Wifi range issues

[BigRedRage]

My wifi is in the southwest corner of my brick house. In that room, the signal is awesome. In the living room it isnt bad. Once you get to the kids rooms in the other corner or out on the back patio it works but its 1 bar and can be intermittent, especially in the kids rooms trying to watch netflix.

Would an axccess point in the middle of the house work to spread the signal further? Not sure what else would do it beyond moving the wifi which isnt an option.

 

[Chaz]

My wifi is in the southwest corner of my brick house. In that room, the signal is awesome. In the living room it isnt bad. Once you get to the kids rooms in the other corner or out on the back patio it works but its 1 bar and can be intermittent, especially in the kids rooms trying to watch netflix.

Would an axccess point in the middle of the house work to spread the signal further? Not sure what else would do it beyond moving the wifi which isnt an option.

Sounds like you need a repeater/range extender in the living room.

Something like this would do the trick.

http://www.netgear.com/home/products/wireless-range-extenders/WN2000RPT.aspx

 

[BigRedRage]

looks like what I need except ill want to find one that also extends the 5ghz frequency. Do you have experience with a product like this? any speed loss or anything on the extended signal?

 

[BigRedRage]

piggybacking experience question - also curious about direct connecting from the extender, I would assume you only get the wifi signal anyway? or if its stronger somehow...for example my xbox is wireless but the extender would likely be right next to it - is there any advantage to direct connecting to extender or is that only useful for non wireless items?

 

[Chaz]

There could be some speed loss depending on the device. But probably not much compared to the wifi signal in the first place. Unless you are having signal issues and the extender is in between I don't think there would be any advantage over connecting directly to the router. Especially if you are competing with other devices to get the signal relayed through the extender.

These do 5GHz but no I don't have much experience with 5GHz devices.

http://store.linksys.com/adapters/l...productId136607179VVcatId554677VVviewprod.htm

http://store.linksys.com/access-poi...productId152533108VVcatId554677VVviewprod.htm

 

[Russ Smith]

piggybacking experience question - also curious about direct connecting from the extender, I would assume you only get the wifi signal anyway? or if its stronger somehow...for example my xbox is wireless but the extender would likely be right next to it - is there any advantage to direct connecting to extender or is that only useful for non wireless items?

I was wondering that too. After we move we're going to buy a Smart tv but my girlfriend doesn't want the wireless gateway in the living room she wants it in the den. An extender that's small enough would allow me to put that by the tv and then use ethernet cable to connect to the tv for streaming etc.

But I'll cross that bridge after we move and I know how strong the signal is.

FYI I did quite a bit of research on Amazon and elsewhere and I'm leaning towards this http://www.amazon.com/Securifi-Almond-Wireless-Extender-Booster/dp/B0087NZ31S/ref=reg_hu-rd_add_1_dp

It's got the best reviews on Amazon, it's got good reviews everywhere else and it's apparently cake to setup. Most of the other ones seem to all have a problem where they lose connectivity and need to constantly be rebooted or factory reset.

Also they all seem to create a 2nd wireless signal they don't just extend the existing one, so you still have to program in that new signal to your devices it'll have a new name etc but can have the same password.

 

[BigRedRage]

those are some lofty reviews - almost sounds like it would do my whole perimiter and simply replace my router! interesting either way, thanks for the info. 2nd wireless signal wouldnt bother me as long as it is as strong. The bedrooms will always be set to the same ones, the only things that would be annoying in that case are cell phones and tablets.

Thanks for info everyone, absorbing everything and it IS helpful.

 

[Russ Smith]

those are some lofty reviews - almost sounds like it would do my whole perimiter and simply replace my router! interesting either way, thanks for the info. 2nd wireless signal wouldnt bother me as long as it is as strong. The bedrooms will always be set to the same ones, the only things that would be annoying in that case are cell phones and tablets.

Thanks for info everyone, absorbing everything and it IS helpful.

Yeah one person even addressed that you can use it as a router but his review was saying its more effective as an extender or that's how he's using it.

I don't own one but if I do buy one I suspect that's going to be the one.

 

[crisper57]

I had the same issue with Netflix on my Samsung Blu-Ray player. It just wasn't getting a strong signal. I bought a Roku player and installed it on that TV and it plays perfectly. If the signal is weak, certain brands are worse at streaming than others.

I highly recommend Roku products. $80 solved my issue without having to figure out new wiring, wi-fi/Netflix placement issues. If you want wi-fi for more than streaming on your TV, it won't help boost a signal, but it is a terrific receiver for Netflix/HBOGO/Amazon/etc.

 

[BigRedRage]

I have rokus throughout the house The only tv without a roku is the living room, it has an xbox.

if you watch deal; websites roku pops up there often too, got my last one for $50.