Cisco Linksys Wireless Entertainment Bridge

Unboxing the Cisco Linksys WES610N: 4-Port Dual-Band N Entertainment Bridge.

The WES610N is a wireless bridge that connects to the existing home Wi-Fi router and has 4 Ethernet ports for your non-Wi-Fi device to hook on. Cisco labeled it 'entertainment' because it is catered for your media devices that does not have Wi-Fi capability but has Ethernet ports. For example, I have a AC Ryan Playon HD2 Full HD Media Player which I blogged about here. I have a 1TB HDD in the media player but my movies are from my NAS. So I am streaming my movies from my NAS to the media player using the proprietary Wireless-N USB dongle. However, the signal is not consistent and I would get severe lagging. It has affected my viewing pleasure. 

So I decide to get this Linksys WES610N Entertainment Bridge to connect my AC Ryan. I can also connect my Sony TV, my Wii and old PS2 if I want to.

So far, I have only tried the AC Ryan and the signal I get is very good. There is no lagging and the movies are quite smooth now.

Setting up is simple as my existing router was able to detect it quite fast.

At the moment, there are 2 wireless bridge by Cisco Linksys. This one and the other one is WUMC710 Wireless-AC Universal Media Connector.

Here are the unboxing photos:

Contents of the box

One thing I like about Cisco product, the plug can be inter-change.

The 4 Ethernet port.

The lights can be quite annoying as it blinks all the time. I have placed the wireless bridge behind my peripherals so that it does not distract.

Please check out my other related posts on this blog:
Cisco Linksys EA4500 Router
Cisco Linksys RE1000 Wireless N Range Extender
Sony Bravia 46NX720 With Bunchin Stand

Travel Essentials: 4-Port USB Charger

I came across this device at the recent Sitex 2012. It is a USB Charger. It is quite a unique device. It comes with a British 3-pin adaptor but that can be inter-changed to other type of plugs. There are 4 powered USB slots which is very useful when traveling. The device is compact and flat, which is what travelers look for.

I came across something similar on Amazon here. The design, power input and output is similar to the one below.

The output voltage output is 2.1A is sufficient for the iPad 4th Generation, iPhone, Blackberry and cameras. Do note that the various plug attachments are sold separately.

According to the information above, there is output protection and it's certified.

The input voltage of AC100V means that a laptop power cable can be used as well.

The small rectangle on the body of the device is the release switch for the plug attachment.

Gives out a nice night light. Some people finds it annoying. I like it.

Works on the old iPhone 3GS.

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Travel Essentials: Travel Extension Power Cord.

One of the most annoying things when one is staying at a hotel either for business or pleasure is the lack of power sockets. In most hotels, there will always be a study or writing table in the room. You will be lucky to find more than 1 free power socket near the table. Another location where there is hardly any power socket is near the bedside table.

I need sufficient power socket for the devices that I carry for business or pleasure. Typically I would bring the following:

1) laptop for work.

2) blackberry

3) iphone

4) ipad. I would read ebooks or surf the net before I go bed.

5) D-Link DIR 505 Mobile router. To extend the wifi network of the hotel room. I blogged about it here.

That would mean a minimum of at least 2 power sockets by the writing table for the laptop and router. And 3 by the bed because I need to charge the iPhone, iPad and 'berry. I charged it by the bed because I use the phones as alarm clocks.

Every time, after checking into my room, I would go on my hands and knees looking for extra power socket. I had enough. I have decided to look around for a travel extension cord. It has to small and light.

After much survey, I came across the following extension cord from Monster - Outlets to Go Power Strips.

Unfortunately, they do not have a UK plug version of this. The design of this device is quite good. A lot of thought has gone to it, to make it travel-friendly.

On one of my trips to Kuala Lumpur, I came across this power extension cord, the Powerlink Modulinks Socket. What attracted to me was it comprised of modular units. The basic package consists of 4 individual modules for the UK type 3 pin plug.

Lifetime warranty!! Wow!

The side box shows the various modules which can be used.

The family in the picture look elated using this device.

One thing to take note, item 3 of the instructions say that the last Modulink

Socket is required for the device to work. I have been warned by the salesman

that if I lose the last socket module, the whole thing will not work.

Which one is the last Modulink Socket? It is left socket of the picture on the top right.

It has only one connection on the side, unlike the rest which has connection on both 

sides.

The various awards it won.

Unfortunately, the extension cord cable is quite thick. 

The last Modulink socket is seen here on the right hand side.

How the extension cord looks, all connected.

With the light on, means all is active.

So how am I going to bring this cable with the modules around for my trips? In a small case like the one below. Its the Cliptec Universal Travel Organiser. I bought 2 of this at the same place in Kuala Lumpur.

With the Modulinks in the case. Fits just nice.

Pros:
- I can add or remove the modules.
- Flexible and compact enough.

Cons:
- the extension cord is quite thick.
- it would be nice if it comes with its own bag.

Ikea Trofast Frame with Storage Boxes.

Another Ikea project. The Wife and I realised that The Daughter's toys have grown exponentially. We needed a place for her to place her stuff as it is all over the place. The Wife did her survey of storage spaces and decided on the Trofast Frame from Ikea.

We bought the trays and the storage boxes to complement the frame.

I wanted to install the frame myself but because it was bought together with the Stuva wardrobe, we had the delivery boys installed it.

I have to say the installation of the Trofast frame took a lot more effort than the Stuva wardrobe.

The Trofast trays bought.

The box.

The box opened. The guide rails are placed.

Guide rails placed.

Taking into shape. Only left the base.

Base in placed.

Another view.

With all the toys/

The carpet is from Ikea. Its called the Vandring Spar. We bought it because it has a latex backing, which makes it 'stick' to the floor and it does not slide. The design is suppose to cultivate imagination from the child. Errr, ok....sure. More like a marketing gimmick.

The table is the Sansad table, which I installed and blogged about it below.

The Daughter loves her play corner now. Her toys are now well kept and she has space and place to play.

Please view our other Ikea related items and project on this blog.

1) Ikea Orgel Table Lamp here. Ideas to replace the original lampshade.

2) Ikea Ljusa Hang Powered Flashlight here. No more batteries.

3) Ikea Sansad Table here. How to install.

4) Ikea Samtid Lamp here. Replacement of lampshade.