I know what you guys mean, which is why I posted here to find out which firmware to go with... as with many computer products ymmv... one outstanding thing that I was not looking into was the parental controls, apparently the n53 is more parental controls friendly.
as for customer service, My personal interaction with Asus was very fast, and I was reading some of the critical reviews on Amazon and some have Asus reps asking for the users to log in to their vip forums and are willing to ship a replacement... in computers there are always possibilities of bad software making it out to the end user, generally because of last minute engineering changes. I went with the latest 7f firmware as Z recommended here, and except for the permissions problem with my drive I have not had any other issues. thoughts: A) The wifi speeds are crazy fast. 1) I am able to transfer a fresh bluray rip 8gb accross the wire to the usb attached drive on the NAS while my family streams video over wifi there are no stutters, frame drops while the file is transferring. 2) I have tested the DLNA capability from both my android phone (ims - iMedia Share), and my dlna tv. Streaming 720p video is fine, streaming 1080p video seems to take a bit to cache up then begins playing pretty good. On the TV there seems to be some stuttering so I have played with different file types and found that mp4 plays the smoothest, so I may need to move a lot of blurays again... B) wifi is strong 1) I never used to have problems with my wndr3700 as far as wifi is concerned especially over the 2.4ghz band. that band was crazy strong, but 5ghz was awesome but only worked with some of my devices. 2) this device provides strong 5ghz and 2.4ghz, on the previous router I could not use my apple express as an AP over 5ghz in the 1st floor, it was stepped down to 2.4 only. with the Asus router I get 5ghz signal, both steady and consistent. C) I will be careful to upgrade firmware as with my last router (Netgear) I was working through a bizarr issue where my usb drive would just disconnect and force me to reboot the router just so that it would be visible again. after the firmware update the usbdrive issues were gone, but I lost dlna. -Francisco http://bit.ly/sqlthis | Tsql and More... <http://db.tt/JeXURAx> On Mon, Dec 12, 2011 at 04:24, Anthony Q. Martin <[email protected]>wrote: > Same here. That router has been in my save for later list until I could > get the reviews sorted out in my mind. > > Sent from my iPad 2 > > On Dec 12, 2011, at 6:02 AM, Bino Gopal <[email protected]> wrote: > > > > > Hey guys, thinking about getting this router based on your recs since my > old Linksys WRT54G needs rebooting every few days now... > > BUt what do you think of the negative Amazon reviews? Are they all > irrelevant b/c the later firmwares fix those issues? > > > http://www.amazon.com/Black-Diamond-Wireless-N-Router-RT-N56U/dp/B0049YQVHE/ref=wl_it_dp_o_npd?ie=UTF8&coliid=I2U57DLOYWVPY1&colid=2KIPCVCL53TFZ > > Was really going to pull the trigger when I first saw this thread, but > the complaints/negative reviews (10% of the total) gave me pause... > > BINO > > > > > >> From: [email protected] > >> Date: Sat, 10 Dec 2011 17:36:12 +0300 > >> To: [email protected] > >> Subject: Re: [H] Best Router > >> > >> Touch wood. Let's hope it stays that way. > >> > >> Sent from my iPhone > >> > >> On Dec 10, 2011, at 5:31 PM, Francisco Tapia <[email protected]> wrote: > >> > >>> IPSEC passthrough ships disabled, once I figured that out, I am now > happy > >>> VPNing and moving data all OVER the place... I need a better USB drive > now > >>> :) my single 2TB WD will need to be upgraded to something like a > >>> multi-drive raid so I get bigger, faster speeds... 