Netgear XE103G-100NAS Powerline Ethernet Adapter Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I would have rated this 5 stars but for the price. It seems a bit expensive and if wireless had been an answer probably the way I would have gone. I have been having wireless network problems and wanted something that would extend my lan in the house without lots of wiring. This is a great answer. I read the directions (made sure it was not plugged into a power strip), plugged in near my router, went upstairs, plugged it in there and it worked, no problems and as fast as when right next to the router.
I must admit there was also a somewhat unresearched idea that my data is safer on a wire network than wireless, even with the encryption that I used when my wireless worked.

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The NETGEAR XE103G 85 Mbps Powerline Network Adapter Kit lets you easily extend a home network using just the existing electric lines of your home, eliminating the need to run unsightly Ethernet wires all over your house. At 85 Mbps, you'll have more than enough speed to download music, stream videos, and make internet telephone calls without any hiccups.
True Plug and Play Installation The XE103G comes with two XE103 units. Simply plug one of them into a wall outlet and connect it to your router with an Ethernet cord. Plug the second one into the wall outlet where you need a network connection and connect it to any Ethernet-ready device. That's it. There's no software to install. You can create as many network connections as you need by connecting more XE103 units wherever you need them. Each device has easy-to-read icon LEDs for status information at a glance.
Fast Performance Each XE103 supports speeds up to 85 Mbps which is enough for multiple video streams without interruptions. The XE103 has a 10/100 Ethernet port with which you can connect a PC, gaming console, Slingbox, DVR, NETGEAR's SC101T Storage Central Turbo or ReadyNAS NV+, or another networkable device. In order to enable encryption, you need a computer with Windows Vista, XP, or 2000.
What's in the Box Two XE103 85 Mbps Powerline Network Adapters, installation guide, Ethernet cable, setup CD, and warranty/support information card.

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Cisco-Linksys PLE200 PowerLine AV Ethernet Adapter Review

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(More customer reviews)See also the Linksys PLK200 Powerline AV Ethernet Adapter Kit, which is more economical.
This product is based on a "HomePlug-AV" chipset than runs a specialized type of sofware known as "firmware". Linksys does not design, manufacture, or maintain this chipset or its firmware. An unaffiliated company does that, and Linksys is just one of dozens of that company's customers.
I've purchased about 20 (twenty) PLE200s over the past year--from Amazon and other sellers--and all of them have shipped with firmware version 1.4.5 installed. The primary purpose of my 'review' here is to caution you that hardware running firmware version 1.4.5 cannot communicate with hardware running newer firmware versions. I hope this caution reaches people who have already purchased the PLE200 as well as those who are contemplating doing it.
Version 2.0 implemented a change that was required to achieve compliance with the HomePlug-AV standard. That change unfortunately rendered 1.4.5 unable to intercommunicate with versions thereafter. Fortunately, no subsequent firmware change will have such a devastating side-effect.
"HomePlug-AV" products currently coming off various manufacturers' production lines are likely shipping with 2.0 or later firmware installed. Be advised that if you wish to build unified network consisting of PLE200s and these other products, you'll have to upgrade the firmware in your PLE200s; otherwise, the PLE200s and the other products won't even "see" each other. Not only that, but they'll probably also step on each other's transmissions because of inability to coordinate their usage of the powerline medium.
The PLE200 ostensibly is compliant with the HomePlug-AV standard, but it actually is NOT compliant with the HomePlug-AV standard until its firmware is upgraded from version 1.4.5 to version 2.0 or newer. As of this writing, 3.0.5 is the newest version.
Linksys ought to provide a binary image of the firmware for download on their web site, but I don't see it. The Windows GUI application that Linksys ships on CD with the PLE200--it has a mechanism for programming a new firmware image into a PLE200, but I've never used it and am not certain it is able to perform the 1.4.5-to-later upgrade even if it were given the appropriate binary image.
Being an engineer who is doing development work in the HomePlug-AV space, I have the means to do the upgrade, but it requires my using some software that is not available to the general public. To the general public who already own PLE200's, I would suggest pestering either Linksys or the chipset manufacturer about the firmware. To everyone else--maybe you can find a HomePlug-AV adapter under a different brand name that comes with firmware version 2.0 or later pre-installed.

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The PowerLine AV Ethernet Adapter lets you turn the existing powerlines in your home or office into a high-speed network. Now you do not have to drill through the walls and climb through the attic or cellar to install network cables -- just use the wires that already run through the building! The PowerLine AV Adapter interfaces Ethernet devices to the HomePlug AV PowerLine network standard. Just plug the PowerLine AV Adapter into the wall, and connect your Ethernet-equipped device to the Adapter using the included network cable, and you have turned your whole house into network infrastructure! Attach more computers to the network by simply plugging them into the wall anywhere in the house, using more PowerLine AV Adapters.

