anyone tried the new N wireless option yet?

[paulbeers]

Quick question, does the wireless networking option for setup show up when a supported USB adaptor is plugged in? I finally upgraded my firmware to one with wireless support (to the 0814 firmware that added keyboard functionality) and thought I would try my only USB wireless dongle and it didn't work (didn't think it would since it is a Ralink 3012). I don't plan to use wireless, but I figured it was something to do this morning since my wife is asleep!

[Brent]

Originally Posted by paulbeers

Quick question, does the wireless networking option for setup show up when a supported USB adaptor is plugged in? I finally upgraded my firmware to one with wireless support (to the 0814 firmware that added keyboard functionality) and thought I would try my only USB wireless dongle and it didn't work (didn't think it would since it is a Ralink 3012). I don't plan to use wireless, but I figured it was something to do this morning since my wife is asleep!

After upgrading the firmware you plug in the dongle (I did it when my HD200 was turned off), then start up the HD200 in media player (standalone) mode. Then in the settings wireless should show up as an option and in wireless config you should then see nearby ssid's that are transmitted and can connect to yours. I'm guessing if the dongle doesn't work it wouldn't show anything - interesting test though.

[Brent]

Working WiFi Adapters
Thought I'd begin a "known working" listing so here goes:

• Encore ENUWI-N (2.4Ghz)
• D-Link DWA-160 adapter (5Ghz) (UPDATE: This is a version B1 - product #:BWA 160NA....B1. Others are reporting that other versions of the DWA-160 with atheros-based chipset will not work.

I'll update this if anyone discovers other adapters that work with the HD200


Possible Chipsets?
I'm curious if any other chipsets might work with the HD200 wireless. The WDTV community has been successful getting adapters with the following chipsets to work:

• Zydas 1201 (11b)
• Zydas 1211/1211b
• RaLink 2870
• RaLink rt73
• Atheros Otus

Since the WDTV is basically the same innards as the HD200... Of course I'm sure it depends on what is in the new HD200 firmware so probably has to be an RaLink 2870 chipset, but if anyone out there has other adapters based on any of the above give it a try and report back.



Untested RA 2870 Chipset Adapters
And then an untested RA 2870 chipset adapters list:

• Linksys WUSB600N
• D-Link DWA-140 (2.4Ghz)
• D-Link DWA-130 (2.4Ghz)
• AirLink 101 AWLL6070 (2.4Ghz)

[paulbeers]

Originally Posted by Brent

After upgrading the firmware you plug in the dongle (I did it when my HD200 was turned off), then start up the HD200 in media player (standalone) mode. Then in the settings wireless should show up as an option and in wireless config you should then see nearby ssid's that are transmitted and can connect to yours. I'm guessing if the dongle doesn't work it wouldn't show anything - interesting test though.

That is kind of what I figured! Oh and to set the record straight: I was wrong, it is a Ralink 3070 chipset that did not work.

[Brent]

For those interested I did a GeekTonic post on setting up wireless on the HD200 as well as some photos of the 2 known working adapters and screen-shots of the WiFi setup screens.

[scottwed]

Originally Posted by Brent

Working WiFi Adapters
Thought I'd begin a "known working" listing so here goes:

• Encore ENUWI-N (2.4Ghz)
• D-Link DWA-160 adapter (5Ghz)

I'll update this if anyone discovers other adapters that work with the HD200
..snip...

I just got received a DWA-160 from Newegg. It's using an Atheros chipset, not the one supported by the HD 200. On the box, on the adapter, and in Windows Device manager it's listed as Hardware Revision "A".

Can someone with a working DWA-160 confirm that they are using Revision B?

http://www.dlink.com/products/?pid=DWA-160

[flavius]

I have hooked up on of my HD200 using the Encore and an Airport Extreme base station. I haven't had a chance to watch a lot of HD content yet, but what I have seen so far, a couple shows and some Live TV, was flawless.

[bsung]

Sorry to repeat an earlier question but has anyone tried using 2 HD200's at the same time wirelessly watching HD or even Blu-Ray? I'm concerned that in the key areas if I can't get 2 wireless HD200s running at the same time, that I may have to do some wiring anyway.

[jvl711]

Just want to say I am another happy wireless user!!!

I have a dlink dir-655 in the basement of my house which is set to 802.11G/N mixed mode. My wireless hd-200 is on the second floor of my house, and on the other side of the house than the router! I would guess that the router and hd-200 are a good 30-40 feet away, with a bunch of walls (~3) and 2 floors between. I am getting 65-80 percent signal strength with the recommended adapter.

My master bedroom has been the one spot I have been unable to run cat5 to. I have tried once, and failed, and every reasonable route I think of has some spot in it that I can not figure out how to route around or thru.

