[vancwa]

I have a new Sony 52 XBR9 and an LG BD 390 player. I'm totally pleased with the overall Blu Ray video output and load times. The problem I'm having is with wireless connectivity. I have a brand new Linksys WRT610NL (802.11N) router with no issues connecting to a notebook PC in the same room as the TV. A very strong signal.

The BD 390 simply will not normally "see" the router. The setup process is a 120 second scan in which case you are supposed to press the button on the router to ping the wireless devices in range. This process usually does not work. I can however manually input the SSID and password into the BD 390, and I have had an occaisional connection to the router - but never, ever a wireless connection to the internet. All the IP address and DNS gateway type information is properly loaded - just no internet connection. And after turning the BD player off overnight it lost that connection and all the information.

I've spoken to LG about 5 times. LG tech support was always very professional and pleasant, but they basically suggest that I resort to hard wire Ethernet cabling! Not easy in my house, and not a reason to keep a wireless device like this. I did temporarily do that just to check out services and speed of streaming - it worked great! Netflix streaming is great, but that already is on my TV - a Sony KDL 52XBR9 through the Ethernet port. When I do use an Ethernet cable all that IP address and DNS Gateway information gets automatically loaded.

I get the feeling that LG gets a LOT of calls like mine on this product, and either the techs aren't trained in this area or the product is simply not ready for mass market consumers.

Linksys does not consider this to be a router problem because my notebook works perfectly. Some folks have had some success by turning off all the security settings. There are a million settings on the router side to screw with.

So here is where I'm at -

1. Keep the BD 390, and figure out why the Linksys won't connect and stay connected. Pay the Geek squad $150 to do something I should be able to do after sinking a lot into the player.. not gonna happen.

2. Return the BD 390 and get a BD 370 - but either buy a Linksys wireless Ethernet adapter or a Powerline ethernet adapter. At least you won't have to rely on LG tech support at that point.

3. Return the BD 390 and just use my old DVD until wireless connectivity is ready for mass market. It's not right now - I don't know of anyone that would do this successfully.

4. Run an Ethernet cable through my house.

5. Punt the whole LG product and go with Sony, Samsung or Panasonic using Powerline Ethernet connector.

Any and all suggestions is GREATLY appreciated. The BD 370 + using Powerline Ethernet is starting to sound good to me. I could hook up the XBR to that Ethernet cable too, and use it's own Netflix and Youtube capability.

Thanks in advance for any helpful suggestions...

Vancwa

[fruitfly]

The BD390 is not yet available here in the UK so I'm not sure if anyone will be able to fully help you.
Have you tried the American forum? There is a very long thread there regarding 370 and 390 blu-ray players and although I've only loosely followed the thread, I'm sure there has been other mentions of the Linksy's compatibility with the LG BD390 player.

[vancwa]

Hi Fruitfly,

Yes - I've tried the US forum and no answer yet. Thanks for responding because I did realize when I posted that this is a UK site.

Whatever the problem is the solution may be some obscure setting in the router. I'm admittedly no WiFi expert. I like the player other than difficulty with wireless connections and would not discourage anyone from buying it or the 370 particularly if you can use an Ethernet cable.

Vancwa

[Ian_S]

Is the BD390 in a cabinet?

[vancwa]

Originally Posted by Ian_S

Is the BD390 in a cabinet?

Yes Ian, it is. There is no real option there. It would be thoughtful if the BD manufacturer's had an optional 2.4 GHz antenna connection for a hidden or cabinet installation- which is very common on a larger AV system.

This is easy enough to check on. Problem is that without an external antenna, no way to have this player out of the cabinet. Thanks for the thought.

Vancwa

[Ian_S]

If it can't detect the network automatically, but sometimes connects if you manually enter SSID etc, then it does seem that it's at the limit of it's connectivity. This is probably down to a) the LG's antenna being in one of the worst places possible in a cabinet with lots of other wires etc around it, and b) the adapter in the LG being low power.

Your laptop probably has a much higher power client adapter and also is not encased by a cabinet with other electrical equipment.