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ZyXEL PLA-401 200 Mbps Powerline HomePlug AV Wall-plug Adapter Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)The ZyXEL is working great. I purchased it to get the highest bitstream I could get to match my G network. The trick to get it to work flawlessly is to first get the one working that you are plugging into your router. Then plug in the 2nd one in the same room. You have to get all three lights working(plug in your computer or printer, etc.,to get the third light to turn on). Once you have that working within the same room with your router I could move to the location I really wanted to use it at the other end of the house. As I watch my downloads to the newly wired computer I see no loss in BPS the download speed is the same as for my wireless and wired equipment on my G network. I have no idea how it would work for High Definition. When I need to expand my network (without Wireless capability I'll just buy the singleton)..
ZyXEL PLA-401 200 Mbps Powerline HomePlug AV Wall-plug Adapter

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The ZyXEL HomePlug AV PLA-401 is an extended access solution that allows your house to be completely networked using your existing electrical power lines. With no need for additional wiring, simply plug the ZyXEL HomePlug AV PLA-401 to an existing electrical outlet, and it will transform your electrical power lines into a house-wide network infrastructure. It’s the easiest way to extend the network connection from your broadband router. Powered by HomePlug AV Technology, the ZyXEL PLA-401 can achieve blistering speed of up to 200 Mbps. The HomePlug AV powered PLA-401allows users to stream high-definition video from one side of the house to the other.Not to mention surfing the Internet, accessing e-mail, and transfer large files easily and safely at home. Home entertainment solutions such as Network Capable DVR systems or Set Top box can now be networked using existing electrical power lines within your home instead of using complicated wireless setups or messy wiring solutions.

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Belkin F5D4071 Powerline Networking Adapter Starter Kit (White) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)The only thing with this device is that you need to plug it directly into a wall socket, not a multi-outlet device. With that caveat, the device works great. I was having problems with my wireless N signal cutting out on me and it was driving me nuts. I looked at all of these devices available on Amazon and decided to go with one of the least expensive to see if it would work. Not only is it working, the status indicator shows a throughput speed of 100 Mbps. I don't have any way to check that, but it certainly seems to be better than my average wireless N connection (I would occasionally see throughput numbers over 110 Mbps with the N connection but not consistantly). It has also increased my download speed at least 4x what I was getting with the unreliable wireless connection. I am a happy laptop user now.

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The Belkin F5D4071 Powerline Networking Adapter Starter Kit allows you to easily create a network or extend a network connection in your home using existing electrical outlets. You no longer have to worry about tripping over your long Ethernet cables, or suffer through problems with wireless reception or interference. Just plug a Powerline Networking Adapter into an outlet, and you have a new network connection.
Quick and Easy Setup By taking advantage of the existing electrical wiring in your house, you don't have to perform any complicated wiring to create a robust Ethernet-based home network. The Powerline Networking Adapter turns your existing electrical wiring into a home network. Simply plug one Adapter into a wall outlet and connect it to your router with the included Ethernet cable. Then, wherever you need a network port, just plug another Adapter into an available wall outlet, and--presto!--you've created a new network connection. In your living room, for instance, you can easily connect your broadband TV, and your Xbox or other gaming console; in your home office, you can connect your computers. If you need a connection in your attic--no problem!
This kit includes two Adapters, letting you create one network port wherever you have an outlet. The kit affords you a couple of placement options: you can either plug the Adapters directly into the wall with the wall-plug Adapter, or you can place the adapter farther away from the wall with the power cable.
Fast, Secure, and Stable Network Connection The Belkin Powerline Networking Adapter runs at speeds of up to 85 Mbps, letting you quickly download information, stream music and movies, and make Internet phone calls. (Actual speed and distance will vary depending on interference, network traffic, building materials, and other conditions.) The Powerline Networking Adapter is HomePlug 1.0 certified, can coexist with HomePlug AV, and is compliant with the 802.3/802.3u standards.
Unlike a wireless network, which can often come and go depending on interference from appliances and other household items, the Powerline Networking Adapter creates a stable connection that is not affected by external factors. It also features a 56-bit DES link encryption with key management for secure communication, keeping your personal information safe from intruding eyes.
The included installation software requires Windows 2000, XP or Vista 32-bit. The Belkin Powerline Networking Adapter Starter Kit is backed by a lifetime warranty.
What's in the Box Two Powerline Networking Adapters, two Ethernet cables, two power cords, two wall plug adapters, quick installation guide, and CD with installation software and user manual.

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NETGEAR HDX101 Powerline HD Ethernet Adapter Review

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(More customer reviews)I've been looking for a way to avoid running network cabling around my entire home. I tried the wireless route, and did not find the technology quite there yet for VoIP, Online Gaming and HD Streaming. When I stumbled upon the new PowerLine HD products. While this technology has been around for a while, this was the first time it looked mature enough to be "acceptable" in my network. After a little research I settled on the NetGear HDX101's.
This product has performed marvelously. I am using them to bridge various local LANs (PC/Gaming, 360/Entertainment Center)I have in my home to the broadband router. At each HDX101 I am getting at least 100Mbs tx and rx. I then use a switch for each local network to connect all of the networked devices at that location. VoIP, online gaming and normal web surfing all going on at the same time worked great. Streaming media to the 360 from the PC, flawless.
I heartily recommend this product to anyone who wants a fast network and doesn't want to bother running cable through the house.

