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[02ebz06]

I have a DIR-800L I'm looking to replace.
I use it behind my ISP's Router (CenturyLink) .
Coverage is not the best at 5GHZ even with an extender.
I run gigabit LAN thru the house for servers and PC's and wireless for PC's, Laptops, an A/V Processor, ROKU's, 4k TV, etc.
The Servers host all my movies and the ROKU's stream them to the TV's.
Just Blu-Ray movies at present, but when I find a 4k Player for a PC, I will be able to put the 4k movies on the Servers.
I was looking at the DIR-895L/R (AC5300) and then saw the COVR-3902.
When I went to shop.us.dlink.com the DIR-895L/R isn't listed.
That has me thinking it is an old device, even though you can find them for sale elsewhere.

So...
Is the COVR-3092 newer and better than the DIR-895L?
Would the COVR-3902 be the best choice for my environment and use?

TIA

[FurryNutz]

Link>Welcome!

Well the specs are:
Wi-Fi Data Rate
• 2.4 GHz Band: up to 800 Mbps
• 5 GHz Band: up to 1,733 Mbps

To take full advantage of this you would need a wireless device to connect at 1300 or 1733mb to get full connection rates on 5Ghz and I presume with compressed 4K, smooth video might be achieved. 1080p should be smooth as well...

I don't have 4K support for anything at the moment. I know that raw 4K is very bandwidth intensive and not sure if any router can handle raw 4K. Raw 4K runs in the 10Gb bandwidth range and to even steam it smoothly, you would probably need a 10Gb LAN wired supporting network system.

I tested 1080p raw BD files years ago with DIR series AC calls routers and bridges. Even with the best configuration and settings and connection rates at 1300Mb, my boxee box would buffer occasionally with it's 100Mb LAN port connected to a 1300Mb wireless bridge. The higher bandwidth the raw BD file was, the worse the buffering was. I presume that there was some bandwidth issues in processing the raw data from AP to bridge and to the boxee. When I connected by boxee box to wired Gb switch, I get zero buffering of raw 1080p BD files. So after all that I kept the boxee hard wired always. Wireless can't compete with Gb LAN connections. 

Given that, I presume that maybe the COVR system will work, however I don't know for sure. Kind of depends on your source video data and device support on how they process the 4K data and such.

The COVR is supposed to have MIMO which maybe beneficial as well to streaming. I guess also client devices need to really support MIMO as well to take full advantage of it.

Only thing I would suggest is to find a local shop that has them or Amazon which have a good refund policy and test it out. If it's not working as you feel, then you can return it.

The 895L is about 1.5 years old, kind new and FW is still under development. I believe that has 3 radios like the 890L does.
Wi-Fi speeds of up to 5332Mpbs (1000Mbps + 2166Mbps + 2166Mbps)
The DIR-89x series was supposed to support MIMO however I believe there were problems in the wifi chip set.

[02ebz06]

Thanks for the reply.

I have no issues with Blu-Ray movies over 2.4GHZ.
I can see where 4k could be an issue.
A Blu-Ray movie takes up 25-30GB on the server.
I could see a 4k movie taking up twice that, so pushing twice as many 1's and 0's in same time-frame would tax the network.

There is no doubt wired is better than Wireless.
Unfortunately the original owner of this house did not run Cat-5 to all rooms.
What was run was configured for phone,
So some re-configuring, I got a couple LAN lines and was able to add a couple more on second floor where my servers are.
Unfortunately my main viewing room is on first floor and no way to get a Cat-5 to it.

If the DIR-895L is still a current item, seems strange it doesn't show in the D-Link store.
The 890L is there.

Didn't mention, but I like to buy new, i.e. a product that has only been out less than 6 months, and appears the COVR-3902 fits that category.
For the most part, with ever changing technology, 2 years is outdated tech, and 5 years is antique.
 
Thanks for the tip about checking locally.
I have a Best Buy not too far, but haven't looked to see if they sell them.

[RYAT3]

If the DIR-895L is still a current item, seems strange it doesn't show in the D-Link store.
The 890L is there.

I don't think not being available in the Dlink Store is any indication of it being a current item.  Other retailers have it.

http://us.dlink.com/products/connect/ac5300-ultra-wi-fi-router/


If you click on buy now - it says out of stock.

Looks like they have some other products that are 'new'.

http://us.dlink.com/products/connect/ac2600-mu-mimo-wi-fi-router/

[02ebz06]

If you click on buy now - it says out of stock.

Ahh, that explains why it doesn't show in store.

[FurryNutz]

Just curious if your BD files are raw or compressed any?

Ya, the 895L is still current. And just out of stock.

Ya, I understand that some preexisting homes don't come with LAN cables. It can be added, just take some fishing tools and work. I added CAT6A to my new addition to proofing for 10Gb support when and if that comes to the consumer market. 

