What to buy?

[wedge22]

I am currently connected to the internet via Cable with a 10Mbps connection. I would like to have a wireless network as I plan on building a HTPC very soon and fitting it with a WiFi pci card for streaming my movies and music. I have never setup a network before and would just like some advice on which router people find to be the most reliable to use.

[Dr. X]

WiFi might not be good enough to stream movies unless you get good signal penetration throughout your house. Newer 'pre-n' or fancy kit might be needed.

If you're thinking of streaming across the same room though you'll be fine with a Wireless-G standard router.

I've heard good things about Netgear or Linksys kit, I've had enough disappointing signal issues and other nuances with my Belkin router to put me off them.

[wedge22]

Well I am living in a new apartment and the walls are only plasterboard so it should be ok for signal strength I guess.

[Lee H]

I tried wireless for a media orientated network and had no amount of trouble with signals dropping and packets going a bit wonky.

Wired looks a better solution really until wi-max is established with stronger signals, better ranges and faster speeds.

Even DR tried a wireless network for a media setup - and I'm pretty sure he switched back to wired as he too was having issues.

[Zak33]

wired is my vote too

[Moby-Dick]

I get bored of advising people not to use wireless and they'll use it anyway then complain about signal loss etc , so I'll give up If you want a reliable network then dont bother with wirelss for now - its fine for a little bit of browsing in the garden , but otherwise its a waste of time, effort and money.

[Lee H]

If you want a reliable network then dont bother with wirelss for now - its fine for a little bit of browsing in the garden , but otherwise its a waste of time, effort and money.

QFT.

I've got 4 routers here all ADSL/ADSL2+ and the wireless is sporadic on all of them. The asus one I'm using has just given up the ghost totally over the weekend - with no changes in firmware or settings to the router as I'm the only 1 thats admin via a nice 12 character alphanumeric password

Seriously, as MD has said, wired is still the daddy. Wireless is akin to some 16 year old spotty oink with bling bling galore thinking he's all that whereas wired is the more wiser, mellow 30 year old.

I'm off to see why this routers saying its wireless is running whereas the laptop says it's not..... oh the joys of wireless hey

[GDVS]

I have a totally stable wireless connection but I have to admit it took some time and several firmwares. I wouldn't use it in place of wires unless I had to though, as you say "Wired is still the daddy".

[wedge22]

Ok guys thanks for the info, unfortunately wired is not an option so it looks like no streaming for me then. I guess I can just transfer the actual file I want to watch to the HTPC HDD and then watch it.