Sling Link or another Router????
 

As some of you know, I have had a Sling Box for about 4months and I have not hooked it up yet. But I was looking at the setup on the Slingmedia website and it says I need a Sling Ling if my Router is not close to my computer. My router is on the 3rd floor of my house connected to the main household PC. My laptop and the cable box I intend to use are in the basement.

So which is the better way to go: Sling Link or Just get another router?

If you look at how SlingLink works they want you to port the data via the AC wall plug. This would really be your last choice as AC has quite a bit of 60hz noise in it which has a huge impact on signal quality (this is one of the reasons why AC networking has never taken off, not to mention signal loss issues due to AC noise over distance).

It was designed for the complete novice with the aim being ease of install.

If you have the option to add a router, that would be your best choice as you can maintain as clean as possible bandwidth.

I've had a Slinglink since they first came out - my Tivo and Slingbox were really, really picky with wireless bridges. I haven't had any problems at all with the Slinglink. In fact, I just added another Slingbox and a DirecTV HD DVR and got another Slinglink. And I don't see any degradation in quality at all. - sheureka

The "pickyness" in regards to WIFI has to do with the chipsets originally being utilized. If you were to try again with newer equipment you may have better luck as the chipsets are far more standardized now.

Slinglink is definately an easier setup than adding it directly to the network.

If you like your setup now, imagine how incredible it would be when you actually clean up the signal by taking it off the dirty AC line :-)

Try again with newer equipment? You have no idea what equipment I have. And there are very few adapters that will work with Tivo - I've tried them all - and I know I get a better (and certainly more reliable) signal with the Slinglink. - sheureka

Your statement appears as though you are referring to 1st generation equipment.

That is where i get my idea of what equipment you have.

True there are very few Tivo Approved adaptors, you do realize that most all the adapters use chipsets manufactured by one of only a few companies, Tivo itself is a linux core, certain adaptors which are completely native to linux will work and are not on the Tivo approved list.

So are you absolutely sure you tried "them all" ;-)

Thanks for the help guys. I think I'm gonna try the router

Add another router? Huh? You only need one per internet connection. Not to mention if you add another you'll be double NAT'd.

Slinglinks work great just like other homeplug devices.

Allow me to help clear your confusion.

When you set up a more complex network using Routers as "Switches" you are not double NAT as the gateway unit is normally your DHCP server. One unit is configured as a gateway, the other simply as a switch.

Only need one eh? Sure if you have an ultra simple network that may be the case. Anything slightly more complicated may require more than one. Since the OP mentioned using a router we can only go with the idea he clearly has a different need than you do.

Personally i have a server as a gateway (SOHO quality firewall), 2 wireless switches (1 b/g at 2.4ghz, 1 N at 5ghz, as well as an 8port gigabit switch (15 hardwired, 4 wireless devices). The way my network is configured i could not do it with one device (when we lan party i break out the 24 port switch).

Like i mentioned before, depending on your personal expectations and standards Sling itself as well as the AC connection may be fine, and thats ok.

It simply is not up to snuff more my tastes, i have different expectations.

I see you know nothing about networking.

So what EXACTLY do i not know and how am i mistaken?

Be specific, show documentation links etc.

is blatantly mistaken. If you say you know anything about networking you would know this. Please dont continue to show your limited knowledge.

Personally your post is worthless. I read your posts, unless you want to start positively contributing i might recommend you tone back your posting.

I dont agree with you, instead of being an adult about it you lash out with childish statements.

Be civil, decent and intelligent.

Rotflmao...

Why would you get another router to use as a switch? That's a waste of money when you an just grab a switch. :P

Other than that, when you daisy chain two routers together without disabling gateway/nat/dhcp features, you are being double nat'd.

The OP's topic says "Sling Link or another router?" To that I respond neither. You don't need another router, nor a sling link in most cases. If sling link makes it easier for you to setup, then by all means do it. But it's not a necessity. And sling link won't degrade your slingbox quality. It might cause a lower bandwidth throughput and cause the video to be compressed more, but I doubt your upstream on your internet connection is higher than the speed of a sling link anyway. I'd bet that the only time you'd see a difference is with LAN viewing.

As you know since a gateway can often be configured as either a router or a switch, its often a simple approach (especially as many may have a leftover older unit).

i agree if you just hook two routers together thats true, but then your network would be all funky and lets be serious, who would actually run it that way? If it worked.

The OP mentioned router so we can only go with what they may be thinking. They may be simply using the wrong terminology.

I realize the average consumer does not know the difference between router and switch.

either way my comment about network architecture is valid and nobody can dispute AC has a lot of 60hz noise in the line (it is the nature of AC)

Sorry i dont recognize that source?

is that a new technical term to which we have not been educated yet?

:???:

Thanks again Digiblur for your positive contributions.

