High Quality media streaming over wireless network

[Bincx]

I am in the market for a new ADSL router and currently deciding between the Netgear N300 (DGN2200) and Netgear N600 (DGND3700).
The Netgear N600 is quite pricey compared to the N300 but boasts HD streaming and excellent Wireless coverage. Has anyone had experience with a high end router (or N600 particular) in terms of its ‘high quality video streaming’ capabilities?
I am trying to gauge whether the premium price is worth it.

(Unfortunately LAN cables throughout the house is not an option at this point)

 

[gustavdp]

How about http://www.instantbyte.com/images/Powerlan 200 Ethernet KITCW.jpg . Wireless and HD streaming just shouldn't go together

 

[The_Ogre]

As above, you're going to struggle with HD and Wifi...

 

[Pada]

Just make sure that the router is also including an ADSL modem.

Avoid buying Telkom branded routers too.

The N600 would require clients that support 5GHz or 2.4GHz with channel bonding - otherwise you won't really benefit from it.

You "should" be able to stream Full HD (1080p) rips without any issues if both the AP and the client has 300Mbps (802.11n) support and decent gain antennas that is pointing in the correct direction.

Please take note that I said "should" and not "would". Like 1080p rips require about 2MB/s, and with my current setup at my home, my laptop is connecting at 130Mbps and I'm getting speeds between 4-7MB/s.

Wireless speeds and signal strength could vary drastically due to numerous reasons:
1) antenna direction - both at the client and AP
2) antenna gain - both at the client and AP
3) transmit power
4) WiFi channel that you selected
5) WiFi protocol (eg. 802.11n / 802.11g)
6) distance between the client and AP
7) obstructions and building layout
8) ... and possibly a few others I can't think of now

 

[Bincx]

The N600 would require clients that support 5GHz or 2.4GHz with channel bonding - otherwise you won't really benefit from it.

You "should" be able to stream Full HD (1080p) rips without any issues if both the AP and the client has 300Mbps (802.11n) support and decent gain antennas that is pointing in the correct direction.

The plan is to steam video via a few xbox(s) setup in the house (using windows media centre). Any idea if the xbox internal wifi device supports 5GHz or 2.4GHz.
And thanks for all the other information.

 

[Pada]

Your speed would drastically decline when even 2 devices are transferring data simultaneously. For something like that you'll need multiple access points (running on different channels) or just a cable (100Mbps - 1Gbps) network.