anyone tried to convert ethernet to wireless?

[SamuraiCatJB]

I have seen the WET11 ethernet to wireless bridges for games and other devices. In theory the idea is slap a wireless adapter that feeds the signal to the ethernet port of a dumb ethernet device. (ethernet ready, but limited setup) In my case this is a ReplayTV, but the devices often sell for ethernet ready game consoles.

I have been doing some googling on converting ethernet ready devices with this adapter and everything looks good. Just wondering if anyone here has actually tried it. I hate to be the first at anything.

[JackAxe]

Nope. I was just looking for Gizmo. :D I'll ask around though.

<]=)

[zackepceo]

I was going to try it, but they're sooo expensive! More money than a WAP!

[SamuraiCatJB]

yeah, I know.... that was one reason I didn't want to "try it first" at $80.

[JackAxe]

Wouldn't a wireless setup be to slow for a ReplayTV? Don't know if you're transfering large files.

<]=)

[SamuraiCatJB]

Wouldn't a wireless setup be to slow for a ReplayTV? Don't know if you're transfering large files.

<]=)

actually, you aren't supposed to transfer files off of the replayTV. ;) However, the setup for my replaypc software says it will do 36mb max so will fit in 54mb stream.

Question:
Connecting your ReplayTV DVR to a wireless network

Answer:
If you don't want to run Ethernet cables throughout your home, you can easily connect your ReplayTVs to your Cable or DSL connection using Wireless. While 802.11b works great for nightly connections, remote scheduling, and remote conflict resolution, we recommend using 802.11G for streaming shows more reliably.
In order to connect ReplayTV to your network wirelessly, you will need one bridge for each ReplayTV and a wireles router or Access point. If connecting the BRIDGE directly to ReplayTV, you may need to use a crossover cable instead of a standard Ethernet cable. You may need to configure each bridge on a computer to communicate with your wireless router or access point before connecting the bridges to the ReplayTVs. See documentation for details.


most of the internet recommends using one of the game ethernet-wireless G bridges designed for games. You basically set it up using your PC, then move it to your game/ethernet device and you are working. theoretically.

[JackAxe]

It's all theory. :) Well there's always the buy and return thing if it's not worth it or doesn't work.

I was going to put a G in last fall, but me and the laty only use the wireless for web browsing, so I'm sticking wtih B until my cable company offers more then 4Mbit download. But I would move to a G for something like you're trying to do.

<]=)

[SamuraiCatJB]

I have G on my desktop, G router/access point, and I am already able to stream full spead from wired side on the replayTV to the wireless desktop.

I am trying to get away from wires going everywhere.

[JackAxe]

Are you streaming to other TVs or to your computer?

I would be interested in being able to stream from the digital cable in the living room into my office. I only have basic in my here, but only if laty could watch her shows without inteference.

This forum belongs to you. :)

<]=)

[SamuraiCatJB]

Are you streaming to other TVs or to your computer?

I would be interested in being able to stream from the digital cable in the living room into my office. I only have basic in my here, but only if laty could watch her shows without inteference.

This forum belongs to you. :)

<]=)

well, streaming video is something else intirely. You could actually do it from your PC, we do it at work all the time. However replaytv doesn't stream to a tv, it only streams to another replaytv. That is why the PC software I have emulates a full replayTV box. that way you cheat and stream the video to your pc and save the data. It would be cheaper to buy a second digital box from your cable company.

[SamuraiCatJB]

*sigh* okay.... I bought one.... that is enough gadgets and accessories for a few months.... ;)

WGE101

I have officially spent too much money this month.... the most I have spent since I bought my car!

[JackAxe]

You need one of those for each device or only one for the device you don't wires attached to it?

<]=)

[SamuraiCatJB]

You need one of those for each device or only one for the device you don't wires attached to it?

<]=)

all it does is convert an ethernet ready device to wireless (one only). Rather expensive method, but saves me from dragging cables all over the room. The replayTV has its own Mpeg storage method and transmission. but works only with ethernet. It has a USB spot on back, but that is disabled. There are instructions on the net for enabling it, but that is a little more risk than upgrading the drives which I have already done. The replayTV is just a glorified VCR (digital video recorder) that also talks to other replayTVs on a 100mb network, if you choose to. You would need one per TV to do the translation. In which case you could probably do a diskless PC and boot across the network and stream your own video easier and clearer.

My PC is already on a wireless card, my DSL just feeds a wireless router and the replaytv. I have all the proper ports opened up so that the two networks see each other completely for those things I want to do internally. Now I will move the replayTV to the wireless and I can relocate the TV more comfortably on the other wall farthest away from the DSL. No more cables run around doorways (one now -- two to get where the new tV will be).

