Samsung Blu-ray player network woes and solution!

So, we got this Samsung Blu-ray player that also does Netflix, Blockbuster, Pandora, etc. But of course, it needs a network connection.

If you don’t have a LAN cable to plug in (we didn’t), then you have to buy Samsung’s ~$80 wireless network adaptor. Reportedly, it was originally on sale for $35, and is the same hardware I believe, but, they probably discovered they could charge more. I understand their position on this. There are lots of network adaptors out there, they want one that already has the drivers on it because the player and TV don’t act like a computer and can download / install drivers. However, they could have allowed you to connect a computer to it to download the needed drivers, but whatever. Their product, their choice.

Anyway, we looked quite a bit for a USB adaptor and ways to resolve this without having to shell out $80 on top of the not-so-cheap player already. I even considered dropping a LAN cable in the wall.

Anyway, you want to hear about the solution. As it turns out we have AT&T Uverse and their Motorola digital “STB” (set top box). I was curious, if the LAN port on the back of the STB is not being used to feed it connection and using a coax cable instead, would the LAN port (RJ-45) share its connection?

I grabbed a short Cat 5 cable and tried it. I went to the Menu > Setup > Network screen on the player and changed it from “Wireless” to “Cable.” The next thing I saw was, “There’s a firmware update would you like to download it?” Heck yes I would. I tried it, and it started downloading! My wife and I high-fived and will soon be watching movies from Netflix streaming.

Cheers!

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