Thread: Thinking of going wireless...

My computer is too far from my tv after the move and I am considering going wireless. I have no clue where to start and I need to keep things fairly simple, ie cheap. I am planning to get a wireless router to a multi-use gaming port like TRENDnet TEW-647GA Wireless-N Gaming Adapter : Routers | RadioShack.com. I have little idea what I am doing so tell me will this work? I am a poor-to-novice gamer so I do not need ridiculous speed. I know very little about this stuff. Can I use that gaming port for other devices(netbook/bluray) or is that simply for gaming? So, if I have figured this right...about $60 for a wireless router and about the same for the gaming port. How wrong am I. How much trouble is this going to be to set up(remember novice at best) and what changes/adjustments can any of you recommend to give me a better plan? As always, any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Originally Posted by jerseydevil

My computer is too far from my tv after the move and I am considering going wireless. I have no clue where to start and I need to keep things fairly simple, ie cheap. I am planning to get a wireless router to a multi-use gaming port like TRENDnet TEW-647GA Wireless-N Gaming Adapter : Routers | RadioShack.com. I have little idea what I am doing so tell me will this work? I am a poor-to-novice gamer so I do not need ridiculous speed. I know very little about this stuff. Can I use that gaming port for other devices(netbook/bluray) or is that simply for gaming? So, if I have figured this right...about $60 for a wireless router and about the same for the gaming port. How wrong am I. How much trouble is this going to be to set up(remember novice at best) and what changes/adjustments can any of you recommend to give me a better plan? As always, any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Do you have an Xbox 360 or a PS3?

The PS3 has a built in wireless adapter so no "gaming port" is needed.

If you are using an Xbox 360, the gaming port you mentioned above seems to do the trick. BTW, I found it on Amazon for 39.99 http://www.amazon.com/TRENDnet-Wirel.../dp/B0024G48VA

This article is a MUST READ before attempting to set up your first wireless network.
Geek to Live: Set up a home wireless network

I found it cheaper. $29.99 Newegg.com - TRENDnet TEW-647GA Wireless N Gaming Adapter IEEE 802.11b/g/n Ethernet Port Up to 300Mbps Wireless Data Rates 64/128-bit WEP (Hex & ASCII), WPA-PSK/WPA2-PSK (AES/TKIP), WPS but if you have a PS3 I would just buy a nice wireless router because I have 2 PS3s connected with a bunch of tablets, phones and smart tvs and no problem. If they're all in the same room then any old wireless router should do.

thanks for the great advice guys. I love that LGK is a go-to for just about anything.

any opinions on this?

NETGEAR - N300 Wireless-N Router with 4-port Ethernet Switch - WNR2000-100NAS

Originally Posted by jerseydevil

any opinions on this?

NETGEAR - N300 Wireless-N Router with 4-port Ethernet Switch - WNR2000-100NAS

It worked for about a year, but even during that time we had to restart it often. Wireless coverage was so-so (not bad by any means, but not great either)

Switched to this: Asus - Dual-Band Wireless-N Router with 4-Port Gigabit Ethernet Switch - RT-N56U

Alot more money, but in the end is totally worth it for better coverage and that we haven't had to restart it once yet in 8 months. And I can get wireless in my RV parked in the driveway now!

Another vote for the Asus router. You can load a different firmware to it like DDWRT which will improve performance and add additional functionality.

Why bother with a gaming port? From the description it looks like a one port wireless bridge, correct? If so you'd be better off getting a dd-wrt compliant router and turning it into a bridge.

I have two Asus rt-n12's at my house with a similar setup. One is used as a router the other as a client bridge. I also have an old linksys router that I'm using as a G access point so that my N network doesn't get bottlenecked by a slower device. All running dd-wrt, works great.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B002SQ9ZX2/ref=mp_s_a_3?qid=1323819628&sr=8-3

Hooray and double hooray. I set up my X-Box and Ps3 today...wireless was easy peasy. The best part is that my X-Box already had wireless built in, so I can return the $40 adapter that I bought. Thanks for all the advice guys!