Dreambox setup, what hardware required?

[PAUL7331]

Hi guys, Ive just purchased a DM500S Clone, and want a few answers to the following questions if possible please before it arrives next week!

Ok, I currently have an existing motorised dish setup without receiver (I sold my darkbox the other week), so I assume when dreambox arrives I can simply connect it to where my darkbox once sat??

Now then, my PC is upstairs so unable to connect to dreambox which will sit downstairs... BUT, I do have a vi*gin cable which I currently use for freeview connected to a set top box. So could I use a splitter, attach a cheap modem to this, and a cheap router, and then connect router direct to dreambox so I could connect to the internet that way??

I have a laptop which would allow me to flash the dreambox, but what im saying is the laptop wouldnt be connected to the dreambox 24/7, just only when I wanted to flash it, add bouquets etc. BUT the dreambox could be permanently connected to the router and modem (if needed??) so that I can start my adventure in to the world of cardsharing etc....

Does the above setup sound ok in order for me to accomplish this guys?

[westkill]

i use a couple of these
comtrend powerline ethernet adapter, Computing, Consumer Electronics, comtrend items at low prices on eBay.co.uk
it networks through the wiring in your home

[ianmac]

Your saying:

"I do have a vi*gin cable which I currently use for freeview connected to a set top box. So could I use a splitter, attach a cheap modem to this, and a cheap router, and then connect router direct to dreambox so I could connect to the internet that way??"

To me that sounds like you have not got a broadband internet connection with them, & only using the wall socket for your "Freeview", if that is the case then you won't get an internet connection by just adding a modem...

[PAUL7331]

Your saying:

"I do have a vi*gin cable which I currently use for freeview connected to a set top box. So could I use a splitter, attach a cheap modem to this, and a cheap router, and then connect router direct to dreambox so I could connect to the internet that way??"

To me that sounds like you have not got a broadband internet connection with them, & only using the wall socket for your "Freeview", if that is the case then you won't get an internet connection by just adding a modem...

No, I HAVE got internet, but upstairs. So being as I am paying for an active internet connection, would this work?? So downstairs where dreambox would be I currently have a v*rgin cable used for TV, so obviously if splitter is used and im paying for internet connection, this would allow me to connect router up, am I right?

I just want to avoid running a long network cable from upstairs (where my PC is based) to downstairs....

So, my dreambox would be connected to a modem and router, but nowhere near an actual PC. The only time I would connect a PC to it is when im flashing it using a laptop.

Hope this makes sense lads??

[ianmac]

No, I HAVE got internet, but upstairs. So being as I am paying for an active internet connection, would this work?? So downstairs where dreambox would be I currently have a v*rgin cable used for TV, so obviously if splitter is used and im paying for internet connection, this would allow me to connect router up, am I right?

I just want to avoid running a long network cable from upstairs (where my PC is based) to downstairs....

So, my dreambox would be connected to a modem and router, but nowhere near an actual PC. The only time I would connect a PC to it is when im flashing it using a laptop.

Hope this makes sense lads??

Yes that would work as long as you have got internet somewhere in the house,
If you have got Virgin internet through their cable, then you have already got a modem, & if their modem has got an Ethernet socket going to your pc upstairs (& not a usb), then all you will need is a router like you said.
Then get your upstairs pc plugged in & working through the router first, once that is working then you have got a few choices how you connect to your Dreambox.
What westkill says, the mains Ethernet adaptor, looks like a good idea, but never tried it so not sure how easy it is to configure.
You can run a long Ethernet cable to it (cheaper & easier method) to setup, which is what I would do as you do (just plug it straight into router).
Or I think I have seen somewhere that you can get a wireless adaptor for the Dreambox, so you can wireless connect to your router..
Once you get a connection to your Dreambox, you will have to configure the Dreambox ip address, either internal ip address or Dhcp.

After that your on your own with the card sharing part..


