Help Optimizing HQ Wireless Streaming?

[nhw3w]

I have Buffalo WBR-G54 routers bridged so that I can steam content between my 3 ReplayTV 5xxx boxes.

For a very long time I was able to stream HQ programs among them as long as the source ReplayTV was "off" (blue light off ).

About 6 months ago one of my ReplayTVs died. When I got it back from repair by DNNA (a long, long, sad story) HQ streaming to that unit stopped working.

I am able to stream standard and medium quality without any problem. Now when I try to stream HQ content the material halts for a fraction of a second every 2 to 3 seconds.

Does anyone have Buffalo tweaks or other suggestions I should try?

[Bigjohns]

HQ over wireless is going to be problematic regardless. In 6 months, have neighbors added wifi to their homes? Do you have 2.4ghz wireless phones in the house?

If your buffalo's are the versions that support DD-WRT, you might be able to tweek the bridgeing...

John

[gweempose]

I have a Buffalo network, and I gave up on high quality streaming a long time ago. The truth of the matter is that medium quality really doesn't look that much worse. When you couple that with the fact that you get more recording space and flawless streaming, medium quality just seems like a more logical choice. If you simply must have wireless HQ streaming, you may want to consider an 802.11n solution.

[nhw3w]

hmmm...I thought many people had this figured out. I sure did until one of my RPTV 5000s died.

To my knowledge there have not been any environmental changes (new wifi from neighbors or 2.4ghz stuff in my apartment) that would disrupt streaming.

As I said, it worked very well for a few years (as long as the source machine was "off" when streaming.)

I'm not sure what DD-WRT is... my routers are the original WBR-G54s so I doubt they support DD-WRT if that's new technology from Buffalo.


Does anyone have this up and running?

[adone36]

The repair would have nothing to do with streaming. Wireless is crap. It's fine for web surfing but the constant error in transmission, resend is a killer for streaming. Your enviorment has changed. Virtually a given if you live in an apartment. Run the wire.

[nhw3w]

The problem seems to be resolved for now. I changed the network channel from channel 1 to channel 7 and I'm now able to stream HQ video again.

I'm not sure why I didn't think to try that before. I'm also not sure how long the capability will last.

I'm still interested in any other tweaks Buffalo router owners have to offer...

Anybody?

[FarmBubba]

The only three channels that don't overlap : 1, 6, and 11. If 7 stops working then try 11. If you get netstumbler for your computer, you can see what wifi networks are around, but most likely someones 2.4 phone or wireless baby monitor might be interfering.

[Cutrock]

You could try buying a high performance antenna for your router. I found a great one on ebay for $16.00.

[nhw3w]

Will that improve performance or just range?

Right now I live in a very small space so range isn't an issue...

[FarmBubba]

If your going through a wall or more than say 20 feet, the network will automatically slow down to keep it working. Just a little boost in the signal might bump it back to full speed. Also if there is any B device close by, your router will switch to B and go slow unless you tell it not to switch to B.