Though categorized as an fitting especially for home entertainment gadgets from Vizio, the XWR100 wireless router will more than prove users with any wireless networking needs. In fact, if it upheld Gigabit Ethernet, it'd be a of the most appropriate bill routers we've tested.
Unfortunately, it doesn't; it moreover comes with a Web interface that, even though manageable and easy to use, lacks height in courtesy to handling the router's settings. The device's network storage function is moreover subpar in both opening and features.
For the road cost of only around $80, however, the XWR100 is value every penny. The router has great operation and vigilance tactility. It moreover achieved really morally in the wireless throughput tests. If you wish something that supports Gigabit Ethernet at a identical price, however, we'd moreover suggest the Cisco Linksys E2000 .
Design and ease of use
The Vizio XWR100's pattern is identical to that of the Linksys E2000 with the flat, UFO-like figure and the smooth surrounding that, unfortunately, attracts fingerprints easily. The router's antennae are all dark inside of the chassis, creation the entire package ample more condensed than other same-size routers that have almighty antennae. The Vizio has 4 rubber feet that keep it grounded on any surface, but you'll moreover find slots on the bottom for ascent it on a wall.
On tip toward the front, the router has an form of white LED position indicator lights that are only manifest when illuminated up. These light uncover the position of the router's ports and connections.
On the back it has a WAN dock (to link up an Internet source, such as a broadband modem) and 4 LAN dock (to link up to other Ethernet-ready devices). These ports are all normal 10/100 LAN ports. This insufficient of encouragement for Gigabit Ethernet is a small dissatisfaction since the router is presumably written to link up between multimedia devices, meaning there'd be lots of digital calm streaming. While Gigabit is not vital for smooth calm streaming performance, it would help a lot if you wish to river from a singular source, such as a home server, to many not similar players at the same time. And of course, when it comes to networking, faster is always better.
Also on the back the router has an USB dock to horde a USB outmost hard drive. In the trials this dock can moreover power drives that use train power--those that do not have a well-defined power adapters. Next to the USB dock is a Wi-Fi Protected Setup symbol that starts the 2-minute time window when other WPS-enabled products can come in the router's wireless network.
The Vizio doesn't come with any program or any manual. All it has in the box in conditions of user guide is a small Quick Start guide poster, and surprisingly that's all you must be obtain started. The print includes well-illustrated photos and setup stairs that guide you think the partial setup process. Basically all you must be do is block the router in to the computer, the Internet source and the power.
By default, the router operates with two well-defined wireless networks called Vizio HD and Vizio. The one-time is in the 5Ghz magnitude band, and the latter is in the 2.4Ghz band. These two networks' default encryption keys are printed on the Quick Start guide.
If you're not cheerful with the networks' default settings, you can serve customize them, together with other features of the router by using its Web interface. To do this, from a related computer, indicate an Internet browser (such as Firefox) to . Alternatively you can moreover indicate the browser to the router's default IP address, that is 192.168.1.1.
Features
The XWR100's Web interface is widely separated in to 3 parts, inclusive Internet, Router, and Wireless. As the names suggest, any of these tools enable you customize the settings of that function of the router. The Internet part, for example, lets you change the way the router accesses the Internet, optimize its connection for video streaming, and spin on or off the Internet access for specific computers inside of the network. It moreover includes a useful Internet speed assessment that rapidly shows you the speed of your broadband connection.
Similarly, the Router segment allows access to the router's settings, such as its default IP address, firewall, and so on. And the Wireless segment is where you can customize the aforementioned wireless networks. Here you can moreover spin on the third network to use for guest or to horde bequest slow clients.
In all, you found the interface discerning and responsive. It moreover includes most of the simple features. However, it doesn't enable for in-depth configurations. For example, detached from enabling/disabling the optimization for video streaming, in essence the Quality of Service features, you can't do anything else, such as optimizing the Internet connection for VoIP or gaming applications and so on. You can't change any of the router's network storage features, either.
The router can horde any USB outmost hard disk formatted in FAT 32 and NTFS. It, can however, only read NTFS drives, meaning network computers can only read information from the related drives without creation any changes. This is a outrageous drawback; most outmost hard drives are formatted in NTFS record system, that has ample improved encouragement for considerable storage ability and record sizes.
Once connected, the entire outmost drive's calm will be share around a open share printed matter called "default." All computers in the network will have the same access to it. There's no way you limit the access of any computers to the drive. The router can moreover river digital media stored on the outmost hard disk to DLNA-compliant players; again, though, you couldn't figure out how to customize the way this underline works.
For what it's worth, you similar to the amount of features and the good Web interface the Vizio XWR100 offers. While networking enthusiasts might see it as a small lacking, broad consumers will find it ample reduction intimidating to treat with, compared to that of other routers.
Performance
The XWR100's opening met the expectations. We tested the router in both 5Ghz and 2.4Ghz bands and the scores are as follows.
In the 5Ghz band, the router scored 56.8Mbps in close-range test, that was slowest on the charts, but the router is moreover by far the most affordable compared with others on the charts. This is still swift and transmitted 500MB of information in reduction than 70 seconds. In the long-range test, it did partially improved at 41.8Mbps, violence the Netgear WNDR 3700 and the D-Link DIR-825 .
In tests with the 2.4Ghz band, the router did significantly improved with 38.2Mbps, 32.8Mbps, and 22.4Mbps for close-range, long-range, and mixed-mode tests, respectively. The mixed-mode assessment is when the router is set to work with gadgets of not similar wireless standards, inclusive N, G, and B at a time.
The XWR100 was definitely glorious when it came to operation and vigilance stability. The router hold a solid connection up to 300 feet away in the contrast facility, that is amid the longest distances we've seen. It transfered the 48-hour highlight test, during that time it was set to give a considerable amount of information between wireless clients, with ease and didn't disengage once.
On the other hand, similar to all other routers with built-in network storage function, the XWR100 won't stir any person with its storage throughput. We tested this function around network cable, with a couple of not similar outmost hard drives, and the scores were consistently around 36Mbps for essay and 60Mbps for reading, that are partially acceptable. At these rates, the router can hoop light record pity (such as office documents) and media streaming (such as song and photo). If you wish to be major about network storage, we'd suggest getting a dedicated NAS server.
Service and encouragement
Vizio backs the XWR100 with one-year warrant, that is partial but typical for most routers on the market. The company's toll-free encouragement is existing 24-7, as is online talk with a encouragement representative. The company's Web site includes a minute FAQ section, often in courtesy to how to setup the router with Vizio's entertainment devices.
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