Hope this helps
Ian

[PAUL7331]

Yes that would work as long as you have got internet somewhere in the house,
If you have got Virgin internet through their cable, then you have already got a modem, & if their modem has got an Ethernet socket going to your pc upstairs (& not a usb), then all you will need is a router like you said.
Then get your upstairs pc plugged in & working through the router first, once that is working then you have got a few choices how you connect to your Dreambox.
What westkill says, the mains Ethernet adaptor, looks like a good idea, but never tried it so not sure how easy it is to configure.
You can run a long Ethernet cable to it (cheaper & easier method) to setup, which is what I would do as you do (just plug it straight into router).
Or I think I have seen somewhere that you can get a wireless adaptor for the Dreambox, so you can wireless connect to your router..
Once you get a connection to your Dreambox, you will have to configure the Dreambox ip address, either internal ip address or Dhcp.

After that your on your own with the card sharing part..


Hope this helps
Ian

Thanks mate, but other than running an ethernet cable all the way from upstairs to downstairs (AS MY PC IS UPSTAIRS ALONG WITH ROUTER AND MODEM) cant I just create a NEW connection downstairs?? I mean connect ONLY a router and modem direct to dreambox?? I could then use my laptop from time to time to 'talk' to the dreambox. Would this work or am I forced to use my existing connection and have a 20 metre cable trailing from upstairs to downstairs?? (the wife would not be happy)

[ianmac]

Thanks mate, but other than running an ethernet cable all the way from upstairs to downstairs (AS MY PC IS UPSTAIRS ALONG WITH ROUTER AND MODEM) cant I just create a NEW connection downstairs?? I mean connect ONLY a router and modem direct to dreambox?? I could then use my laptop from time to time to 'talk' to the dreambox. Would this work or am I forced to use my existing connection and have a 20 metre cable trailing from upstairs to downstairs?? (the wife would not be happy)

I know what you mean; I have a virgin point upstairs for my main pc + a point downstairs for my cable tv, but you can only have 1 modem connected to their line, so I have a 20mtr cable running around the skirting board & drilled a hole through the ceiling, boxed it down the wall with a very small conduit in the lounge, I can now watch movies straight from my upstairs pc onto the widescreen tv downstairs.

So you have a choice to use the modem upstairs and run a connection down to your Dreambox or move your modem downstairs, which will connect to your Dreambox better,
But if you want the internet on your upstairs pc, you?re back with the same problem with having to run a connection upstairs.

But if you?re happy to just have internet on your laptop, then move your modem downstairs, (you will still need a router) & you can wireless connect your laptop wherever you want.

Hope this Helps
Ian

[PAUL7331]

I know what you mean; I have a virgin point upstairs for my main pc + a point downstairs for my cable tv, but you can only have 1 modem connected to their line, so I have a 20mtr cable running around the skirting board & drilled a hole through the ceiling, boxed it down the wall with a very small conduit in the lounge, I can now watch movies straight from my upstairs pc onto the widescreen tv downstairs.

So you have a choice to use the modem upstairs and run a connection down to your Dreambox or move your modem downstairs, which will connect to your Dreambox better,
But if you want the internet on your upstairs pc, you’re back with the same problem with having to run a connection upstairs.

But if you’re happy to just have internet on your laptop, then move your modem downstairs, (you will still need a router) & you can wireless connect your laptop wherever you want.

Hope this Helps
Ian

Thanks Ian.

DAMN, I diddnt know I could only have one modem per household! I guess you learn something new everyday hey!

SO it looks like I'll need a 25-30metre crossover cable then hey?? Do know know of any cheap places where I can purchase??

[PAUL7331]

Another option could be this-
Netgear Wireless Game Adapter (Ethernet Bridge) on eBay (end time 19-Oct-09 15:18:20 BST)

Or this

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Belkin-Wireles...d=p3286.c0.m14

But im worried I would get 'stuttering' when watching Tv through this etc... Would this occur?