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The NETGEAR HDX101 Powerline HD Ethernet Adapter turns any electrical power outlet into a network connection. If you're looking for a fast, easy way to provide Ethernet connectivity to just about any device in your home, then this handy adapter is an excellent solution. The HDX101 gives you the bandwidth you need for high-quality video streaming, gaming, and VoIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol), without the headaches of running expensive Ethernet cables all over your home.With simple plug-and-play installation, this device turns any electrical outlet into a network connection. This compact, handy device delivers up to 200 Mbps to any outlet, and with no software required, you'll be ready to network your home right out of the box.
This is an ideal solution for connecting PCs, game consoles, digital media adapters such as NETGEAR's EVA8000, or a Skype cordless phone such as NETGEAR's SPH200D to your home network. Here's how it works: plug one HDX101 into your router and a nearby electrical socket, then plug a second HDX101 into any electrical socket that is conveniently located near the device you want to network. Each HDX101 has a built-in Quality of Service (QoS) that enables smooth streaming, awesome gaming performance, and uninterrupted VoIP telephone calls. The bottom line is, you get a powerful, seamless home network that runs on your existing wiring.
Please note that this product comes with only one HDX101 adapter. You'll need to buy at least two adapters to start your network, or you can purchase the NETGEAR HDXB101 Powerline HD Ethernet Adapter Kit which comes equipped with two HDX101 adapters. The Powerline HD Ethernet Adapter makes it a breeze to transfer large files to a network storage device, such as the NETGEAR Storage Central Turbo SC101 or the ReadyNAS NV+ RND4250. It supports up to 16 HDX101 units on one home network; and it easily coexists with a host of NETGEAR's HomePlug compatible products.
System requirements include a device for connection, e.g. an available RJ-45 Ethernet port, and Microsoft Windows Vista, XP or 2000 to modify encryption and settings. Microsoft Vista drivers are available at www.netgear.com/vista.
Note: Although the HDX101 may coexist with HomePlug 1.0 products, it is not compatible or interoperable with NETGEAR's XE104, XEPS103, XE103, XE102, or WGXB102 Powerline products.
In addition, this device can deliver up to 200 Mbps of throughput. The actual data throughput will vary depending on network conditions and environmental factors, such as network traffic volume, building material and construction, and network overhead.
What's in the Box One NETGEAR HDX101 Powerline HD Ethernet Adapter, Ethernet cable, installation guide, setup CD, warranty card, and support and information card.

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Cisco-Linksys WAPPOE12 12 Volt Power Over Ethernet Adapter Kit Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I used this to allow me to place my wireless access point in a location that does not currently have a local power source. Suffice it to say, this product is a cheaper investment then hiring an electrician.
As noted in the cons, you may want to limit the use of this to 10/100 speed products. This may not be the best solution for your router/gateways.
It's very easy to install and works perfect. I like the fact that it came with it's own power supply. It also came with a cat 5e cable. Now for the pros and cons...
Pros
============
- Easy to install
- Perfect compliment to wireless access points
- Very inexpensive option, when compared to installing a new outlet
Cons
============
- It's heavy and more bulky then I expected. It seems unusual for just sending a DC current
- I wish it didn't have the 'built-in' cat 5 whips. I would have preferred that they supply the whips, with an option to use something else. It's mostly an issue on the switch side. I have this dongle hanging from the switch and it wants to pull the switch off the table. No issue if your switch is somehow mounted
- It appears to be only compatible with Linksys products. Not that big of an issue, but if I wanted to use a different brand access point, this goes out the window
- Appears to only transmit at 10/100. So if you have a 802.11 N AP, you may not be able to take advantage of the full speed.
Although my cons list is larger then the pros, I would still recommend this product for anyone that would like to move their WAP to a remote location.

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-The Linksys 12 Volt Power Over Ethernet Adapter Kit lets you put your access points almost anywhere, by removing the requirement of nearby power outlets. By using the existing Category 5 Ethernet cabling to deliver power to many standard 12 volt access points and other network devices, you save the time, hassle, and expense of running AC power to the access point s installation location. -The best position for a wireless access point is usually on the ceiling, in the center of the area to be covered. Second best would be high on a nearby wall. Unfortunately, theres usually no easily accessible AC power plugs available in these locations. With the Power Over Ethernet Adapter Kit, installing the access point in these preferred spots becomes far less trouble. -The 12 Volt Power Over Ethernet Adapter Kit is a two piece set.

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Gigabit Powerline HD Starter Kit Review

Average Reviews:

(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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ZyXEL PLA470 200 Mbps Powerline HomePlug AV Desktop Adapter with Built-In 4-Port 10/100 Fast Ethernet Switch Review

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(More customer reviews)It's true that HomePlug AV nodes cannot intercommunicate with HomePlug 1.0 nodes. ZyXEL and most, if not all, other HomePlug AV hardware manufacturers are derelict in not pointing out that fact. As an engineer who works with HomePlug almost full-time, I know that AV kicks 1.0's tail in terms of bitrate versus SNR. That doesn't excuse ZyXEL's dereliction, but it gives you cause to ponder retiring your HomePlug 1.0 hardware and replacing it with HomePlug AV hardware. Even if you think you won't benefit sufficiently from HomePlug AV's nominal 14x bitrate improvement, you might need AV's ability to reach more electrical outlets in your building with a bitrate that is usable for your application.
There's another compatibility matter to be aware of. When I examined a new PLA-470 the other day, I was disappointed, but not surprised, to find that the version of firmware installed in the HomePlug AV chipset is an old, pre-standard version, 1.4.5, that is not truly HomePlug-AV compliant and, more importantly, that cannot intercommunicate with subsequent firmware versions. I have not checked to see whether ZyXEL provides the means to upgrade the firmware of the HomePlug-AV chipset. The newest version is 3.0.5. For more detail on the topic of HomePlug-AV-chipset firmware, see my review of the Linksys PLE200.

