[koantemplation]

I've never had a router before so not sure how they work.

Can you use a router without being connected to the internet to connect 2 or more computers and wifi enabled devices in the house?

For instance can I stream a video from my laptop to my TV with just the router? (no internet connection)

[anniebrion]

Originally Posted by koantemplation

I've never had a router before so not sure how they work.

Can you use a router without being connected to the internet to connect 2 or more computers and wifi enabled devices in the house?

Yes you can

For instance can I stream a video from my laptop to my TV with just the router? (no internet connection)

It might be possible depending on the TV and laptops software, an easier way is to connect the laptop to the TV via HDMI or DVI.

[1saintly]

http://www.computerhope.com/jargon/r/router.htm

If all you want to do is play stuff from youre laptop - tv.
Then depending on youre make of TV?
Make of laptop?
You could just plug the laptop into youre tv with a cable.

Also how do you connect to the internet at the moment?
who is youre provider, sky virgin bt etc?

[koantemplation]

Originally Posted by 1saintly

http://www.computerhope.com/jargon/r/router.htm

If all you want to do is play stuff from youre laptop - tv.
Then depending on youre make of TV?
Make of laptop?
You could just plug the laptop into youre tv with a cable.

Also how do you connect to the internet at the moment?
who is youre provider, sky virgin bt etc?

Laptop is a Medion E6212

TV is a Samsung UE40D6530

At the moment I am using a Three Mifi Device.

My TV is a bit too far away from where my laptop is to connect via HDMI. I can do it, but I can play files via USB slot on the TV better.

[anniebrion]

Originally Posted by koantemplation

My TV is a bit too far away from where my laptop is to connect via HDMI. I can do it, but I can play files via USB slot on the TV better.

The whole purpose of a laptop is that it is portable, move it nearer the TV when you want to watch on the bigger screen

[psionic]

Originally Posted by koantemplation

TV is a Samsung UE40D6530

I think that's a smart TV so you should have no problem. Just have to connect your TV to your router. Some TV models need an optional WiFi adaptor or you can connect a cable to your router. Also allows you to access internet content such as BBC iPlayer etc. direct from your TV.

In addition I believe Samsung provides software which allows you to stream content from your laptop.

http://www.samsung.com/uk/consumer/t...UE40D6530WKXXU

[koantemplation]

Originally Posted by anniebrion

The whole purpose of a laptop is that it is portable, move it nearer the TV when you want to watch on the bigger screen

Yes the whole point is that it is portable near you, not away from you.

Why would I want my laptop over near the TV when the whole point of using Wifi is to have the laptop near me?

[anniebrion]

Originally Posted by koantemplation

Yes the whole point is that it is portable near you, not away from you.

Why would I want my laptop over near the TV when the whole point of using Wifi is to have the laptop near me?

Why do you need it near you when watching a movie

[alan1302]

Originally Posted by anniebrion

Why do you need it near you when watching a movie

Some people like to use their laptops these days whilst watching movies

[koantemplation]

Originally Posted by anniebrion

Why do you need it near you when watching a movie

So that I can fast forward, control the volume etc.

Or surf the net while I watch something.

Or look at the internet on the tv via the laptop.

The so called Smart TV's internet is slow and bulky.

[anniebrion]

Originally Posted by koantemplation

So that I can fast forward, control the volume etc.

Or surf the net while I watch something.

Or look at the internet on the tv via the laptop.

The so called Smart TV's internet is slow and bulky.

You can get quite long HDMI cables or even wireless HDMI connections (quite expensive)! you can also get media center remote's that allow FF, RW, Volume control etc... that work on various media apps ie XBMC.

[koantemplation]

Could someone point me to a good web site that explains how to set up a router for the first time?

I'm wondering how many user names and passwords there are?

There is the one for the internet provider, but there is also the WPA password as well?

[psionic]

Originally Posted by koantemplation

Could someone point me to a good web site that explains how to set up a router for the first time?

I'm wondering how many user names and passwords there are?

There is the one for the internet provider, but there is also the WPA password as well?

Isn't there a sticker on it, or isn't the default password in the manual?

There will also be an IP address, username and admin password which allows you to change the router settings.

[Stig]

Originally Posted by koantemplation

Could someone point me to a good web site that explains how to set up a router for the first time?

I'm wondering how many user names and passwords there are?

There is the one for the internet provider, but there is also the WPA password as well?

Which router make/model?

[koantemplation]

Originally Posted by Stig

Which router make/model?

TP-Link TD-W8968

[koantemplation]

Originally Posted by psionic

Isn't there a sticker on it, or isn't the default password in the manual?

There will also be an IP address, username and admin password which allows you to change the router settings.

Yes I've got the addy for the router, it isn't connect at the moment as my BB isn't due for activation till next week.

I take it I enter the Internet Providers username and addy once I've entered the settings menu?

[psionic]

The local address of that router is http://192.168.1.1 Username=admin Password=admin

The quick setup manual can be found at http://www.tp-link.com/Resources/doc...7106503808.pdf