Sony LED TV w/Internet Features plus PS3, setup question (wireless vs. hardwire)

I connected a CAT6 cable from my Verizon router to the back of my TV for movie streaming etc, and was really amazed at how fast and consistent the hardwire connection was. I currently have my PS3 connected via wireless and although it does work, it's a bit slower and less reliable. My question is, can I use the same CAT6 Ethernet cable and split it at the end one side to the TV and one side to the PS3 so I can enjoy a more reliable connection when media streaming, etc.? I know I can get a second Ethernet cable but was wondering if it could be done with only one just so I don't have to worry about rewiring, etc.

One of my main goals is to achieve a faster connection on the PS3 so streaming sites give me a better quality picture. I played the same movie from Netflix via PS3 and Sony TV and the hardwire connection did give me better picture quality.

Thanks so much in advanced.

Dave

Accepted answers

Dabitz2

I got a Gigabit with Cat6 from router to switch and cat6 to PS3. My HD videos stream fine. But as you said, I could have saved some money as I don't think it makes a big difference. The cable from switch to TV is regular ethernet I had laying around.

All comments

prisaz

@Dabitz wrote:
I connected a CAT6 cable from my Verizon router to the back of my TV for movie streaming etc, and was really amazed at how fast and consistent the hardwire connection was. I currently have my PS3 connected via wireless and although it does work, it's a bit slower and less reliable. My question is, can I use the same CAT6 Ethernet cable and split it at the end one side to the TV and one side to the PS3 so I can enjoy a more reliable connection when media streaming, etc.? I know I can get a second Ethernet cable but was wondering if it could be done with only one just so I don't have to worry about rewiring, etc.
One of my main goals is to achieve a faster connection on the PS3 so streaming sites give me a better quality picture. I played the same movie from Netflix via PS3 and Sony TV and the hardwire connection did give me better picture quality.
Thanks so much in advanced.
Dave

Buy a 4 port switch and place it at your tv and plug the existing cat six into the switch. Depending on the switch you purchase, you can have as many ports as you wish. I have a 16port 10/100 and a 5 port gigabit switch connected to my router.

2 choices.

1. A second cable from the Verizon router

2. Install an Ethernet switch at your TV.

Dabitz2

Should I assume I should buy a Gigabit switch instead of an enternet switch so I don't lose the benefits of the CAT6 wiring (high speed)? I do a lot of HD streaming. What about the 2 ethernet cables from the switch to the TV and the PS3? Should they be CAT6 as well? Please bear with me, I am not too savy on networking lingo. I have plenty of ethernet cables around but if possible I want to keep my speed up.

Thanks so much for your help and reply.

Dave

prisaz

@Dabitz wrote:
Should I assume I should buy a Gigabit switch instead of an enternet switch so I don't lose the benefits of the CAT6 wiring (high speed)? I do a lot of HD streaming. What about the 2 ethernet cables from the switch to the TV and the PS3? Should they be CAT6 as well? Please bear with me, I am not too savy on networking lingo. I have plenty of ethernet cables around but if possible I want to keep my speed up.
Thanks so much for your help and reply.
Dave

I would say a gigabit switch would be good if you are connecting and transfering between devices on your network. But for FIOS only it would not be helpful, and just an added cost. I have a gigabit switch because of multiple computers and sharing files between them. PS3 and FIOS only have 10/100 ports. CAT 6 if you use gigabit, but otherwise CAT 5 is just fine. I know the CAT6 is a better cable strength wise because of shielding. Gigabit Ethernet is just that, still Ethernet.

Dabitz2

Hmmm... now you got me thinking. I do stream HD movies/files from my PC's harddrive and through Amazon streaming. I do video editing and play edited HD files from my PC's harddrive to my TV/PS3. I'll probably get a gigabit switch but use regular ethernet cables since I got plenty of them around and save some cash that way. Unless you have a better recommendation. Regular ethernet switch is half price though. Bestbuy has a 5port gigabit switch for $49.99.

Thanks again.

Dave

prisaz

From the Verizon FIOS router to the gigabit switch cat 5 would be fine. But if you are running gigabit between devices, I would say cat6 is a must. My daughters PC was dropping in and out until I realized I had pluged it into the gigabit and not the 10/100 switch. 20ft cat5 cable. I just used that cable for the Tivo and ran a cat6 to her PC.

Good luck. I think my 5 port gigabit ethernet switch was closer to $100 5 years ago.

tsauter1

Keep in mind the fact that to get gigabit everything on the network needs to be gigabit. If you have a 10/100/1000 switch and any device is running at 10/100 all devices will run at 10/100.