wireless

Mike is using an HDFlow wireless HDMI connection. Leo says that is pretty bleeding edge and wireless is pretty tough with HDMI. Hardwire is much better for carrying that much digital data.

David has trouble with cellular on his property and he needs a signal extender. Leo suggests a MicroCell from AT&T (also known as a FemToCel). It connects to his internet and becomes it's own cell site. Then, while he's at home, he can use his internet connection as a cellular connection.

Mike wants to wire up his home for sound. His house is already wired for Cat6 cable, but is wireless better? Leo says that Wireless is pricey, but it works. The Sonos, for instance, works great, but it's $400 a room. Each speaker has it's own wireless network built in. He can do it on his own, but the money he'd save is taken up in time building it himself. That's why Leo says if he can afford it, the Sonos Play5 is a great way to go.

Tom wants to switch from AT&T to Sprint for LTE. Leo says that depending on how good the coverage is, Sprint LTE is a great option because it's unlimited. Sprint is being very aggressive in competing with both AT&T and Verizon. Tom is thinking about getting a cheap tablet from AT&T, then cancel it to go to Sprint. It'll cost him less and he'll get a new phone and a tablet, plus make $25. Leo says to read the fine print on that, though.

Eric needs a motion sensitive, low cost way to provide security for the building his grandmother lives in.

Leo says that VueZone is a great solution because it's wireless and he can run it off batteries for six months. The way it works is that it only draws power when it senses motion. Then it alerts his smartphone with video.

The chatroom also suggests the Logitech Alert Security Camera System, NetBotz.

Shawn has a business selling novelty gifts and selling them online, then fulfilling them in his garage. He needs an access point for his garage.

There is wireless HDMI, but it can't officially be called that because it isn't licensed by the HDMI licensing bureau. It's called either Wireless HD or WHDI. DVDO makes one called the DVDO Air. That will work only in the room, it won't go through walls.

Mike is having connectivity issues with his home network and is wondering if he needs a new router. He has a desktop, three laptops, and a smart TV. Is that too many? Leo says yes and no. It depends on what he's doing. If everyone is streaming Netflix at the same time, the bandwidth won't really handle all that activity. On the other hand, if everyone is just emailing, then it should be fine. Four or five devices shouldn't be a problem. If his router is 4 or 5 years old, then it may be showing its age.