You might want to look at:

Linksys by Cisco Wireless-N Access Point with Dual-Band WAP610N

or

http://www.linksysbycisco.com/US/en/products/WET610N

It may have a much stronger pickup and therefore work inside the cabinet, or you may be able to position it outside and run a cable in. It should extend hopefully your existing network, but I would double check with Linksys. You may also be able to attach it to a switch inside your cabinet and use it to drive multiple devices, although I wouldn't expect multiple devices streaming at the same time...

This is one of the reasons I'm not so keen on WiFi on all devices as it'll be rather disappointing for many people, and a pig to troubleshoot. Especially if there are lots of other wireless networks nearby.

Also worth checking is the wireless channel. It should be either 1, 6, or 11 by preference. If you have neighbours with wireless, use your laptop to see what channel they're using and pick one of the above that's furthest away from the one they have. So if the strongest nearby network is channel 1, pick 11.

[nbat58]

Why not use a LAN power adapter, IMHO wireless for streaming would be asking too much from the LG or any streaming device, even if you get a good connection I am sure it would fail in some other way in the future (not streaming properly because of speed etc...).

With a LAN power adapter you will have a hard connection albeit at a further cost.

Have any of your buddies have a power adapter? you can maybe try it out before you purchase.

Reverting back on what you said about this forum "I posted that this is a UK site" not strictly correct, at least I don't think it is, there are members on here from all over Europe including the USA.

[vancwa]

Originally Posted by nbat58

Why not use a LAN power adapter, IMHO wireless for streaming would be asking too much from the LG or any streaming device, even if you get a good connection I am sure it would fail in some other way in the future (not streaming properly because of speed etc...).

With a LAN power adapter you will have a hard connection albeit at a further cost.

Have any of your buddies have a power adapter? you can maybe try it out before you purchase.

Reverting back on what you said about this forum "I posted that this is a UK site" not strictly correct, at least I don't think it is, there are members on here from all over Europe including the USA.

Hi Nbat -

I leaning toward a Coax-to-Ethernet bridge adapter. Netgear makes a great one. The reason coax (rather than powerline) is apparently less noise and and somewhat better bandwidth. Apparently the bandwidth over the coax is adequate for full 1080P streaming, which is probably more than I'll ever need. The cost is at a small premium over the Powerline Ethernet adapters unfortunately.

Thanks, Vancwa

[nbat58]

Originally Posted by vancwa

Hi Nbat -

I leaning toward a Coax-to-Ethernet bridge adapter. Netgear makes a great one. The reason coax (rather than powerline) is apparently less noise and and somewhat better bandwidth. Apparently the bandwidth over the coax is adequate for full 1080P streaming, which is probably more than I'll ever need. The cost is at a small premium over the Powerline Ethernet adapters unfortunately.

Thanks, Vancwa

You will need to hard wire it to your pc though, wouldn't you? trailing cables etc...

Or is this wireless?

[vancwa]

Originally Posted by nbat58

You will need to hard wire it to your pc though, wouldn't you? trailing cables etc...

Or is this wireless?

Hi Nbat -

It is hard wired via the existing coax cable between the router and the AV system. No NEW wiring.

Here is the link to it:

MCAB1001 - MoCA Coax-Ethernet Adapter Kit - NETGEAR.com

Vancwa

[coreyk]

Hi Vancwa,

I have the exact same issue!
Just got the BD390 and the WRT160N.

I even plugged in my modem and wrt160n into the living room right next to the bd390. It showed up on the Network Connection screen, but when I tried to enter the password, it would not recognize it.

I was on the phone with LG for 2 hours. They suggested I try again later and maybe it would work. Thanks a lot.

Did you go with the Netgear adapter?

I am also trying to get internet connectivity for a computer two floors downstairs from where my cable modem is, so i may have to go the powerline route.

Thanks,

Corey

[vancwa]

Hi Corey,

Yes, I did purchase the Netgear MOCA kit, but unfortunately have not installed it yet. I think I paid $180 or so.

While I have no problem otherwise with the BD390, the wireless feature is a silly waste of money and mostly a marketing gimmick.

When I install the MOCA I'll post on how it works.

vancwa

[nickfrog]

Not sure it it's such a gimmick.
I have a BD390 connecting to an old G-only router and no problems for basic needs like youtube, photos, low res films etc which is why I bought it really as no practical way of implementing cabled ethernet (home plug would have been more than the price difference between 370 and 390).
I guess for HD and or big files, wifi might not be ideal though.