2TB is not as much > space > >>> as I previously thought :D > >>> > >>> -Francisco > >>> http://bit.ly/sqlthis | Tsql and More... > >>> <http://db.tt/JeXURAx> > >>> ======= > >>> btw, my wndr3700v1 is now sold (if anyone was interested > >>> > >>> > >>> > >>> On Thu, Dec 8, 2011 at 05:03, Zulfiqar Naushad <[email protected]> > wrote: > >>> > >>>> Yeah. This router excels at multi tasking big time. I also enjoy the > fast > >>>> response from it. > >>>> > >>>> The thing slowing me down is my dsl. Not my router. > >>>> > >>>> Sent from my iPhone > >>>> > >>>> On Dec 2, 2011, at 6:05 PM, Francisco Tapia <[email protected]> > wrote: > >>>> > >>>>> I figured out a workaround on the USB issue, my drive is an EXT > formatted > >>>>> drive 2TB WD drive, I plugged in an EXT2 formatted flash drive and > I was > >>>>> immediately able to copy files to and from the USB drive partition > from > >>>> the > >>>>> N56U... so I'm not sure what format my WNDR3700 router previously > >>>> formatted > >>>>> the drive as, but for now this will work fine, I've started migrating > >>>> files > >>>>> off of the USB drive towards my backup NAS and will be moving them > back > >>>>> against the Asus Router.. > >>>>> > >>>>> as for throughput, it is very awesome, the kids enjoy watching > streaming > >>>> TV > >>>>> shows and I am so surprised how fast things like YouTube are loading, > >>>> which > >>>>> used to drag on if I was running large data transfers on my own > network. > >>>>> > >>>>> === > >>>>> In other news: > >>>>> up for sale: WNDR3700v1 NetGear N600 :) it's not a bad device, just > no > >>>>> DLNA support at the current firmware (maybe there it will be > re-added). > >>>>> Yes it's DualBand and yes it's pretty awesome, I just didn't know > there > >>>>> existed Awesome(er?) > >>>>> === > >>>>> > >>>>> -Francisco > >>>>> http://bit.ly/sqlthis | Tsql and More... > >>>>> <http://db.tt/JeXURAx> > >>>>> > >>>>> > >>>>> > >>>>> > >>>>> On Fri, Dec 2, 2011 at 05:20, Zulfiqar Naushad <[email protected]> > wrote: > >>>>> > >>>>>> How's the router after some testing and usage? Did you get that USB > >>>> issue > >>>>>> resolved? > >>>>>> > >>>>>> Sent from my iPhone > >>>>>> > >>>>>> On Dec 1, 2011, at 6:20 PM, Francisco Tapia <[email protected]> > wrote: > >>>>>> > >>>>>>> Ok, > >>>>>>> I picked up the Black Diamond RT-N56U router last night, it works > >>>> pretty > >>>>>>> awesome, though with limited testing. After setting up wifi and > >>>> plugging > >>>>>>> in my USB drive, everything looked great, I tested the DLNA and was > >>>>>>> streaming 2 Videos w/o lag! > >>>>>>> > >>>>>>> I even updated the firmware to the latest 7f, but now for the odd > part. > >>>>>> I > >>>>>>> visit the advance tab and click on usb application then network > >>>>>>> neighborhood and I want to share w/o uid's because when I enable > the > >>>>>> share > >>>>>>> by uid, it separates each folder into it's own share, I thought > that > >>>>>> would > >>>>>>> be fine but it sucks because I tried migrating some folders over, > and > >>>>>>> that's when I discovered that I can't share. apparently > RT-N56U\nobody > >>>>>>> doesn't have any access rights to the damn folders! wtf!! > >>>>>>> > >>>>>>> performance? > >>>>>>> DLNA streamed really well and even where I used to have less 5ghz > >>>> signal > >>>>>>> with my wndr3700v1, I have almost full bars on the rt-n56u. It's > kind > >>>> of > >>>>>>> awesome. My internet speeds are through