adding a second modem - virgin media

ForzaFifer

I hope this makes sense!

I recently moved into a new flatshare, we have virgin media, the hub 3.0 is in the living room. The coaxial cable that connects to the modem in the living room has a splitter, and the second coaxial cable goes up into my bedroom.

I thought i could just plug that cable into the back of my previous superhub modem, and then use it easily. But when i connected my apple tv to it via ethernet cable i couldnt get it to work.

The wifi on the hub 3.0 isnt great, it drops quite a lot, so i thought this would be a good solution.

All the lights on the front looked ok.

Am i missing a step here, and is this possible to do?

cheers,
Any ideas?

arciere

You can only get one connection, and that's at the main modem. You don't need a second modem, what you need is another wireless access point that, ideally, would connect directly to the main Hub and should sit anywhere closer to the area where you currently have poor coverage.

I wouldn't bother with range extenders as they are very unreliable.

The alternative would be Powerline adaptors (basically, they use the internal mains wiring to give you ethernet connection). They are probably slightly more expensive than a normal wireless access point.

Debbie_Savard

>and then use it easily<

It would, if you took out a 2nd subscription with Virgin!

RumRat

Sounds like your Hub 3 is faulty.....Mine is rock solid and provides good WiFi all around the house, in the garden, and out to the car on the drive...:)
Call them and tell them about it constantly dropping and ask for a replacement hub to see if that makes a difference.

that

RumRat wrote: »

Sounds like your Hub 3 is faulty.....Mine is rock solid and provides good WiFi all around the house, in the garden, and out to the car on the drive...:)
Call them and tell them about it constantly dropping and ask for a replacement hub to see if that makes a difference.

RumRat, think you are one of the lucky ones. Others here on this link also seem to have problems with their sh3 https://www.hotukdeals.com/deals/netgear-ac-2300-nighthawk-wireless-router-10999-argos-3036719

esuhl

arciere wrote: »

You can only get one connection, and that's at the main modem. You don't need a second modem, what you need is another wireless access point that, ideally, would connect directly to the main Hub and should sit anywhere closer to the area where you currently have poor coverage.

I wouldn't bother with range extenders as they are very unreliable.

The alternative would be Powerline adaptors (basically, they use the internal mains wiring to give you ethernet connection). They are probably slightly more expensive than a normal wireless access point.

^^ I agree.


A better solution (if it's possible) would be to run an Ethernet cable from the router to upstairs, where you could have a hub/switch (to connect wired devices) and/or a wireless access point (to provide a strong signal upstairs).

arciere

RumRat wrote: »

Sounds like your Hub 3 is faulty.....Mine is rock solid and provides good WiFi all around the house, in the garden, and out to the car on the drive...:)
Call them and tell them about it constantly dropping and ask for a replacement hub to see if that makes a difference.

As a general rule, you can't compare WiFi in two completely different environments.
WiFi range depends on a number of factors, the equipment in use is only one of those.
Is the access point using an overcrowded channel? Are the walls too thick? What are they made of? Are there any microwave ovens in the path that could disturb the signal? Is it working on 5Ghz or 2.4Ghz? What is the distance between the access point and the device?

As you can see, the same wireless access point can be rubbish for one and completely spot on for another person.

If I had to choose, I wouldn't bother calling Virgin Media, it's very likely that the problem is no the Hub itself.

Ant555

As already suggested - a Powerline adapter may be of use here

I have one unit plugged into my VM Superhub 3 and the other end is in the conservatory - the Smart TV in the conservatory has a short 1metre ethernet cable between it and the powerline adapter and works a treat (it also means my laptop and ipad have a good wifi signal in the conservatory - with the SH3 itself, the coverage is a bit patchy)

Mine is an older version of this item here, plug in, press the buttons and it just works. - there are lots of makes and options but if you are looking for an ethernet port and opt for a powerline setup then make sure the 'second' one has an ethernet port for your Apple TV as some of them are just wifi repeaters
https://www.amazon.co.uk/TL-WPA4220KIT-Powerline-Broadband-Configuration-UK/dp/B01LXOZ4EN

Hope this helps.

RumRat

arciere wrote: »

As a general rule, you can't compare WiFi in two completely different environments.
WiFi range depends on a number of factors, the equipment in use is only one of those.
Is the access point using an overcrowded channel? Are the walls too thick? What are they made of? Are there any microwave ovens in the path that could disturb the signal? Is it working on 5Ghz or 2.4Ghz? What is the distance between the access point and the device?

As you can see, the same wireless access point can be rubbish for one and completely spot on for another person.

If I had to choose, I wouldn't bother calling Virgin Media, it's very likely that the problem is no the Hub itself.

It's always worth the call. The hub is free and with you in a couple of days. At the very least it will eliminate the hub.
I am very well aware of the limitations of wireless, thanks.