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[shadowsports]

Greetings,
Dir 655 Rev B F/W 2.01na

My network consists of:
1 wired desktop
1 wired VOIP phone
2 wired NAS Devices
2 iPhones
4 wireless laptops
1 wireless Home Security Camera
1 wireless Roku player (wireless G version 720p)

ISP: SBC DSL 5.1 down, 655 up, Avg latency about 22ms

My previous network was handled by a linksys wrt54g2.  

Solid performance both wired and wireless.  Streaming to the Roku wirelessly works great.

I was looking to upgrade to N, in anticipation of adding a newer 1080p N Roku device.

Enter the DIR-655

Let me start by saying that I had zero issues with setup or configuration of the 655.  I flashed my rev b hardware from 2.00 to 2.01.  I did note some minor bugs in the firmware, but nothing that keeps the device functioning as advertised.

Connectivity to both wired and wireless devices is solid. I regulary use WebEx, VNC and other remote control desktop applications while talking on my VOIP phone with perfect call quality and performance.  From this standpoint, the 655 has performed comparably to the linksys.

Streaming to my Roku (specifically Netflix) however has been hit or miss.  Here's the catch. The channels, menu and configuration are always available.  Go to the Amazon channel and I can browse my queue, browse for new movies or shows, buy a show and watch instantly. All programs play perfectly.  Without reliable network connectivity this isn't possible.  This all works in milliseconds, flawlessly.

Select the Netflix channel, boom!  I get my queue, hundreds of movies, TV shows and programming.  The interface is intense.  Each title displays a cover and as you browse a balloon box populates with the program's title, star rating, release year, time, PG rating and format (stand or HD).  Once again, all this happens in milliseconds, and my screen refreshes no matter how fast I move between programming selections.  This is completely normal.

Behavior with 655:

Amazon: select a title, select watch, buffers in 10-15 secs, plays
Netflix: select a title, select watch, buffers (fails) 3 out of every 5 times regardless of the show selected

Behavior with linksys:

Amazon: Plays!
Netflix: Plays!


It takes me about 80secs to switch back and forth between the two devices.  The linksys works with Netflix, the 655 is not reliable.  It doesn't even appear to try and rebuffer, or to display at less than HD quality.  The Roku does this automatically depending on the speed and quality of the connection.

Please note I am not loading down my wireless network and then trying to stream HD video.  I've been testing with the network idle with only the roku connected.

I am using wireless security - WPA (only) (TKIP) cipher.

On the 655 - I've tried thus far:

QoS on and off
WISH on and off
Wireless n & g
Wireless g only (Just disabling N all together)
Wireless Channel Auto, then static set at 1, 3, or 11
Auto and different transmissions rates

I'm rebooting the router after making changes.

With the 655 I can stand across the street from my house and watch you tube videos on any of my laptops.  I understand this isn't Hi-Def.  My bandwidth and line quality do not appear to be an issue.  Put the linksys back in place and I'm in business.  Try with the 655 and my netflix movies will not stream reliably.

I work mostly from home.  I've been testing this for over a week now.  Back and forth, the issue is with the 655 or its configuration, not with Netflix, my bandwidth or my line quality. Amazon just works in both scenarios, that bugs me.

If anyone has experienced this or similar behavior, I'd like to hear about it.  All suggestions are appreciated.  

If I don't find a solution this weekend, I'm going to try a linksys e3000 dual band.

Thanks Everyone

[FurryNutz]

Have you tried N mode only to test? I think N handles the stream better than G does, specially for 1080p.

can also review this:
http://forums.dlink.com/index.php?topic=30730.0

[shadowsports]

Thanks Furry.   

My current Roku device is G only 720p.  I'm going to get the 1080p N model once I have a reliable solution.  I don't currently have an N device to test with.  Would you recommend getting the N based Roku and then going to Dual band if the 655 isn't up to 2.4Ghz snuff?

Checking the other thread.

http://forums.dlink.com/index.php?topic=30357.0

Based on what you and Yimmy discussed, I think a dual band router is in my future!

[FurryNutz]

Does your 655 have the 5Ghz option, this might work better once you get the N supported ROKU. If not then maybe the 655 could become an AP and you might have to look into SIMULTANIOUS Dual bander router.

[FurryNutz]

Sorry it didn't work out. Hope you enjoy the new router man. Have a great weekend.

[Cobra]

You basically purchased a WRT610N V2

WNDR3700 would have been a better choice.

http://www.smallnetbuilder.com/wireless/wireless-reviews/31134-cisco-linksys-e3000-high-performance-wireless-n-router-reviewed

For everyone who has been asking for a test of the WRT610N V2, well, you finally have it, since the E3000 is the same product with a new name. While the E3000 is a decent router and I'm sure that Cisco will sell plenty of 'em, it isn't as good as NETGEAR's WNDR3700, which is still the best-performing dual-band simultaneous N router that I've tested so far.

[shadowsports]

Thats your opinion, and I won't knock it  

Netgear has a spotty track record over the last 10 yrs.  I've used and supported their ProSafe and consumer based products.  Each has been plagued by buggy firmware, heat and/or unreliable connectivity requiring constant management or fiddling.  I just don't have time for this.        

The 3700 appears to be a good product and the reviews don't lie, but Netgear I'm just not a fan. Maybe this one is a shiny penny.  
***
Take that back, their forum is plastered with users complaining of frequent disconnects.  Seems newer firmware is helping, but you have to wonder how things like that get out the door.

Me:
5 hours of BG yesterday on the e3000 - No hiccups or disconnects, just solid wireless HD streaming performance right out of the box.  Problem solved. 

[Cobra]

I have two routers.

DIR 655 A3- Uptime is since 1.35 firmware release.

Only time router has even been down is for a firmware upgrade.

WNDR3700V2- Never had a problem even before the new firmware which was just released.

655 is now in bridge mode.