Question: How can I use a wireless connection now?

Answer: Hey Justin: Our large screen TV room is on the other side of the house from our cable modem and computers. The house is wireless 802.11b connected but since SonicBlue doesn't have software yet for that, what's our options in connecting up? Our phones are 2.4 GHz and there are no plugs for that either. Must we run wires to make this thing work? Or is there such a thing as a wireless phone modem? If we must run wires, this diminishes the value of the unit substantially. But, if we do, can we run them from a hub into the USB on the back of the 5080? Any inside information if "2003 Q1" release for a USB wireless really means Q1 or is it more like Microsoft's vaporware policies? Thanks much and Happy New Year.

jleavens writes: Thanks Marcus! You can actually use an 802.11b (or g!) wireless connection even though Sonicblue hasn't gotten the USB port running yet. Several manufacturers sell devices which act as a "bridge" between wireless units. You can plug this bridge into your ethernet port, and then it will connect to your wireless base station and voila! Considering that these bridges aren't much more expensive than a USB wireless adapter, I think it makes the USB/wireless port on the Replay less necessary. And it works now!

Marcus added on 01/19/2003: "VOILA!" is right!! I purchased a wireless ethernet bridge like you suggested, and plugged it into the back of the replay. It talks seemlessly to my wireless base station, which in turn is connected to the cable modem. No phone wires, no USB, no cable junctions and wires acorss the house, no software waits from the company .... Man, you are a genius. Thanks!

jleavens writes: Glad it worked :*)

Distortion added on 01/27/2003: What was the brand of wireless bridge that you used? I have been looking for one of those units to replace my gawd awful cord that gets me in trouble every morning when my girlfriend trips over it on her way to the bathroom. I have a netgear wireless hub and have looked at best buy and frys with no success from the less than knowledgable staff, thanks.

jleavens says: seen a lot of people using the Linksys one, but don't have one yet myself. Anyone who has this working can chime in.

Tyson added on 02/06/2003: I have the Wet11 Bridge from linksys and it works nicely.

JanJ added on 02/19/2003: About brand used successfully: I am using a Linksys WAP11 and a Linksys WET11 for 802.11b wireless bridge connection between Replay 5000 and network. Works perfectly. Seems to be the most cost effective solution.

drob added on 02/19/2003: Thanks for the info! I was planning to get the wet11 and now I will!



RickW added on 03/04/2003: I too am using a Linksys WET-11 with no issues. I plugged it into my wired hub to program it with an IP then moved it to the Replay (which I gave a static IP). It's talking to my SMC access point and I haven't detected any problems yet. I haven't copied any shows over the wireless link yet though.

ronpin added on 03/07/2003: Thanks for the heads-up on the WET11. It works just fine now -- after an initial snafu. For the uninitiated (like me) I really think some hand-holding is in order. That is, please know that you should 1st try to get the WET11 talking, wirelessly, from the PC that you'll need to set the few parameters that the WET11 needs (I thought I had the correct SSID/workgroup name entered only to find out, many hours later, that it had been changed). When I finally did get it working from a PC it was a snap to hook it up to the ReplayTV.
I do have a 30% network slowdown with the WET11 talking to my Microsoft MN-500 "base-station" from 5 feet away (Lets blame Microsoft since nobody else is reporting slowdowns). It sure is nice to watch the ReplayTV connect to the server and whiz thru a synch-up. I've yet to try sharing or streaming videos across the net.

ronpin added on 03/17/2003: Be advised that the WET11 appears to have a regular lockup "feature" that requires the power plug to be removed and replaced for a cold boot to restore it.
I did a search on the problem and found several other users that are having the same problem. Apparently linksys is not too worried about it. Meanwhile you'll want to check your ReplayTV to make sure it is has connected recently (i.e. press "411" "zones").

ejung added on 06/21/2003: SMC makes one of these devices, the SMC2670W (http://www.smc.com/index.cfm?sec=Products&pg=Product-Details?=272&site=c)

I'm using it right now with my ReplayTV and it's great. No lock-ups like the WET11.

From the SMC website:

The EZ Connect 2.4GHz 11Mbps Wireless Ethernet Adapter (SMC2670W) converts any Ethernet device in your home and/or office to become wireless device in minutes. The new product transforms any Ethernet-equipped device, such as a gaming console, printer, set-top box, point-of-sale terminal, desktop or laptop computer into wireless network device instantaneously. Using the standard IEEE 802.11b technology, this Wireless Ethernet Adapter supports transfer speeds up to 11Mbps with a maximum operating range up to 825 feet. It is the ultimate convenient way to expand your wireless local area network.



Madgenius added on 09/01/2003: I just installed a Netgear ME101 on my replaytv worked great and MUCH cheaper then the WET11

sidlives added on 09/12/2003: If you already have an Linksys WAP11, you can use another WAP11 as a bridge. This only works for WAP11 to WAP11. I found that the WAP11 is available for less than the WET11. When I installed, I had some wierd problems with connecting afer configuring the box. To fix it, I just reset the WAP11 client to factory default and reconfigured and then everything worked great!

bmcybersmith added on 09/12/2003: The Linksys WGA54G Wireles-G 802.11g Game adapter works great too I imagine you could also do the same with their WGA11B Wireless B 802.11b Game adapter. A lot less than the cost of their WET54G and WET11 wireless network bridges. I have streamed with ReplayPC back and forth between my 5060 with no problems.

Dale Wisely added on 09/12/2003: I have wireless network using a D-Link Router and DSL service.

