Why Your Next Media Streamer Should Have Ethernet
WiFi is really great for portable devices like tablets or phones. When it comes to media streamers, it can often be the number one source of poor performance.
Video Buffering
Anyone that has cut the cord or watched videos online at some time or another has come across the spinning circle of death or ...loading screen.
This commonly occurs when you have a slow Internet connection and you catch up watching with what your media streamer has placed into a memory buffer. You then need to sit and wait for more data to be downloaded into the buffer so the movie or show you're streaming can continue to play.
If this happens a lot and you have a fast enough Internet connection for streaming, something on your network is not up to the task.
How To Troubleshoot Poor Network Performance
First thing to do is check your Internet Speed using a bandwidth Speed Test Tool. This will tell you if you are actually getting the Internet speed and performance you are paying for.
Check your speed from your computer preferably from a computer attached to your Router by Ethernet and also from your wireless media streaming devices. If given the option when running a speed test, always choose a server closest to your location.
You can use this tool to check your Internet connection from a computer or any device that can use a web browser.
You can also check your Internet Connection on your Roku by using this channel.
When doing a speed test it is normal for your WiFi connected devices to be a little slower than those connected by Ethernet.
If you see a big slow down on your WiFi connection from your hard wired Ethernet device. Try rebooting your Router and any Ethernet switches and run the test again.
Sometimes a wireless Router or Ethernet switch that is failing can be the cause of poor performance. Other times buying a newer faster dual-band or triband wireless router can really help speed up your wireless network. They offer more channels that are often less congested than older hardware which many of your neighbors may be using.
Enemies of WiFi
- Distance between your media streamer and Router. The longer the distance, the more the signal will degrade and slower your connection to your device will be.
- Walls and barriers. The more walls and signals your WiFi signal must penetrate the more it can weaken and cause buffering issues.
- Interference from other devices that use the airwaves to transmit a signal. Sometimes this can cause your media streamer to lose or interfere with the signal, which can cause issues when streaming.
- Using too many devices on your network at once. Another cause of slowdown and buffering can happen when you have too many devices competing for the same bandwidth. Generally not an issue if you have a fast broadband connection. Slower DSL connections is where you can mostly run into problems.
To determine if this is a cause of poor streaming performance turn off all your devices except for your media streamer. Don't just turn them off. Power them all the way down. Sometimes things are running in the background making connections to your network you may not be aware of.
Test your media streamer to see if it buffers less and works more reliably. Then bring up each device one at a time and test your media streamer again to see if it could be a particular device that is causing the issue.
- Too many neighbors all using the same WiFi channel. This is probably one of the more common problems with WiFi. To check your channel you will need another handy tool called a network analyzer or WiFi Scanner.
These are software apps you install on your computer, tablet or smart phone to check how many active wireless connections are near your location.
Popular Network Scanner Tools
A scanner tool can also show you SSIDs, Channels you and your neighbors are using and even display failed packets and noise levels on your network connection.
- Acrylic - Is a free WiFi scanner for 802.11ac networks that works on Windows PCs. Download it here.
- AirGrab WiFi Radar - This is a tool for OS X. It is free but you need to register to get rid of the nag screen. It offers some great info on WiFi Signal Level, Signal Quality, Noise Level, and which channel others Routers in the neighborhood are using. Get it here (direct link)
- Fing Network Tools - This is the app you need for Android devices to check your Network traffic. It's completely free and has over 232,000 4 Star Reviews. Get Fing here on Google Play
- Fing for iOS - is also available for iOS devices in the iTunes App Store. Download it here.
Why Ethernet Is Better
We already covered the downsides of WiFi. The good news is WiFi is better and faster than ever but it still does not quite compare to the reliability of an old fashioned Cat 5E or CAT 6 Ethernet wire hardwired from your Router directly to your media streamer or network switch.
