Question about Wifi adapters

Community Archives WD TV Live Networking
1

hi I’m new here

I’m pretty sure I’ll get a WDTV Live + HD pretty soon and so I’m also looking for a WiFi adapter.

For some reason, I’m thinking of getting one with an antenna thinking that it will get better reception than if it’s just a dongle. so my first question, am i right? 

now hoping that the answer is yes, I haven’t found a lot of adapters that come with an antenna. 

I saw this post recently:  http://community.wdc.com/t5/Networking/NEW-TL-WN7200ND-TP-LINK-WDTV-LIVE-Compatible-WIFI-USB-adapter/td-p/80561 which seems to be an option. 

Also in the meanwhile I read  http://community.wdc.com/t5/Networking/TP-Link-TL-WN821N-Wireless-Adapter/td-p/100020 which makes me wonder what are the rules for an adapter to be compatible with the WDTVs

For example, what would it take for the TP-Link TL-WN722N to be compatible out of the box? I emailed their tech support but suggested that I redirect my questions to WD directly… 

2

Approved adaptors

http://wdc.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/wdc.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=3805#wireless

Basically the chipset of the adaptor has to be supported by the firmware. When using the adaptor with a PC this is easily taken care of by supplying a CD with a driver but with the WDTV it has to be taken care of in the firmware.

1 Like
3

thank you richUK

I forgot to mention that I took a look at that list and when I wrote that I couldn’t find a lot of adapter with an antenna, I meant in that list of approved adapters. so i guess I need to look for the list of supported chipset. 

anyone kind enough to point me the direction pls? I think this should be a sticky somewhere but i have a hard time to find it if it exists.

4

Hi,

Please add a D-Link DWA-160 HW ver 2B (Ralink Chip) with FW ver2 to the NOW working WIFI adapters. MUST BE on the latest WD TV Live + firmware 1.04.10_B.

I didn’t believe this morning when I plugged in my D-link DWA-160 adapter that it actually worked. I had no luck when the DV TV Live+ was on previous FW. I had my kids watch a movie in 720P and asked them to report any hiccups, but it played smooth. No special configuration or resets had to be done. I just plugged it in (no LED blink yet) then I went into detect network (WIFI adapter LED started blinking). It actually got my neighbors WIFI so I cancelled and setup my network manually (I have a hidden SSID) I then let my kids monitor the movie and it played fine.