This topic

Wireless devices from the BT Connected Home range

SeanD — Mon, 19 Oct 2015 15:51:54 GMT

Hi Everyone,

We are very excited to kick off our newest board with the first of a couple of Q&A threads.

The first event will be focused on wireless devices from our range of BT Connected home devices, please see this link for what this includes, BT Connected Home Devices.

We will have product experts joining the conversation on Wednesday to answer all your questions. The thread is open now for your questions so if you currently have one of these devices or are thinking about getting one and have a question, please post it here.

If you are having specific issues with a device then please create your own thread on the relevant forum board. If the Community cannot help you then the mods will be around to offer support.

So, please get those questions posted!

Cheers

Sean

Re: Wireless devices from the BT Connected Home range

seanbean — Mon, 19 Oct 2015 23:42:08 GMT

When will BT release Windows 10 drivers for the BT Dual-Band Wi-Fi Dongle 600?

Re: Wireless devices from the BT Connected Home range

stuartrogerson — Wed, 21 Oct 2015 08:09:28 GMT

I use two plas for my TV service.

I would like a stronger signal/connection for my iMac which is upstairs in my study as far from my Home Hub as it is possible to get. I really have no idea how to achieve this or what device I ought to buy. So can I have some simple advice please.

Re: Wireless devices from the BT Connected Home range

Anonymous — Wed, 21 Oct 2015 11:05:13 GMT

Hi there,

My name's Will and I'm the propositions manager responsible for BT's connectivity range.

We launched these products a couple of years ago and tried to make these really simple and straight forward to use and the general feedback we've had from customers has been really positive.

Really happy to answer people's questions today!

Thanks,

Will

Re: Wireless devices from the BT Connected Home range

Anonymous — Wed, 21 Oct 2015 11:06:01 GMT

Hi, I am Steve and the Product Manager for BT's range of connected home products. Looking forward to answer your questions this afternoon.

Re: Wireless devices from the BT Connected Home range

Anonymous — Wed, 21 Oct 2015 11:15:33 GMT

@stuartrogerson wrote:
I use two plas for my TV service.
I would like a stronger signal/connection for my iMac which is upstairs in my study as far from my Home Hub as it is possible to get. I really have no idea how to achieve this or what device I ought to buy. So can I have some simple advice please.

Hi @stuartrogerson

Thanks for the question.

I have a very similar problem at home myself and depending how you use the iMac, there are a couple of options. If you're happy to use an Ethernet cable into the machine, then I can recommend the Broadband Extender Flex 1000 Kit which is our latest and greatest wired PLA. I've found the connection is great for video and music download etc and very straightforward to set up. (Alternatively you can use the Flex 500 Kit, which although not as fast, still gives an excellent service.)

If you want to use Wi-Fi rather than a cable, I would recommend our Mini or standard Wi-Fi Home Hotspot which will create a new Wi-Fi hotspot in the room that you need it.

Hope that helps!

Will

Re: Wireless devices from the BT Connected Home range

maverick2 — Wed, 21 Oct 2015 11:16:05 GMT

I need a Wi-Fi Extender as its really hard to get online at the back of my house. But there seems to be a few options. How do i know which one i should buy? Extender 300, 610 or 1200? Whats the difference between them?

Re: Wireless devices from the BT Connected Home range

Anonymous — Wed, 21 Oct 2015 11:16:40 GMT

Hi @seanbean The Windows 8 driver is compatible with Windows 10. To download the driver please go to http://bt.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/45467/c/1243. Thanks

Re: Wireless devices from the BT Connected Home range

Anonymous — Wed, 21 Oct 2015 11:24:36 GMT

@maverick2 wrote:
I need a Wi-Fi Extender as its really hard to get online at the back of my house. But there seems to be a few options. How do i know which one i should buy? Extender 300, 610 or 1200? Whats the difference between them?

Hi @maverick2

Great question!

Depends how much you want to spend but generally speaking, if you've got the latest and greatest devices (new iPad, latest smart phone etc), then either the 600 or 1200 will help you get the most out of their technology.

They both use Dual-Band technology (essentially a 2-lane motorway) which means that you should ge a really good and reliable connection to your device.

If it's for an older device, then the 300 will work brilliantly too. It's only a single lane, but should be more than enough for general use.

Hope that helps?

Thanks,

Will

Re: Wireless devices from the BT Connected Home range

maverick2 — Wed, 21 Oct 2015 11:28:48 GMT

Thanks Will. It's for using with iPads so will look at those products. Out of interest i notice that the products used to be black but are now white is there any reason for that?

Re: Wireless devices from the BT Connected Home range

Anonymous — Wed, 21 Oct 2015 11:33:06 GMT

@maverick2 wrote:
Thanks Will. It's for using with iPads so will look at those products. Out of interest i notice that the products used to be black but are now white is there any reason for that?

Thanks @maverick2

Well spotted!

We initially launched with black products because we wanted to be different to our competitors. It worked really well for us and got us noticed, but now we're more established, we decided to move away from the black products for the new range.

