Sony LF-V30 LocationFree Base Station Review

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(More customer reviews)I would like to have done this a long time ago, but the technology seems to be just now becoming viable. Based on the research and reviews, the prior versions of the Sony product did not make it worth the purchase. Slingbox was the way to go. However, with this latest release (lf-v30) Sony has caught up and passed Slingbox in the place shifting arena (IMHO). I was able to pick up the Locationfree via price matching by BB for $199. Thus making the Sony cheaper than the Slingbox for similar capability
The first and biggest advantage of the Sony is that its WIRELESS!. This alone was the biggest decision factor for me. I did not want to run 100' of Ethernet cable from my router to the base unit nor did I want to plop down an extra 80 bucks for Slinglink. I was also a little skeptical about the socket networking as my experience with other socket networking products has been sketchy at best. I plugged in the Unit and it found my wireless LAN right away.
Performance has been terrific. Video streaming is smooth and fast. Color and picture are crisp clear and vivid. Nice picture. And I only have the RCA video cable hooked up. The only issue I have run across is that the video stream will freeze or terminate when I am receiving a large email or file across the network. Otherwise it works flawlessly. My Vonage IP phone does not even seem to impact the video stream while I am on conference calls (nor does the phone degrade while streaming).
I like the option of multiple video inputs. Will try plugging in my DVD player at some point and watch movies remote. If that works I may upgrade my DVD player to a "jukebox" player and have my movie library available anywhere I go. (that or convert all my movies to digital files). I plan on upgrading my DVR to HD some time soon and I like having the option of being able to stream that as well via the component inputs.
Installation was relatively easy. Just follow the wizard and it walks you through it with no problem. I did run into one hiccup when trying to stream the video across the Internet. I could not get the NETAv test to pass and had to end up calling support. That was one of the most pleasant support calls I have ever had. Reached a service rep immediately with no wait. He was able to take control of my laptop remotely and had the problem fixed within 5 minutes. Turns out I have an older DSL router paired with a Linksys wireless router. The install recognized this as a multiple router setup which can cause complications. The service Rep accessed my routers via my laptop remote session, opened up a port on my DSL router and got the issue fixed.
All in All I am extremely satisfied and would highly recommend this solution to anyone interested in place shifting their TV viewing.


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Channel surf through your local channels even if you're not local. The LF-V30 LocationFree Base Station grants you access to your personal DVR content and local TV channels from wherever you are. You can even connect your DVD or VCR to the base station and enjoy your home movie collection while on the road. For added convenience, you can easily connect your camcorder and monitor your home from work or while vacationing in another country. With so much versatility at your fingertips, there's always something good on TV, no matter where you are.Internet connection required. Broadband connection recommended.

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Gigabit Powerline HD Starter Kit Review

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(More customer reviews)First and foremost its important to state that powerline networking is not as simple as just plugging in adapters and sprinkling pixie dust. There are many factors that affect the performance of the units in use. To those who have noted that these units did not give them any additional speed over their current implementation is not to say that these items dont work as advertised, it simply illustrates that their partiucular implementation is not ideal for powerline networking. What I am getting at is that in most of the cases mentioned they referenced a already existing solution that was well below the rated speed and thought that they would get more if they placed these in service. If your not alreay maxing out your current solution what makes you think you would get more out of something faster? Obviously, these were situations where the problem was environmental not product specific.
I recently placed a set of these into service in my home to provide networking between floors where a set of bridged wireless routers was not cutting it. These are on separate circuits (different breakers) but on the same phase (same side) in the junction box. I currently see 4 to 5 megabytes of throughput across them which is huge ove my previous solution. My wife is now able to take full advantage of the 20 to 25 megabit per second internet connection as well as enjoy streaming from our media server without any stutter. All in all these were a stellar upgrade to our problem of networking on the second floor. So much so that I will be adding another set to the network to provide extended wired and additional wireless coverage to the house.
Now like i mentioned before powerline networking is more alchemy then science. There are a multitude of problems that can significantly impact your throughput. After doing significnat research before my purchase I discovered several factors that can cause problems for those going down this road. Listed below are some of the major snafus that will cause you problems.
1. If your circuits cross phase (opposite sides of the breaker box) dont even try stick with wireless.
2. If your Circuits are behind GFCI or AFCI you will have problems. All houses built after 2002 probably have AFCI breakers supporting bedrooms and will soon have them for hallways and other rooms.
3. Do nto place them in surge supressors or battery backups with any kind of line filtering.
4. They are all vulnerable to line noise so motors or particularly noisy CFl's can reduce the performance.
5. Poor grounding of your electrical wireing may hurt it.
6. Old wiring can be problematic.
7. Distance will significantly reduce performance quickly.
I summary I would highly recommend these to anywone looking to provide a solution for wired networking in their home where they cannot get to the floor or ceiling to run regular cat5 cable and where wireless is not providing the performance they were looking for. However, make sure the place you buy from has a solid return policy should they not work for your installation. If amazon has them for cheaper go buy them at BB first, test them if they work then you have the option of returning and rebuying or just keep em since it appears the amazon return policy is a bit troublesome for some.


