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[newidad]

Greetings -- still trying to improve my signal to a Roku unit in a New York aparment (about 60 feet away BUT throught several walls)  Cannot see the 5MhZ and the 2.4 is weak. Had been recommended the D Link DAP 1360 but it seesm older and gets lower rating on Amazon. An extender that gets higher ratings is the HAWKING HWREN1 (PS also seems older -- 2004...)

Anyone have experience and comments re compatibility with DLink DIR 825?

All input gratefully received as it will save me valuable time
Thanks  michael

[HankRiker]

Greetings -- still trying to improve my signal to a Roku unit in a New York aparment (about 60 feet away BUT throught several walls)  Cannot see the 5MhZ and the 2.4 is weak. Had been recommended the D Link DAP 1360 but it seesm older and gets lower rating on Amazon. An extender that gets higher ratings is the HAWKING HWREN1 (PS also seems older -- 2004...)

Anyone have experience and comments re compatibility with DLink DIR 825?

All input gratefully received as it will save me valuable time
Thanks  michael

Hi Michael,

I don't have specific knowledge of either of those two products, but I do have some general suggestions:

Focus on the 2.4GHz signal, I'd suggest just turning off the 5GHz signal unless you are able to use it (and need to use it) closer to the device. It's more for outside use (over flat land without many obstructions it can offer longer range than 2.4GHz). In an urban forest, it doesn't fair as well.

f you are at all able, I would say, run a wire. If that's impractical or impossible then a unidirectional antenna pointing at your device has the best chance of getting you signal.

If the router can see your Roku, a unidirectional antenna may be all you need...

If you need fast two-way communication, you might need to invest in a wireless access point/range extender with a similar unidirectional antenna pointing back at the router. It doesn't look like the Roku devices have discreet antennas, or I'd say you could just attach a cantenna-like device to it. I'd worry less about the age of the device and more about the claimed frequency and signal strength.

Finally, depending on how your building is wired, you might also find some of the ethernet over power-line solutions might work out for you. I haven't had to use it myself, so I'd suggest doing some research before jumping in...

Hope this helps,
Hank

[newidad]

Many thanks for the advice, Hank

So far , working with my son we have:

1. Switched off the 5.4MHz band which seems to make a difference - can anyone confirm that using only one band on a dual band router provides a better signal for the remaining one?
2. In doing research looks like the DLink DIR 655 is much better rated than the DIR 825 I have.....ouch
3. Updated the firmware on the DIR 825 from 1.01 to 1.13
4. Have moved the router to the left of the monitor and away from the large Sony Vaio PC which seems to provide a better signal
5. So DLink 2.4Mh band shows up on Roku now with 3 bars signal strength (out of 5) some of the time which is good enough for HD streaming
6. As it is impractical to "run a wire" have purchased the  HAWKING HWREN1 Range Extender, so that is my next weekend's "adventure"
Again, any input or ideas much appreciated    Michael

[grandforker]

I don't know if this helps anyone using the Hawking HWREN1, but after switching from the 203NA firmware to the 205NA firmware on my DIR-825B1, the computers I use on the HWREN1 went from four bars signal strength to five bars. I'm not sure how or why the router's firmware upgrade would improve the HWREN1's signal strength, but it seems to have helped.

[hogdoc]

I have been using two hawkins extenders with my dir825 for 2 yrs now and works very well. Make sure that you do a site survey on the Hawking to look for an unused channel. Pick a channel and set the Hawking and the router to that channel. Make SURE that the "auto channel scan" is unchecked or else you will lose your connection to the Hawking. Also when you do a site survey, the signal should be about 50% from the router. Good luck