Connecting Ethernet Devices

[bigbanana]

I have a Sky box, a Talktalk Youview box and an LG smart TV. At the moment, I only have one ethernet cable from the router at the back of the TV terminated by the standard RJ45 plug.

I need to connect all three devices to the internet via ethernet. To do this, it looks like I need something with one RJ45 connector as an input and three RJ45 output ports. Would an RJ 45 hub fit my needs or is there some other type of RJ45 coupler/combiner that would do the job. I take it that whatever I use to do the job, it need not be powered (thinking of some types of USB hub here!).

Both the Youview box and the Sky box are connected to the TV with HDMI cables.

I'd be grateful for a link to something that would do the job if possible. I'm also trying to think where I can buy three RJ45 cables that would effectively be fly-leads in length.

Thanks all.

[Buenchico]

I'm confused. Nearly all routers have (at least) 4 RJ45 sockets so, assuming that your other devices each have an RJ45 socket, you simply need additional cables. (They're available in different lengths and colours from Maplin but they're much cheaper online).

However so some devices will only connect to a router wirelessly. (i.e. they don't have Ethernet connections available). If so, you'll have to stick with a wireless connection for each of them.

[Tuvok]

What router do you have, as some have multiple ethernet connections.

You could get the Sky wifi adapter - it plugs into the sky box by ethernet and then wirelessly to the router (if you have wireless)

You can get ethernet hubs - you would connect it to the router and then the devices to it - never have tried it with tv, but used to use one at work with the computer!

One thing to watch is there are different types of ethernet cable - cross over, patch etc.

if you have a local computer shop you should get the right stuff there.

[Gavmacp]

Your post has me confused!
Only advice I can give is that I was thinking of connecting tv to router using a wireless Ethernet device advised to be careful as to what frequency I bought as some are affected by other devices I.e. mobiles. I have found maplin very good for advice.

[bigbanana]

Sorry all, I should clarify. Yes, I have additional, unused RJ45 sockets on the router but the ethernet cable in place travels up the wall of a room around 30 metres from the TV and ancillary equipment. It's route is through walls, under floorboards and through a boarded chimney breast. It's simply not possible to lay additional ethernet cabling at this late stage.

I know that both the boxes will work on ethernet cabling as I've removed the cable from the Sky box where it normally lives to update the software on the YOuview box. I also plugged the cable into the TV later to watch Youtube and use the LG apps. Ethernet cabling works on all three devices.

[bigbanana]

I had thought that cabling rather than wireless would be the way to go with this as it seems a simpler option given that I only need a hub of some sort and cabling. Or am I mistaken? I don't really want to play around with the wireless settings on the router.

[sunny-dave]

All you need is this (and some ethernet cables)

Amazon.co.uk User Recommendation

[sunny-dave]

The £12.99 gigabit version is the one to go for.

[Buenchico]

>>>I don't really want to play around with the wireless settings on the router.

You probably wouldn't need to play around with anything. Unless your ISP changed the settings before sending you the router, its SSID and Security Key should be on a label attached to it. (Otherwise, assuming that you got the router from your ISP, they should have a record of the settings - and they should have sent you a printed copy anyway. Many ISPs change the SSID to show their own name but leave the Security Key unchanged).

So to attempt a wifi connection you simply need to get the relevant device to search for your router, select it and enter its security key. It should only take a few seconds!

Otherwise though, I see no reason why you can't use one of these (and, at under 6 quid, it's not going to cost you a fortune to find out) but I've no personal experience of using such a device:
Amazon.co.uk User Recommendation

[theprof]

Buenchico, can I clarify how the ethernet switch is connected? I take it that I would plug the existing ethernet cable into the side of the case and connect the fly-lead ethernet cables to the three devices, one from each port?

[theprof]

Hmm, using my name in vain again mrsprof. I was online earlier you know!

[sunny-dave]

The switches that Chris and I have linked to are 'auto-sensing'.

You plug the lead from the router into any of the ports and use the rest for your devices.

[bigbanana]

Thanks sunny-dave. I'm very grateful.

[Buenchico]

From the Q&As on my link, TheProf:

"Q: Which port do I put the cable coming from the internet in to?
A: You put the internet going in to it in the first port (Number 1) and anything you want to receive the internet in the others".

(However, as Dave says, you can probably use any socket for the input)