Need a guiding hand with Wireless-N!

[Nemz0r]

Hello!
Currently I have just the one PC downstairs connected to a wired router.

My plan is to have:

- Wireless-N Router downstairs, connected to main PC by Ethernet cable.
- Wireless-N PCI card in HTPC in upstairs bedroom connected to Samsung 5 Series 32" 1920x1080 TV.
- Stream movies (some 1080p) from downstairs PC (4Tb storage) to upstairs PC using Windows 7 streaming function.

Now my dilemma is, that there is so many different Wireless-N things around, it's really quite confusing. Wireless-N draft v1.0, Wireless-N v2.0, Wireless-N 2.4GHz, Wireless-N 5GHz, old information saying no 5GHz PCI cards are available (but i've had a look at a few are now, but review information is hard to find).

Some places I am reading that 2.4GHz Wireless-N can only do 130mbps, where as http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Netge...t-in-DSL-Modem is 2.4GHz only - no 5GHz - and claims the full 300mbps?

Right now i'm looking at:
- http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Netge...t-in-DSL-Modem but not from Scan - they seem quite overpriced with routers and wireless cards, unfortunately, as they're my favourite retailer.
and
- http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Netge...apter-See-info

These together come to around £100 from the other retailer.

But really - 1080p is only around 30mbps isn't it? Is Wireless-N really needed?

ed: Reading Wikipedia, it says the typical throughput for 802.11g (54mbps) is 19mbps, so yeah, seems like n is needed to stream hd?

[Funkstar]

I assume you can't run cable. Really, that would be the best solution, especially for HD material.

I don't know what the v1.0 and v2.0 are all about, although I actually think that might be v1 and v2 of that companies product and nothing to do with the as yet unratified standard.

DraftN equipment "should" work together, but as with all wireless there is no guarantees, same goes for actual throughput, there are too many factors that effect your actual transfer speeds.

You will see some older equipment listed as PreN, I would avoid that, it's up to a couple of years old and is far more likely to have problems with DraftN or ratified N equipment when it is finally passed by the IEEE committee later in the year.

5GHz is definitely the way to go if you can get a compatible router and PCI card. This has the huge advantage of being away from other competing 802.11b or g networks that might be in your area. Same with cordless phones, Bluetooth and anything else that decides it wants to use the unlicensed 2.4GHz band... and there is a lot! Oh and microwaves can also kick out 2.4GHz interference easier than 5GHz.

[Nemz0r]

Thanks for the reply . I'm gonna look around the house and see where I could get the cable to go invisibly. You're right it's probably a better idea, and cheaper too. I've always been opposed to wireless - but I thought wifi N would finally be something fast and reliable . I guess not until the standard is completely finalised and 5GHz is mainstream

[Funkstar]

Thanks for the reply . I'm gonna look around the house and see where I could get the cable to go invisibly. You're right it's probably a better idea, and cheaper too. I've always been opposed to wireless - but I thought wifi N would finally be something fast and reliable . I guess not until the standard is completely finalised and 5GHz is mainstream

Wireless will never be as reliable as cable. Or as fast.

don't get me wrong, wireless has its place and N appears to be good. I have an Edimax DraftN Access Point here (replaced my crappy Dlink router with a Draytek Vigor 2700 so needed an AP to go with it) which works well, although I don't have any other N class devices, the reception when using G is pretty good in my current place, the last flat was terrible for wireless however.