the roof! > >>>>>>> 1) Throughput - Yes, it's as good as they say (though I still need > to > >>>> run > >>>>>>> my personal benchmarks) > >>>>>>> 2) Signal - Yes, it's as good as they say, 5ghz is strong > throughout > >>>> the > >>>>>>> house, tonight I'll test the airport express ap > >>>>>>> 3) DLNA - nice to get this guy back > >>>>>>> 4) USB sharing - NOT a quick and easy result, at least not yet, > maybe I > >>>>>>> need to re-format and start over? > >>>>>>> > >>>>>>> > >>>>>>> > >>>>>>> > >>>>>>> > >>>>>>> -Francisco > >>>>>>> http://bit.ly/sqlthis | Tsql and More... > >>>>>>> <http://db.tt/JeXURAx> > >>>>>>> > >>>>>>> > >>>>>>> > >>>>>>> > >>>>>>> On Wed, Nov 30, 2011 at 12:38, Steve Tomporowski < > [email protected]> > >>>>>> wrote: > >>>>>>> > >>>>>>>> I've got the V2 where they broke the DNS server communication. I > have > >>>>>> to > >>>>>>>> put all computers on static addresses for DNS. On Auto, the > >>>> WNDR3700v2 > >>>>>>>> times out every 12 minutes, then you have to wait a couple of > minutes > >>>>>> for > >>>>>>>> it to find the servers again. A hassle. > >>>>>>>> > >>>>>>>> Steve > >>>>>>>> > >>>>>>>> > >>>>>>>> On 11/30/2011 12:15 PM, Francisco Tapia wrote: > >>>>>>>> > >>>>>>>>> I have the WNDR3700 V1 has hiccuped but less than any other > router I > >>>>>> owned > >>>>>>>>> before it, I am liking the personal review here on the ASUS > router > >>>>>> though, > >>>>>>>>> I just might run down to Fry's at lunch to pick one up! > >>>>>>>>> > >>>>>>>>> my WNDR3700's 5ghz network is awesome, I live in a 2 story home > and I > >>>>>> get > >>>>>>>>> good reception everywhere, with most products except my older > apple > >>>>>>>>> express > >>>>>>>>> that I used as an access point. Recently I upgraded my firmware > >>>> after > >>>>>>>>> getting some frequent hiccups with my 2tb drive. I stupidly > upgraded > >>>>>> to > >>>>>>>>> firmware 1.0.16.98 and now, while my USB woes are gone, I no > longer > >>>>>> have > >>>>>>>>> DLNA... and just when I was getting used to my Galaxy S... :-/ > >>>>>>>>> > >>>>>>>>> > >>>>>>>>> -Francisco > >>>>>>>>> http://bit.ly/sqlthis | Tsql and More... > >>>>>>>>> <http://db.tt/JeXURAx> > >>>>>>>>> > >>>>>>>>> > >>>>>>>>> > >>>>>>>>> > >>>>>>>>> > >>>>>>>>> On Mon, Oct 3, 2011 at 13:36, Steve Tomporowski< > [email protected] > >>>> **> > >>>>>>>>> wrote: > >>>>>>>>> > >>>>>>>>> Yep, bought a WNDR3700 V2 and have regretted it. The latest > firmware > >>>>>>>>>> breaks the DNS, so you have to enter the DNS servers manually > onto > >>>>>> each > >>>>>>>>>> computer. Not Recommended. Also, the 5GHz only works when the > >>>>>> computers > >>>>>>>>>> are in the same room. Move them 20 feet apart, and it's flaky. > >>>>>>>>>> > >>>>>>>>>> Steve > >>>>>>>>>> > >>>>>>>>>> > >>>>>>>>>> On 10/3/2011 1:18 PM, Rich Kim wrote: > >>>>>>>>>> > >>>>>>>>>> Agreed. Running a couple of WRT54GL with DD-WRT. Bridged on > several > >>>>>>>>>>> floors. > >>>>>>>>>>> I fear when this thing dies. > >>>>>>>>>>> > >>>>>>>>>>> Aside from the USB 3.0, from the various reviews and such I've > read > >>>>>>>>>>> about, > >>>>>>>>>>> the WNDR3700 Version 1 seems to be the cream of the crop. The > V2 > >>>>>> seems > >>>>>>>>>>> to > >>>>>>>>>>> have broken the 5Ghz range, then the 4000 broke the 2.4Ghz > range, > >>>> and > >>>>>>>>>>> the > >>>>>>>>>>> 4500 is about the same. I'm keeping my WNDR3700 V1 until that > dies. > >>>>>>>>>>> > >>>>>>>>>>> -Rich > >>>>>>>>>>> > >>>>>>>>>>> -----Original Message----- > >>>>>>>>>>> From: hardware-bounces@lists.