A - Hey Bobby,
We're always happy to do a little footwork for our readers. Here are our top picks routers out there right now with the criteria you provided (streams HD well, wireless-N, and we're assuming... stylish):
- D-Link DIR-855 Xtreme N Duo Wireless Media Router ($300 - lavish-technologist option)
- D-Link DIR-655 Wireless Router ($100 - value option)
- TRENDnet TEW-652BRP Wireless N Home Router ($30 - cheapo-option)
Don't forget to pick up a good wireless adapter, too. We highly recommend the D-Link DWA-556 PCIe Wireless Adapter ($46).
We hope that helps. If any readers out there know of a better option out there for Bobby, please let him (and the rest of us) know in the comments!
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What is the definition of "streams HD well" and how do your picks meets the requirements? These picks seem arbitrary.
@Kh�¼rt Great question. Sorry, we weren't clearer in the recommendations. The requirements were good range, MIMO support, IEEE802.11n Draft 2, and QoS capability. Hopefully that clears things up!
how do these compare against apple airport extreme/time capsule?
@pykc0 Seems like someone looked into in at AVSForums. Didn't seem like it could handle HD even though it was dual-broadcasting 2.4 and 5ghz. http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1126812
I could totally be wrong though. They keep switching versions. Anyone have other thoughts on the performance of the latest gen AE?
Any chance he could go wired? I have a cable modem, so it was easy to move it near my TV and wire my HTPC up. If you can make it work, that's (obviously) your best bet.
I think wired tends to be the best option. Gigabit = even better. But for those of us without the luxury of knocking holes in walls or against the idea of having wires running throughout our homes, the dream of the perfect wireless HD streamer box is close, but I think we still got a long way to go.