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Belkin Gigabit Powerline HD Starter Kit F5D4076 Powerline Network Adapters

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D-Link DNS-343 4-Bay Network Attached Storage Enclosure Review

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(More customer reviews)This is my third D-Link NAS. I bought a DNS-323 one year ago and it has been on ever since, serving up files reliably to my PC/Mac home network, downloading torrents, and streaming videos to my PS3/XBOX 360 (after installing Twonky Media Server). Based on my mostly positive experience with D-link products and price-to-features ratio, I decided to stick with the brand. I had wasted money on a Galaxy Metal Gear NAS, and read mostly lukewarm reviews for Netgear, Iomega, Linksys, and other makers. Other NAS devices like the DLNA-enabled Buffalo Technology LinkStation Live were attractive, but their price point or storage capacity was not. I need a large number of bays to create a centralized media server.
When I outgrew the DNS-323, I bought a DNS321 2-bay when I really should have applied that $130 toward this 4-bay product instead. I wanted to consolidate the half dozen 1 TB external drives I had sitting around and network them so I didn't have to keep plugging and unplugging USB cables when I wanted to retrieve files. My home network is heterogeneous and I also needed the ability to write large files (4 GB+) to the drives. FAT32 is the only mutually writable format across XP and Mac, but it has a 4 GB filesize limit, making it impractical for my movie storage needs. The D-Link uses a Linux file system (ext2 or ext3, your choice), so filesize concerns are now gone.
I've had this product for a week, and so far so good. The device can be configured from any web browser, so you don't need the CD (which is a Windows-only configuration app). I have 1 TB Hitachi and WD drives inside. Build quality is solid (made of thick aluminum). It's a brick of a device and looks quite durable.
For the price, I am not expecting world class security and many bells and whistles. I just need it for storing my personal files and media on my home network, and stream them, and for that, it works to my satisfaction. The iTunes server works very nicely. For file transfers, I FTP to it and do all my copying that way. For some reason, the Mac is a lot faster (20MB/sec) than copying from XP (10MB/sec). Vista is the worse, and I usually get 5MB/sec.
It would've been really great for D-link to include BitTorrent support for this, like the DNS-323. Maybe in a future firmware update.
All in all, I'm quite happy with this product. I don't place heavy expectations on it and don't demand $1,500 server performance from a $370 device. It was the cheapest 4-bay NAS I could find for the features I wanted and gives great overall performance for the price. You can install telnet on it (look for Fonz's funplug) and open the device up to more hacking if you are so inclined.
Will update this review as I use the device more.

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The D-Link ShareCenter 4-Bay Network Storage Enclosure (DNS-343) connects to your network instead of to a computer so everyone on your network can back up content to one central location. Plus, it lets you share your stored content across your network and over the Internet so family members, friends and employees can access it no matter where they are.

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Buffalo Wi-fi Gamers Gaming Access Point (WCA-G) Review

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(More customer reviews)This little device is the easiest and and safiest way to get online with a Ps3. It takes under a minute to setup and you'll never have to worry about disconnect. Buy one if you can find it.

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Buffalo Wi-Fi Gamers Gaming Access Point WCA-G. Product may differ from image shown.