No problem. Glad I could help the OP out.

So what EXACTLY do i not know and how am i mistaken?

Be specific, show documentation links etc.

There seems to be a lot of evidence to the contrary - testing shows the only time there is noise is by running a hair dryer on the same outlet - so unless the Slinglink (or Netgear or Linksys adapter) is in the bathroom it's not an issue - sheureka

Ok, i am going to be real patient here.

LOL- "Evidence" seriously...who is it that thinks they re-wrote the rules of electricity?

So how does running a hairdryer show there is no noise in AC?

Do you understand how AC works?

Go sit next to an AC transformer, that hum you hear, is the built in 60hz AC noise i am referring to.

Sorry but its a fact that it exists, EVERYBODY who has AC power has noise in their line. The fact that it does not bother or you do not notice it does not mean its not there or its not an issue as a whole.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Utility_frequency

We are talking about frequencies here. 60hz is noisy. This is why AC Power Conditioners exist.

Here is how it works. If i have a different opinion, i state it, then i state why and i provide quality reasoning based in the factual real life world. If you disagree, state why then provide a quality reasoning based in the factual world. Dont just say i am "wrong". You can continue your attempt to show me i am wrong and i will continue to show you why i am right. I didnt make this stuff up, regardless of what you may believe.

Here you wildly make statements like "Ive tried them all". Really, how about a list? Thats hundreds of adapters. I will ask you again...Were you aware Tivo is a Linux core and has native ability for many wireless adaptors? (if you use the proper chipset).

How do you know you get a "better" or "more reliable" signal? Show me exactly what scientific method are you using to test this? Please do not state your OPINIONS as fact then try to attack my facts solely with your opinions.

If it works for YOU, thats great.

Again, as a service its just not upto MY expectations and thats ok. I have higher expectations than Sling can provide. I believe its hoaky and my reasoning as i posted is both factual and sound.

Moving forward, should you decide you want to challenge my perspective, please be prepared to validate your point with factual evidence or keep your perspective to yourself.

Thanks in advance for your cooperation.

Homeplug adapters are awesome. For stationary devices with no network drops available I'd use the homeplugs over wifi devices anyday. I've even seen a pair work from house to house with no issues.

Digiblur, did you miss my questions?

So what EXACTLY do i not know and how am i mistaken?

Be specific, show documentation links etc.

EDIT - BTW you bring up another VERY VALID issue, when using ANY "Homeplug" AC device you are sacrificing security as the power grid was never designed for this and is wide open. This is why you can port a signal between buildings which are ultimately on the same power feed. Your literally sending your signal everywhere it can go (to anyone who is connected) until the signal degrades. Thank you, i almost forgot about that! You make your network wide open and completely vulnerable to anyone with an AC plug in a nearby building. AC shares a common line from a local substation. So much for security ;-)

Again, not upto my expectations.

Well thats not 100% true. Most of the time homeplug wont even make it past your 200A main, and it certainly wont make it through your distribution transfomer (look up isolation transformer as it will act the same), so worst case scenario is your only sharing with those on your transfomer. Having said that I would buy a cheap buffalo router($50), slap DDWRT on there and run it in bridged mode.

Your absolutely right, I was making the point that AC Homeplug devices are neither as quality or secure as people would make them out to be.

People want to say "they are so great, no issues" yet they dont fully understand the potential drawbacks and device limitations.

That Linux DDWRT firmware rocks. I am using different versions of it at a couple different locations, on 2 different linksys routers. FYI my vote for Wireless AcessPoint/Bridge - Apple Airport Extreme. I recently threw one of these on my home office network, great device (although very limited firewall, not recommended as a primary device).

I have not messed with the Airport Extreme yet. Im still running a g network. But you bring up another point. Suppose slinglink operates without problems as specified. Well its spec'ed up to 14Mbps, which means you will get probably 3-7Mbps at most, whereas if you run 802.11g you can expect upward of 25 Mbps, and if you go all out with a 802.11n system you could probably achieve wireless bandwith of 60+Mbps.

If you don't want your neighbors sharing off of you just turn on the encryption which is really doubtful unless you are in an apartment complex or something. You'd be silly to leave your Homeplug as default with no security.

14 mbps is overkill for a Slingbox so it will work just fine. No need to buy a slinglink anyways, any homeplug pair should work just fine.

So what EXACTLY do i not know and how am i mistaken?

Be specific, show documentation links etc.

Digiblur, you came in here and told me i was "Wrong", please show me what it is you are referring to. As mentioned in my other post this is how it works. I share my opinion and the evidence why. If you disagree you state it AND SHOW YOUR EVIDENCE WHY.

Clearly at this point you are far from an expert and have shown us such by your own statements. If you wish to engage me as you did, you need to be prepared to justify your point or you need to learn to be respectful to those who know more than you do and refrain from making pointless comments.

