Need to replace a DIR-655. Any advice?

[TedKord]

I currently have a DLink DIR-655 (latest firmware - 1.35NA) in my small home (2 story, about 1200 sq. ft.). It covers the whole structure, no problem there. However, my HTC Thunderbolt has a custom Sense 3.5 rom on it, and it constantly drops connection and reconnects. (All sense 3.5 roms on my phone do the same). My wife's laptop has started disconnecting also lately.

What I would like is the best router for me to stream HD video throughout the house (Netflix, Amazon VOD, etc...), while other devices surf, etc...(My ISP is comcast, I get about 25Mbps down)

Here's what I need to be able to connect to the router:

Currently, I have my home PC, an OOMA hub, a verizon network extender and a Slingbox ProHD wired into the ethernet ports.

Wirelessly, there are 3 android smartphones, two laptops, 2 bluray players, one LED TV, an Epson Artisan 800 printer, a Cowon Q5W (blech!) and a Wii - not all connected at all times, but all could be at one time occasionally.


I've been looking, and the Asus RT-N56u looks like it has great throughput, but I'v read negatives about it, too. The Linksys E4200v2 looked interesting, but I've read that it's not a real improvement except for hooking a USB drive to it, which I currently don't do. I don't want to spend $400, but I could certainly go to $200 or a bit more for the right device.

I build and configure my own PCs, I'm not a total technotard, but I really haven't kept up on wireless routers (I was wired only until two years ago). I could definitely benefit from some educated opinions. Thanks in advance for any help.

 

[blackangst1]

E4200. They can be had for $150-ish.

 

[JackMDS]

Do not look for a ""miracle"" Device that can cover all the space.

Leave thing as is and lay a cable to a center location.

Buy an inexpensive Wireless Router and use it as an additional Access Point (that is what the Pro are doing, as oppose to Wireless Ignorant End-users).

Second Wireless Router configured this way.

Using a Wireless Router as a switch with an Access Point - http://www.ezlan.net/router_AP.html

In such a configuration both Wireless devices should be configured with the same SSID and passwords, using different spaced a part channels, like Ch-1 and Ch-11.

 

[gpse]

Netgear WNDR 3700v2, best router I've ever used, and not to pricey.

 

[Railgun]

What makes you think you need to replace the router or the router is the issue? Or do you think it is a coverage issue after all? It can easily handle your environment.

I`ve had a 655 in a 2k sq ft house on the top floor and even in the basement, I had no real coverage issues. At the time I had a PS3, Slingbox and phone on a bridge going back to the 655 with my PC, another laptop or two and phone with no issues. It can handle up to 254 simultaneous connections, which sucks in reality, but if you`re not doing PTP, chances are you`re not going to hit that limit anyway.

Do these devices still drop when next to the router? What kind of security is setup?

Now, of course there are higher performing routers out there today, but depending on where these devices are now in relation to your router, YMMV in what you upgrade to.

Best bet is to take a look at small net builder to check out their reviews and how they cover different areas. You may find something that suits your environment better.

 

[kami]

I second the Netgear. I actually have a lesser one than what gpse recommended, the WNDR3400v2. I previously used a DIR-655 and this ones much better. I get better signal strength on other floors, oh and there's the fact that it's dual band and the 655 isn't. I run my PC and the media streamer on the 5ghz band and everything else (laptops, ipads, cell phones, printer, etc.) on the 2.4ghz band.

I can stream 1080p MKVs from wireless to wireless, the 655 would make it stop and buffer every few seconds. Another improvement was game pings while the Internet connection was being used heavily at the same time. Before my game pings would jump from 40ms to 200+ while someone else was streaming Netflix in the house. With the netgear the impact is much less, I only jump to 65-70ms in the same situation which is still a very playable latency. My guess is is is due to a much more powerful processor and 4x the memory of the 655.

I've heard amazing things about their top of the line N900 router, but I got a good boxing day deal on this one and figured I would try it.

 

[TedKord]

What makes you think you need to replace the router or the router is the issue? Or do you think it is a coverage issue after all? It can easily handle your environment.

I`ve had a 655 in a 2k sq ft house on the top floor and even in the basement, I had no real coverage issues. At the time I had a PS3, Slingbox and phone on a bridge going back to the 655 with my PC, another laptop or two and phone with no issues. It can handle up to 254 simultaneous connections, which sucks in reality, but if you`re not doing PTP, chances are you`re not going to hit that limit anyway.

Do these devices still drop when next to the router? What kind of security is setup?

Now, of course there are higher performing routers out there today, but depending on where these devices are now in relation to your router, YMMV in what you upgrade to.

Best bet is to take a look at small net builder to check out their reviews and how they cover different areas. You may find something that suits your environment better.

As far as the smartphone, it's a known issue with Sense 3.5 custom ROMs on the Thunderbolt with some routers - mainly Belkin, but some others. This is even when right next to it. As to my wife's laptop, I'm sure it's an issue with something she got on it from visiting all those flash game sites. I refuse to clean her laptop anymore, because she'll just keep installing plugins and search bars from these sites, so she's on her own. I get aggravated and secretely a bit giggly when I hear her bitching about how slow her laptop has become.

I've already posted the same question at smallnetbuilder - before here, actually. Folks seem really high on the e4200v1 and the wndr3x00. The Asus RT-n56u looks like it gives first rate throughput, but causes some headaches. I'm thinking of the e4200v2 because I may hook up a drive to it with video to stream to my phone.

 

[KentState]

My 655 is being a pain too. Recently it stopped transmitting over wifi at times. I will have to disconnect from it, reconnect and have it error out, then reconnect again.

I've been going through this list and really like the Netgear.

http://www.smallnetbuilder.com/lanwan/router-charts/bar/76-total-simul