Plug-in-Ethernet?

[Zoomboxer]

Finally decided to get a PlayStation 3 - deciding point over a X-Box was that the PS3 had BBC iPlayer which was more useful to use than Sky.

However, trying to play anything is a bit of a hit or miss affair. The PS3 FAQs suggest a Broadband connecition of at least 2 MB - that is being sorted - AND recommend an Ethernet connection rather than a Wireless Connection. The PS3 is not near the Router and not wanting to have a wire trailing across the house I have started to look into (for want of a better word) a Plug-In-Ethernet Connection.

This consists of a blue thing that is plugged into the house mains near the router and the router is connected to this; the 2nd blue thing is plugged into the mains socket nearest the PS3 and connected together - the idea being that an Ethernet Connection is made via the house mains wiring .

Has anybody tried that and is it recommended?

thanking you kindly

 

[judge]

Have utilised these many times when WiFi is poor or bandwidth is critical (or putting in Ethernet specific cabling is deemed too much faff or undesired).

They work fine but go for the 200 Mbps speed rated stuff not 80 or less as you never get anywhere near these speeds but the cost difference is negligable and the more your boxes can cope with the better.

And avoid putting them in extension leads especially ones with surge protection circuitry built in as these severely impact performance.

Last ones I bought were from Amazon good kit and decent price

 

[Clive]

The PS3 is not near the Router and not wanting to have a wire trailing across the house I have started to look into (for want of a better word) a Plug-In-Ethernet Connection.

Have you got a Wireless laptop?
You can test what the PS3 would be like on Wireless, by ethernet connecting the PS3 to the Wireless laptop ethernet then "Bridge connect" the Laptop Ethernet/Wireless network connections. i.e. the PS3 treats the laptop as its wireless connection.

 

[shugie]

I've used these, two problem areas, firstly they can cause interference noise on audio equipment, especially cheap audio stuff. Secondly the sockets you want to connect need to be on the same ring main to get decent performance.

 

[cookie]

i tried to achieve a similar function today using an old apple Airport Express i had kicking about. after a frustrating hour or so, i found that i need the latest Draft n model to get that function.

bollocks!

 

[shugie]

i tried to achieve a similar function today using an old apple Airport Express i had kicking about. after a frustrating hour or so, i found that i need the latest Draft n model to get that function.

bollocks!

Got some spare Cat V. ethernet cable lurking in the garage if you want some.

 

[judge]

i tried to achieve a similar function today using an old apple Airport Express i had kicking about. after a frustrating hour or so, i found that i need the latest Draft n model to get that function.

bollocks!

Don't think that qualifies for the 'things I broke this Christmas' list

 

[cookie]

Got some spare Cat V. ethernet cable lurking in the garage if you want some.

me too.

probably the best solution to get ethernet to my TV.

Don't think that qualifies for the 'things I broke this Christmas' list

it's only a matter of time. check back next christmas.

 

[Zoomboxer]

All excellent information for which I am very grateful and looks like the way to go.

Will wait out for the 2MB to be upgraded to 8 MB

Meanwhile I will check that the sockets are on the same ring - should be OK as both are down-stairs.

Connect the PS to the lap-top to see what happens but IPlayer is also dodgy on my lap-top but is OK on Mrs Z's - strange

Well worth the yearly £12.00 subs

 

[solidback]

Got a couple of these from BT when they supplied our Vision Box.
Despite the phone line being at the opposite end of the house, and on a different floor from the Vision Box, I've had no problems with the plugs. I also have an ethernet switch plugged into it so I can use a cable to connect my laptop into the network. Again no problems with connection or speed. I have to use a wired connection for the laptop as the walls in this place are too thick to get a reliable wireless connection.

 

[andyclift]

Am I missing something? My PS3 has always been wirelessly linked to my bog standard Sky broadband router and everything works perfectly. Internet, upgrade programmes, all work and it links as an Universal Plug and Play device on my network so is happy to play any music on my tower or laptop computers. Only gripe is it won't handle MP4 so wont play iTunes stuff.

 

[DollyRocket]

My PS3 is running fine over wifi - Even shi**y connection in your house is likely to be faster than your broadband link speed so don't worry about it (unless you have NO connection to your PS3).

Your broadband will be the bottleneck not your wifi. I get ropey connection occasionally to IPlayer but it is because you are watching at peak times, the PS3 browser/Iplayer is not as fault tolerant and hangs quite often compared to standard PC versions (doesn't buffer quite as much data I think) so I wouldn't spend money on upgrading house connections when it may not be the case.