[JackAxe]

I see. :)

<]=)

[strider_mt2k]

I want to use a WiFi bridge to connect my PSTwo console to the net via my G router upstairs.

After reading about them, they do seem to be versatile little things.

I'm curious to hear how it's going with your setup. I don't run replay TV, but I do run a PVR card, and streaming anything is new to me.

[SamuraiCatJB]

well, the setup is not any different than a PS2, in fact the unit I buy is generally sold for internet gaming to consoles like the PS2. I already know basically how the setup goes. I have to first plug it into my PC's ethernet port, configure it, then move it to the device I want to plug it in on. should be straight forward.

[JackAxe]

And then pray. :D

<]=)

[SamuraiCatJB]

And then pray. :D

<]=)

no... you pray as soon as the charge hits your credit card... because you just invested time and money.... the balls rolling.... and you can't even tell if it is headed for the gutter or the center pin. :D

at least after you plug it in, you can start cussing or start relaxing, because you finally know if you got a gutter or strike or somewhere in between. :D

[JackAxe]

I curse often at my PCs. Sometimes I even resort to Voodoo. Well hopefully it's a strike. :)

<]=)

[zackepceo]

Voodoo.. like the video cards? That's just cruel.

[squeff]

When I was shopping around for a DVR (and evetually chose ReplayTV), the ability to put in on my wireless network was important to me. My original plan was to get one of these bridges to hook to the ethernet port on the RTV. I decided against this for two reasons. The first is that the price of a wireless bridge was more than I wanted to pay. The second was that I have a Netgear 108Mbps router and there are no 108Mbps bridges. Yes, a 802.11g (54Mbps) would have been fine. But not knowing much about bandwidth requirements (so many people claim that you can't stream with wireless, even 54Mbps "g"), I assumed that I needed the 108Mbps.

In the end, I just didn't see paying that much for the bridge. So, I decided to move my router to sit next to my ReplayTV. Now, the RTV hooks into the router via wired ethernet. The router then plugs into the phone line (DSL) where I had previously had the RTV plugged into.

Then, I got a 108Mbps wireless card for my PC. It was much cheaper than the bridge (a combination of a sale, a "we'll beat by 10%" price match, and a rebate).

I still get great throughput on my PC, so moving the AP upstairs away from my PC didn't seem to change much over when it was wired.

True, if I ever get another ReplayTV (for the bedroom, say), I'll need to get a wireless bridge. But I'm not likely to do that, so I'm not too worried about it.

I can wirelessly stream between my RTV and my PC with no problems. I can now watch RTV shows from my downstairs PC. And I can archive RTV shows on my PC's bigger HD and then watch them from my PC. My PC shows up as another RTV unit.

Yes, you're not "supposed" to do that... but let's have that argument elsewhere.

[SamuraiCatJB]

well, I am not supposed to upgrade my hard-drives either. ;)

[JackAxe]

Cheater. While you're at it, you should give it a paint job. I would be interested in setttin up my own streaming TV thing. Then I could also archive like mentioned. That would be nice.

I still have a Voodoo card. It was in my old G3 MT. Even VirtualPC at the time utilized it. :) Dam you MS fro F*ING up VPC on the Mac. Now it's a buggy dog that's not even one tenth of the quality or speed of what it was under Connectix. :rolleyes:

<]=)

[Gizmo]

Nope. I was just looking for Gizmo. :D I'll ask around though.

<]=)
After all, it is MY forum. Well that, and some guy named Gadget. :D

[SamuraiCatJB]

After all, it is MY forum. Well that, and some guy named Gadget. :D


me.... go go gadget samcat!!

[JackAxe]

Wowsers!!!

<]=)

[zackepceo]

Doot doot doo doot doot..

[zackepceo]

By the way, how arrr the ReplayTVs? Aren't they Microsoft?

[SamuraiCatJB]

By the way, how arrr the ReplayTVs? Aren't they Microsoft?

oh, heavens no! unfortunately, it is a proprietary OS.
http://egotron.com/ptv/ptvabout.htm

I do like mine, can't live without it. :) not sure if I wouldn't feel the same with Tivo, I just like having a DVR.

[zackepceo]

I see. I might have to buy one.

[SamuraiCatJB]

Are you streaming to other TVs or to your computer?

I would be interested in being able to stream from the digital cable in the living room into my office. I only have basic in my here, but only if laty could watch her shows without inteference.

This forum belongs to you. :)

<]=)

hey, here is something for you... still catching up on the oddeties of CES.... Since I don't go there, I have to follow after....

http://www6.tomshardware.com/business/20050113/ces_innovations-06.html

Back in July 2004, we reviewed the iCube Play@TV, a wireless media server, which didn't do too well. iCube then came back at CES with a little different product, its mGate wireless TV Tuner. Connect this box to your broadcast connection (cable, antenna, or satellite), and it will stream the signal to your PC.