[PAUL7331]

Oh, and if I were to run a cable from wireless router direct to dreambox, would I need a CAT 5/CAT5e CrossOver cable, like this one - 50m RJ45 Cross Over Ethernet Network Cable CAT 5/CAT5e on eBay (end time 17-Oct-09 19:19:55 BST)

??????????

[ianmac]

Thanks Ian.

DAMN, I diddnt know I could only have one modem per household! I guess you learn something new everyday hey!

SO it looks like I'll need a 25-30metre crossover cable then hey?? Do know know of any cheap places where I can purchase??

Got my cable from Maplin, it came with an adaptor so to convert the cable from crossover to straight ect, which is a handy gadget if you've got the wrong cable or when you want to connect to the Dreambox direct from laptop.

[PAUL7331]

Got my cable from Maplin, it came with an adaptor so to convert the cable from crossover to straight ect, which is a handy gadget if you've got the wrong cable or when you want to connect to the Dreambox direct from laptop.

So as im connecting (probably) a cable direct from wireless router to dreambox, exactly WHAT cable will I need mate do you know? Is it just a normal network ethernet cable??

[ianmac]

Another option could be this-
Netgear Wireless Game Adapter (Ethernet Bridge) on eBay (end time 19-Oct-09 15:18:20 BST)

Or this

Belkin Wireless G Gaming Adaptor 802.11g - WiFi XBox on eBay (end time 15-Oct-09 10:23:03 BST)

But im worried I would get 'stuttering' when watching Tv through this etc... Would this occur?

The first one (Bridge) would save you having to get a router, but then everything you use it with will have to be wireless, up stairs "pc upstairs, Laptop & Dreambox", so now you save one thing, but you have to now get a wireless adaptor for your Dreambox to make that wireless.
Then you will have a nightmare configuring ip addresses in everything to get them to comunicate with each other, (not at all easy)..

The second one is kind of on the right track as I was saying about the Dreambox wireless adaptor idea, but again as it states on the website for that Xbox adaptor, unless you configure the ip's right nothing will work, (still a great deal of hastle).
That is why I ended up with using just the cable, with that you just have to plug it in & go, apart from the ip address in Dreambox..

As for the last question about cable, it is a cat5 ethernet cable but I always get mixed up even now whether it is crossed type or not, I think that is why I got the cable with an adaptor, so that if you plug it in & it don't work then plug the cable through the adaptor.

Hope this helps
Ian

[PAUL7331]

The first one (Bridge) would save you having to get a router, but then everything you use it with will have to be wireless, up stairs "pc upstairs, Laptop & Dreambox", so now you save one thing, but you have to now get a wireless adaptor for your Dreambox to make that wireless.
Then you will have a nightmare configuring ip addresses in everything to get them to comunicate with each other, (not at all easy)..

The second one is kind of on the right track as I was saying about the Dreambox wireless adaptor idea, but again as it states on the website for that Xbox adaptor, unless you configure the ip's right nothing will work, (still a great deal of hastle).
That is why I ended up with using just the cable, with that you just have to plug it in & go, apart from the ip address in Dreambox..

As for the last question about cable, it is a cat5 ethernet cable but I always get mixed up even now whether it is crossed type or not, I think that is why I got the cable with an adaptor, so that if you plug it in & it don't work then plug the cable through the adaptor.

Hope this helps
Ian

That seals it then Ian, I'll just buy a long cable (the missus will just have to like it or lump it, she'll probably lump it )

So... now I just need to figure out the EXACT cable I need to buy.

Well, I've heard that if your connecting dreambox DIRECT to router, I would only require a standard network cable. But somebody else said that I need a crossover cable. Im going to buy online so cant really go to maplins. Can anybody shed any light on the exact cable I would require? I'm simply plugging one end it in to router and the other end in to to dreambox to allow me to watch TV and FTP transfer over files etc.

Anybody??????

[westkill]

if out of a router normal ethernet cable or crossover will do
didnt you like the idea i put in the second post saves alot of trailing cables
powerline adapter into your router and plug socket ,the second one in the room were your dreambox is and into another plug socket uses your wiring in your home plug un play