Wireless Router for Roku?

[Bluemoon]

We are thinking of buying Roku for streaming movies on the TV. I am looking for recommendations for a wireless AC router, any suggestions would be appreciated.

[GrayHare]

Note that last I checked you cannot activate an already-purchased Roku player without giving Roku your credit card info and personal identification. Some other brands of streaming devices (Sony is one) do not require this.

[frank]

I have used linksys routers for years and have nothing but good to say about them. They are reasonably priced, hook up in no time with an included disc, and last a long time.

[grasshopper]

I have always had good experiences wit NetGear.

[ERD50]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bluemoon I am looking for recommendations for a wireless AC router,

I'm not sure the other posters are talking about AC routers. I use two Roku boxes and netfilx over a Wii with a pretty plain-vanilla Linksys wireless router and have no issues (occasionally need to reset the connection, but rarely).

Is there a reason you wouldn't use a regular 'antenna' wireless? I don't have any experience with the AC type, not sure how well they work.

-ERD50

[jimbee]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ERD50 I'm not sure the other posters are talking about AC routers. I use two Roku boxes and netfilx over a Wii with a pretty plain-vanilla Linksys wireless router and have no issues (occasionally need to reset the connection, but rarely). Is there a reason you wouldn't use a regular 'antenna' wireless? I don't have any experience with the AC type, not sure how well they work. -ERD50

My experience is the same as ERD50. I've been streaming to Roku unit for years using 802.11g on an old, $39 Buffalo router running dd-wrt, and it works fine. I have only streamed content in 720p HD, not 1080p.

[Bluemoon]

From what I have read online the AC router is twice as fast as the normal router and there is no picture flutter. It is the newest technology and all of the major brands makes them.

Thanks for the replies!

[RunningBum]

Your broadband internet bandwidth speed is going to be the limiting factor. Faster wireless in your house isn't going to change that.

[Ally]

We use Linksys, cable Internet, Roku and Netflix. I don't know the particulars of hooking it up, since my husband did it. However, we really enjoy it. We've been watching all the old Doc Martin shows, Battlestar Gallactica and Masterpiece Theater shows. We are going to sign up for Acorn TV, too, for more British series.

[ERD50]

Quote:

Originally Posted by RunningBum Your broadband internet bandwidth speed is going to be the limiting factor. Faster wireless in your house isn't going to change that.

+1 You have to look at the entire system. Just about any wireless router is much faster than your internet connection. It's a 'weakest link' kind of thing.


-ERD50

[grasshopper]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ally We use Linksys, cable Internet, Roku and Netflix. I don't know the particulars of hooking it up, since my husband did it. However, we really enjoy it. We've been watching all the old Doc Martin shows, Battlestar Gallactica and Masterpiece Theater shows. We are going to sign up for Acorn TV, too, for more British series.

Ha, ha I usually would post this, but seeing your name. We have been watching Ally McBeal on Netflix, its a hoot and it has subtitles. Really just waiting for new Foyle's War.

[Animorph]

I think OP is talking about 802.11ac wireless routers. Googling that gives an article on the "first" 802.11ac router, a Netgear R6300, dated April 27, 2012. That's bleeding edge, and you'll pay for the privilege though it should be safe enough. You'll do fine with an 802.11n router, which are very common. My new Linksys E3200 works on both 2.4 GHz (b/g/n) and 5 GHz (a/n) simultaneously. I use 2.4 GHz for the laptops and 5 GHz to stream Netflix. That's still more than you need. Try one of the cheaper Linksys 802.11n 300 Mbps routers. My current Linksys is the only router I've had that has been totally reliable, no need to reset ever, so far.

[Gumby]

We are currently running a Netgear N600 dual-band wireless router (2.4 GHz/5.0 GHz) and using a Blu-ray player to stream Netflix. It works well.

Here is a link to the CNET review:

Netgear N600 Wireless Dual Band Router WNDR3400 Review - Routers - CNET Reviews

[Bluemoon]

Again, thanks for all of the replies.

[walkinwood]

We use a linksys WRT54G which supports 802.11 b/g. Netflix streaming works just fine even in HD.

Wifi speeds decrease with decreasing signal strength (distance), so make sure you're not too far from your router.

[MasterBlaster]

Quote:

Originally Posted by RunningBum Your broadband internet bandwidth speed is going to be the limiting factor. Faster wireless in your house isn't going to change that.

+1

You don't need a fancy router.

I bought an older version wireless "g" router for just the purpose you describe. It supports two separate Roku units and a desktop. They go for very little. If I recall correctly it was around $16 shipped. The Roku bandwidth requirements are modest but go up with the associated television resolution.

The limiting factor is our (lowest plan) internet connection, not the router.

[Bluemoon]

After checking out the movies available on Netflix & Amazon we decided there isn't anything that they have that makes it worth spending the money for Roku and a router.

Does anyone know if there are any other movie sites that have more current movies available?

[MasterBlaster]

This thread piqued my interest so I have done a little research....

A Roku device needs between 1.5 and 3.0 Mbps (ie. Mega-bits per second) bandwidth to function at top performance.

from the Roku website:

Quote:

For the best viewing results, we recommend a minimum of 1.5 Mbps for standard definition and 3.0 Mbps for HD content. To test your network speed, visit either one of the following (free) websites: speakeasy.net/speedtest/ www.speedtest.net

an older style "g" router though is (by protocol) much much faster than Roku needs at 54 Mbps and a newer "n" router is way way faster at 450 Mbps.

Therefore if Roku is all you need, then an older style router should work just fine. Perhaps even an ancient "b" router at 11 Mbps would do the trick.

There is no need to spend alot of money if Roku is all you need.

Quote:

Wireless routers typically advertise their speed in megabits per second (Mbps). Older Wi-Fi models offered 11 Mbps, mid-range 802.11g routers 54 Mbps and the latest 802.11n routers claim up to 450 Mbps. You may be tempted to only look at those routers with the highest Mbps rating. However, consider that the actual performance you will achieve in practice typically averages much, much lower than the maximum rating shown on the package. Furthermore, even high speed routers cannot directly speed up your Internet connection. The extra speed boost from a faster router may not be worth the extra cost.

[Animorph]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bluemoon After checking out the movies available on Netflix & Amazon we decided there isn't anything that they have that makes it worth spending the money for Roku and a router. Does anyone know if there are any other movie sites that have more current movies available?

The pricing doesn't really support many current movies. However, there are a lot of OK movies if you don't mind the occasional waste of time.