Is WiFi Fast Enough for Video Streaming

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Earbanean

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Topic # 84146 25-May-2011 16:15

Just setting up a new home network and WiFi seems to be the eaiest/quickest to set up. However, is that going to be fast enough when video streaming really gets going in NZ? i.e. when we start getting HD movies from NetFlix or similar.

If not, then I guess I start looking topward the ceiling, floor and all walls...

Also, if I have two or more devices (TV, Blu-Ray etc) near to each other, but without WiFi adapters, can I get some sort of WiFi adapter that connects to an ethernet switch, which then in turn connects to the ethernet ports on the devices? Rather than getting USB WiFi adapters for each one.

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BDFL - Memuneh
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Reply # 474016 25-May-2011 16:17

WiFi is not fast enough to stream HD video, unless you have a 802.11 N router and adapters. Even so it might not work well, depending on your configuration, interference, etc.

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LookingUp

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Reply # 474017 25-May-2011 16:17

In my experience at home, it's fine for SD transmission but not quite good enough for HD. That could however be a function of my wireless router.

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valtam

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Reply # 474027 25-May-2011 16:28

I'm curious to know about this to, I've contemplated setting up a wireless HD streaming network with 802.11n, has anyone got this already set up and working well?

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codyc1515

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Reply # 474043 25-May-2011 16:51

It depends greatly on your gear that you are using and the interference from other routers around you (being out in the country side I don't have to worry about the latter). For me, I can stream HD videos to my X-Box 360 in seconds.

raytaylor

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Reply # 474131 25-May-2011 20:21

Wifi 802.11g maxes out at 22mbit/s with a perfect signal - the 54mbit is with the wireless radio overhead added on top.

802.11n goes above 50mbit.

HD video is about 30mbit if i remember right.

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valtam

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Reply # 474139 25-May-2011 20:33

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NzBeagle

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Reply # 474186 25-May-2011 22:16

I can stream 720p, haven't tried 1080p, to my Xbox over Wireless A, so no reason Wireless N can't provide the same, but if you are using a 2.4Ghz I can't vouch for it, it'll depend on networks in your area. Use Inssider to identify some free space if any in your area as far as the wireless networks go.

webwat

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Reply # 474207 26-May-2011 00:46

But again lots depends on interference from anything in the 2.4Ghz band (like your microwave) and congestion from other routers. I wouldn't rely on it running at maximum capacity in the real world, its more of a complement to your wired network than a replacement.

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Earbanean

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Reply # 474358 26-May-2011 12:35

If I wire ethernet through to the lounge and then want to 'split' it to the various devices, then is what I would use an ethernet switch? Where does a retail punter get his hands on one of those?

trig42

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Reply # 474373 26-May-2011 12:57

Yep, a switch will do it.

Lots of places sell switches. DSE, PB Tech etc. Get a gigabit one if you can.

myopinion

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Reply # 474400 26-May-2011 13:51

If you have something like an Apple TV then yes it is fast enough to stream any video content, HD included. The device buffers the stream and plays it when it knows it has enough to play without stopping half way through. Works really well.

richms

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Reply # 474589 26-May-2011 21:59

Playing HD over a 150 meg N connection didnt work when we tried it. would stutter at the fast motion high bitrate parts.

G - forget it. 22 meg is only on a constant stream, video is bursty.

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JimmyH

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Reply # 475180 28-May-2011 17:19

SD is rock solid in my setup (Belkin Playmax to WD TV Live).

Haven't tried 1080p yet because I don't have 1080p material to try with, but given the speeds at which I can transfer large files, it should work fine. Get an N300 router (not an N150).

Think about going with N over 5.8Ghz rather than 2.4Ghz - not as prone to interference from microwaves, cordless phones and other wifi setups etc. The Playmax is dual-mode dual-radio, and I run 2.4Ghz and 5,8Ghz concurrently so people can browse the web etc on one band without cutting into my video streaming bandwith. Other routers (DLink etc) can also do this.

Just4achuckle

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Reply # 475625 30-May-2011 04:40

Just thought I'd throw my 2c coin in and hopefully others will learn from my incorrect assumptions...

After many years of battling with budget ISP sponsored junk boxes I recently decided to spend the money on a bells and whistles modem/router. I did my research (geekzone, tomshardware, anandtech + the other usual suspects) and settled on a Cisco Linksys WAG320N. I made my purchase from the good folks at PBTECH for the sharp price of $240. The router (and I quote from the box + pbtech website) was a Dual-band Wireless-N ADSL2+ Modem gigabit router.

So with my new purchase tucked under my arm I thought I had everything the title describes...

Unfortunately - and I'm sure many of you already know what I'm about to say - this is a Dual-band wireless N router, what this is NOT.... is a "simultaneous" Dual-band router.

What I had hoped to use this for was streaming HD content over the 5Ghz frequency and just use the 2.4Ghz frequency for all other wireless traffic - this I thought was a pretty common sort of expectation from a 'Dual Band' router. Ok I know, I should have checked the model specs before forking out the cash. I guess I fell into the trap of reading too many US reviews where they are just looking at the router models that attach to their cable boxes etc, where as we obviously need the modem department covered also.

Bottom line is I now have a bell and a whistle, I just can't ring/toot them at the same time...

"Radio band selectable to avoid interference" cool I thought, I can use my dual band wireless router to stream HD content without interference all this while my flatmate yaps to her mum via voip on her laptop.
/facepalm
Just make double sure you learn from my errors when purchasing your bell and whistle

-Wireless N has a theoretical maximum of 600Mbps. Yank out the network overhead and throw in a little 'real world', there should still be enough to squeeze 40MBytes per sec. I've personally never seen it...

sheesh, that was a novel...

gjm

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Reply # 475657 30-May-2011 08:48

you could always look at the power adpator / ethernet things that you plug into the wall sockets. I think there has been a thread about this just recently.

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