Networking to 2 media players

I have 2 media players - one a blue ray dvd player which has internet ability. The other is a WDLive Plus. I have one ethernet cable going across the room and I used an ethernet adapter to connect a cable to both players. However, if I use one player, the other will not be recognized by the network so i have to go back to having a single cable into just one of them. The obvious alternative is having 2 cables going across the room which I wanted to avoid. Is there something I may be missing here?

 

What do you mean by eithernet adapter? if you only have one cable run the you can only plug in one decive?

 

Tuer, you should be able to use one cable to feed 2 devices. I am using a ethernet splitter which allows the main cable to plug in and 2 other outlets from it .. one to each devide. But, I can only use one device at a time. I can't switch over from the remote.

Plodr, thank you that looks like a way to go. I looks like it also speeds up the bitrate too, but I can't imagine how it does that. My bitrate thru DSL is only 1MBps and that's why I can't go the wireless route as it would slow it up a lot more. I guess I'll have to up the bitrate for an extra $10 a month. Would that switch improve the bitrate as it appears to indicate? Thanks for the replies.

 

I thought, "Oh no! Not another expense!" Then I looked around my shelf of expensive mistakes and found a Trendnet router. I wondered if that would do as a switch. I put that inbetween the main cable and the devices and .... it worked! I can now switch from one to the other. The only fly in the ointment is that when in WDLive mode it won't recognize my computers or ipod! I'll see what happens when I switch the blue ray off .... watch this space .... Nope it still doesn't see my network shares. Anybody any ideas?

 

Connected a separate ethernet cable and it works, so I now have 2 cables festooned across my living room which is what I wanted to avoid. Oh well at least it works. I'm now off to radioshack to take back the splitter which didn't work for me. If anyone can think of a solution or even why it's happening, then feel free to reply. Thanks all.

 

Router wont replace a switch in this case, routers wont pass certain type of traffic upstream back to your other router, which effectively creates two networks. The ones your media devices are on, and the one your pcs are on. A switch wouldn't have this issue.

 

Wow Colmanguy, you have perked up my interest in pursuing this problem further. Ok I am going to hunt for a switch. I did actually have a switch somewhere and I can't for the life of me find it. I shall renew my search or get online for a switch. I do hope you're right. These little expenses all add up. I'll get back with any news on it. Thanks for your reply.

 

I found a Trendnet 4 port switch, and also a Trendport router. Neither would work. I'm still thinking of ways that would make it work, but running out of ideas and mental energy. Meanwhile I'm using 2 ethernet cables.