Setting up a wireless link to my DVR

[Brad Johnson]

I have DirecTV with the HD/DVR box.  I'm going to set up a wireless link for the On Demand functions (I occasionally move my DSL modem over to accomplish the same thing but it's kinda a pain).  Any suggestions from folks that have been through it?

I'll have to get a wireless router, that's a given.  I'll probably go the Best Box route and pick up something simple like a Belkin or LinkSys.  I see several options out there for wireless links to the HD/DVR box but all suggestions are welcome.

And no, I'm not switching to LINUX. 

Brad

[GigaBuist]

The best bang for the buck, IMHO, is going with a couple of ASUS 520GC routers, flash them with DD-WRT, set the first one up as the main router and the second as a bridge to the first.  Jack the DVR box into the 2nd router's switch and you're good to go.

Unfortunately this does involve Linux. :)

[BrokenPaw]

I have DirecTV with the HD/DVR box.  I'm going to set up a wireless link for the On Demand functions (I occasionally move my DSL modem over to accomplish the same thing but it's kinda a pain).  Any suggestions from folks that have been through it?

Does the DVR box speak wireless?  If it doesn't, then you're going to have to go the two-wireless-doodad route that GB mentioned.  If it does, then you'll only need the one.

And no, I'm not switching to LINUX. 

Have you considered switching to Linux?

[Brad Johnson]

No, the box isn't wi-fi enabled.  It takes a plug in something-or-other to make it work.  I suppose I should go to DirecTV's web site and see what they recommend.  Been holding off on that because of how much I hate their inane and frustratingly counter-intuitive web site.

It also has a built in ethernet port.  That's the way I've been hooking it up - moving the DSL modem to the entertainment center and plugging directly into the ethernet port from the modem.  I'm guessing the best thing is just to get a wireless ethernet extender to go along with a wireless router.

ETA:  Did some digging and looks like a low-cost ethernet gaming adapter will work fine.

Brad

[RevDisk]

And no, I'm not switching to LINUX. 

Brad

You're probably already using it.  You'd be surprised how many embedded systems use Linux. 

[roo_ster]

You're probably already using it.  You'd be surprised how many embedded systems use Linux. 

My 'droid phone, my router, and my HDTV that I know of.

[Brad Johnson]

Got 'er Done!!

I forgot I had an old D-Link wireless card laying around.  I was able to use an inexpensive ($35) NetGear wireless router and get everything working.  The DSL modem and router are over by my DirecTV box while I feed the computer through the wireless card.  Unfortunately the card is old enough it doesn't savvy WPA2 security protocols so I'm limited to WEP 128-bit.  Hopefully that is enough to keep curious wi-fiers at bay.

At any rate it works, and quite well.  I just finished getting all the wires secured and everything tidied up, and began surfing on it just a few minutes ago.  The wireless connection (11.0 Mbps) far outstrips my DSL connection (2.5 Mbps tested) so speed over the wireless is definitely not a concern.  Even better is I only spent $35 instead of the $100-plus I was thinking I'd have to spend.  Yay!

*ETA*  Of all things, my internet connection at the computer actually seems faster. And that's with the box actively pulling movies off the playlist at the same time over the same connection! 

Brad