Superhub : Problems with Homegroup and PS3 Streaming

[charleyboy]

Hi,

I have a home network set up via a pc running Windows 8. I can stream to the PS3 and Samsung TV and all seems fine... Until the connection is lost randomly. The connection resets itself pretty much immediately, but obviously it's really annoying when watching a movie!

The problem seems to be with the wifi as it happens on both devices. I'm thinking may router settings on the Superhub?

TIA for any help.

[Mick Fisher]

That is typical superhub behaviour.

You can try manually optomising the channel, use Inssider to help with this.

If this does not help (and it probably won't) then you will have to get a proper router (Asus, Lynksis or TP-Link are all good) and use it with the superhub configured to modem mode.

[charleyboy]

Originally Posted by Mick Fisher

That is typical superhub behaviour.

You can try manually optomising the channel, use Inssider to help with this.

If this does not help (and it probably won't) then you will have to get a proper router (Asus, Lynksis or TP-Link are all good) and use it with the superhub configured to modem mode.

I had my TV plugged in rather than wifi and it still kicked me off after about 10 mins. I take it that is common with the problem you have described, and the only fix is another router?

That's really poor on Virgin Media's part if true.

[Mick Fisher]

Originally Posted by charleyboy

I had my TV plugged in rather than wifi and it still kicked me off after about 10 mins. I take it that is common with the problem you have described, and the only fix is another router?

That's really poor on Virgin Media's part if true.

Well it seems to work for some people but for others (and me) it is hopeless. The wireless is inherently weak and is prone to getting knocked of line by interference from other routers in the immediate vicinity. The auto channel doesn't seem to work properly hence the set a channel manually advice.

But when all said and done, even if you can get it to work half sharp, what do you finish up with? A poorly featured underpowered router.

Far better to get a good router that you can just set up and forget about.

[General Maximus]

I would love to do my usual rant but I am too tired atm so I'll say this:

the shub is pants and has been for a long time and they are still trying to fix stupid problems like the one you are experiencing. You'll be saving yourself a lot of time and grief by buying yourself a proper router which you know is going to work properly. I have had 4 Linksys models over the last 10 years and never had a problem with any of them. Linksys = awesomeness

[craigj2k12]

Linksys or Asus = Awesome

Belkin can be hit and miss, but most of their stuff is good

[ferretuk]

Originally Posted by charleyboy

I had my TV plugged in rather than wifi and it still kicked me off after about 10 mins. I take it that is common with the problem you have described, and the only fix is another router?

That's really poor on Virgin Media's part if true.

There are many reports of wireless issues and some about the routing performance but, if I read your comment correctly, you're streaming from a wired PC to a wired TV (for this latter test) and you still have issues? In this application the SH is just acting as a switch...

I think it's worth starting small and working outwards. Some suggestions (in no particular order):

1. Run a continuous ping from the PC to the TV while streaming and see if you get packet loss when the streaming stutters.
2. Try connecting the TV directly to the PC with a crossover cable.
3. Check your cabling from the PC to the SH. Replace the cable as a test.
4. Replace the SH with another switch (or router acting as a switch) if available, as a test.

If I've misunderstood your setup, please explain precisely what you are trying to do? Watch streamed content from the Internet or from your PC?

[qasdfdsaq]

Originally Posted by Mick Fisher

The wireless is inherently weak

No it isn't...

[charleyboy]

Originally Posted by ferretuk

There are many reports of wireless issues and some about the routing performance but, if I read your comment correctly, you're streaming from a wired PC to a wired TV (for this latter test) and you still have issues? In this application the SH is just acting as a switch...

I think it's worth starting small and working outwards. Some suggestions (in no particular order):

1. Run a continuous ping from the PC to the TV while streaming and see if you get packet loss when the streaming stutters.
2. Try connecting the TV directly to the PC with a crossover cable.
3. Check your cabling from the PC to the SH. Replace the cable as a test.
4. Replace the SH with another switch (or router acting as a switch) if available, as a test.

