Home Networking / Router / & WiFi Gateway Help

[BassManDan]

I have a blu-ray with new capabilities that I would like to use.  My modem is connected to my computer up stairs and my HDTV is down stairs.  Wireless router would probably work but with what cost?  Does Comcast provide router or do I need to buy one? 

[Barmar]

A WiFi router will run you around $40-50. Comcast offers a Home Networking option, but you'll pay a monthly fee that will end up costing more than the router in about a year, and they cripple the firmware so you can't use all the features. They also use a combined modem/router, so if there's a problem with the router you can't simply connect your PC directly to the modem. So we generally recommend getting your own.

[Weil]

If you intend to transfer large files and your computer can handle it, I would suggest an n router which may cost twice as much; but, it will speed up the transfers.

sam 

[EG]

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Weil wrote:

If you intend to transfer large files and your computer can handle it, I would suggest an n router which may cost twice as much; but, it will speed up the transfers.

sam 

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Yes. But make sure that all clients have N wireless adapters as well.

[Rosecp]

Hello! I am having a terrible time trying to get my Panasonic Blue Ray DVD player to link to my comcast modem via wireless network. I want to use the Viera Cast feature and get an error message each time I try. Are there particular settings I should be trying? Right now I have tried to use the easy link feature in the Panasonic device.  It recognizes my home network, but won't get out to the internet.It says it can't find an IP address for the default Gateway.  I am grateful for any help anyone can provide.

[Barmar]

It should get a gateway address at the same time it gets its own IP from the router, I don't think there are any special settings that should be required.

But if this isn't working, does the DVD player let you enter a gateway address manually? If so, enter the IP of your router (usually 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1). And if it's not getting DNS servers automatically, enter 75.75.75.75 and 75.75.76.76.

[Baric]

Also make sure your wireless router is not restricting access by MAC address.  If so, simply add the player's wireless MAC address to the access list on the router.

[Rosecp]

Thanks so much!  This helped a bunch.  I also got some help from Panasonic. I was surprised at how helpful that call was. Very good customer service.  They have a brand loyal customer now.  Ultimately the solution was to use the settings found through IPCONFIG on my laptop.  That got me the IP address. It was what you suggested below Panasonic had me change the last digit from 1 to 240.  I also slightly modified the DNS servers as you suggested. These were not coming across automatically.  Finally, the subnet mask was slightly off.  I manually fixed that as well.  I have no clue what all those settings mean, but it now works!  Thanks for the help!!

[Rosecp]

Thanks so much for the reply on this.  I very much appreciate that you took the time to respond. I am sorted out now  Cheers!  Rose

[doswald3]

what exact settings did you use.  I keep getting invalid DNS name regardless of what numbers I use.

[Baric]

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doswald3 wrote:

what exact settings did you use.  I keep getting invalid DNS name regardless of what numbers I use.

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If you are statically setting the IP parameters, they will depend on what your router is and how it's setup.  It's best to use the automatic setting so you don't have to configure these, but if it won't work (check for a firmware update), then you may have to.  If you provide the output of ipconfig /all from your computer, we can tell you most of the settings you should use, with the exception of the IP address itself.  Depending on how your router is setup, this number will vary, it should be currently unassigned and NOT within the range that your router's DHCP server can assign.  If we know hte model of the router, we can likely suggest something what will work and not conflict with your current configuration. 

As for DNS settings, use 75.75.75.75 and 75.75.76.76, or use the two DNS settings from the ipconfig on your comptuer.  You can also use 3rd party DNS servers from OpenDNS or Google, if you prefer, but I would stick with the Comcast servers unless you have some specific need.