Posted on by Terry White

Put your Blu-ray player on your Wi-Fi network

It's great that the new line Blu-ray players support BD Live and online content to compliment the movies. It's also great that their firmware can be updated over the internet. What I don't understand is why all the Blu-ray players I've seen rely on an Ethernet connection for internet access. I don't know of too many people that have Ethernet drops near their TV's. My bedroom is a perfect example. I have a Sony Bravia LCD TV and Sony BDP-S350 Blu-ray player connected to it. It's located in a nice wall unit and unfortunately there is no ethernet jack nearby. 

 

 

The Solution: An Ethernet Wi-Fi Bridge

I've used D-Link Wireless Ethernet Bridges in years past to connect older computers that had Ethernet, but not Wi-Fi. Once again I was in need of one of these bridges. My old one only supported 802.11b and I can't find it. I at least wanted 802.11b/g support. So I started looking at newer models. I was floored by how much these things have gone up in price. It appears that they are now geared towards gamers. Most hardcore gamers want to play others online. This means that your game console has to be connected to the internet and we're back to the same problem that most people don't have Ethernet jacks near their TV's. The Wii and PS3 have Wi-Fi built-in. However, some of the older consoles do not. So companies like Linksys and D-Link have come to the rescue with "wireless gaming adapters." These "gaming adapters" (Ethernet Wi-Fi Bridges) now go for close to $100. I can remember when they were half that price.  Well I needed one of these Bridges, but didn't want to pay top dollar for one. So off to eBay I went. I found a D-Link DWL-G810 Wireless Ethernet Bridge New in the Box for a winning bid of $51. This model is newer than my old one (which I can't find) and supports 802.11b/g.

 

 

How does a Wireless Ethernet Bridge work?

The concept is simple. The Bridge has an Ethernet jack on it and of course a power adapter. You plug it into your computer's Ethernet port long enough to set it up. This means setting it up to join your current wireless (Wi-Fi) network, network name (SSID) and network password. Once it's setup (about 5 minutes), you unplug it from your computer and plug it into your Ethernet only device. In my case this was my Sony Blu-ray player. That's it! Your Blu-ray player will connect to the internet wirelessly even though it only has an Ethernet jack. The Bridge will bridge your Wi-Fi connection to the Ethernet port on your player. 

 

The Bottom Line

Blu-ray player manufacturers need to either build Wi-Fi in or at least provide a low cost Wi-Fi adapter like TiVo does for the TiVo HD. In the meantime if you want to connect your Ethernet only device to your network and don't want to run wires your best bet is a Wireless Ethernet Bridge. If you shop around you can find one at bargain prices. Check out the latest offerings from D-Link, Linksys and Netgear, but don't forget about eBay. Also to the Bridge manufacturers, why are these things designed to be so, um, ugly?

 

UPDATE!

I wrote this 2 years ago and while not much has changed in terms of the need to put Ethernet devices on your WiFi network, the solutions have changed as well as my recommendation. Recently I've started using TiVo's Wireless N Network Adapter and while you would think that this is specifically for TiVo, the reality is it's NOT! It's a slick little 802.11n Bridge that connects to your device via Ethernet. The setup is simple and you first plug it into your computer to get it setup on your wireless network. After that is done (takes less than 5 minutes), you can then plug it into any device that has an Ethernet port to put it online via your WiFi Network. Once it's set up the TiVo Adapter has no idea whether it's plugged into a TiVo or Blu-ray player or computer. 

You can get the TiVo Wireless N Network Adapter here.

 

 

 

Apple iTunes

 

26 Replies to “Put your Blu-ray player on your Wi-Fi network”

  1. Good post, Terry. I do think you understate the Playstation 3, though. It comes with an excellent Bluray player and built-in WiFI, as well as a built-in uPnP client for streaming your media over the network from a media server. Oh, and you can play games on it too I think ;). For the price, there’s still no better deal for a Bluray player than the PS3. It’s worth more than a mention in this article for those who might be looking to buy a Bluray player. (And yes, I think you’ve covered that in another post, but it’s worth noting here in more detail, I think.)

  2. I’d be curious to know what speed blu-ray live content clocks in at over a wireless G signal. Given that I heard they will start streaming HD extras there, isn’t the wireless N kind of a necessity?

