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Best budget reliable wifi bridge to convert home wifi to wired for an old TV.

Just looking for some advice and suggestions from actual users of these wifi bridges.

The problem.

In my bedroom I have an old Samsung SmartTv that does not seem to be quite so smart any longer!
Its old but a great picture still and is a 55" tv so good for my old eyes.
Problem is that it loses its wireless connection every time it is put into standby with the resulting couple minute wait to reconnect and then enter password etc.

What I was thinking of trying was one of those cheaper wifi bridges that will see my home wifi network and I can then just connect with a regular ethernet cable into the back of the TV thereby side stepping its dropping of the wireless network every time it is powered off.

No it is not a network issue, every other device in the house (MANY!) work flawlessly.

Reading reviews for various models on Amazon reveals a mixed bag of potential horrors.

So that is hopefully where this community comes in, point me in the right direction the first time!

Many thanks and stay safe!
128x128uberwaltz

Showing 6 responses by uberwaltz

uberwaltz's avatar
uberwaltz OP
13,381 posts
 
The Roku Streaming Stick+ arrived today and had it up and running in minutes.

Bonus of quite a few channels that were not on the Samsung Smart menu so win all-round.
👍😁
uberwaltz's avatar
uberwaltz OP
13,381 posts
 
And this is why I still love this forum!
I probably would never have thought of Roku as a solution but now I have researched some it is probably the best all round solution including keeping services updated.
My tv has said for 3 years or so that no updates to software are available which is as likely the reason for it acting up on wifi, planned obsolecense!

Just placed my order with Amazon, should be here Wednesday!
Thanks to everybody for the thoughtfull answers!
uberwaltz's avatar
uberwaltz OP
13,381 posts
 
And is the Roku device usually instantly seen on the wifi network or?
I could be a viable option as you say it should then update my Netflix streaming service as well.
uberwaltz's avatar
uberwaltz OP
13,381 posts
 
Plenty of WiFi boosters available on Amazon for $50 or less.
There absolutely is!
And as I said when you read the reviews it is quite concerning.
What I am really looking for is a unit that has just one function, to join my wifi network and provide a wired signal, nothing more.
My bedroom is only about 20 ft from the wifi router on the same floor so no signal boost or access point is required.

The Roku might be a viable option. I assume you have to setup a Roku account etc which is no big deal.
uberwaltz's avatar
uberwaltz OP
13,381 posts
 
I take that back.
Just checked and yes it does have two HDMI input so it could be an option.
uberwaltz's avatar
uberwaltz OP
13,381 posts
 
I had not.
What are costs involved as all I really use on this tv is Netflix which I already subscribe to obviously.
Occasional Pandora too but just the free service.

One problem there is that this tv has just one HDMI input( it's old) and that is taken by the BluRay player attached to it.
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