Streaming blu-ray player with 802.11n?

[Fallengod]

Maybe someone can help me. Ive been trying to figure out the best streaming media solution that also allows for local file content playback and basically ive decided to go with some type of blu-ray player since most support local file playback these days.

My issue is, ive tested maybe 5 different blu-ray players with the normal wifi(b or g im assuming)and streaming from my router is very choppy and not very smooth at all.

I am trying to find a blu-ray player that supports 802.11n at least(most do not I do not believe). Anyone know of any in the $80-150 range that do? I want a decent quality reliable blu-ray player that supports local content and 802.11n wifi. Its hard to search for.

 

[smitbret]

If you've tried 5 Wireless N BD players and they were all choppy in playback, it doesn't sound like the BD player is the issue. You should probably look at your network or the files themselves.

 

[Fallengod]

No no. You misread. I tried 5 streaming blu-ray players with whatever the normal wifi included is, 802.11g or b I would assume. Its not N I know.

 

[smitbret]

No no. You misread. I tried 5 streaming blu-ray players with whatever the normal wifi included is, 802.11g or b I would assume. Its not N I know.

OK, cool. When you are shopping, you'll just want to make sure that whatever one you choose supports the file containers and codecs of your digital media. The LG BD players seem to support just about everything common and the Samsung players are pretty good, too.

A lot of it is going to depend on the nature of the media. If you are trying to stream BD rips, then it may be tough to get a smooth interaction with anything on wireless N. If they are digital downloads that are much lower bitrate, then you'll probably be fine with any of them that support wireless N.

 

[13Gigatons]

Most of the Sony's have "Super WiFi" which I presume to mean the n standard.

PDF Manual:
Wireless LAN standard:
IEEE 802.11 b/g/n

 

[13Gigatons]

No no. You misread. I tried 5 streaming blu-ray players with whatever the normal wifi included is, 802.11g or b I would assume. Its not N I know.

You may have to disable b and g on your router to force the bluray player to use only n.

 

[Fallengod]

You may have to disable b and g on your router to force the bluray player to use only n.

I know that, thats why I know at least the Sony BD3200 isnt wireless N because it doesnt detect it.

I saw that sony markets that but honestly, I still dont think its wireless N lol. Thats what I am trying to find out, which models are actually wireless N, id love to know.

OK, cool. When you are shopping, you'll just want to make sure that whatever one you choose supports the file containers and codecs of your digital media. The LG BD players seem to support just about everything common and the Samsung players are pretty good, too.

A lot of it is going to depend on the nature of the media. If you are trying to stream BD rips, then it may be tough to get a smooth interaction with anything on wireless N. If they are digital downloads that are much lower bitrate, then you'll probably be fine with any of them that support wireless N.

I know that. LG BD players do seem to support a lot, but honestly, ive tried panasonic(my go-to brand usually), and sony and they are all very similar. FIle type support is a low concern because most all of those support all the file types I need. Most of my files are divx/xvid(rare), 420p/720p/1080p mkv files, vob, mpg etc.

I do have serious issues streaming BD mkv file content, and that is my main issue. Even 720p files are rough and 1080 are out of the question.

I am trying to avoid buying a separate streaming media player or box because I kind of needed a new blu-ray player anyways, so I am trying to buy just one item to do everything and maybe thats not possible lol.

 

[13Gigatons]

I know that, thats why I know at least the Sony BD3200 isnt wireless N because it doesnt detect it.

I saw that sony markets that but honestly, I still dont think its wireless N lol. Thats what I am trying to find out, which models are actually wireless N, id love to know.



I know that. LG BD players do seem to support a lot, but honestly, ive tried panasonic(my go-to brand usually), and sony and they are all very similar. FIle type support is a low concern because most all of those support all the file types I need. Most of my files are divx/xvid(rare), 420p/720p/1080p mkv files, vob, mpg etc.

I do have serious issues streaming BD mkv file content, and that is my main issue. Even 720p files are rough and 1080 are out of the question.

I am trying to avoid buying a separate streaming media player or box because I kind of needed a new blu-ray player anyways, so I am trying to buy just one item to do everything and maybe thats not possible lol.

Maybe just drag a Ethernet cable and be done with it.

 

[smitbret]

I know that, thats why I know at least the Sony BD3200 isnt wireless N because it doesnt detect it.

I saw that sony markets that but honestly, I still dont think its wireless N lol. Thats what I am trying to find out, which models are actually wireless N, id love to know.