We think they look really good! And as my wife tells me, they also go better with the skirting boards in the house so everyone's a winner!

Thanks,

Will

Re: Wireless devices from the BT Connected Home range

stuartrogerson — Wed, 21 Oct 2015 11:33:39 GMT

Do these work as just one ie they don't need to be in pairs like plas and they won't mess up my existing set up?

Re: Wireless devices from the BT Connected Home range

Anonymous — Wed, 21 Oct 2015 11:40:14 GMT

@stuartrogerson wrote:
Do these work as just one ie they don't need to be in pairs like plas and they won't mess up my existing set up?

Hi @stuartrogerson

The kits come pre-paired as we want to make it as easy to use for customers as possible.

If you already have a network in place though, it's really no problem and you can add the plugs individually using a simple press of the 'link' button on the devices.

All the instructions are in the box (takes less than a minute) but you can speak to the helpline if you have any problems.

One suggestion if you go for the Flex 1000s... Don't know which product you have plugged into your Hub, but if it's a AV500, you'll get a better speeds to you iMac if you swap it over with the Flex 1000 PLA and use that as the 'mother' plug.

Thanks,

Will

Re: Wireless devices from the BT Connected Home range

stuartrogerson — Wed, 21 Oct 2015 11:46:32 GMT

I must confess to being confused. I have BT supplied PLAs for using BTTV. I still don't understand how to get a better connection upstairs
As I understand it I have to buy another pair for this for my iMac upstairs? I was hoping there was a simple single plug in device for upstairs

Re: Wireless devices from the BT Connected Home range

Anonymous — Wed, 21 Oct 2015 12:02:55 GMT

@stuartrogerson wrote:
I must confess to being confused. I have BT supplied PLAs for using BTTV. I still don't understand how to get a better connection upstairs
As I understand it I have to buy another pair for this for my iMac upstairs? I was hoping there was a simple single plug in device for upstairs

Hi @stuartrogerson

Sorry if I've confused!

We're moving away from selling single plugs I'm afraid, though there is a Multiport add-on available on BT Shop as well as a Home Hotspot add-on. The former is wired only, while the Hotspot works with a wire as well as providing an additional Wi-Fi signal.

If you're adding these to the BT TV ones, you will need to check their compatibility first. You can do that using this link. Some of the older powerlines in the market don't work with the newer technology.

Hope that helps.

Thanks,

Will

Re: Wireless devices from the BT Connected Home range

stuartrogerson — Wed, 21 Oct 2015 12:07:30 GMT

So Will I would basically need four plas? With one master socket available downstairs I don't think it is going to work.

Re: Wireless devices from the BT Connected Home range

Anonymous — Wed, 21 Oct 2015 12:17:20 GMT

@stuartrogerson wrote:
So Will I would basically need four plas? With one master socket available downstairs I don't think it is going to work.

Hi @stuartrogerson

For your set up I would suggest:

powerline for your hub
powerline for your BT TV
powerline for you iMac

You should have 1. and 2. already. Assuming they are compatible then 3. can either be one of the Add-ons from my latest post, or from one of the Kits taht I first suggested. With that option you would then have a spare adapter which might come in handy if you ever get an extra TV, smart speakers or similar in the future.

Thanks,

Will

Re: Wireless devices from the BT Connected Home range

stuartrogerson — Wed, 21 Oct 2015 12:18:44 GMT

Ok thanks Will

Re: Wireless devices from the BT Connected Home range

SeanD — Wed, 21 Oct 2015 12:44:37 GMT

Thanks @seanbean, @stuartrogerson and @maverick2 for the questions. Hopefully you find the answers useful

Thanks Steve and Will for taking the time to join us today to answer questions. For anybody that is not familiar with our connected home devices can you offer a little insight into some of these products? What about the BT Mini Wifi hotspot?

Cheers

Sean

Re: Wireless devices from the BT Connected Home range

Anonymous — Wed, 21 Oct 2015 12:53:11 GMT

@SeanD wrote:
Thanks @seanbean, @stuartrogerson and @maverick2 for the questions. Hopefully you find the answers useful

Thanks Steve and Will for taking the time to join us today to answer questions. For anybody that is not familiar with our connected home devices can you offer a little insight into some of these products? What about the BT Mini Wifi hotspot?

Cheers
Sean

Thanks @SeanD

The Mini Home Hotspot Kit and Multi Kit are a great way to get an additional Wi-Fi hotspot wherever you need it most in your home.

We know that not all houses are built the same and sometime the position of the Home Hub means that the wi-fi signal doesn't get all over the house. If you've got thick walls for instance, the wi-fi signal is going to struggle to reach where you need it.

That's where the Mini Hotspots are so great - they use powerline technology which means that they turn any electrical socket into a potential internet port. One plug connects directly to your Hub, and the other one (or two if you get the Multi Kit) can go wherever you want.

Each one emits a new Wi-Fi signal that you can connect your portable devices to. There're also a couple of wired ethernet ports on each plug as well, so you can also connect a smart TV, computer or games console.

We've tried to make them as simple as possible so you should be up and running in under a couple of minutes.

Thanks,

Will