# Wireless USB adapter for TV? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [July 11, 2011, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wireless-usb-adapter-for-tv/588567 "2011-07-11T00:00:23Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2011, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wireless-usb-adapter-for-tv/588567/1 "2011-07-11T00:00:23Z")
I bought a Samsung LED TV today and it has a port for USB wireless adapter. The store tried to sell me a [$79.99](http://www.samsung.com/us/video/tvs-accessories/WIS09ABGNX/XAA) adapter specific to Samsung, but I’ve bought a couple of generic ones like this in the past for less. Question: is there anything specific about the type of adapter I need for my TV, as opposed to a generic one? On a side note, the TV looks great for sports, but Transformers looks like it was shot on video rather than on film. Which it may have been, I guess. ---
**Author:** ![ZenBeam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/3ab097/32.png) [@ZenBeam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZenBeam)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2011, 12:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wireless-usb-adapter-for-tv/588567/2 "2011-07-11T00:46:14Z")
I have a similar situation with my new Sony, and it will \*only \*work with a Sony adapter ($80). I have a USB wireless adapter, and tried it, but the TV wouldn’t recognize it. I’ve heard it’s the same for Samsung. I’m in the process of running a CAT6 cable through the basement to connect it wired. ---
**Author:** ![xash](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/c6cbf5/32.png) [@xash](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xash)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2011, 6:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wireless-usb-adapter-for-tv/588567/3 "2011-07-11T06:35:47Z")
> [@ZenBeam](#): > > I have a similar situation with my new Sony, and it will \*only \*work with a Sony adapter ($80). I have a USB wireless adapter, and tried it, but the TV wouldn’t recognize it. I’ve heard it’s the same for Samsung. I’m in the process of running a CAT6 cable through the basement to connect it wired. Another option is to connect it by ethernet cable to a wireless access point (router) set up as a repeater bridge. That way the repeater can pick up WiFi from your main WiFi router and feed the TV. Advantage is that it is cheaper, and can serve more than just the TV in that part of your house. ---
**Author:** ![xash](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/c6cbf5/32.png) [@xash](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xash)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2011, 6:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wireless-usb-adapter-for-tv/588567/4 "2011-07-11T06:41:38Z")
Here’s a dd-wrt compatible router for $27 that can be set up as a repeater: > **[Amazon.com: Cisco-Linksys WRT160N-RM Wireless-N Router : Electronics](https://www.amazon.com/Linksys-WRT160N-RM-Cisco-Linksys-Wireless-N-Router/dp/B001VMAYAM)** > > Shop Amazon for Cisco-Linksys WRT160N-RM Wireless-N Router and find millions of items, delivered faster than ever. Google dd-wrt and repeater bridge setup. It’s pretty tricky for a non-techie to configure, but if you read up enough or get a techie friend to help, you might be able to set it up. ---
**Author:** ![Fuzzy\_Dunlop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/848f3c/32.png) [@Fuzzy\_Dunlop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fuzzy_Dunlop)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2011, 1:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wireless-usb-adapter-for-tv/588567/5 "2011-07-11T13:21:05Z")
> [@Maserschmidt](#): > > Question: is there anything specific about the type of adapter I need for my TV, as opposed to a generic one? I don’t have time to check into the adapter you posted at the moment but the short answer is, probably. Wireless USB adapters work on your computer because your computer can install from CD, download from the Internet or comes preinstalled with device drivers for your USB adapter. The WiFi chipset manufacturer wrote drivers for Windows. Maybe they also wrote drivers for Mac. Possibly Linux. But some Sony TV? Unlikely. Now it’s possible there are other adapters that will work, and it’s possible you could coax even more into working. But you definitely can’t expect any generic WiFi adapter to work. ---
**Author:** ![ashtayk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e68b1a/32.png) [@ashtayk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ashtayk)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2011, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wireless-usb-adapter-for-tv/588567/6 "2011-07-11T18:22:14Z")
You could also try using a Powerline Adapter - they do cost about the same as the wireless adapter you mention. Google Powerline Adapter for the best deals on the net. They work by using the home wiring to carry the signals - quite cool. No need to run Cat 5.