The incoming signal is encoded into an MPEG-4 file format and then wirelessly transferred to your PCs. Multiple users can watch the same program at the same time from multiple PCs. The wireless protocol is 802.11 b/g, but for people who need the speed of a wired connection, there are 10/100 Ethernet ports on the back of the unit.

Officials didn't have a hard shipping date or price.

[SamuraiCatJB]

Well, it worked.... though I don't understand it all.... setting it up as the book said worked for programming it... but then the replay got another IP address, one based on my DSL connection (thus using the wireless to bridge to wired net? I assume). The instructions said nothing about the configuration of the device that runs on the bridge. A little upset there. I wish they would have said outright configure the device as if it were on the wired network and ignore the settings of the wireless network once you have a connection established.

Anyhow, it works, and works well. Though, like I said, the network settings are not what I would have expected and instructions are very, VERY vague.

Still, I have a 54mbs network connection, wireless to wireless.... computer to ReplayTV.... piece of cake.... :D

[ChefRalph]

Well...better late than never.

I have 2 ReplayTV's 4500's and a linksys G wirless system in my home. I have bought 2 wirless G bridge's to hook the replay's up to so that the update will happen via internet and so that the replays can show the others movies etc.

I set up both bridges manually using the info received from ipconfig and had to enter hat same info into replay #1 and after some time seem to get it working.. Well at least I think it's working, I can go to "myreplaytv" and see what is stored on #1. The problem with that one is that it wont do a contact now function.... says there is a problem and will try again later. There were some many changes that had to be made that I'm not sure if I got all of them completed or not. I have had the replaytv for a few years and it has worked fine via modem.

The #2 replaytv is 2 floors below the router and wont seem to find the router. When I enter all the ip address etc into #2 it tries to connect for a few sec then says it can't and clears out all the data I entered. I did have a wireless media adapter that ran from the wireless router to the basment and it worked fine for streaming photos and mp3's so I feel it should work. Right now I seem to have nothing of what I want working. Which is wireless ethernet access and update and to movie share between computers. I have read everything I can find on this topic, but nothing has worked yet..any ideas

Ralph

[squeff]

Since I last posted, I've changed my configuration.

Now, I have my computer on the upper floor. It's wired to a NetGear 108 wireless router.

Downstairs, I have a ReplayTV unit wired to a D-Link (I think) wireless bridge (802.11g).

Works like a charm for letting me download the program guides/updates via the Internet. I find that it cannot connect to the ReplayTV server about 1-2 times per week. Which is just fine. And this is exactly the same rate I had when had the RTV wired to the net. I think RTV's servers don't always "answer."

Works like a charm for letting me connect to the ReplayTV from my PC using the free (excellent!) DVArchive program. I can use the PC to schedule shows, download shows to my PC (which I then convert for iPod use), or stream on the PC (the 802.11g wireless is plenty fast for this purpose).

What I cannot get working is the ability to use my PC as a RTV "server." If DVA is running, the RTV doesn't display the computer as a RTV device. If I exit from DVA, the RTV shows the computer (but no shows). Strange.

To ChefRalph (and maybe others)... When setting up a wireless bridge (or anything WiFi, in my experience), here's some tips:

(1) Turn off encryption (WEP/WAP), MAC filtering, etc. on the router. You can turn these things back on later. But it makes things easiest if you open up your router as much as you can.

(2) Setup the wireless bridge as the directions specify. I thought I knew what I was doing, but found that following the directions (and doing things in a specific order) made all the difference.

(3) Setup your wirless bridge from a PC. At least with mine, you had to use a web-based interface to set things up. And it only worked if you hooked the bridge to a PC. Why? Because, out of the box, the bridge was not setup for wireless use. So, if not wired to a PC, you'd have no way of configuring it.

(4) Make sure that you understand the difference between the IP address of the RTV and the IP address of the wireless bridge. They are not the same. Make sure you understand which things get dynamic IP addresses and which ones should be fixed. If memory serves, the RTV is set to get a dynamic IP address. Which means, yes, every time it restarts, it'll have a different address in DVA. However, this is easily overcome in other ways.

(5) If Connect Now doesn't work, try again later. As I said before, the RTV servers may not be up when you try. I've had plenty of times where I cannot connect and then, an hour later, it works just fine.

(6) Location, location, location. Cordless phones, walls, floors, distance, baby monitors. These things can really affect your wireless signal.

(7) Know the difference between AdHoc and Infra modes. Game and media adaptors sometimes call these "Peer-to-Peer" and "Internet." Most likely, you want Internet/Infra modes. Some adaptors only have a P2P/AdHoc mode and this won't work unless you do extra work.