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NETGEAR XE103 85 Mbps Powerline Network Adapter Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I like hard data as well as opinions, and could not find much on this device. I tested these units for my own benefit, and provide the test, analysis, and my opinion to assist you.
Description/Test Setup/Notes
Description:
Determine Netgear XE103 throughput in real life situation.
Comparison with 802.11B wireless throughput in the same test situation.
Test Setup:
Two Windows XP SP2 endpoints with intervening switch.
XE103 Route - Computer1:Switch:XE103:Power Wiring:XE103:Computer2
802.11B Route - Computer1:Switch:802.11B AP:Air:802.11B PCMCIA:Computer2
Test based upon transfer of folder from Computer1 to Computer2.
Size of transfer = 376 MB (395,129,843 bytes).
No other devices on network, except those described.
No other activity on test computers, other than transfer monitoring.
Test results will be time of transfer.
Transfer monitored by network bandwidth monitoring software.
Netgear Encyption Utility, supplied with XE103, displays connection rates.
The XE103 devices are using maximum encryption supported, 56-bit.
The 802.11B devices are using maimum encryption supported, 128-bit.
All values recorded for comparison and analysis.
Notes:
The XE103 devices are affected by household wiring.
Quoted 85Mbps rate will only be found where devices in very close proximity.
Computer2 is located close to AP for 802.11B maximum rate and signal
reliability.
Computer2 is not located in same room as Computer1, power line routing
unknown, but not a great physical distance.
The XE103 provides extra security and network partitioning by using a
network identifier. All devices that will communicate together are
configured by the user to use the same network identifier.
Special Notes:
When comparing bps and Bps, there are some general rules of thumb.
In wired LAN environments, rule of thumb is 10 bits per byte, resulting in a 10:1 ratio between bps (bits-per-second) and Bps (bytes-per-second).
In wireless LAN environments, rule of thumb is 20 bits per byte (extra framing overhead, encryption), resulting in a 20:1 ratio.
Though not exact, you may find these values useful in comparing products.
In both wired and wireless cases, manufacturers quote highest rate possible at the lowest communications level.Test Results:
XE103
Netgear Utility displayed rate between XE103 devices = 42 Mbps
Bandwidth Monitor displayed rate = 1.2 MBps
Transfer time = 372 seconds = 1,062,177 Bps802.11B
Device setup utility displayed maximum signal and rate = 11 Mbps
Bandwidth Monitor displayed rate = 462 KBps
Transfer time = 985 seconds = 401,147 BpsTest Analysis:
The XE103 performed 2.65 faster over the 802.11B in a timed comparison.Product Opinion:
I have noticed that the Netgear Utility shows flunctuating rate values during different time periods. The lowest rate has been 18 Mbps, highest 45 Mbps.
The XE103 is at a premium price when compared with other powerline models.
If similar test data can be found, it may be more cost effective to use a less expensive model (manufacturer quoted as 14 Mbps).
If Internet surfing is main desire for the remote computer, then comparison of ISP provider rate to these tests results should be done.
For highest security and speed, nothing will surpass a wired network.
Powerline and wireless are a great convenience.
Judge which is best by comparing your needs and desires for speed and
security.
I hope that this helps in your research.


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The NETGEAR XE103 85 Mbps Powerline Network Adapter lets you easily extend a network using just the existing electric lines of your home, eliminating the need to run unsightly Ethernet wires all over your house or apartment. At 85 Mbps, you'll have more than enough speed to download music, stream videos, and make internet telephone calls without any hiccups.
True Plug and Play Installation Extending a network using the electric lines in your home requires two XE103 units. Simply plug one of them into a wall outlet and connect it to your router with an Ethernet cord. Plug the second one into the wall outlet where you need a network connection and connect it to any Ethernet-ready device. That's it. There's no software to install. You can create as many network connections as you need by connecting more XE103 units wherever you need them. The device has easy-to-read icon LEDs for status information at a glance.
Fast Performance The XE103 supports speeds up to 85 Mbps which is enough for multiple video streams without interruptions. The XE103 has a 10/100 Ethernet port with which you can connect a PC, gaming console, Slingbox, DVR, NETGEAR's SC101T Storage Central Turbo or ReadyNAS NV+, or another networkable device. In order to enable encryption, you need a computer with Windows Vista, XP, or 2000.
What's in the Box XE103 85 Mbps Powerline Network Adapter, installation guide, Ethernet cable, setup CD, warranty/support information card.

