Login at Kodi Home

TDW1979 · 2015-06-16, 19:05

Ok, so quick update - I've just bought the RPi 2 Model B, Official PSU (thanks noggin) and Official Case for £44 delivered. I didn't think that this was too bad a price tbh. I've also gone for the 16GB Samsung Memory card that wrxtasy recommended (thanks).

I've got this HDMI cable - http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B003L...ge_o02_s00

I'm assuming that this will suffice?

and then all I need is the WiFi USB - just waiting on your advice re whether the Netis could be problematic. If there is anything else I need at this stage please let me know. Thanks guys.

noggin · 2015-06-16, 19:13

The Raspberry Pi foundation have just launched their own WiFi dongle. I suspect it isn't rubbish - their stuff is usually pretty good (PSU and NOOBS cards are both good quality and value). However if you have 5GHz WiFi (i.e. 802.11a + n/ac) then a 5GHz compatible USB module would definitely be worth having as 5GHz is usually less congested and thus faster and more reliable at short distances (it doesn't go as far as 2.4GHz due to the higher frequency)

The Pi Foundation USB WiFi dongle is 2.4GHz only (11b/g/n) https://www.raspberrypi.org/products/usb-wifi-dongle/

wrxtasy · (This post was last modified: 2015-06-16, 19:33 by wrxtasy.)

I would never get a non MIMO 2.4Ghz WiFi usb again. Even with the dongle 2 feet away from a good Apple Extreme WiFi router, as soon as a microwaveoven starts up, dropouts occur. Sad

Microwaves ovens operate at a frequency of 2.45Ghz

A Dual Band WiFi usb would be even better like:
eSynic® Dual Band 300Mbps 2.4G /5G Wireless N USB £9.99

TDW1979 · 2015-06-16, 19:35

(2015-06-16, 19:13)noggin Wrote: The Raspberry Pi foundation have just launched their own WiFi dongle. I suspect it isn't rubbish - their stuff is usually pretty good (PSU and NOOBS cards are both good quality and value). However if you have 5GHz WiFi (i.e. 802.11a + n/ac) then a 5GHz compatible USB module would definitely be worth having as 5GHz is usually less congested and thus faster and more reliable at short distances (it doesn't go as far as 2.4GHz due to the higher frequency)

The Pi Foundation USB WiFi dongle is 2.4GHz only (11b/g/n) https://www.raspberrypi.org/products/usb-wifi-dongle/

Yeah, I spotted that when I was browsing for the other items that I need. I'm not sure which WiFi I've got but I imagine it'll be the lowest quality! I'm on Sky BB with a max connection speed of 3MB. There is no Fibre (currently) in my village but I will upgrade as soon as it is out. The router I currently use is a Sagem v.6 2504n.........hardly cutting edge!

So with that in mind, do I have to stick with the 2.4ghz?

TDW1979 · 2015-06-16, 19:40

(2015-06-16, 19:25)wrxtasy Wrote: I would never get a non MIMO 2.4Ghz WiFi usb again. Even with the dongle 2 feet away from a good Apple Extreme WiFi router, as soon as a microwaveoven starts up, dropouts occur.

Microwaves ovens operate at a frequency of 2.45Ghz

A Dual Band WiFi usb would be even better like:
eSynic® Dual Band 300Mbps 2.4G /5G Wireless N USB £9.99

This one?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/eSynic%C2%AE-300...B00RFLHF14?

wrxtasy · (This post was last modified: 2015-06-16, 19:59 by wrxtasy.)

Yes. I think you will find your Sagem v.6 2504n WiFi router is 2.4Ghz only.

The MIMO 2.4Ghz TP-LINK TL-WN823N 300Mbps Mini Wireless N is verified to work on the RPi2 out of the box too.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/TP-LINK-TL-WN823...roduct_top

TDW1979 · 2015-06-16, 20:39

(2015-06-16, 19:49)wrxtasy Wrote: Yes. I think you will find your Sagem v.6 2504n WiFi router is 2.4Ghz only.

The MIMO 2.4Ghz TP-LINK TL-WN823N 300Mbps Mini Wireless N is verified to work on the RPi2 out of the box too.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/TP-LINK-TL-WN823...roduct_top

Ok, thanks for confirming that it's only 2.4ghz. Slightly confused now though.... You've just linked me the TP Link USB on top of the other one from before (eSynic). Which one should I go for?

noggin · 2015-06-16, 20:46

You only need a 5GHz dual-band dongle if your router is 5GHz capable, otherwise you only need 2.4GHz.

wrxtasy · (This post was last modified: 2015-06-16, 20:50 by wrxtasy.)

MIMO 2.4Ghz TPLINK TL-WN823N - as I've read it works with the RPi2

It will be better than the weak cheap non MIMO usb WiFi I bought

TDW1979 · 2015-06-16, 20:57

Cheers noggin.

I'll get the TP link one ordered now. I've also ordered an RJ45 Cable for times when we're streaming content and I need a better connection. I think that's about it for now.

TDW1979 · 2015-06-16, 21:19

I've just realised the TP Link is not dual band. Going off a recent post, this is essential is it not? Sorry to labour the point but I want to make sure I'm getting the right item. I think the eSynic is dual band.

noggin · (This post was last modified: 2015-06-16, 23:15 by noggin.)

(2015-06-16, 21:19)TDW1979 Wrote: I've just realised the TP Link is not dual band. Going off a recent post, this is essential is it not? Sorry to labour the point but I want to make sure I'm getting the right item. I think the eSynic is dual band.

Dual band is only required if you have a 5GHz (aka 802.11a+n+ac) compatible) router. If you only have a 2.4GHz router (802.11bg+n) then you don't need dual band - as you only have one band to worry about.

MIMO is different and is the number of aerials that your USB WiFi dongle has. If it has one aerial it will have a lower maximum speed than if it has more than one. MIMO means Multiple In, Multiple Out. Single aerial dongles aren't MIMO as they don't have multiple aerials. This reduces their top data rate, and also their robustness.

If you only have a 2.4GHz capable router then you will be fine with a single-band, MIMO USB dongle. A dual band will future proof you - but the cost of these things is so low that you may as well replace it if you need to down the line.

I have to say that because I live in a busy West London road - my WiFi is congested to hell (*) - so I always use cabled networks BUT that's because I am playing back high bitrate (30+Mbs) content from a local server.

(*) Actually it's not THAT bad - I'm on BT Infinity and get 50Mbs plus sustained downloads over 5GHz WiFi on my Macbook Pro from a BT Home Hub (current version with 802.11ac)

TDW1979 · 2015-06-16, 22:13

Makes complete sense now. Thanks for the explanation.

Matt Devo · 2015-06-16, 22:41

(2015-06-16, 21:38)noggin Wrote: Dual band is only required if you have a 5GHz (aka 802.11a+n+ac) compatible) router. If you only have a 2.4GHz router (802.11bg+n) then you don't need dual band - as you only have one band to worry about.

FTFY - AC is 5GHz only

TDW1979 · 2015-06-16, 23:31

I can get one of these for £17

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00D0AF3TA

Worth it? Or should I just go with the £9 TL-WN823N? I've read a few threads of people having issues with the 823N .... But what do I know. I'm just wondering whether it's better to go for the better dongle whilst it's cheaper?