Streaming network issues - need a geek

Thanks for additional replies!

@jgoldrick It does handle 4k, but just barely, and only when connected ethernet direct to the modem. I am using the modem router, and currently also using its WiFi. The modem is in my studio. I have my desktop and my big printer as well as two ethernet lines out to where my audio system is connected to the modem. Also various WiFi devices. The reason this is not preferred is the modem is not very good with WiFi or juggling the number of devices that hit it. It is a supplied device from my service provider (Frontier - heaven help me). 

Yes, 6 Mb/s is all I get (with a strong tailwind and the neighborhood switch is functioning properly and not too many people in this part of the county are hitting it). Unfortunately it's my only option in this rural WV location. Actually compared to other locations in the state I'm flying. Would you believe only 60 miles out of DC and it is like living in a third world country, complete with lunatic fringe politicians and extremely corrupt county gov., not to mention the state gov. Don't get me started. 

When I have the Nighthawk router functioning and WiFi turned off on the modem things work pretty well except for the bandwidth problem. The Nighthawk is much better at handling multiple WiFi devices. That is why I would like to find a way to get my iPad on WiFi to the Nighthawk to see the streamers that are ethernet direct to the modem.

@ericsch I think that is what someone earlier mentioned, but I was warned that it opens you up to intrusion. It bypasses the firewall, if I understand correctly.

No, @ericsch is correct, you need to turn your modem into pass through mode.  The modem doesn't care about security as such, the router does and your Netgear router should have a firewall built in.  As I mentioned before, you turn that off by hitting the modem setup page in the browser.  Once it is off, the only way to connect to the router is to either reset it to factory settings or connect via ethernet to a computer. 

Then let the Netgear handle all the routing and security.

PS - that means nothing but the Netgear will plug into the modem once it is in pass-through mode.  Everything will be connected to the Netgear.

Looks like the minimum speed requirement for streaming 4K video is 25 Mb/s. Just making sure - your DSL downlink speed is faster than that right?

If so, then it would be helpful to have your router model number as well as the DSL modem model.

I misread the original post -- now I see that you are connecting the streamer by WiFi.

Yes, as others have said, the modem needs to be in pass-through (modem only) mode. That means its WiFi will be off. I believe most Netgear stuff has a sticker on the bottom with its default IP address, user name, and password. You can contact the modem then from a Web browser on your network and check & change settings.

If you can run a cable from the streamer to the modem, why not run the cable from the streamer to the router instead? Most of them have 4-8 Ethernet ports in the back. (I just checked; yours has four.) If not enough ports, a $20 unmanaged switch will help.

Routers I’ve used consider wired and WiFi devices all to be on the same network by default. They draw IP addresses from a common pool. What I’m trying to say is, they can talk to one another.

(BTW, Category 8 cable is absolutely unnecessary at those speeds. Cat 5e is plenty, though there is nothing wrong with Cat 6 or Cat 7. My understanding is that Cat 8 is shielded and the shield grounding is said to reduce isolation between devices. Some very tweaky folks complain of higher noise floor, but I have no experience with that.)