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Panasonic BL-PA100KTA Ethernet Adaptor Starter Pack Includes two HD-PLC (High Definition Power Communication) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I researched competing products from DLink and NetGear online and read numerous reviews. Any of the HD-PLC products should perform similarly in the same situation. Before deciding on a powerline Ethernet product be sure to understand that the quality of your home wiring and the distance the signal must travel all can affect the performance of the product. Poor quality wiring or very long electrical runs may limit performance.
What I liked most about the Panasonic product is that the kit which includes two units is preconfigured, so it works right out of the box without any special configuration. I didn't have to install ANY software to get my network running. I plugged in one unit to my Internet router, and the other unit into a power outlet in a nearby office. Once I connected the Ethernet cable, I was up and running. It was really that easy.
One nice thing with this unit is that you can run a speed test from the unit itself, with the front LED's displaying the estimated network performance. This was handy as I tried different outlet combinations to acheive the best performance. As a side note, I found that plugging the "Master" unit into an outlet as close as possible to the breaker box yeilded the best results. By putting the master as close to the break box as possible (electrica wiring distance) I was able to get a much better signal. I have the master unit in a downtairs room that is about 40' from the breaker box, and the secondary unit in an upstairs office that is about 65' feet from the breaker box.
Note that any powerline Ethernet product is susceptible to interference from other devices. Pay attention to the manual regarding the types of devies that can cause interference, and avoid ever pluggint the device into a surge protector, since that will greatly limit performance.
An additional nice feature of the Panasonic unit compared with DLink and NetGear is that the unit has a power cable. This allows me to plug it into "hidden" outlets, and then place the box in an easy to reach location. Both the NetGear and DLink products are a box that plugs directly into the outlet. This makes them more difficult to access, especially if you want to look at the box to see what it is doing. I like that the Panasonic can sit nicely on the corner of my desk and I can see the lights. I also suspect that the Panasonic will operate cooler since it can be placed in locations where there is air flow all around the unit.
Performance will vary by house and situation. I have a gigabit network switch that connects my machine directly to a server. When I copy a 50 megabyte file to my server using Windows XP, it takes 8 to 9 seconds to copy a 50 megabyte file. Running the same 50 megabyte file copy to a machine on the HD-PLC network connection took about 27 seconds. This seems to be pretty good performance overall. Note that "speed test" is only as good as what is being tested. My test was a real world test under Windows XP copying a 50 megabyte ZIP file.

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The HD-PLC (High Definition Power Line Communication) ethernet adaptor makes it possible for your home electrical wiring to serve as a link between your PC and modem. Getting online access is as easy as plugging into a power outlet. You can move your PC and connect to the internet anywhere there is a power outlet in your home!

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Belkin 200 Mbps Powerline 3-Port Adapter (Black) Review

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(More customer reviews)This worked better for me than my wireless but wasn't as good has hardwired. I did several test of transferring a 101MB file from one PC to another on my LAN. I had one PC upstairs on my 2nd level and one PC on my ground level. The two outlets I used for the Belkin 200 Mbps Powerline 3-Port Adapter were on a different circuit breaker (I never did do speed test on the same breaker to compare those speeds). When using the Belkin 200 Mbps Powerline 3-Port Adapter it averaged transferring this file across my LAN in around 30 seconds, so around 3.4 MB/s or (27.2 Mbps). The highest transfer speed I saw in my test was 5.0 MB/s (or 40 Mbps). As you can see nowhere near the claimed 200 Mbps. I also tested copying this same file over my wireless network using a linksys wrt54gs router and linksys wpc54gs wireless PCMCIA card. The wireless connection averaged transferring the 101MB file in about 1 minutes 15 seconds, so around 1.3 MB/s (or 10.4 Mbps). The highest transfer speed I saw in my test over wireless was 2.3 MB/s or 18.4 Mbps. When I transferred this 101MB file over a hardwired LAN cable it averaged at about 17 seconds, so around 6.0 MB/s (or 48 Mbps). I forgot to check the highest transfer rate I saw in this test. I also tested copying over a large file of 1.54GB on my LAN with the Belkin 200 Mbps Powerline 3-Port Adapter and did see a better average time with transferring this larger file. I averaged copying this file in 5 minutes and 54 seconds, so about 4.4 MB/s (or 35.2 Mbps). I bought this device to connect to my PS3, and it has worked well for me so far. I also have PS3 Media Server installed on one of my PC's upstairs and it is able to stream video to my PS3 downstairs rather well, something the wireless connection I was using previous to buying the Belkin Adapter struggled with sometimes. I can now stream HD content from my media center PC from upstairs to my PS3. Another big plus is that I didn't have to drill any holes in the walls to run a LAN cable downstairs.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Belkin 200 Mbps Powerline 3-Port Adapter (Black)

If you need multiple ultra-high-speed network connections in the farthest reaches of your home, the Belkin Powerline AV+ Starter Kit is just what you've been looking for. This kit includes everything you need to create three network connections that provide data speeds of up to 200 Mbps using your home's existing electrical wiring.
Create a Small Office in Your Attic With the Belkin Powerline AV+ Starter Kit, you can send high-bandwidth content from the Internet to computers and network devices all over your home through the electrical wiring in your house. This kit lets you convert any electrical outlet in your home into three network connections.

This kit is the perfect solution for setting up an office with multiple network devices. For instance, if you'd like to set up a work space in the attic or another room where a wireless signal is weak, the Powerline AV+ makes networking simple. You don't need to drill holes to extend Ethernet cable, and you won't have to worry about the slow data speeds and intermittent dropouts that weak wireless connections are plagued with. Additionally, unlike wireless connections, the Powerline network connection isn't affected by factors such as cordless telephones and other wireless interference.

There is no performance penalty that comes with the convenience of the Powerline AV; data speeds along at up to 200 Mbps, meaning it can handle even heavy Internet usage, such as downloading and streaming music and video files, playing online games, and making VoIP phone calls, all without any lag time or hiccups.

Enhanced Security Keeps Out Snoopers There is no need to worry about security either; with 128-bit DES link encryption, the Powerline AV ensures that your information is safe and secure from intruders. Since the information is all transferred with wires, hackers can't simply sniff your information out of the air, as they easily can with insecure wireless connections.

