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Forum Discussion
Netgear XWNB5201 - Boosting signal to receive Netflix in summerhouse.
Dear All, I have a garden studio with a smart TV which receives Wifi fine (e.g. I can get IPlayer), but not Netflix. I'm told by my TV supplier that Netflix needs a stronger signal. The studio i...
I'm told by my TV supplier that Netflix needs a stronger signal.
Did they give a reason? That sounds like a classic "we haven't got a clue" response.
What happens when you try to connect to Netflix?
If the receiver is good enough to receive one stream, it should handle anything else you throw at it. Netflix doesn't have special sorts of bits and bytes.
If BBC iPlayer works, the only reason I can think of as to why you might need a "stronger signal" is if Netflix is trying to deliver data more quickly. If Netflix is HD for example when the BBC service isn't.
Virgin media doesn't seem to understand the Netgear powerline range. Two antennas? Where did that come from?
Powerline is about creating wired connections between devices, although some systems do offer wifi extenders for places where you don't want to plug into the powerline receiver. If the TV isn't moving around the place, the wired is better, if it has that ability.
I have a similar electrical setup. Getting two different circuits to see each other over powerline can be iffy. For me at least it is not more reliable than wifi.
If you can get the powerline to work between two circuits, why talk about wifi and antennae? You don't need wifi.
How are you connecting the TV? Direct wifi? If it is a signal issue, then a wifi repeater might help. If the TV has a LAN connector, you can plug into that rather than using the TV's wifi.
Thanks so much for your detailed response, Michael. That's great. I kind of wondered that too - why Netflix should be different. I suppose it could the HD / speed thing you mention ...
I am connecting the TV to the internet via Wifi at the moment. There is no cable. I checked the strength of the signal I get, and it's not amazing, but definitely good enough for IPlayer. When I try to connect I get a message to say that Netflix cannot connect to Netflix, to try again or restart the network and streaming divice (I assume that's the router - I've tried that several times) and for more info to visit Netflix.com/nethelp. Error code nw-4-8. This offers some suggestions but I've still not been able to get it to work.
I went to a shop to buy the Netgear powerline to try it, but they didn't sell it, and advised a Wifi Extender (or homeplug). He recommended it to get round the two circuits / fuse boxes issue, as it (if I understand correctly) just picks up the Wifi signal from the router and transmits it again from a 'hot spot' closer to the studio, so it doesn't need the link through the electrical wiring. This hasn't worked so far (someone is now coming round to see what's needed - it's possible I'm doing something wrong in the set-up), but I noticed it has two antennae. Maybe that is what the adviser at Virgin was thinking of.
Is a Wifi extender the same as the repeater you were suggesting? Would it be plugged in and create a hot spot in the house closest to the studio, though, as otherwise it wouldn't pick up more thant the TV? That would mean I couldn't connect it via a LAN connector? Or are you saying if I plugged it in in the studio itself it would magnify the weak connection and boost it sufficiently for the TV to use it?
I was told if this doesn't work, I should lay a cable from the router to the studio (as it will have to go round some corners probably 60m or so). Is that what you mean by 'wired connection'. Are we talking about an ethernet cable? (I'm sorry - I am very ignorant about all this!). I'll see if I can find out if I'm connected through Direct Wifi.
Thanks very much again for taking the time to write, Michael. Hope you're having a great weekend.
Jeannet :-)
Jeannet wrote:When I try to connect I get a message to say that Netflix cannot connect to Netflix, to try again or restart the network and streaming divice (I assume that's the router - I've tried that several times) and for more info to visit Netflix.com/nethelp.
Can you connect to Netflix with anything else? Perhaps something nearer to the router? That would eliminate other issues.
The router is not a "streaming device" in my book. (Some can do that sort of things, but that isn't relevant in this scenario.) It is a network device. But why does Netflix object when iPlayer doesn't?
Jeannet wrote:Is a Wifi extender the same as the repeater you were suggesting? Would it be plugged in and create a hot spot in the house closest to the studio, though, as otherwise it wouldn't pick up more thant the TV?
Yes. If you put a repeater in the house as near as possible to the studio, it might give a better signal than you receive now. (How far is the TV from the existing wifi device?) Then again 50 metres is quite a stretch for a wifi signal, even a repeater.
If the TV's wifi receiver is not up to much, then a repeater in the studio, "listening" to the wifi broadcast indoors, might work.
What make of TV is this? I thought most modern receivers came with a LAN/ethernet socket as well as wifi. My BluRay player (I don't own a TV) has both LAN and wifi. Even though the player is a mere 3 metres from the modem, I use powerplugs ethernet because it is more reliable. It happily handles iPlayer, Amazon Instant and any other on-line video I have tried.
If powerplug/powerline is a viable option for you – you won't know until you try it – then your best bet would be to buy the Netgear bundle that has two plugs, one of which is a wifi extender. Something like the XWNB5201. Connect the "wireless" plug next to the modem. Then put the extender in the studio. I have used that setup.
Hi Michael,
Thanks again for your thoughts and suggestions. The TV (a Samsung SAMSUNG UE22H5600) is about 25-30m from the house and about 45-50m from the router.
I was at work yesterday, so didn't have time to do anything about it, but today I fixed the TV onto a bracket on the wall. I also rung Netflix, who confirmed that their material does need a better (faster?) signal than other internet content, like FaceBook. He gave me some suggestions to try, one of which involved going back to the error message. I did, and to my amazement I was able to log into Netflix. All I can think is that by moving the TV from the floor (where it had been until I was able to fix up the bracket) to about shoulder height, I improved it's reception. Not sure if that's possible, but anyway - whatever the reason, this afternoon I had Netflix. I haven't been back this evening to see if there is something about the time of day. If I find that it is time sensitive, I'll let the community know, but for the time being, I'm hopeful! If it starts to fail again, I'll work my way through your suggestions - like trying the powerplug / repeater again. I'll get the XWNB5201 this time.
I really appreciate the time you've taken to think about this and write to me!
With my very best wishes, Jeannet :-)