Belkin Wireless Play Router (F7D4302)

by Belkin

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 10.5 x 8 x 3.4 inches ; 1.6 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B003CJTNLI
• Item model number: F7D4302
• Average Customer Review: 1.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (87 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #10,242 in Electronics (See Top 100 in Electronics)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: March 24, 2010

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

Get the fastest, most reliable speeds for streaming video, playing music, and gaming online with the Belkin Play Wireless Router (F7D4302). Featuring Wireless-N + N 300 and MIMO technologies, this router will give you speeds of up to 300 Mbps on Wireless-N networks and operates simultaneously on dual bands, so you can you can play games, watch HD videos, and surf the web from anywhere in your home. This router also includes a suite of advanced integrated Belkin Apps that help you print wirelessly, auto-backup files, manage your music, and keep your network running smoothly.

Belkin Play Wireless Router (F7D4302) At a glance: Preconfigured security settings with WPS/WPA2 and WEP encryption Dual-band technology optimizes HD videos and gaming experiences Speeds up to 300 Mbps on wireless-N networks "Easy Start" gets you up and running securely in minutes Apps for wireless printing, automatic file back-up, and sending music from your computer to your stereo "Self-Healing" automatically detects and fixes problems Four LAN ports, one WAN port, and one USB 2.0 port support use with multiple devices Energy-Star-certified power adapter

The Wireless Play operates on dual bands simultaneously for faster, smoother performance.

Set-up is as easy as 1-2-3! View larger.

Music Labeler automatically labels your music tracks with the correct artists and titles. View larger screenshot. View screenshot of Daily DJ app.

Dual-band N technology offers maximum quality for streaming multiple media files.

Belkin Wireless-N Routers for Every User's Needs
No matter your budget and your needs, Belkin has you covered. In addition to the Belkin Play Wireless Router, Belkin also offers the Surf, Share, and Play Max wireless routers. Please view the table below to see which router is most suitable for you.

Preset Security Settings for Worry-free Surfing
The Belkin Play Wireless Router is preconfigured with 256-bit WPA/WPA2 encryption and 64/128 WEP encryption, so your sensitive data will remain safe and secure. The router's one-touch Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS) means that securely connecting multiple users to your network is as easy as pressing a single button.

High-speed Performance with Dual-Band N Technology
The Play runs simultaneously on dual bands: 2.4GHz, ideal for data and web traffic, and file- and picture-sharing; and 5GHz, which makes it the choice for users that want maximum quality when viewing multiple media files. Whether you're a movie buff streaming HD video or an avid gamer that can't afford delays and fuzzy enemies, the Play's simultaneous networks eliminate interference and optimize performance for clear, quick data transmission that you'll appreciate.

3D Coverage for Your Entire Home
With dual-plane antennas and MIMO--multiple-input and multiple-output--technology, the Play provides three-dimensional, whole-home coverage for a consistent wireless signal, even when walls and floors separate the router from you and your computer. This reliable, continuous signal also provides uninterrupted surfing and gaming for multiple users in your home.

Built for Entertainment with "Music Mover," "Daily DJ," and "Music Labeler"
For entertainers, audiophiles, and anyone that just can't live without a soundtrack of favorite tunes playing in the background, the Play also features several advanced applications to help optimize your network's audio performance.

"Music Mover" is an integrated music server that will play music from your library on your stereo through devices such as Microsoft Xbox 360 and Sony PlayStation 3. "Daily DJ" gives you daily personalized playlists that are based on your music library and tastes, while "Music Labeler" automatically scans over 40 million songs from the Internet database and matches unidentified tracks with the correct title, artist and genre.

Do More with "Memory Safe" and "Print Genie" Apps
Tracking digital files is a time-consuming task, and losing important files can be a major headache. Belkin's "Memory Safe" Application makes automatic backups of your irreplaceable photos and files easy. You simply connect an external hard drive (not included) to the Play, choose what to back up and how often, and "Memory Safe" makes sure it's protected.

Printing has never been easier than it is with the Play Router and Belkin's proprietary "Print Genie" Application. Simply connect any compatible printer to the Play, and you're ready to print wirelessly from any computer on your network.

"Self-Healing" App Keeps Your Network Up and Running
The Play also includes Belkin's "Self-Healing" Application, which analyzes your network and provides automatic detection and resolution of any problems. These routine maintenance scans help to ensure that you're always working on the clearest possible wireless channel. And if the network does require your attention, a notification will appear on-screen--no more guessing what the blinking lights under your desk mean.

Fast, Easy Three-step Setup
An easy three-step setup will get you up and running in minutes. Simply plug the Play into your modem, plug the router into the wall, and insert the included startup CD into your computer for quick, painless on-screen setup.

To set up your network, you will need a computer with a Windows XP (32), Windows Vista (32/64), or Mac OS X operating system; an installed network interface card and TCP/IP networking protocol; Internet Explorer, Firefox, or Safari; and minimum 64 MB RAM. You will also need a minimum 1.8GHz processor and 512 MB RAM. In addition, you should allow for 100 MB of disk space per 1000 songs.

Smart Design with Energy Star Power Adapter
The versatile Play features four LAN ports, one WAN port, and one USB 2.0 port for use with multiple devices. Its innovative design also includes an Energy-Star-certified power adapter to minimize your energy use and reduce costs. Plus the Play's sleek black case and vertical, small-footprint design keep it unobtrusive.

The Belkin Play Wireless Router is supported by Belkin's 2-year limited warranty and 24/7 tech support.

What's in the Box
Belkin Play Wireless Router (F7D4302), power supply, setup CD, networking cable, cable tags and PSU tags.