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Linksys PLTK300 PowerLine Network Kit Review

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(More customer reviews)My wi-fi experiences a problem in a certain part of the house. I had tried different routers including 'N' and the signal would randomly and frequently drop in this one area. I installed the PowerLine in under 30 minutes. The two computers connected have not experienced any outages ever since. Don't forget NOT to plug either unit into a power strip or APS. It will only work if the plugs are directly into the wall socket.

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The Linksys Powerline Network Kit contains a single-port Powerline Adapter, and a four-port Powerline Adapter, which let you easily create a network using the existing electrical outlets in your home. Now you don't have to drill holes in walls and climb through the attic or cellar to install network cables -- just use the wires that already run through the building.With Powerline Network Adapters, you can connect computers or any other wired Ethernet device using the HomePlug 1.0 with Turbo network standard. They also work with older HomePlug 1.0 devices. Adding devices to the network is as simple as plugging a Powerline Adapter into an electrical outlet, and connecting your Ethernet-equipped devices to the built-in Ethernet ports. Additional devices can be connected to the same network using additional Powerline Adapters plugged into any electrical outlet anywhere in the house.

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100ft White cat5e Ethernet Cable for linksys D-link Router 100' 100 ft Review

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(More customer reviews)This was the cable I needed to connect my computer to my Moxi DVR. I had to work from a second floor to the basement and then back up to the first floor. It was a struggle to get everything routed, but it worked very nicley. I can watch movies from my Flicker instant que streamed from my computer to my TV.

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For fast ethernet and gigabit computer networks that require Enhanced Category 5 cabling for voice/data/video distribution. This cable will handle bandwidth-intensive applications up to 350 MHz. Meets all Cat5E TIA/EIA standards, and drastically reduces both impedance and structural return loss (SRL) when compared to standard 100 MHz wire.Constructed from high-quality cable and a shortened body plug, this design minimizes Near-End Crosstalk (NEXT) levels. The molded, snag-free boot prevents unwanted cable snags during installation and provides extra strain relief. Available in a variety of colors to easily color-code your network installation.

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D-Link Wireless 108AG Gaming Adapter Review

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(More customer reviews)If your router is not by D-Link, and particularly if you use WPA encryption with that router, do not purchase the DGL-3420. I have tested it with both the Linksys WRT54G and the SMC 2804WMBP-G, and WPA fails with both of them. D-Link technical support, in fact, has confirmed that THEY know the adapter doesn't work using WPA with the WRT54G.
Besides, for significantly less money you can get a wireless bridge with a lot more functionality. After this product failed for me, I purchased the Netgear WGPS606, which can connect FOUR items (X-Box, computer, whatever) to your wireless network AND two wireless print servers, all for $20 less (on Amazon).

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Wi-Fi - IEEE 802.11a/b/g - 108Mbps - Wireless Workgroup Bridge

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Cisco-Linksys Dual-Band Wireless-N Gaming Adapter Review

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(More customer reviews)I have this product connected to my directv hd receiver to download VOD content. If the installation software is not able to detect the device during the installation process, then follow these steps (I had to perform these steps when I called Linksys for assistance. I wish they had just documented the steps instead):
1. Quit out of the installation software (keep the adapter connected to your pc)
2. Assign a static IP to your pc (if you do not know how to do this, then call Linksys or google it). The static ip settings should be:
ip: 192.168.1.50
subnet: 255.255.255.0
gateway: 192.168.1.1
leave dns settings as is
3. Open up your browser and type http://192.168.1.250 in the address bar. You will now see a log in page
4. Log in with admin/admin
5. Now assign a static IP to the adapter
ip: 192.168.1.250
subnet: 255.255.255.0
gateway: 192.168.1.1
6. Now go to the wireless settings tab and enter in your SSID and WEP/WPA Key. Make sure you select the correct authentication type
7. You will now need to reboot the adapter (it will ask you to do so)
8. Once the device is back up, go back to the http://192.168.1.250 page and log back in. Double-check to make sure your settings were entered in correctly. The wireless light should light up on your adapter.
Tip: Before you connect it to your console/receiver, you can test to make sure the adapter can connect to the internet. Switch off your wireless connection on your pc/laptop and connect the adapter to your pc via the ethernet port. Try accessing the internet and if you can, then the adapter is all set.
Good luck.
p.s. the main reason I detailed out the steps for the "advanced setup" is so that people know that it is still a straight-forward process, so no need to be afraid if you won't have the plug-and-play experience.
another tip. if you are still having issues, then try changing the channel on your router (although you should not have to if all your other wireless devices are working well on that channel).

