MoCa Setup Help (Complete Newbie)

missor88 · 01-02-2010, 12:28 AM

Hello,

I'm hoping y'all can help me with a few questions. I am sure a lot of these have been covered here, but I am struggling to find the appropriate threads, as so many point me back to the 2007 FAQs, which all involve the NIM100s.

(If I ramble too much, you can jump straight to the end to my main questions)

I recently got a new Tivo. Previously, I had been using the TiVo wireless adapter plus TiVo Desktop on my computer to send video files from my computer to my TiVo Series 2 (I use Videora to convert the files first). This system has been working very well for me, as it transfers the files a little bit faster than real time, which is generally good enough. But I just upgraded to a new TiVo HD, and moved the old TiVo downstairs.

I now want to connect all 3 TiVos to the network (since I'm going wired for the one TiVo, might as well do it for both). But I live in a big, old house, and the wireless signal struggles all the way downstairs. So clearly I need to go wired. The reviews of the HomePlug adapters all mentioned that wiring could impact performance, and since my house (and wiring) is old, that's clearly out.

MoCa seems like the only viable option. And the process described of just hooking up some NIM100s seemed simple enough. But the only sale listing I could find for the NIM100s was on ebay. I believe I would need 3 (one for each TiVo and one for the router). But they only appear to have one, not to mention $70 apiece for refurbished units seems a bit steep.

I see a lot of people mentioning Actiontec in more current threads, but I have not seen a link to the actual product I would need to buy. There also seems to be a more involved setup with the Actiontec. Someone mentioned it was like setting up a router. Well, that was a giant flashing warning light to me. I can do a lot with my computer. But routers are my black hole. In my defense, there appears to be some difficulty with my location, as the cable guys I called to set routers up (and fix it several times in the past) have really struggled with them as well. Either way, talk of router set up makes me very nervous.

Long story short -

Are NIM100s still a viable, purchasable option, and, if so, where?
or
What exactly are my other, non-NIM100 options (with links, if possible)
and
How difficult are they to set up? Is there any sort of plug-and-play option, like the NIM appeared to be?

wesmills · 01-02-2010, 01:48 AM

NIM units are still viable, but they are becoming scarce because they were never produced for mass-market use. I use three in my house and they work great.

Actiontecs are routers given out by Verizon for use with its FiOS service, and they contain a MoCA bridge alongside a 4-port switch and a wireless access point. The model number is MI424WR (eBay search), and most people prefer either the older boxy one or the roundish one that's not the brand-newest variety. I think they are revision A and C, respectively.

DSLReports has instructions for setting up an Actiontec to be a bridge, but you won't need to do the stuff that's specific to FiOS (like calling the FSC and so forth).

Hope this helps!

fyodor · 01-02-2010, 11:41 AM

If you want a plug and play product, you can buy these Actiontec dedicated bridges that require no configuration. They run about $70 each. There are some consumer netgear products too, but they're a little more expensive.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listi...&condition=new

The Actiontec MI424WR routers sell for about $30 each, but require some configuration. They also have the advantage of having switches built in so that you can add additional devices without connecting a separate switch.

As Wesmills noted the procedure that he linked to is more complicated than you need because it involves setting things up for FIOS STBs. This procedure is a little more straightforward.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1145636

The people on the AVSforum thread are pretty helpful, but you'll need some proficiency working through the various configurations on your router. It's probably worth taking a gander at the threads to see if it's something you're comfortable with.

F

Lrscpa · 01-02-2010, 10:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by missor88

The reviews of the HomePlug adapters all mentioned that wiring could impact performance, and since my house (and wiring) is old, that's clearly out.

I live in a 50+ yr old house and have had great performance from powerline ethernet, specifically using http://www.amazon.com/Belkin-Powerli...2492420&sr=8-2.

phdeez · 01-03-2010, 07:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lrscpa

I live in a 50+ yr old house and have had great performance from powerline ethernet, specifically using http://www.amazon.com/Belkin-Powerli...2492420&sr=8-2.

Powerline Ethernet can be highly YMMV, but if you want to go that route you can pickup some ZyXEL PLA470-SP for $26 shipped from NewEgg (link), at least that way you can see how they work for you and your internal wiring. I tried those, Wireless G/N and HPNA and just couldn't be happy with them and went with the NIM100s and a 'boxy' Actiontec MoCA setup. HD content streams great, and 1080p content to my PS3 is great too.

It's all YMMV, but I've had success with MoCA, and couldn't be happier.

convergent · 01-03-2010, 01:42 PM

I just went with the Actiontec adapters from Amazon here - http://www.amazon.com/Actiontec-Ethe...2547255&sr=8-1

There is no configuration with these at all. You plug them in and they either work or they don't. In my case, I had to move one on the opposite side of an in-line amplifier and it worked immediately, and very well. I'm getting about 80mbps... slightly less than 100BaseT speed.