	Surf	Share	Play	Play Max
WIRELESS-N	N300 802.11n	N300 802.11n	N+N300 802.11n	N+N300 802.11n
SPEED	up to 300 Mbps	up to 300 Mbps	up to 300 Mbps	up to 300 Mbps
COVERAGE	Great	Great	Best	Best
IDEAL FOR	Surf the Web, email, and instant message from anywhere in your home	Share photos and files, and print wirelessly from anywhere in your home	Play music, games, and videos, and surf from anywhere in your home	Stream HD videos, play games online, and download large media files
FEATURES
EASY START Simple set up
PRESET SECURITY Preconfigured encryption settings
APPS
SELF-HEALING Detects and fixes network problems
PRINT GENIE Print wirelessly
MEMORY SAFE Automatic back up
MUSIC LABELER Matches music tracks with correct info
MUSIC MOVER Play MP3s wirelessly on your stereo
DAILY DJ Personalized playlists everyday
VIDEO MAX Optimized streaming video
VIDEO MAX HD Optimized streaming HD video
TORRENT GENIE Download torrents without a computer
BIT BOOST Prioritize network data streams

Product Description

Belkin's Play Wireless Dual-Band Router optimizes multiple media files like streaming HD video and games

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Buy the Belkin Max if you enjoy unplugging and replugging the power cable., June 16, 2010

By 

john smith - See all my reviews

This review is from: Belkin Wireless Play Router (F7D4302) (Personal Computers)

Bought at Costco as it was the only router for sale, and it has a USB port which means network printing OR file sharing without having a server turned on. My first complaint is that the "Easy Setup" diagram on the box clearly shows two USB ports on the back of the device while the spec. list says that it only has one. Two would make sense, since the router can act as a print server or a media server using an external hard drive. I can see that doing both at the same time would overload this router's abilities, as connecting an external hard drive and then trying to stream DVD quality video over the WIRED connection is sluggish and will cause VLC or Windows Media Player to hang. Forget about playing ripped DVDs from the hard drive if they have a menu. The menu will load and you will do nothing but wait once you click "Play Movie." Hell, even browsing files on the external HD will cause explorer to lock up.

If I stream a video from a computer on the network (over the wi-fi) as opposed to the external HD hooked up to the router, everything works as normal (when everything's working -- see below), throughout my apartment, despite the lack of signal bars (I always had full bars everywhere with my Linksys).

From my review thus far, one would assume that my only beef is with the USB functionality. However, you would be wrong. The main reason I bought this router is because I despise power cycling. I cannot stand pulling a plug in the back of a router, and then wasting a half minute of my time daydreaming of unicorns or whatever, and then fumbling with the plug and some unseen port. Do you miss the 90's when you would see pictures load line by line or do the slowly enhancing pixel routine? Remember server timeouts with their cute "Server not found" errors and their "Try again" buttons that never worked? Remember seeing red "X's" instead of pictures? Well, if you want to feel like a kid with a 28.8 modem again, then this is the router for you!!! You'll be nostalgically transported 15 years back in time approximately every day until you realize the Internet sucked in the 90's and so you get up, unplug the router, and continue your unicorn daydream where it left off. I'm currently at the part where we take a nap in the meadow together.

Oh yea, you'll have to power cycle so often, they even added a "feature" to do this automatically for you called "self healing" where you lose Internet completely at some specified time once a week. So I guess you only have to power cycle six times a week. THANKS BELKIN!!!

12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Upgrade the firmware for a solid wireless router, June 16, 2010

By 

J. Donaldson - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Belkin Wireless Play Router (F7D4302) (Personal Computers)

This was the first item I've purchased that had an Amazon rating of two (as of 6/10/2010) or lower. From what I could tell, most of the negative aspects of the router were due to:

1) The router locking up, forcing a reset.

2) The reset losing configuration information.

3) Extremely poor N signal transmission distance.

4) Worthless/non-working "apps" that install on a windows pc

5) Lack of tweaking options, missing front panel connectivity indicator

I'm on a mac, so the apps weren't of interest to me. However, the other features of this router (dual band wireless, usb print/drive sharing) coupled with the low price did attract me.

I immediately upgraded the firmware, and it solved problems 1-3 for me. I've had no issues with connectivity, the router has not reset in at least a week, and I can get a strong signal from either transmitter from down the block if necessary. I cannot vouch for the "software" based installation method, since I did mine over the integrated webserver @ 192.168.1.1. I also cannot vouch for the extra "apps" that this provides. Also, instead of a front panel connectivity indicator, this router just has a single "idiot" light which is green normally, but turns yellow or red if it is disconnected or having a problem. I normally want some kind of indicator panel, but since this router is getting tucked into a drawer, I'm not upset about it.

For a dual band, usb sharing router, this is surely worth the $80 or so that is being charged... provided you are savvy enough to know how to upgrade the firmware via the onboard webserver, aren't going to bother with the apps, and don't mind the absence of a front indicator panel.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Plastic Disappointment, April 27, 2010

By 

R. Yepsen (Chicago, IL) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Belkin Wireless Play Router (F7D4302) (Personal Computers)

I think I am most upset with the fact that I threw away the box and can no longer return this useless piece of plastic. The signal strength is terrible; I can usually find my 2.4GHz signal, but don't plan on finding your 5GHz that it is supposedly streaming out unless you're sitting directly on top of your router.

Every morning after the 2nd or 3rd day of use, my laptop would show the signal, but would not connect to the internet so I would go and do a reset (just like they tell you to do) and everything would work just fine - annoying, but manageable. On the 3rd day of reseting this :"router," it reset and had COMPLETELY FORGOTTEN WHO IT WAS! Network name (SSID) and password were reset to company shipping defaults (thank god those were saved in my keychain) and I had to reset all of my settings.

I suppose this is what I get for saving the $10 and not buying a router from a more established brand. Trust me, buy another router - any other router - there are PLENTY to choose from you'll be better off.