Sony TV + wireless router or ethernet connection options

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Lethal29

65 posts

Master Geek

#160504 9-Jan-2015 11:01

Hi all,

We're having our new lounge suite delivered tomorrow and can't wait. BUT, it's just occurred to me, that not only does this require me moving the tv onto the opposite wall, but we're now going to have an issue with the Telecom VDSL router and how it's connected to both the TV and blu-ray player.

The router has to stay where it is, and so will be hidden from view, and I don't want to have to run network cables all the way around the skirting board and door frame to the tv on the opposite side of the room, or go under the house and cut holes etc.

My original plan was to just buy the Sony wireless dongle, but it appears to be out of stock everywhere and no idea when it will be back, so I'm looking at alternative options.

After doing some reading, it would appear that my best bet would be to buy some kind of small router or access point which I could connect to the TV through the lan port, and then bridge to my broadband router.

Now, if I sound like I know what I'm talking about a little bit, please ignore that, and assume that I don't.

Could anyone please give me some ideas on the best way to proceed with this please? Am I on the right track, or so far away I should really retrace my steps and go back to the very start, and perhaps cancel the new lounge suite delivery?

Thanks in advance.

trig42

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#1211008 9-Jan-2015 11:11

What about Powerline products?

shk292

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#1211009 9-Jan-2015 11:17

As above - powerline networking adapters, preferably the one at the TV end with an integrated ethernet switch so that any info sent between TV and Blu-ray etc doesn't have to traverse the powerline

Lethal29

65 posts

Master Geek

#1211010 9-Jan-2015 11:20

Thanks for your reply trig. I assume from the name, that it refers to some sort of networking over the electrical cabling of the house?

I'd be a bit cautious about doing that, because the cabling in the house is dubious at the best of times - I suspect it's the original wiring from 60 years ago, and we get quite a few blown fuses and lightbulbs already. We also have 2 of those electric pest control devices plugged in, and believe me, I don't want anything to interfere with them - they worked an absolute treat as well, before anyone slags them off!

How do they work?

The way I see it, I can either run an ethernet cable under the house and up through the floor on the other side of the room, or try and do it wirelessly.

Lethal29

65 posts

Master Geek

#1211013 9-Jan-2015 11:23

shk292: As above - powerline networking adapters, preferably the one at the TV end with an integrated ethernet switch so that any info sent between TV and Blu-ray etc doesn't have to traverse the powerline

Thanks for your reply too shk - when you say one with an integrated ethernet switch, I presume it plugs into the wall (not a multi-plug or powerboard I would imagine?) and has an ethernet port on it which the tv/blu ray can plug into?

And then there's another one over the other side of the room connected via ethernet cable to the router?

shk292

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#1211018 9-Jan-2015 11:33

Lethal29:
shk292: As above - powerline networking adapters, preferably the one at the TV end with an integrated ethernet switch so that any info sent between TV and Blu-ray etc doesn't have to traverse the powerline

Thanks for your reply too shk - when you say one with an integrated ethernet switch, I presume it plugs into the wall (not a multi-plug or powerboard I would imagine?) and has an ethernet port on it which the tv/blu ray can plug into?

And then there's another one over the other side of the room connected via ethernet cable to the router?

The ones I use look and behave like a 4-port ethernet switch, with the additional feature that they use their connection to the mains socket to connect to each other - so it's effectively like having a direct ethernet connection between the two switches. You'd plug one into your router, and the other would have ports for TV, BD, Xbox etc. They are meant to work better without multi-boards etc, I have mine connected via double-adapters and they work fine. You can also get the more common ones that have a single ethernet port, but then you'd need a switch also to connect both TV and BD.

You could buy a set on the understanding that if they didn't work, you could return them - I'm sure most retailers would allow that

Lethal29

65 posts

Master Geek

#1211021 9-Jan-2015 11:38

shk292:
Lethal29:
shk292: As above - powerline networking adapters, preferably the one at the TV end with an integrated ethernet switch so that any info sent between TV and Blu-ray etc doesn't have to traverse the powerline

Thanks for your reply too shk - when you say one with an integrated ethernet switch, I presume it plugs into the wall (not a multi-plug or powerboard I would imagine?) and has an ethernet port on it which the tv/blu ray can plug into?

And then there's another one over the other side of the room connected via ethernet cable to the router?

The ones I use look and behave like a 4-port ethernet switch, with the additional feature that they use their connection to the mains socket to connect to each other - so it's effectively like having a direct ethernet connection between the two switches. You'd plug one into your router, and the other would have ports for TV, BD, Xbox etc. They are meant to work better without multi-boards etc, I have mine connected via double-adapters and they work fine. You can also get the more common ones that have a single ethernet port, but then you'd need a switch also to connect both TV and BD.

You could buy a set on the understanding that if they didn't work, you could return them - I'm sure most retailers would allow that

Thanks. Any idea what make and model yours are?

Where did you get them?

I'm still a bit unsure about their suitability for our house, but I guess it would be worth a shot, as you suggest, if I'm able to return them if not suitable.

I assume that I'd only need a multi-port one for the TV side of things and a single one for the router end?

shk292

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#1211025 9-Jan-2015 11:46

I think mine are d-link, I've had them for a couple of years and they have been faultless. Correct - you only need a multi-port one at the TV end. You can get kits which have one single-port unit and one multi-port one, eg:
http://pricespy.co.nz/product.php?p=1001775
or
http://pricespy.co.nz/product.php?p=720004

The ones I had previously were Belkin and both failed within about 12 months so I wouldn't recommend that brand

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Lethal29

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#1211032 9-Jan-2015 11:58

Thanks I'll have a look into these.

Lias

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#1211043 9-Jan-2015 12:03

Second what others have said, I use a Netgear Ethernet over power kit and it's brilliant.

I'm a geek, a gamer, a dad, a Quic user, and an IT Professional. I have a full rack home lab, size 15 feet, an epic beard and Asperger's. I'm a bit of a Cypherpunk, who believes information wants to be free and the Net interprets censorship as damage and routes around it. If you use my Quic signup you can also use the code R570394EKGIZ8 for free setup.

webwat

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#1211992 11-Jan-2015 18:07

As far as ethernet goes, you could look at running cable through ceiling or under floor with a RJ45 jackpoint at each end. the catch is that you would be looking for a way to hide the cable and jackpoint behind the TV.

Time to find a new industry!

Lethal29

65 posts

Master Geek

#1212001 11-Jan-2015 18:42

Thanks for the replies everyone.

I went with ethernet cables run under the house - was relatively easy all things considered. The worst part about the whole day was that after having the new sofas delivered at 8.45am (while still unplugging and shifting causing 15 minutes of madness), re-arranging everything, re-cabling everything while trying to keep a toddler, a puppy and a kitten from either escaping or tearing each other to pieces, it was the wrong frigging sofa that was delivered!