Wired vs wireless performanc​e problem

Question

 I have a Linksys WRT54g router.  When we use a PC laptop wireless, the response time for download is noticeably less thatn when we connect it to the router.   The input from Cox is 27 mbps and the PC tells us it is receiving 100 mbps wired, 54 mbps wireless, both faster than the input, so there shouldn't be an issue, but downloading from youtube as a test shows the wireless download buffering, whereas the wired download is perfect.   The laptop is placed in the same place in both cases, less than 10 feet from the router.   I had a chat session with Linksys, who suggested there was interference, and we should change the wireless channel.   We did, to both channels 1 and 11 (it had been the default 6).  That made no difference. 
We do have a 2.4 ghz remote phone in the room, but that shouldn't be a factor if it isn't being used.   We also have an iMac wired, but even turning it off doesn't  impact the test.   There is a large window in the room.  Cox proides statistics on use and that would indicate that no one else is using the wireless (it is secured).  And this is not a new problem, it has always been there through two physical routers - it has just been made more critical since we have bought an internet ready TV and would like to take advantage of it, but the wireless response is terrible.
So is there something else I am missing here?   Would getting a newer N router fix the problem?   Presumably there is some interference around that covers the whole 2.4 GHZ band.
Help would be appreciated.
Thanks.
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Answer 1

good day to you. your testing looks very good.(you have a very good service)  the ping test is "very good" also if you had no packet loss that would mean that all the wiring to your server is good and has no problem. i have to agree with you at this point it has to be the the wireless.
first thing i can think of is how strong is your signal? (how many bars do you have) good may get you utube with little or no buffering, strong or better is needed for hdtv, and 3D pretty much has to peg the signal ranges. start with the signal because if it is not where it should be the speed test and dowloads will always have buffering and the speed test should be intermitent and slow on the wireless device. also that should help you identify anything that is interfearing with the wireless.
if your bars are strong. then you need to look at what is reciving the signal. if you have had this problem for years and its the same laptop or device that you are hooking up that would tell me that its wireless cards are outdated. remember if your router is a "G" and what your hooking up is a wirless "A or B" device it will slow your wireless back down to the "A or B" speeds even if the signal is strong
try to hook up one device with a wireless "G or N" card to the "G" router and test with only that wireless device hooked up (wired devices can still be hooked up) and at this point if all else fails take your wireless device out to a good public wifi hookup and do a speed and signal test there. after that maybe barrow a router from somebody you know. remember go one step at a time you should find the problem.  DO NOT GIVE UP. 
you have a great service not to use wireless for the future.  i have 5 wireless computers and 1 x-box,2 wiis,2 dvds, a cell phone and i also have a guest account up to ten devices when my kids come home with there cell phones and computers, also a 1tb hard drive connected straight into my routers usb port that way all the music and movies can be shared straight from the router.  you may need to do some updateing but if i was you i would find my problem first before spending money and getting upset with a problem that may still be there.
maybe this will also help you. on my brand new routers box it says broad compatibility, works seamlessly with all a/b/g/n wi-fi devices.
the problem there is if i hook up a "a/b/g" device it will limit my routers speed to that older device. so i had to upgrage all my older stuff to "N" cards to match my routers highest speed range.