Wow, well I can understand keeping up with technology however nothing wrong in older tech not working either. I think your 2 and 5 years is a bit extreme. But thats me. I'm still using DGL-4500 thats about 10 years old. Have my DIR-890L set up as main AP with the 4500. Theres good stuff that does work well and beyond some users expectations. I have a couple of 1300mb bridges that are 5 years old and work just fine. I guess you maybe an early adopter kinda person. LOL. Thats kewl. If so, you should be using CAT6 for all your LAN cabling. I migrated about 8 years ago. All CAT6A  in wall and CAT6 patch cables for everything.

See about the 895L and see how you like it. I need to do some streaming testing with my 890L and bridged I have. Been doing some game console testing and trying to figure all that out. 

Thanks for the reply.

I have no issues with Blu-Ray movies over 2.4GHZ.
I can see where 4k could be an issue.
A Blu-Ray movie takes up 25-30GB on the server.
I could see a 4k movie taking up twice that, so pushing twice as many 1's and 0's in same time-frame would tax the network.

There is no doubt wired is better than Wireless.
Unfortunately the original owner of this house did not run Cat-5 to all rooms.
What was run was configured for phone,
So some re-configuring, I got a couple LAN lines and was able to add a couple more on second floor where my servers are.
Unfortunately my main viewing room is on first floor and no way to get a Cat-5 to it.

If the DIR-895L is still a current item, seems strange it doesn't show in the D-Link store.
The 890L is there.

Didn't mention, but I like to buy new, i.e. a product that has only been out less than 6 months, and appears the COVR-3902 fits that category.
For the most part, with ever changing technology, 2 years is outdated tech, and 5 years is antique.
 
Thanks for the tip about checking locally.
I have a Best Buy not too far, but haven't looked to see if they sell them.

[02ebz06]

Just curious if your BD files are raw or compressed any?     Raw I believe.  I use MakeMKV program to copy them off the discs.

Ya, the 895L is still current. And just out of stock.

Ya, I understand that some preexisting homes don't come with LAN cables. It can be added, just take some fishing tools and work. I added CAT6A to my new addition to proofing for 10Gb support when and if that comes to the consumer market.    Actually, I do run Cat-6, just used to calling it Cat-5 is all.

Wow, well I can understand keeping up with technology however nothing wrong in older tech not working either. I think your 2 and 5 years is a bit extreme. But thats me. I'm still using DGL-4500 thats about 10 years old. Have my DIR-890L set up as main AP with the 4500. Theres good stuff that does work well and beyond some users expectations. I'm with you on that, my grand-kids laugh because I have a BlackBerry. Haha New phones have nothing I need.   I have a couple of 1300mb bridges that are 5 years old and work just fine. I guess you maybe an early adopter kinda person. LOL. Thats kewl. If so, you should be using CAT6 for all your LAN cabling. I migrated about 8 years ago. All CAT6A  in wall and CAT6 patch cables for everything. Hard to do when joists run east and west and you need to go north and south with the cable on first floor of 2-story house.   Yup, that's me, Early Adopter (in most cases) for computer stuff. Wouldn't do that when I was in working in IT though (retired now).

See about the 895L and see how you like it. I need to do some streaming testing with my 890L and bridged I have. Been doing some game console testing and trying to figure all that out. 

[GreenBay42]

You may want to contact pre-sales/customer service and asked about which router you should get. The COVR system works well from what I've seen but I know there are certain options you cannot configure (cannot turn off smart connect or set different wireless network names/passwords for each band or extender). Also the DIR-878 and DIR-882 are D-Link's newest routers so look into those. All have similar features and same UI as the 885/890/895 routers.

[FurryNutz]

And the new routers are supposed to be MIMO as well. Not sure what happened to the 89x and MIMO. 

[02ebz06]

You may want to contact pre-sales/customer service and asked about which router you should get. The COVR system works well from what I've seen but I know there are certain options you cannot configure (cannot turn off smart connect or set different wireless network names/passwords for each band or extender). Also the DIR-878 and DIR-882 are D-Link's newest routers so look into those. All have similar features and same UI as the 885/890/895 routers.

Thanks, I will check them out.

Are you a Packer Fan ?

[GreenBay42]

Are you a Packer Fan ?

Yes I am. Cheesehead since birth.

[02ebz06]

Are you a Packer Fan ?

Yes I am. Cheesehead since birth.

Same here, born in Milwaukee, and I've been an owner for last 6 years or so.

[FurryNutz]

He's a nut too. LOLOLOLOL. 

[GreenBay42]

I knew there were intelligent people on here. 

Milwaukee-born myself. Entered life with a pabst in one hand and cheese curds in the other.

LOL Furry. We are everywhere....

[02ebz06]

Good old Papst Blue Ribbon.  I wasn't old enough to drink it when we lived there, but have had it.
My father worked for the railroad so he got around all the breweries and at Christmas time they always gave out cases of beer.
I think at one time we had 15 cases in our basement.

Back on topic, My ROKU's all support MIMO so I'm thinking the COVR-3902 looks like a better choice than the 895L in that respect.
Also looks like a better performer than the 878L or  or 882L

And... Amazon can set it up for me for only $95.79.