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The Dual-Band Wireless-N Gaming Adapter gives wireless connection capabilities to any wired Ethernet-equipped game console. The Game Adapter can be used in several different ways. If you have an existing home wireless network and a cable or DSL Internet connection, the Game Adapter lets your Xbox, Xbox 360, PlayStation2 or 3, or GameCube attach to the network so you can get into online games without running wires to the game room. Or, use a pair of Game Adapters to form a "cable-less cable" between two game consoles for head-to-head gaming -- in the same room, or all the way across the house. There is also a special "Wireless LAN Party" mode to connect several consoles at once.

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Mediabridge Ultra Series - High Speed HDMI Cable with Ethernet - Category 2 Certified - Supports 3D & Audio Return Channel - (6 Feet) Review

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(More customer reviews)These cables worked great for me...I'm getting 1080p@24hz no problem. My setup is a Samsung 52" LCD TV (LN52A650) and a Playstation 3. Save yourself a whole lot of money and don't get ripped off buying "Monster" or any other overpriced HDMI cable. Order processing, USPS shipping, and receipt in Texas was lightling fast(7 days). Order 2 while you're at it...someday you'll need another one!

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Mediabridge Ultra Series - High Speed HDMI® Cable with Ethernet - Supports 3D, Audio Return Channel and Up To 4K Resolution Buy With ConfidenceUnlike most HDMI Sellers, Mediabridge Products is an Official HDMI Adopter Licensed by HDMI Licensing, LLC. See our certificate in product images section.Quality ConstructionMediabridge's Full Metal Jacket Connectors provide the pinnacle of protection from physical strain and electronic interference. HDMI combines both audio and video into one cable so it's all you need to connect your HDTV to your Blu-Ray Player, Xbox360, PS3, HD Cable Box, PC or any HD device with an HDMI output.Compatibility- Supports 3D Content- 4K, 1440p, 1080p, 1080i, 720p, 480p, and 480i Resolutions- Audio Return Channel- Supports Highest Refresh Rates Available - Transfer Rates of Up to 340Mhz or 10.2gbps- True HD Dolby 7.1 and DTS-HD Master Audio- HDCP Compliant- Ethernet Channel For Sharing Internet Between HDMI DevicesNOTE: HDMI Ports that support Ethernet Channel are required for internet sharing. Ethernet Channel has no effect on audio or video and does not affect compatibility with devices that do not use the internet. This cable is the perfect solution for the most basic setup as well as the most advanced.Physical Specifications - 28 AWG Cable - Thicker For Durability Yet Flexible Due to Soft PVC Jacket- Full Metal Jacket Connectors - For Durability and Interference Protection - Shielding Throughout Cable- Gold Plated Warranty and Technical SupportMediabridge HDMI Cables are backed by a Limited Lifetime Warranty. Contact Us Monday - Friday 9am to 5pm Eastern.HDMI, the HDMI Logo, and High-Definition Multimedia Interface are trademarks or registered trademarks of HDMI Licensing LLC in the United States and other countries.

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TRENDnet Wireless N Gaming Adapter TEW-647GA (Black) Review

