous with logon  not user friendly

 

any chance  use wired  connection  for streaming

[Sammy]

DSL. I have never had a major problem with my current g Linksys. Albeit my current ISP speed is only 5-6MB or so when not overloaded from usage by other homes in the area so HD quality is limited to be sure. Only occasional issues depending on the video. However its the wireless streaming from my computer with high quality videos that cant keep up that is most obvious. Currently using Kodi on my firetv. A nice thing to install if you dont have it. Unfortunately wired isnt an option.

 

Currently as long as bitrate doesnt go over 6-7mbps, depending on buffer, it can usually keep up. Some videos I have seen go up to 20 on some complex shots. I have one movie, made in 1984 released with little DNR to preserve the original look, that on test mkv runs still have pretty high bit rates due to the grain. I dont particularly want to run it through my own DNR. Anyways, after reading more I stayed away from TP-link. Too unreliable in the long term and customer support from China is terrible. If at all. But all the major brands looked good and I chose this one.