Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Streaming Compatible USB WiFi dongles for MC200

Hi all. First post from a new MC200 owner.

According to Meridian's information on the MC200:
Is there a list of compatible WiFi adaptors anywhere? I've tried a TP-LINK TL-WN821N without success. How do you tell the MC200 about the wireless network (SSID, passphrase etc.)?

I see no parameters for this in the Meridian Sooloos Configure application. Or are we limited to only those devices that support pushbutton Wifi Protected Setup?

Cheers
Mark

Mark,
I'd suggest a Netgear Universal Wifi Internet Adapter, or similar. It acts as a bridge between the wired connection on your MC200 and your wireless network. The MC200 won't need any configuration to use it.
Graham

Thanks Graham.
I have moved a wireless bridge from another part of the house to the stereo to test the MC200/iPad app combo and it worked well from a technical POV.

The USB WiFi dongle is a neater solution however. No cables or visible boxes etc...

I'm just curious about this "range of compatible WiFi adaptors" that Meridian mention on their web site as a USB WiFi adaptor is my preferred solution.

Cheers
Mark

Last time this was mentioned I think RIck said the USB wireless dongle was not yet supported outside of the Datasheet...

Isn't it also only for 'control' ? Having spoken with Meridian and their views on WiFi, I don't think that they will support audio other than via wired connection. But this was a long time ago and their views may have changed.

The datasheet says "(This connection is not recommended for audio streaming between devices.)" which suggests it might work to connect to other Sooloos devices, even if not recommended and perhaps not reliable...

And that may be entirely theoretical anyway if it's not yet supported.

It's not enabled (yet?).
However if it ever is enabled, it will not (as some of you have mentioned) be intended to support streaming. Control only.
Meridian currently have very definite views on the potential issues with wireless streaming particularly in large mulitroom systems running hi bandwidth.
They have always stated that they are trying to build a system that has the same speed and stability running one single zone and half a dozen files as ... maybe a dozen zones and 20000+ albums ? You can only hope to achieve this if you "manage" everything ...storage, network etc etc.
I know there are folks out there that are using wireless streaming with Sooloos and will say that ' it works' ... That's fine up to a point. It is however not the approved method.

It's frustrating sometimes as some other manufactures make things a little easier BUT their systems would probably not be able to perform as well in extreme conditions.

Gerry

Yes, the WiFi ethernet connection is only intended for control purposes (web / iPad). My MC200 retrieves music from its on-board HDD. I want to control the device via an iPad connected to the same LAN.

I must say I am very surprised to hear that USB WiFi may not be supported. Meridians documentation on the MC200 clearly indicates it is. Time to speak to my dealer.

In any case, I have a much bigger problem at the moment. My MC200 doesn't turn on! I hold the power toggle down, the LED flashes for a second or two and then I hear a relay click and the LED goes off

Golly, one of Meridian's datasheets is inaccurate? Well, that's never happened before...

You'll have to excuse me. This is my first dealing with Meridian. I'm learning - the hard way...

Cheers

Meridian Factory, Huntingdon, England (where everything is mostly designed and built) is sometimes called The Mothership because they are often on a different planet

I have received a response back from my dealer via the Australian distributor via Meridian (phew) that "We�ve had trouble with the USB WiFi for Media Core 200. It�s quite possible to make it work, however the creation of a user interface has proven a total pain and we have, so far, not found a method that we think would really help a customer."

So you guys were correct - no support for USB WiFi adaptors.

Cheers
Mark