**hardw**aregroup.com< > >>>>>> http://hardwaregroup.com> > >>>>>>>>>>> <hardware-bounces@**lists.hardwaregroup.com< > >>>>>> [email protected]> > >>>>>>>>>>>> > >>>>>>>>>>> [mailto:hardware-bounces@**lis**ts.hardwaregroup.com< > >>>>>> http://lists.hardwaregroup.com> > >>>>>>>>>>> <hardware-**[email protected].**com< > >>>>>> [email protected]> > >>>>>>>>>>>> ] > >>>>>>>>>>> On Behalf Of Naushad > >>>>>>>>>>> Zulfiqar > >>>>>>>>>>> Sent: Monday, October 03, 2011 7:48 AM > >>>>>>>>>>> To: [email protected].****com<hardware@lists.** > >>>>>>>>>>> hardwaregroup.com <[email protected]>> > >>>>>>>>>>> Subject: Re: [H] Best Router > >>>>>>>>>>> > >>>>>>>>>>> I really miss my old WRT54GL with Tomato Firmware. That thing > was > >>>> a > >>>>>>>>>>> beast. > >>>>>>>>>>> > >>>>>>>>>>> Only problem is that I need Wireless N since I stream a lot of > HD > >>>>>>>>>>> content. > >>>>>>>>>>> Is there anything I can do to go back to that router but have > >>>>>> Wireless > >>>>>>>>>>> N? > >>>>>>>>>>> > >>>>>>>>>>> Maybe an Access Point? > >>>>>>>>>>> > >>>>>>>>>>> > >>>>>>>>>>> > >>>>>>>>>>> On Mon, Oct 3, 2011 at 2:45 PM, Naushad, Zulfiqar< > >>>>>>>>>>> [email protected]> wrote: > >>>>>>>>>>> > >>>>>>>>>>> I also had the WNDR3700 but it gave me incessant issues. I'm a > >>>> heavy > >>>>>>>>>>> > >>>>>>>>>>>> torrenter and the router would hang daily. > >>>>>>>>>>>> > >>>>>>>>>>>> I've had good luck with this router: > >>>>>>>>>>>> > >>>>>>>>>>>> > >>>> http://www.amazon.com/RT-N56U-****Wireless-N-Hardware-**Internal-** > >>>>>> <http://www.amazon.com/RT-N56U-**Wireless-N-Hardware-Internal-**> > >>>>>>>>>>>> Graphical/dp/<http://www.**amazon.com/RT-N56U-Wireless-N-** > >>>>>>>>>>>> Hardware-Internal-Graphical/**dp/< > >>>>>> > >>>> > http://www.amazon.com/RT-N56U-Wireless-N-Hardware-Internal-Graphical/dp/> > >>>>>>>>>>>>> > >>>>>>>>>>>> B0049YQVHE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&****qid=1317642261&sr=8-1 > >>>>>>>>>>>> > >>>>>>>>>>>> Best Regards, > >>>>>>>>>>>> > >>>>>>>>>>>> Zulfiqar Naushad > >>>>>>>>>>>> > >>>>>>>>>>>> -----Original Message----- > >>>>>>>>>>>> From: hardware-bounces@lists.**hardw**aregroup.com< > >>>>>> http://hardwaregroup.com> > >>>>>>>>>>>> <hardware-bounces@**lists.hardwaregroup.com< > >>>>>> [email protected]> > >>>>>>>>>>>>> > >>>>>>>>>>>> [mailto:hardware-bounces@**lis**ts.hardwaregroup.com< > >>>>>> http://lists.hardwaregroup.com> > >>>>>>>>>>>> <hardware-**[email protected].**com< > >>>>>> [email protected]> > >>>>>>>>>>>>> ] > >>>>>>>>>>>> On Behalf Of Anthony > >>>>>>>>>>>> Q. Martin > >>>>>>>>>>>> Sent: Monday, October 03, 2011 2:43 PM > >>>>>>>>>>>> To: [email protected].****com<hardware@lists.** > >>>>>>>>>>>> hardwaregroup.com <[email protected]>> > >>>>>>>>>>>> Subject: [H] Best Router > >>>>>>>>>>>> > >>>>>>>>>>>> While I'm not unhappy with my netgear WNDR3700, I'm wondering > if > >>>> the > >>>>>>>>>>>> WNDR4500 is the one to have now to get the best 2.4/5GHz > coverage > >>>>>> and > >>>>>>>>>>>> for the supposedly faster DLNA via the 2 USB 3.0 ports. > >>>>>>>>>>>> > >>>>>>>>>>>> Is this a worthy upgrade from the WNDR3700? Note that since I > >>>>>> stream > >>>>>>>>>>>> my > >>>>>>>>>>>> media over a 1Gbit network, I don't need this for streaming. > But > >>>>>>>>>>>> backing up various machines over the network would be > worthwhile. > >>>>>> Also, > >>>>>>>>>>>> having a better signal downstairs on the other end of the > house > >>>>>>>>>>>> (relative to the router location) would be plus for tablets, > >>>> phones, > >>>>>>>>>>>> and > >>>>>>>>>>>> laptops. > >>>>>>>>>>>> > >>>>>>>>>>>> > >>>>>>>>>>>> > >>>>>>>>>>> > >>>>>>>> > >>>>>> > >>>> > > >
