Tag Archive for WRT54G

D-Link DIR-655 Preliminary Review

I recently purchased a D-Link DIR-655 802.11b/g/n Xtreme N Gigabit Router from Newegg for $54.99.  It is hardware version B1, and it shipped with firmware version 2.00NA.  Before setting it up, I flashed the latest available firmware, 2.01NA.

The DIR-655 replaced my Linksys WRT54G v2.2.  It had issues when streaming media wirelessly from my main PC to a PS3 (using PS3 Media Server).  Seeking was almost useless, even at DVD resolution, because there was barely enough bandwidth available to play at normal speed.  In addition, the connection would drop approximately once per hour.  I have had no such issues so far with the DIR-655.

The DIR-655 can also stream 10 FPS 640×480 video from all 8 of my D-Link DCS-930L Wireless N cameras simultaneously.  This requires approximately 2.5 to 3 MB/sec.  The WRT54G could only manage 0.3 to 5 FPS.  The camera farthest from the router indicates 65% signal strength.  It is approximately 67 feet away, and the line of sight is through 3 interior walls and 1 exterior wall at a 16° angle.

Setup was relatively easy, but quite time consuming because many settings require 20 or 60 seconds to take effect.  Because I have an assortment of old and new devices, I am using the mixed b/g/n wireless mode, with 20/40MHz automatic channel width.  Some reviewers have noted poor performance unless the DNS Relay function disabled in Network Settings > Router Settings.  I disabled it from the start and have been pleased so far.

It’s only been 4 days since I started using the DIR-655, but so far, so good.

Update (11/26/2011): See part 2 of my review here.