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Post by ChrisB on Dec 8, 2014 8:09:11 GMT
I've just bought an extremely cheap Sony DVD/BluRay player for use in a secondary system upstairs. I bought it, not to play discs (I don't want the clutter that will ensue from that!), but because it has a USB socket, which means I can shove a stick into it or connect an external hard drive. It turns out though, that I can also have a wired connection to the home network, which will therefore open the window to Spotify and other goodies. Directly wiring it will be tricky but I thought of having a go with some Home Plugs. But I have to wonder if plugging them into the domestic power circuit will have any ramifications on the 'proper' hi-fi system in the living room. The router is in the living room.
Any thoughts?
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Post by MikeMusic on Dec 8, 2014 8:56:18 GMT
No techie me....
Don't do it. There will be interference of some sort
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Post by Stratmangler on Dec 8, 2014 9:17:54 GMT
Home plugs work by superimposing a high frequency signal over the mains, and it's at greater amplitude than the switching noise of a cheap as chips SMPS.
You may well find that they have a negative effect on your main system.
I've spent a good chunk of the year installing proper wired LAN connections because the company concerned (care homes, working out of a number of domestic properties) found that homeplugs were fine when they worked, but generally flaky.
They also have speed issues - they transmit data at slower rates than a piece of wire can handle.
All the properties I've wired up have become rock solid dependable on the data front.
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Post by zathras on Dec 8, 2014 9:49:04 GMT
Zathras agrees, the speeds don't live up to the marketing figures and reliable connection depends very much on the distance and quality of wiring
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Post by MartinT on Dec 8, 2014 13:18:01 GMT
Homeplugs are jittery at best, slow and break their connections at worst. I would also shrink away from deliberately injecting noise into the mains when I do everything I can to remove it. Run an ethernet connection if you possibly can.
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Post by ChrisB on Dec 8, 2014 13:26:56 GMT
It looks like I was perhaps right to be cautious then! Bugger - adding a cabled connection will be very awkward in this situation.
Rethink required.
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Post by ChrisB on Dec 8, 2014 13:45:44 GMT
Given that I won't be using this set up at the same time as the main system, it might be possible to simply unplug the homeplugs when not in use. If there are only two in the house, one effectively the transmitter (at the router end) and the other, the receiver (at the system), will the transmitter still be firing muck into the mains if the receiver is not plugged in?
I.e. do I have to have them both unplugged?
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Post by Stratmangler on Dec 8, 2014 14:00:58 GMT
They'll be attempting to handshake and communicate with each other continuously.
Both off when not in use.
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Post by MartinT on Dec 8, 2014 14:24:01 GMT
Agreed. Chris - do you have wi-fi? You could use a wireless bridge like this Edimax. |
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Post by ChrisB on Dec 8, 2014 20:54:41 GMT
Yes we do have wi-fi. That would seem to be the obvious thing wouldn't it? However, Sony decided not to make this model fully wi-fi'd up - they call it 'wi-fi ready' which means you have to buy a fifty quid Sony dongle. I understand they no longer make the one you need, which means that you're paying between forty odd quid and upwards for a secondhand one now. That's way more than I paid for the (new) player.
Now I know that a thing called a wi-fi ethernet bridge exists, so thanks for that!!
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Post by John on Dec 8, 2014 21:09:37 GMT
I think the Sony will not stream Spotify they have their own subscription channel and Vtuner . Great for Netflix Youtube and Iplayer
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Post by ChrisB on Dec 8, 2014 21:19:10 GMT
Oh OK, thanks for that.
No big problem.
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Post by pinkie on Dec 9, 2014 6:45:29 GMT
Given that I won't be using this set up at the same time as the main system, it might be possible to simply unplug the homeplugs when not in use. If there are only two in the house, one effectively the transmitter (at the router end) and the other, the receiver (at the system), will the transmitter still be firing muck into the mains if the receiver is not plugged in? I.e. do I have to have them both unplugged? I didn't know you were a muck into the mains man. I have 2 plugged in. I'll unplug both tonight and let you know how much more rich, vibrant and musically satisfying the hifi is. Given that completely removing all mains related interference on a 6 mile radius for 4 days last Christmas, and replacing the grid with a 3kva generator in the stables made no difference, don't expect too much. I have 4. Only 1 in use (noticed the other was plugged in when reading this post). The one left in has been tolerably reliable and not too slow to stream YouTube videos, but I will replace it with ethernet cable when I run some to the rpi. Pm me your address and I can send you a couple. |
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Post by ChrisB on Dec 9, 2014 6:52:09 GMT
That's a very kind offer Richard, thanks. I was at first sceptical and have since been dissuaded from risking the few quid it would take to try them but a no risk experiment is another proposition entirely!
PM pending.
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Post by MartinT on Dec 9, 2014 8:45:31 GMT
I have discovered conclusively that any - and I mean any - noise on the mains can affect the performance of a system. Most recently, TonyC proved it when he came round with his filter boxes and power cables. I go to a great deal of trouble removing mains-borne interference from my house for that very reason.
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Post by ChrisB on Dec 9, 2014 8:56:52 GMT
Noted Martin.
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