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(More customer reviews)First off, I had been keeping my eye out for a cheap alternative to the 360's wireless adapter for sometime now, and when I saw this unit as apart of Amazon's lightning deals for $30, I couldn't pass that up.
Before buying this unit, I was sure to peruse for reviews to see other peoples' luck with the item and was left a bit confused on how the product would work. After playing around with the various settings and getting it to work, I want to just clear the confusion on how this will perform. Also, I have a Bachelors in Computer Networking, not that that means anything, but I have had a good bit of experience playing around with different routers/switches and while reading through the reviews I was left baffled by the varying contradicting opinions of the product.***On a side-note, these types of At Home networking devices are aimed at ease-of-use and my experience had very little effect on how much more/less difficulty I had getting the product to work other than enabling me to filter out the weaker/inane reviews of the product.
Let me clear up the marketing confusion first. This item is a Wireless adapter. IT WILL ALLOW YOU TO CONNECT VARIOUS ITEMS WITH AN ETHERNET JACK TO YOUR WIRELESS NETWORK. That means if you have a desktop with an ethernet jack in the back that you would like to be able to hook up to your WIFI without stringing it to your router, this will work. For the "gamer's" that for some reason this item is targeting(most likely the xbox 360 owners), this item works flawlessly and comes strongly suggested given a few caveats(i.e a bit more cumbersome than Microsoft's options Xbox 360 Wireless Network Adapter A/B/G Networks Only,Xbox 360 Wireless Network Adapter A/B/G & N Networks given that it has to be plugged into an electrical outlet).
I'll try to give you guys a step-by-step run through of how the configuration process worked for me.
First, I plugged it into an outlet and connected an ethernet cable from my PC to the unit(for the non-techies out there, this should work the same regardless of the Operating System you're on).
Second, I popped in the CD that came included and loaded the router setup software off of the CD. This step was a breeze given that there was no installation of anything onto your computer, as other reviewers had falsely alluded to.
Once in the router setup software, I did run into a few odd hiccups that slowed the overall process. The software was able to find the device right away and I was off and running setting up the unit, although almost every time I hit OK or Next through the prompts, I was returned with something like "Error, the changes were not made" though they were... Other than that, the setup was pretty quick and painless and should be no problem to those that dread anything techie like many of those in my family, given that they read the manual and follow the instructions. And once you have it setup to your wireless network, it'll pretty much connect any of your devices that has Ethernet port to your wireless without having to run through the setup process again. All the settings are saved so you can just move the unit anywhere. As long as you don't tweak anything in your router, this unit should be able to be unplugged and moved around as much as you like and still connect you every time.
**My issues with the strange contradictory error messages were solved once I upgraded to the latest firmware
As for performance, this unit has worked flawlessly for my needs. I was playing Left 4 Dead 2 and a few other games through it on my 360 and had no significant lag or difference between playing through this unit over playing it hooked up to my router with an ethernet cord. I also tried streaming a few movies from my PC, and again, it worked flawlessly while I fast forwarded/backward and skipped chapters. Though I have yet to try streaming anything HD from services like Netflix, I don't imagine anyone would have any problems given the much more than sufficient bandwidth that this unit provides as long as you have a capable internet connection from your Internet Service Provider. I also unplugged my computer from the router and plugged it into this unit just for kicks and, unsurprisingly, it works just as it should.
The device itself is surprisingly small and sleek, though it is a bit of a finger-print magnet. Something of note too, is at the top of the router lies a Wifi Protected Setup button(WPS) that I'm guessing would make the process even easier by eliminating the need for the PC setup process if your router has support for it, mine did not, so I can't comment on that.
Overall, I would strongly recommend this product to anyone looking for a cheap way to connect their devices up to their wireless network. Even if I hadn't gotten it on Amazon's sale, knowing what I know now about it, I would gladly buy this unit again. That's my 2 cents anyways and I hope it helped.
**Update
So after about 4 months of owning this product I am still very satisfied with my purchase. I did run into a pretty frustrating problem after my house lost power. My router was reset and the Trendnet adapter did not seem to want to stay connected. After a bit of poking around, I managed to fix the issue by going through Trendnet's provided setup software again and giving the device a Static IP. It's been working flawlessly since. (*Of note though, this doesn't seem to be an isolated issue, I have seen a few other reviewers state having inconsistent connection issues as well. If you get that issue, just try what I did and the device will be working the way it should in no time.)

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The Wireless N Gaming Adapter (TEW-647GA) connects your favorite Ethernet-ready gaming console to a lag-free wireless n network. No need to locate your gaming station near an Internet connection cut your cables and start winning with highperformance wireless n. Setup is quick and simple, with no drivers to install. Works with Nintendo Wii , Xbox , Xbox 360and PlayStation 2 and 3. Connect multiple gaming consoles wirelessly and play head-to-head or challenge others over the Internet in multiplayer mode. The latest in wireless encryption ensures wireless security. Advanced Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) antenna technology reduces wireless dead spots. Wireless Protected Setup (WPS) lets you integrate other WPS devices into your secured network quickly.

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