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sweller
Member
2014-Oct-31 11:07 am
I don't know where this goes, but it's AV-related.After I fired DirecTV, I started using XBMC, IceFilms, and Plex.
I can download through IceFilms the current episode of Face Off and stream it from the PC to The Roku. When it works, it works very well.
That's all I was using Plex for, but I've recently discovered that there's a lot of content we watch that doesn't require a download first. Here's where I get lost...
The Roku 3 is dual band. My PC is dual band. For the moment, I have a Samknows White box Wireless N router. And now the question...
Will I benefit from a dual band router?
I seems like I could download on 2.4GHz and stream from the PC to the Roku on 5GHz - or vice versa, but haven't quite got my brain wrapped around dual band, 802.11AC, AC1200, yadda, yadda, yadda... |
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JimE Premium Member join:2003-06-11 Belleville, IL |
JimE
Premium Member
2014-Oct-31 12:03 pm
No. Dual band simply means that it supports both frequencies. It is only a single connection. |
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sweller
Member
2014-Oct-31 12:09 pm
Thanks. Let me be more specific...
Most dual band routers are "concurrent", claiming simultaneous use of both trancievers (2.4GHz and 5GHz). And I've read that one device can use the 2.4GHz radio at the same time another device is using the 5GHz radio. What you're saying is, it's either/or but not both. Yes? |
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said by sweller:What you're saying is, it's either/or but not both. Yes? Having a dual "concurrent" router means you can connect either to 2.4Ghz or 5Ghz, as long as all equipment is compatible. However, no device can connect to both at the same time. The main advantage is you can allow higher bandwidth devices to connect at the cleaner (less interference) 5Ghz band without giving up the compatibility of the 2.4 band. I think the more important question is what is the symptom that your trying to fix with a new router? Latency? Speed? Coverage? Intermittent connectivity? |
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sweller
Member
2014-Oct-31 12:42 pm
Ah. Well... actually it's a non-problem. What I *thought* I would be able to do is download to the PC on 2.4GHz and stream to the Roku on 5GHz - simultaneously. Now I understand it ain't gonna happen.
But I also now understand AC1200 is a lie. It *should* say, "AC300/AC844" or I would call it L300/H844 ((L)ow and (H)igh). |
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Just to be clear, you can have the PC connect to router on 2.4Ghz and the Roku on 5Ghz, you just can't have a SINGLE device connect on BOTH 2.4 and 5Ghz at the same time. It would be like a radio being on AM and FM at same time= not possible. Re-reading your OP though, I think that point is moot.
I still don't understand what your trying to fix. You said "When it works, it works very well." What happens when it doesn't work well? Whats the core issue? |
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1 recommendation |
I was exploring alternatives to the "Download first, then stream to Plex" process. Icefilms is the only convenient way I know of to download a program for later playback. But the whole XBMC/Icefilms scenario is often fragile and tenuous. Not to mention my pathetic ISP. The core issue is it breaks fairly often when I'm trying to download a program.
For now, it looks like it is what it is. |
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sweller |
I borrowed an AC1200 router from Mallwart Saturday, and returned it Sunday.
The new router matched my old router on the 2.4GHz side exactly with a solid 300Mbps connection. But the 5GHz side was disappointing.The best connection I saw was 310-350Mbps.
I'd like to see *at least* 600 Mbps. Are my expectations too high? |
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JimE Premium Member join:2003-06-11 Belleville, IL |
to sweller
The 5ghz channel is more succeptible to interference and also has less range. Speed wise, they are equal. >> » www.speedguide.net/faq/i ··· 4ghz-340 |
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Ok. Let me go back to basics on the 2.4GHz band for a moment...
Two out of three routers I've tried tell Windows they're connected at at 300 Mbps, solid, stable, reliable.
The third is neither solid nor stable, but it does seem to be reliable. And perhaps most importantly, passes Ookla's speed test.
Is that symptomatic of a problem? Or maybe just a configuration issue?
This (misbehaving?) router is a Trendnet TEW-810DR. The only changes I've made is to turn off the 5 GHz radio for testing. |
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JimE Premium Member join:2003-06-11 Belleville, IL |
to sweller
Sounds like it is faulty or could just have poor range.
Of course it depends on what you mean by "solid and stable". Configuration is going to affect your ability to connect or speed. It will not cause fluctuating speeds or sporadic connections. |
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I've decided it's probably flaky. Sending it back and ordered a TP-LINK TL-WDR3500 for less than $10 more. It'll be here tomorrow so I'll be reporting back.
Wow. WOW!
I spent the weekend setting up and testing this new TL-WDR3500. It is all that I'd hoped it would be, Basically, it performs like a Netgear WNR-3500L only with dual bands.
The TRENDnet TEW-810DR performance paled in comparison. And the Netgear R6200 had slightly better performance (that I couldn't use) but IMO wasn't worth the $100 price tag. |
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JimE Premium Member join:2003-06-11 Belleville, IL |
to sweller
Good to know. Thanks for responding back with details. |
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