D-Link DIR 657 Review | 77 Data compared

The D-Link HD Media Router 1000 (DIR-657) is a redesigned successor to the DIR-655, featuring internal antennas, a sleek black housing, and an intuitive web interface with features like IPv6, Gigabit Ethernet, and guest networking. Pros include robust "HD Fuel" traffic prioritization for streaming and built-in, SD-card based network storage, though the latter offers limited capacity. Performance tests showed stable connectivity and 60Mbps throughput at close range, outperforming its predecessor, with effective OpenDNS-based parental controls. However, significant cons include the lack of dual-band support, restricting the device to the congested 2.4GHz band. The router is best suited for small spaces, as its effective range is limited to roughly 100 feet. At a $150 launch price, it was considered expensive compared to faster, dual-band competitors available at the time.

The D-Link DIR-657 HD Media Router 1000 is a single-band 2.4GHz device designed for media sharing, featuring a sleek design with an SD card slot, yet it delivers mixed performance results. While the setup is simple and the interface is intuitive, the router's "HD media" marketing is undermined by hardware limitations and a lack of a 5GHz band, which causes congestion and inconsistent speeds. Despite some advanced security features, including CAPTCHA login, and Gigabit Ethernet ports, the router's 200-foot range and mediocre throughput make it less effective than competitive options.

The SmallNetBuilder review of the D-Link DIR-657 HD Media Router 1000 reveals a device that fails to deliver on its marketing promise as a high-performance multimedia router, citing significant limitations despite its Ubicom-based traffic prioritization engine. While boasting robust features such as IPv6 support, an SD card slot, and strong security options, the single-band 2.4 GHz design acts as a major bottleneck for HD streaming. Cons are highlighted by disappointing wireless throughput, which peaked at only 50.5 Mbps in 40 MHz mode, falling short of competitors.

The Trusted Reviews assessment of the D-Link Wireless N HD Media Router 1000 (DIR-657) highlights a stylish design paired with intuitive software, but ultimately criticizes its failure to deliver reliable high-definition streaming. While featuring IPv6 support, an SD card slot, and Gigabit Ethernet ports, the router's significant hardware limitation—a single 2.4GHz band—results in poor performance at range, failing to justify its high cost. Because the device struggles to stream 1080p video beyond five meters, the review advises against purchasing this model over superior dual-band alternatives.

The D-Link DIR-657 HD Media Router 1000 is a single-band (2.4 GHz) router designed for multimedia, featuring a sleek design, an SD card slot, and SharePort technology for sharing USB devices. While it offers advanced security, including CAPTCHA authentication and robust IPv6 support, the lack of a 5 GHz band results in susceptibility to interference and limited effectiveness for concurrent high-definition streaming. Despite straightforward setup and feature-rich options, the router suffers from mediocre throughput and a high price point compared to superior, faster dual-band alternatives.