You know, I’ve been a bit of a technofile for a while. I wouldn’t say I’m an early adopter by any stretch of the imagination but I do tend to enjoy researching, buying and setting up techno-crap. I’ve had iPods, PDAs, game consoles, computers, and all the crap that goes along with them.
My latest techo-story has to do with my Xbox 360. I moved it away from my computer (where I’ve been happily playing it for the last year) and into the living room. We needed a DVD player to watch a movie and wanted to play Scene It: Light, Camera, Action (our newest game purchase) on the comfort of our sofa. Once the thing was moved, it was no longer hard-wired to my home network… ack, no more Xbox Live. Since I recently re-activated my Xbox Live account, this seemed like a waste.
So, here was the problem. I wanted the Xbox on my home network and I didn’t want to run an ethernet cable. The obvious solution was to buy the Xbox Wireless Network Adapter (pictured right). It’s a bit pricy at $130 and it uses the USB port in the back of the Xbox. I wanted to use that USB port for the infra-red reciever needed to play Scene It. The solution was to find a wireless network thingy that plugs into the ethernet port int he back of the console and would talk to my home network.
As it turns out, this network thingy is called a ‘Wireless Bridge’.Â
As is enevatable when people move in together, there are a few things that you both have and you only need one. One of those things Jenny and I each had was a wireless router. First, I tried to figure out a way to get this extra router to work as a wireless bridge… no go. As far as I can tell, it can’t be done.
The search began. I wanted a bridge that was less expensive than the Xbox Wireless Adapter and that I would be able to buy in a brick-and-mortar store. I didn’t want to wait for delivery of anything.
I found what I was looking for in an unexpected place, a print server. The D-Link Wireless Multifunction Print Server (right). It is bascially a place to plug your printer in to when you want the printer hooked up to your network and not directly to your computer. One of it’s features is that it can act as a wireless bridge… bingo! So, off I went after work last night and picked one up.
After fiddling around with it and finally calling the D-Link tech support, me and the dude on the phone got the thing work. I plugged it in to the Xbox and now I’m all set. Happy Day.
Now, I just have to get the Xbox and my PC to talk to each other so I can send music and movies from the computer to the TV. That’ll be tonights challenge.Â
Wish me luck.
~ Jason.
