I have Roku HD1000 (software release, version 2.0.33), Pentium 4 Windows 2000 PC (modem, USB ports, NO Ethernet port), Apple PowerBook G 4 (Mac OS Version 1.3, AirPort Extreme (firmware version 3.1.2b3, Ethernet card). Access to Internet trough PC (dial modem).

I need to set up WiFi network to interconnect the devices, listed above.
I am thinking to get Linksys WUSB11 (ver. 2.6 ) for my PC .
The question is: do I need to get Linksys WET54G bridge or Linksys WRT54G or both to make it work?

Please help!

You will need the WRT54G if you want the WUSB11. The WET54G is a bridge which you can use instead of the WUSB11. You will gain the full 54mbps. The WUSB11 is only 11mbps (slower). If you go with the WET54G and connect it to the Roku, then Roku will think that it is just a wired connection but the bridge is wireless. So its up to you: WUSB11 and WRT54G or WET54G and WRT54G. The must have the WET54G becuase it is a wireless router that sends signal from your computer to WUSB11/WET54G and then to the Roku.

Assuming you want to connect the Windows PC (the one with no Ethernet) to the network also, you will need either a 10/100 PCI Ethernet card (to hardwire to the WRT54G) or a PCI/USB wireless connection device. I'd go with putting a PCI 10/100 Ethernet card in the PC if I were you.

PS> Where are you in Virginia? I'm in Manassas. (PM me if you don't want to disclose publicly). If you're close I could help you set things up.

patx919 wrote:

You will need the WRT54G if you want the WUSB11. The WET54G is a bridge which you can use instead of the WUSB11. You will gain the full 54mbps. The WUSB11 is only 11mbps (slower). If you go with the WET54G and connect it to the Roku, then Roku will think that it is just a wired connection but the bridge is wireless. So its up to you: WUSB11 and WRT54G or WET54G and WRT54G. The must have the WET54G becuase it is a wireless router that sends signal from your computer to WUSB11/WET54G and then to the Roku.

So, is the WRT54G fast enough to support .TS videos? THis is still my dilema! I haven't been able to watch any darn movies!

depeche wrote:

patx919 wrote:

You will need the WRT54G if you want the WUSB11. The WET54G is a bridge which you can use instead of the WUSB11. You will gain the full 54mbps. The WUSB11 is only 11mbps (slower). If you go with the WET54G and connect it to the Roku, then Roku will think that it is just a wired connection but the bridge is wireless. So its up to you: WUSB11 and WRT54G or WET54G and WRT54G. The must have the WET54G becuase it is a wireless router that sends signal from your computer to WUSB11/WET54G and then to the Roku.

So, is the WRT54G fast enough to support .TS videos? THis is still my dilema! I haven't been able to watch any darn movies!

It is very unlikely that you'll ever be able to watch any high-definition video wirelessly... no matter what router/bridge you're using. If the TSs you're wanting to watch are standard definition, then you may have some success.

TheEndless

You state:

"It is very unlikely that you'll ever be able to watch any high-definition video wirelessly... no matter what router/bridge you're using. If the TSs you're wanting to watch are standard definition, then you may have some success."

What is the limiting factor that is preventing this? Wireless network speed? If so, is there anything to the newer WRT54G with speedbooster that supposedly goes 2x faster?

randyspaulding wrote:

What is the limiting factor that is preventing this? Wireless network speed? If so, is there anything to the newer WRT54G with speedbooster that supposedly goes 2x faster?

a. NOTHING connected to the Roku's USB port is going to be fast enough to support HD video playback. The USB port is only USB 1.1, max something like 12Mbps (HD is ~19Mbps).

b. IF a wireless bridge connected to the Roku network port is capable of SUSTAINED throughput above 20Mbps, it MIGHT work for HD video. Important it has to be able to SUSTAIN 20+ Mbps, not just be able to burst to higher speeds. The bridge would need to force 100Mbps (100BaseT) on it's ethernet connection, since if the Roku senses it at 10Mbps (10BaseT) HD isn't gonna work either.

I would like to be able to view DVD movies stored on a USB hard drive using the Roku 1000. What is the minimum network speed required?

Can I connect the USB 2.0 hard drive directly to the Roku? Will that work for viewing DVDs?

Will the following connection scheme work? USB 2.0 hard drive -> network adaptor (eg. D-link DNS-120) -> Linksys router -> Roku 1000 via ethernet cable. No wireless here.

If I want to go wireless will the new "pre 801.11n" routers work?

Any feedback will be appreciated. Thanks a lot.

xwing wrote:

I would like to be able to view DVD movies stored on a USB hard drive using the Roku 1000. What is the minimum network speed required?

The very minimum? 10 Mbit/s for DVD. The maximum stream rate for DVD is a bit below this but you'll want to allow for a bit of extra space.
100 Mbit/s wired would be best.
Remember that the quoted speeds for wireless are not realistic in real life, so for example theres no way that an 11b wireless would properly handle DVD streams.

xwing wrote:

Can I connect the USB 2.0 hard drive directly to the Roku?

No. It doesn't have the ability to use hard drives directly connected via USB.

xwing wrote:

Will the following connection scheme work? USB 2.0 hard drive -> network adaptor (eg. D-link DNS-120) -> Linksys router -> Roku 1000 via ethernet cable. No wireless here.

If it supports SMB (Windows Sharing), which I think it does, then the above looks fine.

xwing wrote:

If I want to go wireless will the new "pre 801.11n" routers work?

For DVD it should be able to handle it.


Remember if you decide you want to watch HD stuff, all your speed, network requirements etc. will greatly increase (though wired 100MBit/s would still work fine).

For what it's worth, I play DVDs wirelessly with the D-Link 624 and 820 Game Adapter bridge.

I've only tried 2 DVDs until I can get more disk space, but it seems to be working.

When I first set it up I had intermittent audio and choppy video then I spent some time tinkering with it and got it dialed in. In my case I actually disabled the dynamic boost and it improved the consistency of watching the DVDs without choppy breakups in audio/video.

I've seen where others have problems with choppy video/audio even with a hardwired connection so maybe things will just get better for me over time as both the apps and firmware of the Roku improve. For now, it's acceptable on the 2-3 DVDs I've ripped though.

250G harddisk on the way

Soiaf, Wooded, thanks a lot for your replies. Very useful info. I am trying to ensure that I have a network fast enough to watch DVDs before I purchase a Roku HD-1000. Tried my existing 802.11b wireless network, a 10Mbps phoneline system, and a powerline system. These are all too slow for DVD transmission - the picture and sound break up every few seconds. The only thing that works at the moment is good old CAT5, but that's my very last resort.

I just got a "pre - 802.11n" MIMO router (Belkin - model ) and am considering a Dlink 810 bridge. Let me know if you have any additional thoughts.

I am using a 2+GHz PC at the receiving end with a Linksys bridge / powerline / phoneline adapters.

Thanks again.