If I've misunderstood your setup, please explain precisely what you are trying to do? Watch streamed content from the Internet or from your PC?

I have superhub connected to PC running windows 8 via Ethernet cable. I have a Samsung TV connected to the Shub ethernet port. I have a PS3 connected to Shub via wireless. I have Samsung smart TV connected to Shub via wireless. All of those are being used to access files on PC via homegroup (usually only one device streaming via homegroup at any one time, not all at once!).

It all works fine until the connection to the media server (pc) gets lost at random times. Also, Lovefilm lost connection half way through a movie last night. The TV streaming Lovefilm was the one connected via ethernet.

As part of my setup, I also have a kindle fire, an ipad, 2 ipod touch, and 2 mobile phones connected via wireless, but obviously those devices don't access the media server.

By the way, I'm thinking of buying this router :


http://www.amazon.co.uk/TP-Link-TL-W...I2VX9C4VRMXCXB

Good choice of router?

[ferretuk]

Originally Posted by charleyboy

I have superhub connected to PC running windows 8. I have a Samsung TV connected to the Shub ethernet port. I have a PS3 connected to Shub via wireless. I have Samsung smart TV connected to Shub via wireless. All of those are being used to access files on PC via homegroup.

It all works fine until the connection to the media server (pc) gets lost at random times. Also, Lovefilm lost connection half way through a movie last night. The TV streaming Lovefilm was the one connected via ethernet.

As part of my setup, I also have a kindle fire, an ipad, 2 ipod touch, and 2 mobile phones connected via wireless, but obviously those devices don't access the media server.

OK - Three seperate problems to solve then, your LAN, wireless and your internet connection. You need to remove some variables to progess...

Streaming from your PC to your wired TV needs to be sorted first (as per tips above) as then you'll have two reliable devices to use for further investigation into the other issues.

We're you watching Lovefilm on your wired TV?

The problems you have are not yet pinned down to the SH. Think of it as having three functional blocks:

1. Network switch - Your using this to stream from the PC to the wired TV
2. Wireless gateway - Your using this to stream from the PC to wireless devices
3. Modem/Router - Your using this for the Internet.

You need to diagnose issues with all three functions indpendently...

[charleyboy]

Originally Posted by ferretuk

OK - Three seperate problems to solve then, your LAN, wireless and your internet connection. You need to remove some variables to progess...

Streaming from your PC to your wired TV needs to be sorted first (as per tips above) as then you'll have two reliable devices to use for further investigation into the other issues.

We're you watching Lovefilm on your wired TV?

The problems you have are not yet pinned down to the SH. Think of it as having three functional blocks:

1. Network switch - Your using this to stream from the PC to the wired TV
2. Wireless gateway - Your using this to stream from the PC to wireless devices
3. Modem/Router - Your using this for the Internet.

You need to diagnose issues with all three functions indpendently...

Yeah, Lovefilm dropped out when streaming via wired TV. Ok, first thing I'll do is the continuous ping while watching stream... if someone explains how to do it!

Thanks very much for taking time to provide advice, by the way.

[ferretuk]

Originally Posted by charleyboy

Yeah, Lovefilm dropped out when streaming via wired TV. Ok, first thing I'll do is the continuous ping while watching stream... if someone explains how to do it!

Thanks very much for taking time to provide advice, by the way.

Open a command window (not sure how to do this in Win 8!) and then type

ping -t <IP_ADDRESS_OF_TV>

[craigj2k12]

open command prompt and type "ping xxxxx -t" (xxxx being the destination)

---------- Post added at 13:43 ---------- Previous post was at 13:42 ----------

oops, snap

[charleyboy]

Originally Posted by ferretuk

Open a command window (not sure how to do this in Win 8!) and then type

ping -t <IP_ADDRESS_OF_TV>

Thanks. I'll set that up later tonight, and I'll post results. I assume I just leave it ping for duration if movie, and then stop it and copy n paste result?

Whats the command to stop, just hit esc? Don't want the ping Window closing before I get to copy n paste!

[craigj2k12]

press control-C to stop it