Xbox 360 802.11n Wi-Fi Adapter Hits the FCC


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You gotta admit though.. this wasn't a problem until now.

Well it was always a problem. I mean, I had N shortly after the console's were released but it was well known that N is coming and almost everyone was switching. This is why I always had issues with PS3 having wi-fi integrated. You pay for something whether you want it or not and have really no way to upgrade later and it was obvious that G was going away.

For Xbox 360/PS3 - G might be ok for games but for anything else (downloading, watching movies, streaming HD) it's really borderline useless.

I mean, all I"m saying in any case is that people should be buying wireless N bridge for example, which will most likely cost you less than Xbox 360's wifi adapter and you can hook up to 4 devices and it will communiate with your N router at extremely nice speeds where you can easily stream HD.

I think I paid $79 or $89 on sale at Fry's Electronics for my wireless bridge-N. It was DAP-1522 or something like that.

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Unless you have a pretty incredible internet connection, G should be more than adequate for any downloading you do, if you have a decent signal. If you have B devices connected to your G access point, you may have all devices dropping down to B as well.

G should get you actual throughput in the 20 megabits per second range...the codecs on the 360 don't support bitrates that high, so even streaming should not be a problem. If you're having problems, they lie elsewhere.

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Well it was always a problem. I mean, I had N shortly after the console's were released but it was well known that N is coming and almost everyone was switching. This is why I always had issues with PS3 having wi-fi integrated. You pay for something whether you want it or not and have really no way to upgrade later and it was obvious that G was going away.

For Xbox 360/PS3 - G might be ok for games but for anything else (downloading, watching movies, streaming HD) it's really borderline useless.

I mean, all I"m saying in any case is that people should be buying wireless N bridge for example, which will most likely cost you less than Xbox 360's wifi adapter and you can hook up to 4 devices and it will communiate with your N router at extremely nice speeds where you can easily stream HD.

I think I paid $79 or $89 on sale at Fry's Electronics for my wireless bridge-N. It was DAP-1522 or something like that.

Not too shabby.

Your circumstances are understandable since you adopted N pretty early. I hardly adapt to new standards like when I had 802.11b it took me like 4 years to get to G (I live w/ my parents and have no job :p ); I guess for me this sort of integration on the PS3 would be benefiting. I own a 360 myself and just bridge my notebook with it so it's not such a problem for me at the same time I like actual peripherals to go with my consoles.

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G should get you actual throughput in the 20 megabits per second range...the codecs on the 360 don't support bitrates that high, so even streaming should not be a problem. If you're having problems, they lie elsewhere.

+1

I always wonder what these people have screwed up in their network when they claim that G doesn't work well for video streaming.

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+1

I always wonder what these people have screwed up in their network when they claim that G doesn't work well for video streaming.

Wireless is unreliable for streaming HD content, it's not just about the maximum throughput you can get, it's maintaining it. Sometimes it spikes/fluctuates which during a movie spanning over a few hours can equal jumpy playback on occasion. During an online game though the required data stream probably isn't taxing enough to be interrupted by the odd dip in signal strength. HD movie playback however is taxing.

You most definitely can't stream 1080p to the PS3 over wireless unless you're practically next to your router.

The people that aim to stream HD content though are most likely somewhat in the know and if serious about having to stream over wireless will just buy an access point/second router and connect that to their PS3 for a wireless N connection. The 360 has a more elegant option in an official accessory, but the outcome is the same.

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I like to think of the Ethernet cable as the elegant solution, but to each their own, yes?

In hindsight I wish I would've wired my house for ethernet when it was being built but since I didn't, I have to deal with a router in my office upstairs and my Xbox in the family room downstairs. In this case wireless is much more elegant than cables cascading down the stairs. :p

But as Audio mentioned, G throughput is best case scenario. By using N you get faster more reliable speeds for better HD streaming.

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Now Microsoft has officially spoken

Microsoft confirms Xbox 360 802.11n adapter

by Richard Mitchell { Sep 21st 2009 at 5:40PM }

gam_xboxwifiadapter2_580.jpg

Late last week, we reported that Italian site MondoXbox had spotted an ad for an Xbox 360 802.11n adapter in the Gears of War 2 Game of the Year Edition box. Prior to that, the device was reviewed by the FCC. Speaking to Joystiq, Microsoft has confirmed that there is indeed such an adapter in the works. Unfortunately, the confirmation was accompanied by few actual details. Other than the fact that the adapter will allow gamers to "seamlessly connect with their home network with the highest wireless 'N' technology," we don't know anything about when it will release or, more importantly, how much it will cost.

Microsoft did refer to the device as "another choice to consumers," which lends credence to the belief that it will be marketed alongside the current Wi-Fi adapter, as opposed to replacing it altogether. Microsoft stated that more details will be available "soon" and advised us all to "stay tuned."

Source: Joystiq

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+1

I always wonder what these people have screwed up in their network when they claim that G doesn't work well for video streaming.

Well it works well for SD streaming. But that's about it. If you want to stream 720p or higher that's where you'll experience trouble. It can barely stream 720p (if your network is completely free) and you can only dream about 1080p.

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I will experiment with some 200mb Homeplugs in the near future, but 'till then it's definitely CAT6 all the way.

I wonder who's making the chips for these N based dongles this time round?

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If it's a decent price in the UK, I'll get this. I have a N router through o2 anyway so this will come in handy. As has been said decent quality N dongles are still quite pricey anyway.

I have to say I prefer the 360 modularised approach rather than the PS3s gum-and-string/'chuck it all into a box and if you want more, hang a big box off the back of it' approach.

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The wireless-G adapter has usually been just fine for me up to this point. I never lag in games, the speed is great and I can stream 720p .wmv, xvid, and divx files that the 360 natively supports with it buffering maybe once.

I'm sure that the increased bandwidth from the N adapter will be a huge improvement, but just agreeing with some of the other posters that G is capable under the right circumstances. I personally think they would be better off increasing the codec support of the 360, which would reduce the need to use "hack" streaming programs and reduce the overhead of that hugely.

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Still a complete rip off.

Only a $20 drop on a wireless dongle :/

TBH anything more than $20 for it is a rip-off. I would say $35 is a decent price.

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