DualBandWifi
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Netgear announces Universal Push2TV HD, dual-band WiFi adapter for Blu-ray players and TVs
Not due for a laptop upgrade anytime soon? For those of you carrying on without Intel Wireless Display, Netgear just trotted out a so-called universal version of its Push2TV HD adapter that brings wireless media streaming to the masses. Like the WiDi-compatible version already on the market, it mirrors your Windows desktop on a TV or monitor, streaming DVDs, 1080p movies, photos, YouTube videos and other content. As with the WiDi model, the setup consists of a small box that connects to your TV via HDMI, though because the intended customer presumably lacks Wireless Display, it also comes with a thumb drive-sized USB adapter. Look for it in the US and Europe in late September for $129.99 -- a good thirty bucks more than what you'd pay for that WiDi model. Meanwhile, Netgear also announced an $80 dual-band, USB-powered WiFi adapter meant for TVs and Blu-ray players. Full PR for both products after the break.
Ask Engadget: What's the best dual-band router?
C'mon, admit it. Seeing Ask Engadget is your favorite thing of the week, as it definitely marks the unofficial start of the weekend. Before you break out the Dos Equis and engage in copious amounts of "chilaxing," why not give this question a serious look (and an even more serious answer)? "I recently came across the article of "How-to: set up dual-band WiFi." I have been thinking about upgrading my wireless network in order to wirelessly stream video and data from my desktop to my media extenders around the home. What would be a good simultaneous dual-band router? I have Windows Vista on a Dell Inspiron 530 and other laptops running Windows XP, Vista, etc. I also have media extenders like the Linksys DMA 2200 and PS3. If possible, I would like to stay under $150." We're certain Pradeep's not the only one looking to do the dual-band thing, and we know quite a few of your are already rocking such a setup. If so, what kind of kit are you using to make it all happen? Don't stay quiet, ya heard?
How-to: set up dual-band WiFi (and juice your downloads)
Yeah, we think you should make the switch. Let's come right out with it -- you should be running a dual-band 2.4 and 5GHz WiFi network. Why? Because the 2.4GHz spectrum is cluttered with everything from other networks to Bluetooth to cordless phones and microwaves, and all that RF interference slows everything down, making file transfers interminable and HD streaming nearly impossible. On the other hand, 5GHz 802.11n is clean and incredibly fast -- we're talking almost hardwire fast. But you can't just move up to 5GHz without leaving your phones and other legacy devices behind, so you've got to keep 2.4 around as well -- which is really easy if you've got a simultaneous dual-band router like Apple's new Airport Extreme or something like the D-Link DIR-825, and only slightly harder if you don't. And, as luck would have it, Apple just sent us a new AEBS to play with, so we thought we'd show you how to configure both kinds of setups. We promise you'll thank us.