Good luck.

[ChefRalph]

you said:::

(4) Make sure that you understand the difference between the IP address of the RTV and the IP address of the wireless bridge. They are not the same. Make sure you understand which things get dynamic IP addresses and which ones should be fixed. If memory serves, the RTV is set to get a dynamic IP address. Which means, yes, every time it restarts, it'll have a different address in DVA. However, this is easily overcome in other ways.

Well, I'm thinking that because you said that...that I may not understand the diff. I was using the 192.168.1.101 ipaddress for all entries

[squeff]

Well, I'm thinking that because you said that...that I may not understand the diff. I was using the 192.168.1.101 ipaddress for all entries

Yeah, this can be a problem. I don't know the specifics of your devices, but here's one possible setup.

Your local network is 192.168.xx.xx. That's pretty standard, although I'm not sure about the .1. Check to make sure that it's not supposed to be 0 (as in 192.168.0.101). Maybe you're right, but it's worth checking.

Set your wireless bridge to whatever IP address the maker suggests. For me, it's 192.168.0.100.

Set your router to reserve that IP address for use by the MAC address of the wireless bridge. You can find the MAC address, most likely, on a sticker on the bridge.

Then, from a computer browser (on your network), go to HTTP://192.168.1.101 (or whatever) to access the bridge's setup. If it has a web-based setup tool, that is.

I'm guessing that you have this much working.

Now, on the RTV, don't use 192.168.1.101! Why? Because that address is already being used by the bridge, itself.

In theory, you should be able to tell the RTV that you want DHCP setup. This means you won't be entering an IP address, a gateway address, DNS addresses, etc. It'll automatically get them. To do this, of course, your router must be setup as a DHCP server (most are).

Then, pick the RTV option to "renew" the IP address. If all was done correctly, it should take about 30 seconds and get itself an address. And then, you'll be good.

Think of it this way: once you setup the bridge and reserve it's address, pretend it doesn't exist. To use an analogy:

Bob lives on a island. His address is 1 Island Road. To get to the island, you need to take exit 15 off the highway. Exit 15 goes over a bridge.

When Bob gives out his address, it's "1 Island Road." It's not "Exit 15." That's the "address" for the bridge.

So, I'll bet you have everything almost correct. The thing to remember is that no two devices may share the same IP address. The wireless bridge is it's own device. The RTV is it's own device.

Lastly, if you really don't want to use dynamic address (DHCP) for the RTV, you can fix this by doing the following:

Make up a number between 1 and 255 that you want to use for the RTV. Make sure it's NOT the same as any other device on your network (your computer, the router itself -- likely 1, the bridge, etc.). 200 might not be a bad choice. Then, in your router, reserve this address for the MAC address of the RTV (I think there's a sticker near the Ethernet port, but you might also be able to get it from within the RTV menus). Then, on the RTV, use THAT address (e.g., 192.168.1.200) as the IP address of the RTV. You'll need to fill in the gateway and DNS servers, as well. These are going to be, most likely your router's IP address (likely 192.168.1.1, but it could be something else).

Personally, unless you have a strong reason to do this (see below for some), don't bother. DHCP will work, just fine.

Why would you do this? If you really want to keep the address static for DV Archive. If you plan on accessing your RTV unit from outside of your network. Oh wait... forget I said that. It's tempting, but there's a lot more to think about if you wanted to do that.

Hope this helps. Remember: no two devices ever share the same IP address. Use DHCP, it's your friend.

[ChefRalph]

Squeff...


You got me up and running...I had to start from scratch and go through everything step by step...but it connects and shares between the 2 RTV's...Now what..I want to be able to copy a show from a RTV to my computer so that I can burn it onto DVD...can we do that? or even send a show to someone witha TIVO...that seems to be a stretch...any post hookup ideas out there..

Ralph

[squeff]

Squeff...


You got me up and running...I had to start from scratch and go through everything step by step...but it connects and shares between the 2 RTV's...Now what..I want to be able to copy a show from a RTV to my computer so that I can burn it onto DVD...can we do that? or even send a show to someone witha TIVO...that seems to be a stretch...any post hookup ideas out there..

Ralph

Get yourself a copy of DVArchive (www.dvarchive.org). This willl let you, in addition to a ton of other useful things, download shows to your computer. From there, you can use your DVD burning program (I use Nero) to make a DVD.

The format is not compatible with TiVO, although I wouldn't be surpised if someone has written a program to transcode to whatever format TiVO uses. Of course, I don't think there's a way to UPLOAD shows to a TiVO, but I could be wrong.

Get DVArchive. It's great.