Simple Plug-and-Play Setup Setup is as simple as plugging one adapter into a wall outlet and connecting it into your router, and then plugging the other adapter into an outlet where you need multiple network connections. This kit includes two adapters: one adapter has a single port to connect to your cable modem, and the second adapter has three ports so you can create multiple network connections. If you have need for another connection, just purchase an additional adapter.

The Belkin Powerline AV+ is HomePlug AV certified, can coexist with HomePlug 1.0, and is compliant with 802.3/802.3u standards. It is backed by a lifetime warranty.

What's in the Box Two Powerline Networking Adapters (one single-port, one three-port), two Ethernet cables, two power cords, two wall plug adapters, quick installation guide, and CD-ROM with installation software and user manual.



Belkin Powerline AV with Amazon Video on DemandWith Amazon Video on Demand, you can instantly watch thousands of movies and TV shows online. Now, instead of watching videos on your computer, you can stream it to your home theater for a premium viewing experience. To get the best streaming video quality, update your home theater and home network by adding Belkin Powerline AV to your Amazon Video on Demand. Belkin Powerline offers the best bandwidth and fastest speeds for the ultimate video experience in your home--even in HD. Belkin Powerline is simple to install and faster than any wireless connection--just plug it in and instantly connect to the Internet. Use Powerline to stream high quality video to cable boxes, TiVo, or gaming consoles and show Amazon Video on Demand programs in your home theater as well as any other TV or computer in your home.

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Actiontec HLE200AV0-01GK MegaPlug 200 Mbps Powerline HomePlug A/V Gaming Adapter Kit (White) Review

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(More customer reviews)Having been dealing with a weak wireless connection throughout our home, especially when we stream HD movies through our 360 and while gaming.... I jumped when I saw that this product was available.
I handed the box to my hubby LOL and he slowly began connecting everything. First he plugged one near our router which is located in a closet and the other one by our XBOX 360. A minute later the eternet cables were connected and VIOLA!!! That is it. It couldn't have been any easier... a monkey could have done it (sorry to my hubby). Instantly there was a difference while he tested it with the gaming applications. IT handled it effortlessly. The connection wasn't dropped as it would have been atleast twice a night beforehand. Then came the streaming of the HD content ( I AM SAM)... once again... it was quick and there wasn't any buffering like we had before when there was a lot of action in the scene. It works and it is a wonderful solution for hard-core gamers that can't handle the response that they receive from a sometimes sketchy wireless connection. If you NEED to be wired in many applications... not only one; and don't want to run a million wires all over your home; then this would be a sound investment. IT is a touch pricey, so that is why I say it should only be for a hard-core gamer.
Also, most do rent and they do not have the luxury of having their wires running hidden throughout their walls; hence the ugly black cords spider-weaving in many renters apartments in NY. This would be the solution to end that.
The downside... it is clunky and it takes up outlet space. Another pet peeve... you have to have outlets near the product you want it to "wire".
Highly recommend... at a price drop.


Click Here to see more reviews about: Actiontec HLE200AV0-01GK MegaPlug 200 Mbps Powerline HomePlug A/V Gaming Adapter Kit (White)

Actiontec's MegaPlug Powerline 200 Mbps HomePlug A/V Gaming Kit creates the online gaming network you crave! Using the existing power outlets in your home, you can enjoy up to 200 Mbps speeds with less than 3 milliseconds of latency! In addition to your gaming needs, your 200 Mbps Gaming Kit will transfer movies, songs or any other large files faster than you've ever seen. It's easy to set up, universally compatible and provides high security. HomePlug AV Certified.

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Ip RJ45 Ethernet Or USB To HDmi Video Converter Review

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(More customer reviews)I have been using this at my office for about a month. Every client we bring into our conference room is impressed that we can give presentations without any wires. The only dissapointing thing about it is that your mouse jumps around on the tv and things take a few seconds to display. Overall a great product that I would recommend to others!

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ZyXEL PLA-450 200 Mbps Powerline HomePlug AV 802.11g Wireless Access Point Review

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(More customer reviews)We recently built out our basement and before I spent the time and money to cat5 my whole house or possibly add a second cable modem, I decided to give the PLA-450 + 1 PLA-401 a try. To my amazement, I saw no degradation of speed when connected to the PLA-450 wirelessly at a reasonable range than I did when connected directly to my cable modem. This powerline duo smokes. My cable modem is on the second floor and my primary DLink wireless router is connected to it. Needless to say, getting great coverage from the second floor to my basement was not possible on the DLink. So the PLA-450 acts as my second wireless router (called an access point) allowing me to plug it into any wall outlet in the house. You do have to have at least 1 PLA-401 (connected to the primary router) and then your powerline link is complete. The PLA-450 is a good wireless device permeating interior walls with ease and maintaining reasonably strong reception with my laptop - even with a floor in between. Accessing the PLA-450 device via a browser is a little tricky the first time. You have to temporarily change you IP address on your network connection. I called support and they were easy to get ahold of and nice and friendly. The instructions do tell you what is needed so a call is probably not necessary for most users. I am thrilled that I can get near cat5 performance without having to hard-wire my house. A great product that suits my need perfectly.