With Ethernet we have eliminated almost all the issues that could be causing a slowdown of your network except for hardware failure. Gigabit Ethernet wires can transfer data up to 1Gb or 1000Mbps. Most Internet connections are only 60 to 100Mbps.
Even though in theory AC WiFi can hit 900Mbps, this is not the case. Distance and obstacles still present the same problems no matter how blazing fast your Router is. For a more indepth study on WiFi speed limitations, read this article on CNET.
The most reliable, secure and fastest method of connecting your media streamer to your home network is still Ethernet.
Ethernet Is Virtually Hack-proof
WiFi is very vulnerable to password cracking and hacking attempts. Anyone with the right software can pretty easily crack into your WiFi connection if they so desire.
Think Your WiFi Connection is Secure?
Watch this video...
Not All Media Streamers Can Use Ethernet
Not all media streamers come with an Ethernet port. Many popular lower cost models like the Roku Streaming Stick and Amazon Fire TV don't have an Ethernet port.
Often the small unobtrusive design that makes stick type media streamers so popular can also be the cause of poor WiFi performance. Electronic components are crammed into a very tight space and there is not enough room for a larger antenna. Remember, WiFi is radio waves and the larger the antenna, the better the signal.
Antennas on Two Android Media Streamers Compared - Fire TV Stick vs Minix Neo U9-H+
Which do you think will have better luck with receiving a stronger WiFi signal from your Router?
The Fire Stick with it's tiny footprint and internal antenna will get nowhere nearly the same performance level as the Minix Neo Android TV box with its large external antenna.
The same could be said for the Roku Streaming Stick and the Roku Premiere Plus or their top of the line Ultra. Even though none of these streamer use an external antenna, the Premiere Plus and Ultra have more room inside for a larger antenna. They also have something that the Stick does not which is an Ethernet port.
If you must stay with WiFi, then by getting a table top media streamer that has a larger antenna either internal or externally you will get much better WiFi performance.
Look at all the antennas on this dual-band router, now picture the antenna on your tiny streaming stick.
One other issue with the streaming sticks is they are plugged into the back of the television. Now you just effectively added another barrier between your Router and your media streamer causing your connection strength to drop even more.
Some have said they get great performance from a Fire or Roku Stick. They usually have the Router and Streaming Stick very close together. For everyone that says they do, 3 or four end up wishing they would have paid a little more and bought a better stand-alone model instead of a Stick.
Wireless Ethernet Using AC Wiring
If you can't seem to get a decent connection on WiFi and you don't want to run an Ethernet wire, another simple solution is the TP Link AV500 2-Port Powerline adapters.
These plug into an AC outlet near your Router and your media streamer. You then run a short Ethernet wire to each adapter from both devices.
These have been very popular and they will still give you the added benefit of a wired connection because they use your electrical wiring in your home. You will have better performance and non of the negatives that come with using a WiFi connection.
You still will need a media streamer that has a built-in Ethernet port. Learn more about the AV500 Powerline adapter.
Popular Media Streamers that Have Ethernet Ports
 |
| Roku Premiere+ 4K HDR |
- Roku 3
- Roku 4
Android
 |
| NVIDIA SHIELD - One of the best Android Streamers You Can Buy |
Nvidia Shield
There are other Android TV boxes that offer decent specs. Be sure to check if it comes with an Ethernet port for the best streaming performance.
There are other Android TV boxes that offer decent specs. Be sure to check if it comes with an Ethernet port for the best streaming performance.
Conclusion
Hopefully after reading this you will see the benefit of using a media streamer that has Ethernet.
One final note, manufacturers usually end up reserving the Ethernet port for their upper line more expensive models.
When you choose a media streamer that has an Ethernet port, you often end up getting a better more powerful media streamer that offers more features and better performance. Just another added bonus when you buy a media streamer that comes with an Ethernet port.
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Use of third-party trademarks on this site is not intended to imply endorsement nor affiliation with respective trademark owners.
We are Not Affiliated with or Endorsed by Roku®, Apple, Google or Other Companies we may write about.
