Technical > Home Improvement > My addition will take almost 2 miles of Cat 6

Each of my kids has 1 Xbox 360, 1 PS3 (bc with PS2), 1 wii, 1 PC, and 1 smart TV, 1 wired VOIP device, 1 network connected DVR, in addition to 1 laptop (often used wirelessly), 1 tablet (also wireless). Some kids have a small network printer / scanner.

I can't be certain where the kids will want their stuff to plug in. Only active ethernet cables need to be connected to a switch. It is possible the majority of cables will be unused for long periods of time.

I'm very tired of messy 8 port unmanaged switches sitting on the floor in a room. They not only are an eyesore, but they take a power slot.

I have a DIR-655 router (which isn't even dual band), and I've streamed HD video alongside computer use with no problems. Then again, I don't have 17 Xboxes, 36 computers and 6 printers running simultaneously alongside the HD video.

For me, the convenience wins. Maybe I just don't have high demands of my equipment... but to each their own.

You also have quite a bit of overlapping technology there and most people don't go for that level of redundancy. A network switch is the ideal solution in this scenario as you're not likely to be using more than 2 (or even 1) of those devices at a time in any high-bandwidth demand.

I tried a Vizio smart HDTV via wireless where my router was about 1' away from the TV. I couldn't stream HD video from Hulu Plus or Amazon without buffering issues. Amazon was smart enough to suggest switching to standard definition.

I wish wireless worked better, but for sustained HD streams, it's tough in my experience.

I don't like using switches. I like everything home run. That way upgrading to a newer technology like 10 gig is easy, just replace the main switch and I'm done.

MatrixHDV, what program is that? Can it be run on a router? Im curious of what noise is around my house, even if it's a single detached home with brick walls.

Get a better access point.

I was just amazed to think of wires by the mile instead of by the foot or meter which is how I usually think of them.

Success at streaming also depends on what is being streamed.

I have no idea what the bandwidth of Netflix, Hulu plus or Amazon HD videos are. Those and youtube account for almost all streaming. It is not uncommon for 3 or 4 streams to be active at once in the house.

Funny. I have a typical 10/100 router with 5e and N600 wireless. Even with two Netflix streams and YouTube or XBox going the only time I hit a buffer is with YouTube and 1080p videos..

But you'll never see a fridge with RJ45.

The challenge with wireless and video isn't so much an issue of bandwidth or "speed" but rather the protocol overhead which can go up exponentially depending on the number of active devices and other networks within reach.

Sorry, but you are wrong on that one. I have already seen that at the local Fry's Electronic store.