Connecting Blu-ray Player to Network

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Each Blu-ray BD Live player provides an Ethernet port (RJ-45) and optionally a wireless LAN for network connection. For a player without wireless LAN, you have the following 3 options for network connection:

1. Ethernet cable

The most reliable and the least expensive method. Unfortunately, it is not always easy to get the cable connection.

If currently you have a single computer connected to your DSL or cable modem, you would need to buy a Router to connect multiple devices to Internet. Typical Routers provide 4 ports to connect up to 4 wired devices and have built-in wireless for connecting wireless devices. Note that the wired connection speed does not depend upon the router's wireless type. We recommend buying Wireless N (expensive but fast) or Wireless G (cheaper and fast enough) routers but not Wireless A (not compatible) or Wireless B (too slow). Wireless G routers cost about $50 (WRT54G2).

2. Power Line Ethernet adapters

This method uses power lines as the transmission medium. For the first connection, you would need 2 of these adapters but only one for each subsequent connection. This is a good method if you don’t have or want a wireless LAN. This method can cost more than wireless LAN if many connections are needed.

D-Link DHP-301 (2 units) Manual Installation
Linksys PLTE200 (1 unit) Manual Installation
Linksys PLTK300 (2 units) Manual Installation
Netgear XE102 (1 unit) Manual Installation

3. Wireless LAN

It is the most common home networking method. You should note that computer network adapters will not work with your Blu-ray player since it does not have a computer operating system and cannot run the network adapter software. The device you need may be called by many different names including Bridge, Access Point Client, AP Client, or Gaming Adapter. Such device needs the following features:

  • Ethernet port (Rj-45) connection
  • Own power supply since Rj-45 port doesn’t provide power
  • Operate without software except for configuration

Also note that you must configure these devices on a computer before connecting them to your Blu-ray player.

Technically oriented folks may also want check out OpenWrt and DD-WRT projects which provide open source firmware to convert any of the supported wireless routers into wireless bridge or AP Client.

Wireless-N 108 Mbit/sec, compatible with wireless-G

Apple AirPort Express Manual Installation
D-Link DAP-1522 Manual Installation
Linksys WGA600N Manual Installation
TRENDnet TEW-638APB Manual Installation

Wireless-G 54 Mbit/sec

Airlink AP421W Manual Installation
Airlink AP431W Manual Installation
ASUS WL-330gE Manual Installation
Belkin F5D7330 Manual Installation
D-Link DGL-3420 Manual Installation
D-Link DWL-2100AP Manual Installation
D-Link DWL-G730AP Manual Installation
Encore ENRXWI-G Manual Installation
Encore ENRXWI-SG Manual Installation
Hawking HWBA54G Manual Installation
Linksys WAP54G Manual Installation
Linksys WET54G Manual Installation
Linksys WGA54G Manual Installation
Netgear WG602 Manual Installation
Netgear WGPS606 (4 ports) Manual Installation
Planex GW-AP54SP Manual Installation
SMC SMCWEBT-G Manual Installation
US Robotics USR5432 Manual Installation
Zoom 4400 Manual Installation
Zoom 4420 Manual Installation
ZyXEL G-570S Manual Installation
ZyXEL G-570U Manual Installation

Discuss connectivity issues here.

Last updated April 13, 2009