Powerline or WiFi extender for 4K

saguk1234

I have a server upstairs and the tv and a popcorn hour vten is downstairs. I am currently using a TP link PA9020 powerline but the bandwidth/throughput is not high enough and therefore stutters on some high bit rate 4k movies and the jellyfish 120mbps hevc demo.

The powerline works perfectly for Blu-ray rips.

I am thinking of getting a zyxel pla5456 but it’s all a gamble really.

I don’t really want to run an Ethernet cable from upstairs to downstairs!

The wireless ac speed is very good and is measured at about 160mbps.

Any options or opinions?

dave77

I use the PA9020 for blu-ray and they struggle at times! Are your blu-rays uncompressed?

Maybe try a Devolo Gigagate, but I think you'll needs ethernet.

saguk1234

Yes the blurays and 4k uhd rips are uncompressed.

Actually the gigagate seems like the sort of thing I need but it’s expensive.

My virgin media router is upstairs and when I am downstairs and run Speedtest on my iPhone it maxes out the internet connection at 160mbps. Just wondering if I can get a cheaper device like a Devolo AC1200 WiFi Range Extender but I need two gigabit Ethernet ports.

ChuckMountain

The problem with "high" bandwidth streaming is you want something that can up constantly and not suffer any buffering etc or it really annoys you.

WiFi is one at a time so if you iPhone decided to talk at same time as streaming then it could interrupt flow.

Ideally you would hardwire it but I appreciate that is not always possible.

So use a dedicated powerline if you can and see if that works.

saguk1234

Is it worth me trying the zyxel pla5456?

ChuckMountain

How does something like Smallnet builder compare the two in terms of throughput as you never get anything like the advertised speed.

If its higher on the zyxel then it might be worth trying.

What throughput do you get on your existing one ?

dave77

I guess if you buy from Amazon you can return them if they're not up to scratch, not sure they would be any better than the PA9020 though.

Have you tried the latest firmware on the PA9020 and using the new TP-Link Utility to set the flag to remove interference? It lowers the speed but might make them more stable.

saguk1234

I am getting about 100mbps throughput. I might try the amazon idea.

ChuckMountain

The first review on Amazon says it struggles with UHD material and stuttering even when connected locally.  Could it be this causing the issue, have you directly attached the same file to check?

dave77

On the PA9020? That's very low, I have 4 and they vary between 600-1200. Have you tried rebooting them?