Netgears new VDSL / ADSL Modem Router with AC wireless (D6400)

Evilpaul said:
I'm not sure about a MacBook Pro from 2010, but the iPhone 6 should have a decent wireless antenna.

One thing to check is the router wireless settings in the advanced options. I did notice that one of the wireless frequencies was not set to the maximum speed (I can't remember if it was AC or N), also the beamforming is disabled by default so enabling that should help.
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Thanks, but I already did those two things...

mjgr33n said:
No issues and super fast with my Gigabyte laptop with an Intel 7260 Wireless AC adapter I installed myself, also really fast through a brick cavity 12inch wall.

No issues with my LG G3 on AC or my Dad's Nexus 5 with AC. Also my N only devices like my nVidia Shield Tablet work fine on 2.4 and 5Ghz Wireless N.

You could be extremely naughty and do a brief test and change the region to Australia which will massively increase the power output and see if that helps but be warned it is technically illegal, I would only do it briefly to test whether or not it improves it or not and then put it back, if it improved it a lot you could then report your issue to Netgear and they might be able to tweak something in future firmware for Europe region and your model of adapter.

Ultimately though the only time I saw wireless speeds being low on my laptop was before I did a driver update from the default drivers to the latest intel_proset_wireless_18.0.0.11 ones. Maybe see if there are newer drivers for your wireless card in your Mac.
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Are you based in Australia? Or perhaps my Netgear is faulty? I will try what you suggested and report back. The AC 5G signal is so weak and unstable, goes from 3/3 to 2/3 then 1/3 then 3/3 again without any reason! My older router never gave me any range issue, I could even surge from outside my house from the street at lets say 50 meters away...
 
parajba said:
Are you based in Australia? Or perhaps my Netgear is faulty? I will try what you suggested and report back. The AC 5G signal is so weak and unstable, goes from 3/3 to 2/3 then 1/3 then 3/3 again without any reason! My older router never gave me any range issue, I could even surge from outside my house from the street at lets say 50 meters away...
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I am not in Australia, but every region setting has different power limits due to regional restrictions, Australia is the highest power rating of all the regions usually, UK/Europe is quite strict.

However manufacturers have been known to set a specific power rating and forget to take into account they are using internal antennas and vice versa and some manufacturers put too much power in and have no idea how they get away with it. If have a house which is no where near any others then you should be able to set it however you want.

Personally speaking I just purchase extra access points for the rooms I need it the most in, I have a Netgear WAC120 Business one in my bedroom/study which is really good for what I need it for.
 
Sounds a bit odd what you are reporting. When I was testing the D6400, I found the range to be better than my Asus devices. It was the throughput that let it down at these ranges but would have still maxed out your connection. I got a significant increase in range throughout the house and garden/driveway using the Netgear where the Asus would drop off. I'm looking forward to trying the d7000 now.
 
michty_me said:
Sounds a bit odd what you are reporting. When I was testing the D6400, I found the range to be better than my Asus devices. It was the throughput that let it down at these ranges but would have still maxed out your connection. I got a significant increase in range throughout the house and garden/driveway using the Netgear where the Asus would drop off. I'm looking forward to trying the d7000 now.
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I hear you.

I am at a complete loss. Changed the wireless region to 'Australia' then did another test. Went to the garden, average 3 bed semi (greater London):

With iP6:
- can't find neither 2.4 or 5G networks

With MBP:
- shows 4/4 both 2.4 and 5G networks but struggle with internet connection
- even though it shows 4/4 I can't even log onto the routerlogin.net page.

Honestly, I never had all these problems with ANY router of any make. Yes, some were better than others but at least they were consistent. This NETGEAR has some totally random behaviour in that the signal oscillates terribly (goes from 0 to 2 bars without any apparent reason).

I passed the 21 days return period so I can't return it. I bought it from PC World/Currys. What shall I do next? I don't have the time to test their routers on their behalf, even less after parting with £149 of my hard earned money.

One thing is for sure, I will never buy a NETGEAR kit again in the future.

[EDIT] Just installed the Genie app on the iphone. I can't even log into the router it says "NETGEAR router is not found or is not supported. Also make sure the device is not connected to the guest network of the router, and no IPv6 is enabled".

Can confirm I haven't done any of the above. Just can't log in from the Genie app.
 
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parajba said:
I just purchased a Netgear d6400 and I'm quite disappointed.

My config: TalkTalk 38MB fibre (FTTC), MacBook Pro (2010), iPhone 6.

I previously had a Belkin ASDL (pre fibre), then the supplied TalkTalk Super Router (post fibre).

Download speed is OK (37MB) only if I'm next to the router. As soon as I go further away the speed drops immensely (even in clear line of sight).
To the extent that I cannot longer surf from the garden. The garden is around 8 meters away from the Netgear router. The other modems/routers did cope just well, a lot better. I was able to surf from the fence (of the garden) which is a lot further out.

