Wi fi disc

[Laur1]

I have a smart hub 2 and one disc. I get a lot of buffering when streaming TV. Once the disc has been set up with the hub, can I connect it to the TV with an ethernet cable and if so, would it be likely to improve the signal to the TV

[licquorice]

You can, but the signal will only be as good as the weakest link which is probably from the hub to the disc.

[Laur1]

Thank-you

Would the fact that the TV can only connect to the 2.4Ghz wifi be important - I assume the disc can pick up the stronger 5GHz signal so could the ethernet connection be stronger than direct wi-fi

[licquorice]

5Ghz is not stronger than 2.4Ghz. 5Ghz is faster but has shorter range than 2.4Ghz. 

[Laur1]

OK, I appreciate that I know very little about this technology and have used the wrong terminology, but in order to reduce/stop the buffering, isn't it the faster speed that I need? Distance isn't a problem, as the hub is only 15 feet from the TV, but to trail a cable across the room to connect the TV directly to the hub isn't very practical

[licquorice]

The 2.4Ghz signal will be more than adequate depending on distance between source and TV. It is far more likely to be a better signal than 5Ghz. Signal strength is determined by distance.

If the hub is only 15feet from the TV you certainly don't need a disc, the 2.4Ghz signal will be more than adequate. Try running an Ethernet cable directly from the hub temporarily if it is that close to see if the problem is definitely WiFi related.

[Laur1]

ok, thanks for the advice

I only assumed it to be wifi related because I can stream the same programmes to my laptop and they run perfectly, but I know the TV only connects to 2.4Ghz wifi and the laptop is able to connect to the 5Ghz.

[licquorice]

You could try changing the 2.4Ghz WiFi channel on the hub, the problem could be due to interference.

[Laur1]

Thanks for that idea. I had previously seen it suggested on another site, but as someone who knows little about these things I'm a little wary to start messing with the settings on the hub, though I suppose I can return it to default if any changes are unsuccessful. When talking about interference, are we mainly referring to other equipment within my property, or is it more general

[licquorice]

It could be anything or anywhere. The hub is restricted to channels 1,6 or11, try all 3.

As you already have a disc, you could try connecting it to the TV via Ethernet. That will eliminate the WiFi receiver in the TV.