Poor WiFi reception???

[BenEadir]

Hi,

I'm about to purchase an Ouya to primarily use as an XMBC media centre for streaming content over WiFi from my NAS and for watching online sports streams but having read many many reviews my main concern is about the frequently reported poor WiFi capability of the device. Apparently it has a really poor WiFi antenna?? I have no option but to use it with WiFi so I'd appreciate some honest input from here on how good/bad it really is. If it is indeed poor is there a work around or some way to enhance the WiFi reception perhaps by adding new hardware or replacing the antenna which comes with the device?

I really really want an Ouya but there's no point buying it if it can't work over WiFi.

Thanks for reading and for your feedback.

Ben

[MetalFlanger]

The antenna isn't all that bad, rather it seems that the aluminum case reduces the performance of both WiFi and Bluetooth.
You can either remove the guts from the case and leave them out, or purchase an acrylic case for the OUYA.

Personally, I've found video streaming via WiFi unacceptable on any device, even in the best environment. I'd hard-wire your OUYA if you can.

[arcticdog]

With any device, the closer you are to your wifi router, the better it will be.

So.. if you're using the "out of the box" antenna in the OUYA, and it's nearby your router. You will probably not have a problem. Or a problem that can't be fixed by tipping the OUYA on it's side so the top faces your router.

If you've got several walls or a floor between your OUYA and your router, you may experience some issues.

There are a few ways of dealing with that.. You could get a repeater closer to your entertainment area. Assuming you have other wifi devices in that area, they would benefit from that signal boost as well.

Or, you can try some of the things suggested here: http://ouyaforum.com/showthread.php?...-WiFi-solution

[BenEadir]

Thanks guys. I have 50mb fibre broadband and a great WiFi router which serves everything in the house very well. The Ouya will be located about 15 metres from the router on the same floor but with two internal/partition walls in between.

I have a WD Live box on the floor above the router so the signal has to go through a cieling and I haven't had a single problem streaming HD content from my NAS or HD Netflix from the web. If the Ouya has a similar level of WiFi reception I should be fine.

I guess the only way to find out is to make a purchase!!!

I assume aamazon.co.uk is the best place to buy an Ouya from for UK/Ireland use?

Ben

[DrunkPunk]

Yep, Amazon is your best bet. Many of our non-USA friends have mentioned that it's probably the best/safest place to order your Ouya; other than Ouya Inc themselves of course.

[CaptainCapslock]

My Ouya is placed less than 5 meters away from my router (even though there is a wall in-between + a tv-furniture), and the reception is just horrible!

That being said, what I can tell you from my experience is that the connection-issue in my situation is not due to a bad antenna in the Ouya (at least not THAT bad), but rather because I have a crappy router.
A month ago, I took my Ouya with me to a friend's house, where it was placed at least 20 meters away from a very good router, and the connection worked out just fine!

It is tough to make a general rule, but the antenna in the Ouya isn't all that bad, as long as you have a good router. Of course, if you want to be streaming movies to the console, the connectivity means a lot, but it is
very hard to say what will happen in your specific situation!
As already mentioned above, I would suggest looking into a different case for your Ouya if you end up having any issues

[Jon_TWR]

I have my Ouya flipped on its side with the top facing the router, and that seems to do the trick.

[Russell Chairboys Cox]

Thanks guys. I have 50mb fibre broadband and a great WiFi router which serves everything in the house very well. The Ouya will be located about 15 metres from the router on the same floor but with two internal/partition walls in between.

I have a WD Live box on the floor above the router so the signal has to go through a cieling and I haven't had a single problem streaming HD content from my NAS or HD Netflix from the web. If the Ouya has a similar level of WiFi reception I should be fine.

I guess the only way to find out is to make a purchase!!!

I assume aamazon.co.uk is the best place to buy an Ouya from for UK/Ireland use?

Ben

The Wifi is pathetic on the Ouya, I use wires and a homeplug and that works well most of the time. Should really have had the option for an external antenna

And you can also pick up from Game stores for the same price as Amazon, no waiting then

[ezraanderson]

~
Plug anything directly into your router and it will always work better than wireless. I run cables everywhere

Here are some tips for better wifi.
1. Set your routers wifi to be on it own channel to prevent interference from other routers
2. Make sure your routers wifi strength is set to the max.
3. Make sure there are no other objects around the devices that may cause interference(electronics, walls)
4. Point the antennas towards each other(ouya remove from the case).
5. Put tin-foil plates behind each object.
6. Give up wifi and plug it into the router directly.

[winzig]

~
Plug anything directly into your router and it will always work better than wireless. I run cables everywhere

Here are some tips for better wifi.
1. Set your routers wifi to be on it own channel to prevent interference from other routers
2. Make sure your routers wifi strength is set to the max.
3. Make sure there are no other objects around the devices that may cause interference(electronics, walls)
4. Point the antennas towards each other(ouya remove from the case).
5. Put tin-foil plates behind each object.
6. Give up wifi and plug it into the router directly.

lol.............I like it

my ouya is 3 feet away from my router and used to have great Wi-Fi until my latest update now it is horrible!!