I will repeat myself until you address the issue. If you need a translation i will be happy to provide.

Thanks in advance for your understanding and cooperation.

For what it's worth - I have a Linksys router setup in my basement, and it is setup with custom firmware, as a Wireless bridge. I then have my Slingbox, PS2, and TiVo plugged into that.

Yes, but if you can get 14Mpbs I will eat my left... well anyway 3-5mbps would be good enough for slingbox, but getting a router and setting it up for wireless bridge is faster and cheaper (not to mention more versatile)

Please show us a benchmark where you get even 14mbps on Slinglink.

What sources are you quoting?

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How am i mistaken?

What do i not know?
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i will take your silence as your concession that you realize your mistake.

Seriously? you would run a dirty, noisy slow line like Homeplug AC.......

Instead of utilizing a dynamically clear, clean, easily upto 10x faster, far more secure wifi network?

You seriously want to argue that point?

so far I have shown you AC is noisy, dirty and slow. Its purely an advantage for the novice where simplicity is the key. Wireless bridge may be more complicated a setup but offers HUGE advantages, expandability of the setup (multiple devices), clean, MUCH higher security, low cost of setup and higher quality broadcast due to higher throughput.

So tell me again...HOW is SlingLink better overall?

I can tell you my experience the past couple of days hooking up a Slingbox Solo using Slinglink. The speed using Slinglink was marginal (200Kbps) when watching on a computer hardwired to the router and when trying to watch on the phone, comes to a screeching halt after less than a minute with an error saying the speed was too low. I bought a Linksys bridge model WGA54G (Best Buy $69.99) yesterday and hooked it up and the speed is almost tenfold over the Slinglink.

That's odd - I'm watching mine right now hooked up the same way - and I'm streaming at about 3200 Kbps. - sheureka

More like "Thats Odd" your getting 3200kbps? lol, How are you verifying this?

Shuereka - where is that "Evidence to the contrary" you spoke of?

CanoSpinach I almost put a note on that last post wondering how long it would take you to come on and either call me a liar or an idiot. I am really, really sick of you stalking me. I know you're going to enjoy knowing that you've managed to intimidate me - and I haven't posted in a couple of days because I was so uncomfortable with your following me around. I am going to report your abusive behavior. I don't suppose it will make any difference, but it has forced me to not use this forum anymore. - sheureka

3200 kbps is probably the slingbox topping out, plenty enough for SD video.

Homeplug is very nice especially in areas where the 2.4ghz band is shot. Anyone want to warm up the hot pockets in the microwave? ;)

We used a set of the 84mbps ones to connect two buildings together as there was already 15+ other access points in the area. Figured it wouldn't hurt to try the Homeplug devices before we went 802.11a. Plugged them up, setup the security, and we have no issues with the 10 computers in that building. Homeplug technology has come a long way since it first came out.

Shuereka- Please review your own posts before you try to "Blame" me for anything.

First off i have not called you either a "Liar" or an "Idiot". I simply have asked you questions. IF YOU feel your an idiot or a liar that is your issue.

I cannot make you feel anything you dont already feel.

I apologize that you feel i am stalking you as that is certainly not the case. If you have not noticed I have 400+ posts, clearly i will be in some threads others are in.

I came in here and thoughtfully gave you some polite feedback at which time you made a less than friendly response. I was not attacking you, nor was i discrediting what you were saying. It was completely your choice to engage me with crappy comments to which you were not prepared to thoroughly discuss.

Both you and Digiblur need to take responsability for your actions and either learn to be civil, decent and intelligent, or please goto a forum where people will appreciate your "less than" attitude.

Personally if you think i will put up with snyde remarks and false statements you are sorely mistaken as i have an expectation of civility for anyone who wishes to engage me.

Enjoy your time away.

I know the Slinglink must be working good for many people because I haven't found too many complaints, so that's why I went that route to start, but for whatever reason, it didn't work out for me. Maybe it's because I have four girls in the house, all with their own hair dryers, curling irons and whatever else they may be plugging in.

well lets see. if you knew anything about sling boxes then you wouldnt ask that question. if you use those little round things in your head called eyes and look at the corner of the slingbox tv display it tells you how much bandwidth you are using =D> .

ok enough of that. you have succesfully turned this thread into a useless rant into your own ego and a waste of bb database space.

Agreed. No more useless debating please.

Look, if you have another opinion please feel free to state. Be sure to use that grey matter in your head and stop making uncalled for rude remarks (i sound JUST like you dont I?).

Your remark is snippy and uncalled for. Please be adult.

FYI, My ego is not so fragile as to need 3rd party verification. Please only speak for yourself as its horribly arrogant for you to attempt to tell me what my issues are.

Thanks in advance for your understanding.