I know that. LG BD players do seem to support a lot, but honestly, ive tried panasonic(my go-to brand usually), and sony and they are all very similar. FIle type support is a low concern because most all of those support all the file types I need. Most of my files are divx/xvid(rare), 420p/720p/1080p mkv files, vob, mpg etc.

I do have serious issues streaming BD mkv file content, and that is my main issue. Even 720p files are rough and 1080 are out of the question.

I am trying to avoid buying a separate streaming media player or box because I kind of needed a new blu-ray player anyways, so I am trying to buy just one item to do everything and maybe thats not possible lol.

Wow, now I see what you are talking about. I checked the websites for LG and Samsung BD Players, looking for specs and I was shocked at how little information they give. I clicked on two different models at each site and none of them indicated what WiFi standard was being used. I checked the product specs and I even downloaded the User Manuals and none of them mentioned G, N or anything that would indicate. Some of the more expensive Samsungs claimed Dual-Band so they are undoubtedly N since that's what you would use on the 5GHz band.

Anyway, I think it would be safe to assume that any current model year BD Player with streaming capability will be wireless N. They have to have a strong enough connection to support HD content from Amazon, NetFlix, etc. and I don't think the manufacturers would risk the technical support nightmare that you'd get from trying to cheap out and put wireless G adapters in them.

That being said, there is a huge difference between an Amazon/NetFlix/Vudu/Hulu HD stream and a BD rip. The services will max out at about 8Mbps but a BD rip can easily peak at just under 50Mbps, most will have an average of 25-30Mbps with higher peaks during high action. Any GOOD wireless N connection should be able to handle it, but that would require same or next room location between the router and the BD Player as additional physical barriers will cause significant decrease in available bandwidth. I would bet that most of your BD Players have n150 connections that have a real life max around 60Mbps under ideal situations. If somehow, some way you can verify n300 and your router supports it as well then you should be OK.

In general, though, BD players are a poor choice for streaming local content. Dedicated devices are much better for this. Even a RaspPi2 with a proper n300 wireless adapter and taped to the back of the TV will work better. That's what I use in my master bedroom and it is very, very good. If you are going to insist on a BD player and just can't get the wireless working reliably you may need to consider something like Powerline or MoCa adapters to create a wired network.

One other option, if you are running the rips from a centralized server, you may want to consider a DLNA server that can transcode on the fly like Mezzmo, Serviio or Universal Media Server. They can be set to reduce the bitrate for your BD rips and make it easier to avoid network congestion. You'd need a pretty powerful CPU in the PC that is acting as the server.

 

[Fallengod]

Wow, now I see what you are talking about. I checked the websites for LG and Samsung BD Players, looking for specs and I was shocked at how little information they give. I clicked on two different models at each site and none of them indicated what WiFi standard was being used. I checked the product specs and I even downloaded the User Manuals and none of them mentioned G, N or anything that would indicate. Some of the more expensive Samsungs claimed Dual-Band so they are undoubtedly N since that's what you would use on the 5GHz band.

Anyway, I think it would be safe to assume that any current model year BD Player with streaming capability will be wireless N. They have to have a strong enough connection to support HD content from Amazon, NetFlix, etc. and I don't think the manufacturers would risk the technical support nightmare that you'd get from trying to cheap out and put wireless G adapters in them.

That being said, there is a huge difference between an Amazon/NetFlix/Vudu/Hulu HD stream and a BD rip. The services will max out at about 8Mbps but a BD rip can easily peak at just under 50Mbps, most will have an average of 25-30Mbps with higher peaks during high action. Any GOOD wireless N connection should be able to handle it, but that would require same or next room location between the router and the BD Player as additional physical barriers will cause significant decrease in available bandwidth. I would bet that most of your BD Players have n150 connections that have a real life max around 60Mbps under ideal situations. If somehow, some way you can verify n300 and your router supports it as well then you should be OK.

In general, though, BD players are a poor choice for streaming local content. Dedicated devices are much better for this. Even a RaspPi2 with a proper n300 wireless adapter and taped to the back of the TV will work better. That's what I use in my master bedroom and it is very, very good. If you are going to insist on a BD player and just can't get the wireless working reliably you may need to consider something like Powerline or MoCa adapters to create a wired network.

