Power Line Adapters and Steam Link

[smush]

I'm looking to buy a Steam Link to stream my games to a TV in the lounge. My WiFi signal in the lounge isn't great and besides Valve recommend to connect via Ethernet so I was wondering is it possible without drilling holes and running cables through ceilings to do this with a power line adapter so I can run the Ethernet cable from the power line adapter (which will be plugged in besides the TV) to the Steam Link? I'm new to this technology so I don't really understand how it works entirely.

 

[burdenbound]

Yes that will work. Powerline adapters are very dependent upon the wiring in your house though so it's near impossible to tell beforehand how they will perform. I don't know what kind of speeds steam link recommends.

 

[smush]

Yes that will work. Powerline adapters are very dependent upon the wiring in your house though so it's near impossible to tell beforehand how they will perform. I don't know what kind of speeds steam link recommends.

Thanks. The Info page for Steam Link states "Wired 100 Mbit/s Fast Ethernet and Wireless 802.11ac 2x2 (MIMO) networking abilities" Does that answer you question regarding recommended speed?

As I am new to power line adapters would you be able to recommend a couple I'm not looking to spend lots of money just a basic one that will allow me to connect the Steam Link by Ethernet to my Router on another floor of the house.
Thanks

 

[sizzling]

I'm using power line adapters with Steam Link and it works well but as mentioned it depends on the house wiring.

 

[smush]

Okay I've found this which is a 500Mbps adapter is this going to plenty considering the Steam Link is 100Mbit/s?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/TP-LINK-TL-PA411KIT-Powerline-Adapter-Starter/dp/B0084Y9N3O/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1469042585&sr=8-3&keywords=powerline+adapter

They also do one called "new release" I'm not sure what the difference is besides price and Amazon don't appear to sell this model themselves
https://www.amazon.co.uk/TP-LINK-TL-PA411KIT-Powerline-Adapter-Starter/dp/B0084Y9N3O/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1469042585&sr=8-3&keywords=powerline+adapter

 

[burdenbound]

Okay I've found this which is a 500Mbps adapter is this going to plenty considering the Steam Link is 100Mbit/s?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/TP-LINK-TL-PA411KIT-Powerline-Adapter-Starter/dp/B0084Y9N3O/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1469042585&sr=8-3&keywords=powerline+adapter

They also do one called "new release" I'm not sure what the difference is besides price and Amazon don't appear to sell this model themselves
https://www.amazon.co.uk/TP-LINK-TL-PA411KIT-Powerline-Adapter-Starter/dp/B0084Y9N3O/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1469042585&sr=8-3&keywords=powerline+adapter

Unfortunately these companies flat out lie when they market these powerline adapters. They say 500Mb/s on the box but if you look closely the physical ethernet port that have on it is only rated for 100Mb/s. If steam link recommends a 100Mb/s connection you will most certainly not get that with the one you linked.

Look for an adapter with a gigabit port, that will give you the best chance of hitting the recommended speeds.

 

[burdenbound]

Going to want something more like this one https://www.amazon.co.uk/TP-LINK-TL-PA411KIT-Powerline-Adapter-Starter/dp/B0084Y9N3O/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1469043479&sr=8-3&keywords=powerline+adapter

 

[smush]

Going to want something more like this one https://www.amazon.co.uk/TP-LINK-TL-PA411KIT-Powerline-Adapter-Starter/dp/B0084Y9N3O/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1469043479&sr=8-3&keywords=powerline+adapter

That's a 500 model you linked to. I don't really want a socket with 2 ports on them either.

What about this? Is the brand a good one? Or would I better with another brand?
https://www.amazon.co.uk/D-Link-DHP-601AV-PowerLine-Gig...

There's this one too but I haven't heard of the brand so not sure how good it will be
http://www.ebuyer.com/662823-zyxel-pla5206-1000mbps-pow...

 

[burdenbound]

Going to want something more like this one https://www.amazon.co.uk/TP-LINK-TL-PA411KIT-Powerline-Adapter-Starter/dp/B0084Y9N3O/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1469043479&sr=8-3&keywords=powerline+adapter

That's a 500 model you linked to. I don't really want a socket with 2 ports on them either.

What about this? Is the brand a good one? Or would I better with another brand?
https://www.amazon.co.uk/D-Link-DHP-601AV-PowerLine-Gig...

There's this one too but I haven't heard of the brand so not sure how good it will be
http://www.ebuyer.com/662823-zyxel-pla5206-1000mbps-pow...

That's odd, well on the link I sent, it's the AV1200 1 port, it's on the list of related products.

May want to check out http://www.cnet.com/topics/networking/best-networking-devices/power-line-adapters/

 

[smush]

Going to want something more like this one https://www.amazon.co.uk/TP-LINK-TL-PA411KIT-Powerline-Adapter-Starter/dp/B0084Y9N3O/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1469043479&sr=8-3&keywords=powerline+adapter

That's a 500 model you linked to. I don't really want a socket with 2 ports on them either.

What about this? Is the brand a good one? Or would I better with another brand?
https://www.amazon.co.uk/D-Link-DHP-601AV-PowerLine-Gig...

There's this one too but I haven't heard of the brand so not sure how good it will be
http://www.ebuyer.com/662823-zyxel-pla5206-1000mbps-pow...

That's odd, well on the link I sent, it's the AV1200 1 port, it's on the list of related products.

May want to check out http://www.cnet.com/topics/networking/best-networking-devices/power-line-adapters/

Okay thanks I'm going to go with https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B01BD9TFI4/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE

I'm a bit concerned about the way it plugs in with the bulk being below the plug socket in case the skirting board gets in the way. Guess I'll just have to get an extension cord or return it if that happens. Thanks

 

[burdenbound]

Going to want something more like this one https://www.amazon.co.uk/TP-LINK-TL-PA411KIT-Powerline-Adapter-Starter/dp/B0084Y9N3O/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1469043479&sr=8-3&keywords=powerline+adapter

That's a 500 model you linked to. I don't really want a socket with 2 ports on them either.

What about this? Is the brand a good one? Or would I better with another brand?
https://www.amazon.co.uk/D-Link-DHP-601AV-PowerLine-Gig...

There's this one too but I haven't heard of the brand so not sure how good it will be
http://www.ebuyer.com/662823-zyxel-pla5206-1000mbps-pow...

That's odd, well on the link I sent, it's the AV1200 1 port, it's on the list of related products.

May want to check out http://www.cnet.com/topics/networking/best-networking-devices/power-line-adapters/

Okay thanks I'm going to go with https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B01BD9TFI4/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE

I'm a bit concerned about the way it plugs in with the bulk being below the plug socket in case the skirting board gets in the way. Guess I'll just have to get an extension cord or return it if that happens. Thanks

You will want to avoid using extension cords or power strips with powerline adapters. The least amount of stuff between the two points of connection will give you ideal conditions. Some will just not work at all with power strips/surge protectors.

 

[smush]

Got it today works fine gone from 45Mbps over WiFi to 105 Mbps over Ethernet so my electrical wiring must be good. About using extension cords - I know not to use them for the powerline adapter but would there be any loss of signal if I plugged the router into an extension cord?

 

[burdenbound]

Got it today works fine gone from 45Mbps over WiFi to 105 Mbps over Ethernet so my electrical wiring must be good. About using extension cords - I know not to use them for the powerline adapter but would there be any loss of signal if I plugged the router into an extension cord?

You are fine to connect the router's power supply to an extension cord. The only reason you don't want to do that with powerline adapters is because they use the wiring in your house to transmit the data signal, the router does not.