Thanks again Sage for a great enhancement! Because of this enhancement I have bought another hd-200.

[Brent]

Originally Posted by bsung

Sorry to repeat an earlier question but has anyone tried using 2 HD200's at the same time wirelessly watching HD or even Blu-Ray? I'm concerned that in the key areas if I can't get 2 wireless HD200s running at the same time, that I may have to do some wiring anyway.

Just last night we experienced some playback issues with a Blu-ray streamed wirelessly. So I would keep that in mind - wireless is never as reliable as wired. And I personally wouldn't count on streaming to 2 boxes wirelessly simultaneously. It might work, but your odds of consistent success surely are lower.

[hingepin]

I'm using the default dongle w/a d-link dir-655 router. Haven't had any skipping issues but sometimes I will get dropped and reconnected. I turned off WMM and so far that seems to work.

My router is in the basement, HD200 is on the middle floor, and my desktop is on the top floor. The signal strength as increases to 100% from "low" on the 3rd floor. Will turning off WMM be an issue?

If I can get the dropped connection corrected, this will be an outstanding solution!

[Pelicanjoe]

I've set up a wireless connection with the Encore Wireless N dongle connecting to my SMC wireless N router. But on my router, it states that I'm only connected as 11g. Anyone know how to configure the HD200 to use 11n? My router is set up to use 11g/11n mixed.

Thanks!

[toricred]

I just got around to try my DWA-160 Rev. A1 and it doesn't work (apparently Atheros chipset). Has anybody tried the Linksys WUSB600N yet? Refurbished units are available for $25. I'm afraid to get another DWA-160 without being assured it is a Rev. B.

[flavius]

Just curious - why didn't you get the encore?

[toricred]

I already had the DWA-160 for one of my systems so it was just a test. If it had worked I would just have gotten another one for my desktop. I also need to use 5Ghz if possible.

[Bacon2002]

Hi,

Is there a working alternative to the Encore as this is not available in the UK?


It looks like there is support for wireless N on the HD200 through a USB dongle (Encore ENUWI-N) although it appears that this unit is not available in the UK.

Has anyone tried any alternative wireless N dongles with an HS200?

Thanks,

David

[deanm]

When I pay the import Tax on my HD200 (don’t get me started on that one) I will be testing a D-Link DWA-140 that I don’t use anymore that came with my DIR-635 Router.

As it’s a Bank Holiday then this will not be till about Tuesday.

Dean

[Brent]

Originally Posted by scottwed

I just got received a DWA-160 from Newegg. It's using an Atheros chipset, not the one supported by the HD 200. On the box, on the adapter, and in Windows Device manager it's listed as Hardware Revision "A".

Can someone with a working DWA-160 confirm that they are using Revision B?

http://www.dlink.com/products/?pid=DWA-160

Originally Posted by toricred

I just got around to try my DWA-160 Rev. A1 and it doesn't work (apparently Atheros chipset). Has anybody tried the Linksys WUSB600N yet? Refurbished units are available for $25. I'm afraid to get another DWA-160 without being assured it is a Rev. B.

Originally Posted by Bacon2002

Hi,

Is there a working alternative to the Encore as this is not available in the UK?

The D-Link DWA-160 adapter (5Ghz) version B1 - product #:BWA 160NA....B1 does work with the HD200.
Others are reporting that other versions (should say BWA 160NA A#) of the DWA-160 with atheros-based chipset will not work so if you can pick it up in person, open the box and check out the hardware version on the back of the USB dongle - it's written on there.

Recommendation to SageTV Staff:
Try to pick up a decent-sized quantity of the 2 brands of dongles with the Ralink 2870 chipset. Then sell them in the SageTV store so people are sure they are getting the right ones. Even if it doesn't make sense for the Encore, it definitely would with the DWA-160 if they can buy the B versions in bulk.

[timnelsonic]

Originally Posted by ma22xx

I have the same router [Dlink DIR-655] and the same issue. Good to know it's not just me. I think that router does something different with the wireless N...I've always had troubles with wireless N and my mac laptops.

Put me down as the 3rd person that can't get this particular router to work with the Encore device. After entering the WPA Key, it can't connect and shows a signal strength of zero, even when I setup right next to the router. Too bad. For now I'll stick with my existing solution, an external wireless bridge. Kludgy but at least it works.

[toricred]

I got my Encore yesterday and tried to use it with limited success. I have 2 wireless N routers. One is the DIR-655 and I could get it to connect, but the performance was awful. Part of that was certainly the fact that it is our mud room and that is 3 rooms away with one of the walls having stucco and thus chicken wire. The other router is a DIR-628 and it worked well for quite a while, but eventually it started having major stuttering and slowdown problems.