Help me find a wireless adapter.

So with my Xfinity X1 service, I can now watch my DVR and Live TV through the computer in the garage. I have an older Netgear wireless N adapter, but it's not too great at picking up signal from a detached garage, so I have to probably get something that has an antenna on it.

I'm pretty versed in routers, but not so much in adapters. What's out there that's pretty descent but also inexpensive? Amazon shows a bunch, but I'm not sure what to look for.

I thought about a wireless NIC card, but it would be easier to go with a USB adapter. I'm willing to try either.

Why not a stronger router?

Or run a network cable?

I need a better wireless adapter, not router. My phone and iPod have no problem getting full signal out in the garage, but computer is only picking up about 50% of the signal.

I thought of a network cable, but it's too much hassle to run one to a detached garage.

If your router is modern (ie, supports both 2.4GHz and 5GHz) you can get a dual-band wireless network extender and still get full throughput. If it's older, you'll cut your throughput in half, but that isn't a big deal if you're just streaming video. Lots of good choices if you look for "wifi range extender dual band" on Amazon. Or just relocate the router in the house to be closer to the garage?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?gclid=Cj0KEQjw_42eBRDHqcG1psmtneEBEiQAWPL8WHRqtPnzrJYN_Gv6S80aTEP6xjVOURR26eN03wMp8KoaAq9s8P8HAQ&Item=N82E16833114086&nm_mc=KNC-GoogleAdwords&cm_mmc=KNC-GoogleAdwords--pla--Wireless+Adapters-_-N82E16833114086&ef_id=UsXqRgAAAJFgr@8z:20140714134047:s

No experience, your mileage may vary, etc.

pres589 wrote: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?gclid=Cj0KEQjw_42eBRDHqcG1psmtneEBEiQAWPL8WHRqtPnzrJYN_Gv6S80aTEP6xjVOURR26eN03wMp8KoaAq9s8P8HAQ&Item=N82E16833114086&nm_mc=KNC-GoogleAdwords&cm_mmc=KNC-GoogleAdwords-_-pla-_-Wireless+Adapters-_-N82E16833114086&ef_id=UsXqRgAAAJFgr@8z:20140714134047:s No experience, your mileage may vary, etc.

Was just gonna say, just get an adapter with standard removable antennas. If that one doesn't cut it out of the box, put high-gain antennas on it.

If its under 100ft, I'd just run an ethernet cable to it. If your comcast van is sitting in the driveway, I know theres probably 250+ ft of ethernet cable in it.

it sounds like the netgear is an external wireless dongle right?... if so on the DIY/GRM life look into "cantenna" on google... I've known a few people to do it with success.

with that being said... I'm not sure what model gateway you got from comcast, but in my experience they are some of the worst routers around, my old school b/g with ddwrt was a far better router when it came to range and stability... I ended up having them put the gatway into bridge mode (because they lock the end user out from being able to access that wouldn't ya know) and hooked it into a newer dual band AC router.

In reply to donalson:

I'm a Comcast tech, so I have the newest XB3 Dual Band gateway they have, however I will say that the older gateways aren't the greatest when it comes to range. This one is way better.

Yes the netgear unit is a external USB dongle.

Like I said, my phone and iPod get full signal out there, but my computer gets less than 50% of it.

I'll revisit the Cantenna, but I'm not going to rule out the idea of a high gain wireless adapter or possibly an extender that someone suggested.

I also think my adapter is only capable of 54 Mbps and my gateway is pushing 120 Mbps wirelessly.

being a tech you've prob tried this but... is the dongle attached to the computer directly or do you have it on an extension cable so it's not sitting behind all the dense clutter of your PC?

anyway... ya cantenna is the first thing to try as it's a freebie and only the one device that has an issue... I've seen them used quite effectively

even an inexpensive PCI wifi NIC with an external antenna may help if you mount the antenna outside... lots of ways to meet the goal, just a matter of cost and ease.

In reply to donalson:

I have it plugged directly in, but the back of the computer is in the window and it's facing the house. I have thought about the USB extension cord, I may have one floating around in my van somewhere.

I'll definitely check out the Cantenna.

Adapters and such aren't too expensive on Amazon.

I did find this:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002SZEOLG/ref=cm_sw_r_udp_awd_iLiXtb04BMZ85ZS4

I've never been too fond of the USB wifi adapters - only one I have running is on my Raspberry Pi-based sprinkler controller, and that's only because I didn't want to run network cables into the garage.

There's always this option.

We're using one to borrow our neighbors internet (read: not steal, she knows and is down with it). Without it, we saw no signal from her router. With it, we get about 2-3 "bars" from her router, which it rebroadcasts (or summat). Totally worth the $30, as now I can GRM on the can. We went this route because we didn't want a USB dongle that would ultimately get broken, break a USB port, or get lost. I haven't touched it in the 3 months since it was set up.

YMMV.

I'm in love with my Bearextender. Haven't tried to fully test it's range limits, but from the downstairs living room corner where my TP-LINK router resides to the upstairs opposite corner of the townhouse (the office) it has full signal. http://m.newegg.com/Product/index?itemnumber=9SIA0AT14C9882