[mythtv-users] Power Line Network Connections and Myth ?

[sean darcy]

On Sun, Oct 3, 2010 at 8:58 PM, Bill Kenworthy <billk at iinet.net.au> wrote:
> On Sun, 2010-10-03 at 20:41 -0400, sean darcy wrote:
>> On Sun, Oct 3, 2010 at 4:14 PM, Nick Rout <nick.rout at gmail.com> wrote:
>> > On Sun, Oct 3, 2010 at 11:39 AM, sean darcy <seandarcy2 at gmail.com> wrote:
>> >> On Thu, Sep 30, 2010 at 4:34 PM, Nick Rout <nick.rout at gmail.com> wrote:
>> >>> On Thu, Sep 30, 2010 at 3:01 PM, Craig Huff <huffcslists at gmail.com> wrote:
>> >>>> OK, so I bit the bullet and bought some of these to see what they'd do
>> >>>> for my problem.
>> >>>>
>> >>>> (To recap _my_ problem, I have a frontend that I was trying to work
>> >>>> with via WiFi.  It was barely adequate during the daytime when no one
>> >>>> in the neighborhood, including my wife, was doing anything with WiFi,
>> >>>> but once the evening came, there were all sorts of dropped frames and
>> >>>> finally lost connections, so it was impossible to watch a single
>> >>>> recording.  This is all SD video since I have spent all my $$$ on
>> >>>> MythTV instead of new TV displays ;-)).
>> >>>>
>> >>>> In any case, (based on an earlier message in this thread, I believe) I
>> >>>> installed iperf and jperf on my combination BE/FE, an FE that is on
>> >>>> 10/100base-T, and the problem child struggling with WiFi.
>> >>>>
>> >>>> As a baseline, I found that the bandwidth to the 10/100Base-T FE was
>> >>>> upwards of 95Mbps while the bandwidth to the WiFi unit (under evening
>> >>>> --bad-- conditions) was around 6-7Mbps.  I was shocked that I could
>> >>>> even get the poor performance I was getting with 6-7Mbps!
>> >>>>
>> >>>> Went to NewEgg and ordered these:
>> >>>> http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833122360
>> >>>
>> >>> I have similar gear, this one:
>> >>> http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833122329
>> >>>
>> >>> I am using it in the office. From my (linux) server to my (wndows 7)
>> >>> desktop iperf shows 37 to 38Mbit/s. Thats the simple default test mode
>> >>> of iperf (iperf -s on one machine, iperf -c IPADDRESS on the other)
>> >>>
>> >>>
>> >>>>
>> >>>> So... After all that, the net result was nowhere near 200Mbps, or
>> >>>> 100Mbps, but rather around 14Mbps.  Casual testing post-install
>> >>>> indicates it may be "good enough" for my SD use, but it is still a far
>> >>>> cry from the performance over a CAT-5 drop.
>> >>>>
>> >>>> YMMV!
>> >>>>
>> >>>> Craig.
>> >>>> _______________________________________________
>> >>>> mythtv-users mailing list
>> >>>> mythtv-users at mythtv.org
>> >>>> http://mythtv.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/mythtv-users
>> >>>>
>> >>> _______________________________________________
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>> >>>
>> >>
>> >> I'm planning on setting up an FE in a cabin about 150 yards from the
>> >> house. I could run CAT 5E, but it's a long way, and the cable would be
>> >> exposed to rain, snow, etc. Instead I'm thinking of Powerline over a
>> >> dedicated electric cable. I run outdoor rated electric cable with an
>> >> outlet at each end. No connection to the electric system at either
>> >> end. Then use 2 Powerline adapters.
>> >>
>> >> Would this work? Is it a good idea?
>> >
>> > I assume the cabin has power, otherwise you couldn't plug the TV and
>> > frontend in? (OK I know therwe are alternatives, like
>> > batteries/solar), but depending on how the wiring is done, could you
>> > possibly run powerline on the exiting wiring. EG if the cabin is fed
>> > it's power from a sub-feed from the house?
>> > _______________________________________________
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>> >
>>
>> No. The power is from a separate meter. I'm now leaning to CAT5E
>> through links of pvc pipe. Not pretty, but cheap. Also considering
>> coax. Wouldn't that be better both for distance and protection from
>> rain/snow,etc? Just lay it on the ground.
>>
>> sean
> ...
>
> Before you go too far, cat 5e and cat 6 are quoted as having a maximum
> distance of 90meters, which puts your 150yds just outside.  And thats if
> your (cheap?) network card can drive it hard enough without errors.  You
> are likely to need at least one powered (POE?) store and forward
> repeater node (i.e., switch) in between. Its not just attenuation, but
> timings of the ethernet signal as well.
>
> Would a directional antenna on the wifi link be a better proposition? -
> perhaps if you can borrow/make one dish/yagi or the like and test to see
> if the gain helps before buying 2 quality ones.
>
> BillK
>
>
>
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>

I don't have a line of sight. Lots of trees. And yes, the distance is
a problem, though some say it'll still work. An answer is running
fiber. But I'm cheap. If electric cable doesn't work, maybe coax will.
It has a longer spec. And it's more protected from the elements. I
assume I just hook up a cable modem at each end.

sean