One other option, if you are running the rips from a centralized server, you may want to consider a DLNA server that can transcode on the fly like Mezzmo, Serviio or Universal Media Server. They can be set to reduce the bitrate for your BD rips and make it easier to avoid network congestion. You'd need a pretty powerful CPU in the PC that is acting as the server.

Pretty much man. Its very hard to tell which have wireless N. I have considered that maybe I should just go with some media player/box that can stream better and just get myself a new blu-ray player anyways(I need a new one anyhow so I am trying to save money and get it all-in-one so to speak).

Definitely cannot do wired. Its a 2 story house and it would be a really long and ugly ethernet cable. Thats not going to be an option.

I actually use Mezzmo, plex, servioo already(yes ive tried all of them). My issues of streaming are from all of those. Even downsampling the stream in plex from 1080p blu-ray mkv files still get kind of choppy and stagger, though they are significantly more smooth than original quality playback. My last option is something that can power wireless N signal.

I think your asumption of any modern day blu-ray player supporting wireless N is wrong. Youd be surprised I think how bad streaming is from blu-ray players maybe. I dont think most are wireless N even though sony, etc claim their "super-wifi" etc bs. Ive tried the blu-ray players with "super-wifi" and they seem the same as normal wifi.

Theres a new standard 802.11ac coming out here, but still somewhat new. Perhaps when that is mainstream and incorporated into blu-ray players life will be a little easier here but, for now I can really only aim to find something with wireless N.

 

[13Gigatons]

Pretty much man. Its very hard to tell which have wireless N. I have considered that maybe I should just go with some media player/box that can stream better and just get myself a new blu-ray player anyways(I need a new one anyhow so I am trying to save money and get it all-in-one so to speak).

Definitely cannot do wired. Its a 2 story house and it would be a really long and ugly ethernet cable. Thats not going to be an option.

I actually use Mezzmo, plex, servioo already(yes ive tried all of them). My issues of streaming are from all of those. Even downsampling the stream in plex from 1080p blu-ray mkv files still get kind of choppy and stagger, though they are significantly more smooth than original quality playback. My last option is something that can power wireless N signal.

I think your asumption of any modern day blu-ray player supporting wireless N is wrong. Youd be surprised I think how bad streaming is from blu-ray players maybe. I dont think most are wireless N even though sony, etc claim their "super-wifi" etc bs. Ive tried the blu-ray players with "super-wifi" and they seem the same as normal wifi.

Theres a new standard 802.11ac coming out here, but still somewhat new. Perhaps when that is mainstream and incorporated into blu-ray players life will be a little easier here but, for now I can really only aim to find something with wireless N.

People over use wifi. It really doesn't stream HD that well.

Another solution and one that you will probably hate is to place the files on a portable hdd and plug it directly into the USB of the BluRay player.

PS: I couldn't live without Cat 5e running through the house. Just more reliable for this very task.

PSS: How many TB of local video files do you have?

 

[shortylickens]

My roku is fine for streaming on Wifi.

in fact over wifi I also use my laptop on the TV and its good. I can stream pirated full HD movies without a hitch.



OH, I own this:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00752R5Z4/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

But I paid 128 NEW. No clue why it shot up. It aint worth 300 bucks, much less 359.

 

[Fallengod]

People over use wifi. It really doesn't stream HD that well.

Another solution and one that you will probably hate is to place the files on a portable hdd and plug it directly into the USB of the BluRay player.

PS: I couldn't live without Cat 5e running through the house. Just more reliable for this very task.

PSS: How many TB of local video files do you have?

Well, keep in mind I already do that. I have a portable hdd for that task and thats the only way I can play my files really. Its just that it would be nice to not have to keep transferring certain files back and forth, that is what my objective is. TV episodes for seasons and what not is a lot of space so it would be easier to just stream them.

Streaming is kind of secondary to be honest. Playing files locally is how I have always done it.

 

[poofyhairguy]

802.11N at 5GHz is more than enough to stream full Blu Ray rips, like as big as ever was made (the max bitrate the standard supports), I have done that without buffering on 802.11N. Heck I do it every day of every week. Only with 4K content do I hit the wall with 802.11N. You don't need 802.11AC.

 

[smitbret]

802.11N at 5GHz is more than enough to stream full Blu Ray rips, like as big as ever was made (the max bitrate the standard supports), I have done that without buffering on 802.11N. Heck I do it every day of every week. Only with 4K content do I hit the wall with 802.11N. You don't need 802.11AC.

... at a reasonable distance without more than a wall or two between the AP and the playback device.