I tested both 2.4 and 5GHz, both have the same issue.

Tried firmware update but no updates available. The thing is I don't have time to tinker with this kit, it should work as advertised. AC1300? no way, I can barely do 5MB at 8 meters away (but goes 100% fine when am next to the router). How can a £149 modem router work so badly out of the box?

Any help is greatly appreciated...
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Netgear say on the box: Use with an 802.11ac adapter like NETGEAR A6210 for maximum performance.

Maximum wireless signal rate derived from IEEE 802.11 specifications. Actual data throughput and wireless coverage will vary and may be lowered by network and environmental conditions, including network traffic volume and building construction. NETGEAR makes no representations or warranties about this product’s compatibility with future standards.

Up to 1300 Mbps wireless speeds achieved when connecting to other 802.11ac 1300 Mbps devices.

It's work fine with Netgear A6210. But I think it should included adapter out of the box.
 
michty_me said:
I'm looking forward to trying the d7000 now.
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I wouldn't not buy it if I were u. Netgear stated: Up to 1300 Mbps wireless speeds achieved when connecting to other 802.11ac 1300 Mbps devices. 2.4GHz performance mode requires 256QAM support on WiFi client.

U need 256QAM support for stronger wifi. Plus, overpriced probably around £179 to £199! :mad:

The webpage still outdated (very boring page with not much VDSL stats on it)

The broadcom chipset will be different from D6400 on this D7000.
 
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I gather you meant you would not buy it rather than 'wouldn't not buy it'

I will only be using the 5Ghz channel for the main devices. Anything connected to the 2.4Ghz channel isn't really required for speed.

The stats are a bit disappointing but at least you can use DSLstats with it. Netgear did say they would work on this for the next firmware revision for the D6400 but we will have to wait and see I guess.
 
^^ Netgear say that many times about ADSL2+ DSLstats will added extra features like full stats but they never bothered to add on for about four years now. I doubt Netgear will not bothered to add on DSLstats for the VDSL2.
 
bulldog147 said:
^^ Netgear say that many times about ADSL2+ DSLstats will added extra features like full stats but they never bothered to add on for about four years now. I doubt Netgear will not bothered to add on DSLstats for the VDSL2.
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Yeah you are probably right. No issue with using DSLstats though. Works a treat with the D6400.
 
Just spent 2 hours chatting to Netgear customer 'support'. Wasted 2 hours I would say. Managed to change the MTU from 1500 to 1492 and to reflash the same firmware to no avail.

Tomorrow this piece of junk of a D6400 is going back to the shop and they'd better do something about it.

Never again Netgear, lesson learnt don't they test their products before releasing it? my router is clearly faulty (as in hardware faulty).
 
Mine came today. Like you I had problems. Once Plusnet was finally configured the iptv wouldn't work. Netgear c/s were useless and its boxed up and being returned tomorrow.
 
Pity you had to return it.
Like yourself, I had issues using my Sky box when I first got an Asus router.
I had to play about with the IGMP settings and also the multicast functions then reboot both. Seems to have worked flawlessly since. More than can be said about the pile of garbage Asus modem.

I just noticed that Netgear have released a firmware for their latest device, The D7000 which now adds support for Supports multiple IPTV ports. No mention of the D6400 though. Not that it really matters now as you have returned it.
 
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No such issues for me, but then the main thing I use mine for is the DSL part which is flawless for me, the rest of it, the Wireless is used by the rest of my family downstairs and they not so demanding, most stuff they use I have wired in to the network, mobile phones do not need a lot, the laptop they use does not need super speed either and I have 2 runs of CAT6 to my study and then another switch and Access Point in there.

I guess I am so used to having solutions in that make sure everything is perfect per room I do not need to worry about whether or not it works at 100m away and have never needed IPTV.
 
I'm quite sure IPTV is supported. If you open the user manual and word search IGMP, Multicast and IPTV, there are over 20 hits for IPTV alone.

Im hoping to wire a few rooms of my new hours so I don't have to rely on wireless signals.

Ricke, can I ask what box you have for the plusnet IPTV?
 
The best 3 boxes that use the Broadcom chipset are -
Netgear D6400
Billion BiPAC 8800AXL
ZyXEL VMG8924-B10A

All have issues of some sort reported by different people, but if you dead set on a combined box then the ZyXEL is quite good for wireless and a lot of people rate it very highly.

Or wait for Netgear D7000, but given it sounds like some people do not like the Netgear then use an unlocked HG612 modem with SP08 firmware and then buy a separate non DSL box with really awesome wifi and all the features you want. ASUS, D-Link, Linksys all do some awesome ones as well as the Netgear.
 
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