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Innoband HomePlug AV Wireless N Starter Kit Review

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(More customer reviews)The Good: Bridges Ethernet devices and extends Wi-Fi coverage using *existing power lines*. Performance is exceptional.
The Bad: Setup is less than straightforward. Documentation is limited.
The Ugly: The 210P-I1 access point's antenna is poorly designed and fragile.
I purchased this product because Wi-Fi reception in my kitchen (which has a lot of stainless steel cabinets and is far away from our Linksys WRT54G Wireless-G Router) is poor.
Before setting up the Innoband HomePlug Kit, laptop reception in the kitchen was bad but tolerable. However, a Logitech Squeezebox Duet Wi-Fi Internet Radio we purchased recently was unusable. We had to walk out of the kitchen to use the Squeezebox Controller, and the Receiver in the kitchen simply couldn't keep up with the streaming audio. Synching with our older Squeezebox was impossible because both players would cut out for seconds at a time.
When I purchased the HomePlug Kit, I was worried that ethernet over power lines simply wouldn't work or would perform so poorly that it wouldn't be useful. I was also concerned that the 210P-I1 access point would be annoying to configure or incompatible with my 802.11g devices. Finally, I was taking a chance by buying an unreviewed product from a company that I didn't recognize.
But the HomePlug Kit does just what it is advertised to do. Namely, it bridges Ethernet devices and extends wireless coverage over existing power lines. And it does so with exceptional performance--better, it feels like, than my existing wireless network. In fact, after the 210P-I1 access point had been running for a few minutes, all 5 of the devices that had been using my router's Wi-Fi selected the 210P-I1--automatically.
My one major complaint about the HomePlug Kit is the 210P-I1 access point's fragile antenna, which I managed to snap within moments of removing the device from its packaging. The break is only cosmetic (the wiring is intact even though its housing was comepletely separated from the unit) so I decided to use some super glue rather than go through the hassle of a return. But I hope Innoband will address this design flaw in future revisions of the product.
My second, lesser complaint is that although Innoband effectively promises a plug-and-play configuration, the experience is in truth less straightforward. The main issue I found is that the 210P-I1 access point was not configured to work with my home network (it was using a different subnet and wireless network). Which isn't really that surprising, but I had to exercise some trial-and-error in order to get everything configured as desired.
In order to integrate the 210P-I1 with my home network, I had to:
1. Connect my laptop via the supplied Ethernet cable to the 210P-I1.
2. Configure my laptop for the same subnet as the 210P-I1:
IP Address: 192.168.1.1
Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.0
Gateway: 192.168.1.210
3. Connect a web browser to http://192.168.1.210.
4. Reconfigure the 210P-I1 with an IP address on my home network.
A. Click "Lan Setting" [sic]
B. Enter an IP address from my home network (e.g., 192.168.0.NNN for addresses ranging from 192.168.0.0 to 192.168.0.255)*
C. Click "Apply"
* Your specific configuration may vary.
5. Reconfigure my laptop for my home network's subnet. Generally this just means using DHCP, but you can use a static configuration like:
IP Address: 192.168.0.NNN
Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.0
Gateway: 192.168.0.XXX
6. Connect a web browser to http://192.168.0.NNN (i.e., the IP address configured in step #4).
7. Reconfigure the 210P-I1's SSID to match my router's existing SSID.
A. Click "Wireless Settings"
B. Change "Network Name(SSID)" [sic] from "innoband" to "mywifi".
C. Click "Apply"
8. Ensure that my router's wireless channel and the 210P-I1's do *not* overlap.
A. Channels 1, 6, and 11 do not overlap
B. The 210P-I1 access point is already configured to use channel 6
C. I reconfigured my router to use channel 11
9. Ensure that my router uses the same encryption and secret as the 210P-I1.
A. Click "Wireless Settings"
B. Click "Security"
C. Choose the "Security Mode" (WEP or WAP) that matches my router's
D. Enter the WEP key or WAP pass phrase that matches my router's
E. Click "Apply"
Admittedly that's a lot of configuration (and the documentation doesn't cover it adequately), but in the end the Innoband HomePlug Kit does exactly what I need it to do. Which is more than I can say for a lot of products I come across.
I plan on ordering another 200P-I1 (the wired device) to bridge more A/V devices like the Samsung BD-P1600 1080p Blu-ray Disc Player.
p.s., Innoband included a black knit watch cap with the HomePlug Kit they sent me. This was a nice gesture (and not a bad cap either).

Click Here to see more reviews about: Innoband HomePlug AV Wireless N Starter Kit

Compliant with the latest HomePlug AV standards, which support data speeds of up to 200Mbps, the HomePlug AV Wireless N Starter Kit can be used to bridge Ethernet devices such as modems, routers, PCs, set-top-boxes, and game consoles, allowing users to share network access via existing in-home power cabling. What's unique is that the device has an extra built-in 802.11n Access Point, enabling users to enjoy mobility, high-speed wireless connection and better coverage with no more dead zones. Just plug the Innoband HomePlug AV 200P-I1 into any wall power socket, connect a network cable, then plug the HomePlug AV 210P-I1(with antenna) into any wall power socket, and you can easily set up a secure wireless network by pressing the Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS) button. Thus, the adapter can extend your wireless coverage through power lines for multimedia applications such as online games, IPTV and audio streaming from room to room.