I went out and bought a D-Link Wireless Ethernet Adaptor, model DWL-810+. I plugged it into the back of the ReplayTV, went into the SETUP menu for ReplayTV and switched from telephone connection to Network connection. Saved the setting. Worked like a charm. That was it. I didn't have to configure the D-Link unit at all, even though all of the documentation said I would. It and/or the ReplayTV unit just detected the network, automatically requested an IP address and was up and running. Unbelievable. The D-Link unit cost $99 at CompUSA.

robaround added on 09/26/2003: Has anyone tried a wireless connection through Apple's Airport?

SixtyMInutes added on 09/26/2003: Hey bmcybersmith, how did you get the Linksys WGA54G Wireles-G 802.11g Game adapter to work with your Replay TV? I got one hooked up to my XBox and when I swapped the cable to my 5040, I don't get a connection. I've tried manually inputing the IP info and tried connecting to my router through DHCP. No luck? Any ideas?

bobby_t1 added on 09/26/2003: I recently purchased a Linksys WGA11B and get regular lockups (drop in connectivity) when connected to my replaytv. I think it has to do with a period of inactivity.

This seems to be inline with similar reports from users with the other product, the linksys WET11. I just called Linksys Tech support and they said this is a known issue with all their wireless ethernet bridges and they are tryign to get a firmware update for it but "no promises when that will come out". He said it is only an issue when WEP is enabled, but he didnt' seem too sure and I haven't tried it without WEP yet. I may disable WEP and just use MAC filtering instead.

puppyc73 added on 10/06/2003: I have noticed however that with a WET11 and WEP enabled, if you set the replaytv to use DHCP instead of a static IP and use a static IP for the WET11 it solved the intermittent connection issue.

theone added on 10/12/2003: I just wanted to add that I started using the WET11 about 5 months ago and experienced the same problems with switching IP's etc. I worked with Linksys in programming the WET11 to have a static IP and the Replay to have a DHCP IP. So,...puppyc73 hit the nail on the head...

"puppyc73 added on 10/06/2003: I have noticed however that with a WET11 and WEP enabled, if you set the replaytv to use DHCP instead of a static IP and use a static IP for the WET11 it solved the intermittent connection issue."...

I wanted to add that I export shows daily using the WET11, average show being 1.2gig I eventally burn the shows to DVD using Pinnacle Studio8. My system connects every night without a hitch to replay for updates.

BPatient608 added on 10/21/2003: Just want to share my experience in expanding my wireless network in less expensive way.
I recently bought two Belkin Wireless 54G routers due to great promotions ($30 & 50 rebates each) and amazing flexible features. The rebates were submitted/confirmed but no check received. Total cost after rebates/taxes were expected about $170. Previously I have other wired/wireless 11Mb routers from Linksys/SMC/D-Link but I was quite happy this time to try Belkin (HP is now carrying this brand too). With latest firmware update, the router model F5D7230-4 can be configured as a tradition router, access point, or bridge.
Literally, this is a great way to expand your network wirelessly. Consider my total cost I saved lots of bucks from not buying the expensive so-called gaming and/or bridge adaptors.

In my case, one of the F4D7230-4 is configured as a gateway to my DSL ISP.
The other F5D7230-4 box is configured as a bridge. I have the bridge situated at my entertainment center so I hook my ReplayTV 5040 and my kids' PS2 and XBox to one of 4-available RJ45 ports.
The main router and the bridge box is about 100 feet apart.
Technically, I was at first intimidated with the network jargon/concept. However, I spent about 30 mins to read the instruction off Belkin website, download the update firmware, and 10 mins to set up and configure the boxes. So thrill with the results especially in video streaming.

NOTE: I dont mean to steer to Belkin. I just learned that the newest D-Link 54G router offer similar features.

added on 01/12/2004:
Would you recommend an 802.11b or 802.11g bridge?
I use a G-Router but am not sure of the Replay Bandwith and did not want to spend money if 11Mbps is all I will ever really need? Any thoughts suggestions?

jleavens writes: Get the "g". The only rule of thumb is that you can't have too much bandwidth.

txcas added on 01/19/2004:
I want to add that if you have an Xbox, you can use the Xbox wireless adapter MN-740. It was the cheaper wireless 802.11g solution and it works like a champ. You do need an Xbox to configure the adapter, but the settings are saved to the adapter so you can then move it to your ReplayTV. The Xbox adapter is also compatible with 802.11b networks.

SouthernReplayer added on 02/14/2004:
I just bought a replaytv and got the d-link dwl-810+. I didn't really have any gliches except that it helps to read the instructions. It didn't auto-detect but I had to connect the d-link to my router. i then hade to change my ip to be within the same range as d-link. once i did that i was able to connect to the bridge and set up the communication between the bridge and my wireless router. i tested to make sure i could use the 810+ to connect to the internet. once it checked out, simply plugged it into the replay and wahh-lahhh, everything was good to go.

ND40oz added on 02/25/2004:
The linksys wrt54g router with the new firmware 2/1/04 can now double as a wireless bridge with integrated four port switch. You can hook up 4 ethernet units(i.e. replay, xbox, playstation2, etc.) all for about half the price of the linksys 802.11g bridge.

Rick Z. added on 03/09/2004:
I'm not seeing this firmware update you mentioned for the wrt54g. There's a 1/29/04 update, but the readme file only mentions 'relay' functionality, nothing about a bridge. Do you have this setup working? What are you using as your base unit? Another broadband gateway/router? I purchased the game adapter, but haven't opened it yet. If the wrt54g will work with my existing 802.11b broadband router, then that's the way I'd like to go.