Most Wi-fi dongles are designed to be used with a PC or laptop as you need a software driver on the attached device to operate and configure the dongle. I believe there may be some dongles on the market that operate independently in the attached device once they have been set-up using a PC first. Some people have used self contained Wi-fi bridges that have their own integrated software, but these can be problematic and/or onerous to set up.
Most user's agree that the best and recommended connection is to use a direct RJ45 Ethernet (10/100BaseT) connection between the router and HDR, but not everyone has the benefit of an easy direct cable route between the two devices particularly if they are not co-located in the same room.
The most widely proposed compromise is to use Ethernet 'Homeplugs' to create a pseudo hard wired Ethernet connection using the house electrical 'ring main' as the physical carrier medium.
The 'Homeplug' solution has been featured and mentioned many times in posts on these forums. Google "Homeplugs" for more product information.
In principal, the use of 'Homeplugs' or a direct RJ45 cable (if you have a suitable cable route) provides you with a near 'plug n play' solution. Most routers and Humax HDRs have a default configuration that detects each other and set up the necessary IP network configuration settings automatically.
Some Homeplugs also have a pass through 3 pin electrical socket so that you don't lose the use of a wall socket. If the Homeplug kit doesn't provide them you will also need two short RJ45 cables to go between the Homeplug and the router / Humax.
PS - you will need two Homeplugs, one for the router and one for the Humax.
PPS - here is a Youtube Homeplug video that you might find informative.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eyPNHonC6HI
| Tue 11 Dec 2012 18:55:50
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