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Brite-View 200 Mbps Digital Home Powerline Ethernet Adapter Kit (Two One-Port Adapters) Review

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(More customer reviews)My husband & I purchased a BluRay player by LG, and we are currently Netflix customers. Our router is two rooms away in a 70 year old house, and we thought we'd try this method since Hardwiring to the BR player from the router would be nearly impossible. My husband had this product installed and operating in less than five minutes and we're now enjoying Netflix movies through our BluRay player! Simply plug each unit into an AC outlet, one into the BluRay box & the second into the LAN or WAN port on the back of the router, log on to NetFlix, get your code, enter it, & PRESTO, it's done! Excellent picture audio quality, the circuits for the two are different. Don't purchase two ethernet cords-they are in the box. Go for it, this is a no-brainer!

Click Here to see more reviews about: Brite-View 200 Mbps Digital Home Powerline Ethernet Adapter Kit (Two One-Port Adapters)

Plug & Play for home network extensionThis Powerline device is virtually an Ethernet cable replacement or an Ethernet hub replacement. Two of these Powerline Ethernet Bridge (Switch) devices can be used to replace an Ethernet cable, for connecting any PC to another PC, PC to a DSL modem, or a wireless AP to a DSL device. Two Ethernet devices (PC, DSL modem, or media player, etc.)can connect together at home by using two of these Powerline devices, each of which is plugged on a wall outlet and connected to one of the two Ethernet device at different place at home. Many of this devices can be connected together to form a mesh communication. For example, three PCs can connect to a DSL router for accessing internet via four of these Powerline devices, each PC to one of this Powerline device and the DSL router to the fourth Powerline device.This product has lowest thickness that ensure this wall-mount device won't hinder your home furniture placement near the wall. With the newest Powerline technologies, this product provides the lowest power consumption and support standby mode, which enable users to save significant electric cost after years' of use. It has a significant TCP/UDP applications data throughput, enable HD video to be sent across home without bad image feelings.

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Actiontec MegaPlug 200 Mbps AV Powerline Ethernet Adapter and 4-Port Hub Kit Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)ActionTec plug Av
Very Easy to set up if you had all the instructions.
A quick review and as typical for me an update will follow. I had everything set up and truly believed the Quick Start Guide when it said no configuration required. Unfortunately.... I first disabled my wireless card in the Windows Control Panel just so I would not have any conflicts. Then I plugged in the two devices as described above. The LEDs on both boxes were green and red, sometimes green and yellow. The Guide said "Make sure both lights turn solid green". The guide warns you not to plug the devices into any outlet that is surge protected or filtered, which I did not. Oh well I said, I started moving both boxes into different outlets and could not get both "link" lights to turn green unless they were plugged into the same outlet. Rats I said. There is no explanation in the guide at all as to what to do when the lights are not both green. NO troubleshooting guide at all. I tried to hook up to the Web, but nothing happened.
Here I will save you the trouble of the hour long process that followed, and just tell how you can save yourself the trouble I had
1. It does not really matter what color the "link" light is. It is only the quality of connection indicator. Please go to the [...] website and download the user manual for the HPE400AVP. There is no manual and no CD with the box you buy and in my case it was the critical missing step. Here is the lights portion of the manual
Red means the condition is poor and less than 50Mpbs,
Orange indicates a fair line condition of 50-100Mbps,
Green means the line is in good condition with over 100Mbps throughput.
Of course since I was using wireless previously in a remote location with a 18 Mpbs transfer speed, even a Red light meant a vastly improved connection. The connection speed varies for me between yellow and red, and always is better than the wireless. My wireless was a Linksys WRT54G with the power setting at 75mw, the distance involved was about 50ft with 3 walls in between.
2. There are small black buttons on both boxes, but NO explanation in the User Guide as to what they do. You have to download the manual for that. They are the security enable keys, and you have to go thru a sequence of four timed presses to set it up. In my trials of various outlets in the house, I must have pressed one or both, but in a wrong sequence and must have messed up the communications, hence even with the connection established, I could not connect to the web. At the time I still thought that it was because I had red lights and they needed to be green. I had to reset both boxes using a pin.
3. At this point following the reset, even though the link light on both boxes was red, the Internet magically appeared. So the setup is truly plug and play, unless like me you believe the dreaded step #13 in the quick setup guide "Make sure both lights are green " or you accidentally press the security buttons.
Finally when set up, and even with my troubles it only took an hour. The connection speed to the web as judged by [...] was 50% faster than my best wireless connection and 3 times better than my worst connection. Great product, and only a one star downgrade for no packaged in manual or CD.
Lastly you may also try the following steps to improve your speed at lower costs.
1. Get an antenna with gain for the router and your wireless card (10-30$, 50% improvement)
2. Change the wireless channel in the router utility (G networks conflict with 2.4 ghz cordless phones)
3. Move the antenna even slightly for possible improvement, Use a utility like network stumbler to fine tune the position
4. If available for your wireless router, get an open source custom firmware for it which will allow you to fine tune the antenna transmit power (I use Tomato).
UPDATE
5. Get an inexpensive N standard router with multiple antennas (used to be called MIMO multiple in multiple out). I have picked up one recently and now all my remaining computers have a better signal as well. While you will not get speds higher than G standard of 54mb, you will get closer to nominal. You would ned a N adapter in the pc as well to get all the benefits.
Happy Powerline and Wireless networking.


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Actiontec MegaPlug 200 Mbps AV Powerline Ethernet Adapter and 4-Port Hub Kit

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