  3. I’m kind of a tech-dummy, but perhaps you can help me with a similar problem. My Sony Blu-ray player is in the bedroom. It is next to a computer that has a wireless connection to the internet. I know there is a way to just connect the Blu-ray player to the computer with an Ethernet cable, effectively using the computer as the bridge, but I don’t know how to do that — configure the computer’s Ethernet port to forward the internet signal to the Blu-ray player.

    If you could help me out, I’d be ever so grateful.

    Thanks.

    1. You would want to set up internet connection sharing. Share the wireless connection with the ethernet port.

  4. The devices needed for wireless connection of Blu-ray players are called by many names including wireless bridge, wireless game controller, wireless access point, and AP client. Even their prices vary all over since it is hard to compare them. I ended up creating a <a href="http://www.rayinblu.com/blu-ray-wireless&quot; rel="nofollow">page at http://www.rayinblu.com/blu-ray-wireless that lists all the Blu-ray wireless connection options available and their pricing</a>. Hope this helps.

  6. Terry, I recently bought another Tivo HD. My wireless adapter was shipped separately and did not arrive at the the same time. However, I do have an Airport Express at the location of the new dvr. I simply configured it for WDS and now I no longer need the Tivo wireless adapter.

    I understand there maybe a performance hit using WDS and I will monitior it accordingly. I already have separate wireless N & G networks so it maybe a non-issue in my case.

    Cheers

    dave

  7. Seriously – this is such a hassle. I am thinking of trading in my samsung blu ray player that I just got for a PS3, but wait, not so fast – I can’t get my movies via netflix online that way, so whats the point of that?!?! Netflix works with xbox, great! not so fast, xbox isn’t a blu ray player!!! Ugh!
    So, I have a Sprint wireless modem on my laptop and can’t get my computer to act as a bridge to transfer that to my blu ray player via the ethernet cable….why? Any suggestions?

  8. Hi Terry

    Frist of all thank you for hosting the website! Your information on connecting your Blu-ray Player was exactly what I was looking for!

    I too purchased a Sony BDP S350, and then I went and purchased a D-Link DWL 2100AP to be my Wireless Access Bridge.

    As I am not that tehnically savey, I had D’Link tech support help ensure that the 2100AP was correctly configured.

    My problem now is that I don’t understand how to configure the BDP S350 to speak to the Bridge. Can you help?

    If you could sorta walk me through the steps you used, I would greatly appreciate it!

    Regards

    Trevor

    1. Hi Trevor,
      If your D-Link Bridge is setup and on your network, all you should have to do is plug an ethernet cable between the bridge the the BDPs350. The player should automatically detect the network connection. You can test it by going to the system menu and doing a software update check.

  9. Hi Tery

    Thank you for you quick response. I did notice that the Blu-Ray did automaticaly populate some network settings, but it still doesn’t work. (No IP address or Mac Settings.)

    Maybe, my D-Link isn’t properly set up after all. I will check with D’Link Tech support again.

    I’ll let you know how I make out.

    Trevor

  10. That just stupid. .I just purchased the new LG blue ray – model (paid 400.00 CAN) .. Hell my blue-ray can even go on youtube .. But i don’t have a Network at home . My computer’s just next to my LCD hd T.V .

    Now .. in 2009 i though they would come with a d-link inside.But nO!!! I paid 400.00 buck for a blue-ray while a frigging PS3 = The same Price and you can play VIDEO GAME.I’m not a Console Gamers but now i think i made a mistake.

    (Ok my blue ray can read divx,DVDR,DVD,Blue-ray,CD , CD-R , XVID , WMA and WCA(HD DIVX)

    It’s just like HD T.V . I mean they all come with VGA PORT..WHY VGA?? We’re In 2009 By sake god… HELLO? Now you need to purchase another HDMi Cable (50.00) + a separator thing(30.00) just so i can plug my frigging computer on my t.v.Because huh .. The VGA port’s set so you can plug a old CRT monitor directly to it.BUT WHAT’S THE POINT OF THAT???????????????????????????

    That just how my blue-ray not even come with an HDMI Cable.For 400.00 I was hoping it’s would come with one.. BUT NO!! Although i haven’t paid for my HDMi cable because i purchased 3-4 thing at the same time(Including my t.v) and i dealed with the vendor a price cut..

