Simple connection question

[Glassjoe]

Okay, so far I'm impressed with how easy it is to connect the Vudu.

One question, though. It says to connect to my wireless network via ethernet cable. I happen to have a wireless adapter that I know works, but only has a USB port on it. I plugged this adapter to the USB port on the Vudu, but Vudu is telling me that it is not connected to my network.

I am going to reset my router (mostly because that's the one troubleshooting tip I know, so I pretty much try that every time--kind of like if my car won't run and it's not out of gas, then I'm beyond my scope of capability to resolve the issue).

Anyway, is there any reason I can't connect to the network this way instead of via ethernet cable?

[NA9D]

Re: Simple connection question

Wireless USB adapters are not supported. These work on computers because there are software drivers built in for them or loaded via a CD. Vudu doesn't have that capability.

You have to use the ethernet port.

Also - moving this to the networking forum...

[Glassjoe]

Re: Simple connection question

Okay, then until I can get an adapter that has an ethernet port, can I skip this step for now and still test out Vudu?

Also, dumb question, but is there a difference between cat 5 and ethernet?

[NA9D]

Re: Simple connection question

Okay, then until I can get an adapter that has an ethernet port, can I skip this step for now and still test out Vudu?

Also, dumb question, but is there a difference between cat 5 and ethernet?

Do you mean skip connecting the network? No, your box needs to be activated before using. You won't get past the guided setup.

Cat5 or Category 5 is a specification for a type of ethernet cable. In all cases there are 4 twisted pairs of wires in a cable. It is required to a certain number of twists per foot to have reliable 100 Mb/sec ethernet connection. Cat 3 is cabling has less twists per foot and is sufficient for 10 Mb/sec connections. Gigabit ethernet can be used with Cat-5 although Cat-5e or Cat-6 is preferred.

So the "Cat" term is to specify the type of network cable. It's all ethernet...

Does that help?

FYI, I'd skip trying to use wireless and go wired if possible. If it's not possible to go with Cat-5 cable, I'd get a HomePlug powerline adapter such as SlingMedia's SlingLink.

Jon

[Glassjoe]

Re: Simple connection question

Thanks, Jon. I appreciate your help and patience...

As it happens, I called Vudu customer service yesterday to make sure I get my $50 credit because I didn't have time to install the Vudu. So they activated it over the phone. So am I okay to use Vudu now and connect it to my network when I can?

I ask about cat 5 cabling because my house is wired for it. The only problem is, the ends of the cat5 aren't connected, so I'll have to figure out how to do that eventually. Also, the wiring says cat5 on it, but it's definitely thinner than the ethernet cable that Vudu provided...any issues with that?

[NA9D]

Re: Simple connection question

Well, that's good that Vudu activated the box. However, it would need to be hooked up to the network in order to contact the server to know it's been activated.

Now, regarding the cabling in your house, if it says Cat-5 then that's fine. The thickness is really likely the plastic jacket being thicker. The wires themselves are pretty think wires.

Here is a link to a wiring diagram: http://www.lanshack.com/make-cat5E.aspx

Use the 568-B wiring of: white-orange, orange, white-green, blue, white-blue, green, white-brown, brown

That's all that's needed! You can get the RJ-45 female jacks at Home Depot. They are simple press-in connectors that go into a wall plate. I looked at Home Depot on line and these aren't listed, but they are made by Leviton and can be found in the electrical department. They can be snapped into a wall plate.

[Glassjoe]

Re: Simple connection question

Man, you are super helpful. Thanks again. I shall Vudise my house tomorrow!

[NA9D]

Re: Simple connection question

Man, you are super helpful. Thanks again.

UR welcome. 'Tis what we are here for!

[Nded]

Re: Simple connection question

The differences between the various CATx cables is illustrated quite nicely at http://nps-vip.net/tester/cat.htm

Please note that CAT3, 4, 5, and 6 all have 4 pairs. The difference is the number of twists per foot.

[NA9D]

Re: Simple connection question

The differences between the various CATx cables is illustrated quite nicely at http://nps-vip.net/tester/cat.htm

Please note that CAT3, 4, 5, and 6 all have 4 pairs. The difference is the number of twists per foot.

My bad! Damn, I was trying to figure out what that 5th color was!

I thought though that cat3 had fewer pairs...

[Nded]

Re: Simple connection question

They do make twisted pair cable with 5 pairs for some applications. We use it for one of my specialty AV control systems.

[MaxH]

Re: Simple connection question

Joe, having done this not too long ago without having any previous wiring experience, I'll chip in my two cents:

While you're buying jacks, get the face plates to match the jacks you buy, they'll be quite cheap, and your current ones may not be as good a fit for the new jacks. I liked the Levitron ones I bought at Home Depot.

A cheap plastic punchdown tool will probably come with the jacks, otherwise buy one, but the cheapest plastic crap will do just fine for a few jacks, unless you have a serious workshop with everything neatly labeled, in which case you could buy a good one and keep it around just in case.

And, as with anything, give yourself a ridiculous amount of time for the first one or two times, then after 3 or 4 it'll be a breeze, and you'll be giving useless advice to people on bulletin boards.

[NA9D]

Re: Simple connection question

Also, those jacks at Home Depot are color coded for both the "B" and "A" wiring configurations. Just make sure if you use B at your Vudu end (as I suggested) that it is also used at the other end as well.

[Glassjoe]

Re: Simple connection question

Thanks again for all of the tips.

Please see the attached diagram. Since all ends of the cat5 are just cut, some of them will have to be the reciprocating ends, correct (ie, not all female ends)?

At the boxes, how do I plug the ethernet cable into the female end that I install into the cut end of the cat5?

Also, how will I connect the two cat5 cables in the basement?

[NA9D]

Re: Simple connection question

Thanks again for all of the tips.

Please see the attached diagram. Since all ends of the cat5 are just cut, some of them will have to be the reciprocating ends, correct (ie, not all female ends)?

At the boxes, how do I plug the ethernet cable into the female end that I install into the cut end of the cat5?

Also, how will I connect the two cat5 cables in the basement?

They Cat5 patch cable is terminated EXACTLY the same on each end. You don't swap connections or anything. Do it just like the instructions provided in the link I gave you.

If you have a female wall jack like we suggested, you then take the jumper cable provided with the Vudu and plug it from the Vudu to the wall jack. Same goes for the router end.

You could attach a male RJ45 connector to the end of the cat5 and plug directly into your Vudu and/or router. But that's not as "clean" for the looks of the house (looks better with a wall plate) and it's more complicated as to attach the RJ45 connectors you need to buy a crimp tool.