Extender for BT Router

Discussion in 'Computer Corner' started by Palustris, Oct 27, 2021.

  1. Palustris

    Palustris Total Gardener

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    Anyone fitted one? If so any recommendations? How easy for a totally non technical minded oap?
    We need one so that our new TV will connect to the Internet to work properly.
    TIA.
     
  2. Loofah

    Loofah Admin Staff Member

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    I used a TP Link one and it worked quite well. The TV ran off the extender with an ethernet cable and the WiFi was 'ok' in that room.
    Simple to set up, plug the first extender into a socket with ethernet running into it from the router. Plug the other extenders around the house and that's about it as I recall
     
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    • Palustris

      Palustris Total Gardener

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      Distance from the nearest socket is greater than any ethernet cable that we can find. So, WI-fi connection is the only option.
       
    • ricky101

      ricky101 Total Gardener

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      Often read that its better to use a cable for the TV to avoid any glitches from a slower wifi.

      Our TV to router for Streaming etc is on one of these cables at 15mtrs and we also have another PC connected to the router on a 30mtr cable, all works well.

      Gaming at very high GB levels may not work on that class of long cable.

      000877.jpg
       
    • Palustris

      Palustris Total Gardener

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      Thanks. We only want to watch TV, don't do games so Wi-fi may be enough. Will keep the cable in mind though,if nothing else works. It would have to go up into the loft and down again so may require holes drilling in the ceiling. Not certain how far that would be.
       
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      • shiney

        shiney President, Grumpy Old Men's Club Staff Member

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        • ricky101

          ricky101 Total Gardener

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          Doubt it would be more that 50mtrs unless you are living in Buck Place ! :biggrin:

          Sometimes easier if you can get access under the floor or run the cable along the skirting board or with some of the mini trunkings

          Easy enough to measure the approximate distance and height x2 then add a bit extra and get one of those cable to suit, various lengths available. ( have used that supplier many times, good service)

          Before you do any cable laying, test the cable works by just laying it on the floor and connecting up the Router and TV.

          Not into wifi, but one important question, between your router and tv how many walls are there and how many of them are brick/block or simple partitions ? the former affects the wifi signal more.
          Have you actually tried your standard router wifi to see if it connects to your tv or pc in that room ?
           
        • JAS

          JAS Gardener

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          I tried a few plug in repeater type things that didn't work. I ended up fitting 2 ubiquiti ones they work well but needed to run a cat 5 cable and power to them. We have thick stone walls which played havoc with the signal from the router.
           
        • Loofah

          Loofah Admin Staff Member

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          Just plug the 2nd extender in the power socket with the TV and run the ethernet cable from that.
           
        • pete

          pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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          Can you get the router moved.
          My TV runs well enough off wifi.
          Before I had my router moved I used this. 16354053738757960834319513632726.jpg
           
        • Loofah

          Loofah Admin Staff Member

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          I should really point out I may be talking about a powerline adapter here! Just realised and it might have caused confusion. Powerline adapters are hugely more impressive than a basic WiFi extender
           
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          • shiney

            shiney President, Grumpy Old Men's Club Staff Member

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            I had to use the TP link as the wifi couldn't get through our walls. :noidea:
             
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            • Palustris

              Palustris Total Gardener

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              Thanks folks. Got a Computer whizz kid coming this afternoon to see what we need to do.
               
            • john558

              john558 Total Gardener

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              Yes those 10 year olds know a great deal about PC's and make it look so easy.
               
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              • Palustris

                Palustris Total Gardener

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                Maybe but this one is in his 60's. If he cannot help then we go for the grandsons.
                 
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