    Hell i was hoping i could directly plug my internet to my blue-ray for update or movies or youtubing with friend.But nooooooooooooo …

    I started with a 1300.00 budget and now i have to pay for 2000.00 .. That just a frigging conspiracy.

  11. For those of you still looking for wireless connectivity, I just found out that Samsung makes TWO models: BD-P3600 and the BD-P4600 that comes with a wireless adapter right in the box.

    It’s still the case that no company has wireless built-in which is just ridiculous for the level of technology we now have.

    WARNING: Don’t be fooled by Sony’s claims that they support wireless connections. The BDP-N460 model is WIRED ONLY and the BDP-S560 is wireless ONLY for firmware updates. Just shows how stupid Sony has gotten…

  12. There is an alternative. They do make powerline ethernet bridging devices, that uses your house existing wiring. These are actually faster then current 802.11n (i believe 200Mbps) and you can move them to any socket in the house. That’s fast enough to do HDTV streaming.

  14. $25 wireless usb adapter, usb splitter, so i can also use usb external storage being that the player is limited to one usb port, and i don;t even use the 8P8C Connection(RJ-45). Running just fine, have any of you tried that, even without the splitter, just the wireless usb adapter???

  15. I have an LG BD370 Blu Ray Player that I am trying to connect via wireless from my AT&T wireless router.

    I purchased an Apple Airport Express Wifi (Adapter/Bridge) and was finally able to connect wirelessly from the AT&T DSL router to the Airport Express (through the help of other online posts). As you mentioned in your past posts, my LAN connection(router) is in the bedroom with PC while the TV & Blu Ray player in question is in the Family room. Running a LAN cable 50ft down the hallway was not an appealing option for my wife.

    Now I have a problem where the LG BD370 Blue Ray player is not recognizing the internet connection. The Apple Airport Express (AE) has a LAN connection as does the LG BD370. The Airport Express Bridge is connected to the LG BD370 via a LAN cable. I am assuming I need to change the settings on either my router or the LG BD370. I’m not sure how to do this. Any ideas or experience with this? The LG technical support was useless and had no idea how to do this other then run a LAN cable from my router to the LG BD370. Or maybe the Apple AE is not the right product for this solution?

  16. I’m so glad I found this website. I have Verizon wireless fios in my house. I recently purchased an LG Blu-Ray player so I can stream netflix to my television. I also do not have an internet connection near the tv so the instructions state that I must purchase a powerline ethernet adapter. My question is in regards to which one to buy? I have looked at Best Buy but they want $150 for the adapter and on top of the cost of the blu ray player that seems pretty high. Are there any others out there and are ok but cost less? And should I look for any particular specifications? Any help is deeply appreciated.

  17. I heard that a computer cna share an wireless internet connection. I have a Mac mini. Can’t I just connect my LG blue ray player via ethernet to share wireless connection?

  18. I am buying a blu-ray and can’t decide. The more I read the more confused I am. I have a 2WIre modem that I can move close to the TV since my pc is wireless and connect the blu-ray to the modem? or maybe I should try to wait and buy a wireless blu-ray. The problem is that I can’t pay a great deal of money so I was trying to do it on the cheap side.
    BTW, I am just returning a sony BDP-S360 because it cannot do anything besides playing a dvd.(it does not even have an eject button!. I would like to read some suggestions.
    Thanks

  19. Hi Terry,

    I can’t seem to find a clear answer on this through Google, but happily found your site. Hoping you can help me to clear it up. I’m considering a Sony BDP-S370 blu-ray player which I understand can support wireless network access with a USB adapter (or wired connection). Clearly Sony’s site says that I can buy a Sony wireless adapter for $80, but I already have one from Linksys that I used to use on my TiVo box.

    Can I use this Linksys adapter (WUSB11) with the Sony blu-ray player, or is there something unique about the connectivity that requires a Sony adapter?

    Thanks!
    Mike

    1. Hi Mike,
      I don’t know as I’ve never used either device. Best bet is to get the player and try it. If it doesn’t work with your Linksys, then you can go the Sony route.

  20. Terry,
    You’re awesome. Thanks for all the info so far. I have a weird situation. We kneep off of the girls we rent from–btw, it’s a perfectly consensual relationship!–anyway, we have an LCD blu-ray and I am wondering if an ethernet bridge will even work since the router is on another floor (we all live in a brownstone) quite a bit away from our player. Any thoughts would be so incredibly helpful…

    Heather

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