Panasonic set to unveil powerline networking prototypes aplenty at CES

Panasonic already has a few powerline networking products to call its own (including the adapters pictured at right), but it looks like it's going to be expanding things in a fairly big way at CES next month, with it even set to bring some electric cars into the mix. That latter bit comes in the form of a prototype networking system that promises to let a variety of devices connect to an electric vehicle as it charges in the garage, letting you ensure that everything is set just right for when you drive out the next day. Other devices apparently on tap include an HD-PLC adapter for a security camera, and an electrical monitoring system of some sort. As you might expect, however, details on any of them are pretty light at the moment, but you can be sure that we'll be digging up what we can as soon as Panasonic officially takes the wraps off 'em.

[Via Digg]

[htd @ Dec 29th 2008 2:07PM]

those are nice but they are usually too much more expensive than wifi solutions

[nicky @ Dec 29th 2008 2:15PM]

damn couldnt get first comment =[

[tom @ Dec 29th 2008 2:15PM]

I thought powerline networking is long dead and the compatibility with other manufacturers' product is nothing but Plug-N-Pray =(

[George @ Dec 29th 2008 2:18PM]

What is Powerline Networking?

[tom @ Dec 29th 2008 2:23PM]

N00b question! - you should be low ranked!

[emagius @ Dec 29th 2008 2:23PM]

Powerline networking/powerline ethernet lets you network your devices using your home's electrical wiring. It's handy for those houses that don't have ethernet sockets all over.

It also performs much, much better than wireless 802.11b/g/n solutions for many/most people.

[mvp @ Dec 29th 2008 2:24PM]

I bet tom didn't know what it was...

[Quikboy @ Dec 29th 2008 2:24PM]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Powerline_networking

Wikipedia is your friend. It's basically an advance wired method of accessing the Internet.

[AJ in the East Bay @ Dec 29th 2008 2:30PM]

I actually use the Panasonic HD-PLCs. I am able to stream .VOB and .ISO DVDs from my NAS on two of three locations in my house. The third location streams Web and music fine, but buffers too much with uncompressed DVDs. It is not a bad product.

[hiroprotagonist @ Dec 29th 2008 2:41PM]

I've used NetGear's powerline networking (the higher end model), and it wasn't the greatest experience. Their product is probably very good, and Panasonic's will be decent, but they are all at the mercy of your wiring. In an older house with not-the-greatest-wiring, the latency was terrible, and the overall speed couldn't compete with wifi. The run the circuit makes can also have a huge impact on the performance. I even got certain lights in the house randomly blinking on and off when the connections were being used!

[AJ in the East Bay @ Dec 29th 2008 4:56PM]

@hiroprotagonist:

Wow, if you had blinking lights around the house, then yes, I'd say you had/have some "not-so-great" wiring. I've used the Netgear powerline adapters before, but the lower end model (11Mbps). Those could just stream audio. Moving files was awful slow.

[Wwhat @ Dec 30th 2008 12:50AM]

I think that if your wiring reacts that bad the thing works as a great warning to fix the wiring before you wake up on fire in a carbonised case heh. Seriously, look into it, you can slowly update parts if you lack funding for a big job.
Mind you I'd first call the powercompany because it does sound like the whole mains frequency and stability is screwy and that might be their transformer and such needing an update, at their cost :)

[Roman @ Dec 29th 2008 3:01PM]

I've got Linksys Powerline adapters for streaming hd mkv files from the basement NAS to a Popcorn Hour A-110 in the TV room, the software says the connection between them is 90Mbps, but it it still gets choppy when playing 1080p files, 720p works though. I hope they have full gigabit models in the future. Whats the speed on this one?

[Mike @ Dec 29th 2008 3:33PM]

The Panasonic units are rated at 70 Mbps according to the spec sheet.

[FuzzyCat @ Dec 29th 2008 4:44PM]

You can get 200mbps powerline modules that are specifically designed for AV stuff.

eg

http://linitx.com/viewproduct.php?prodid=11898

You can also get versions that have a passthru plug.

[Rob @ Dec 29th 2008 3:32PM]

I have a pair of these, or whatever model Panasonic has out right now, and they work great. It's a bit tricky to set them up initially because different outlets can put out a different strength. So, you have to test out the ones in the room you're planning on using them in. Once that's out of the way, they work great. I have one next to my 2nd floor router, and a second one in the living room (ground floor) attached to a switch. I can browse internet without any issues, stream videos, music, and pix from WHS. I went this route because it offers better security and is easier than dealing with wireless. I'm experienced setting up wireless. But, it's too temperamental for my taste.

I bought mine from a third party via Amazon for around $36 per unit. It was much cheaper, and less of a hassle, than going wireless.

[Grammar freak @ Dec 29th 2008 3:33PM]

I had some old intel ones for a while before wifi really caught on. They were terrible and unreliable and had to be reset frequently. I really don't see any future for powerline in a wireless world.

[FuzzyCat @ Dec 30th 2008 4:59AM]

So you tried powerline ages ago (pre-wifi), perhaps you should try again as things have got a lot lot better. Setup can be as simple as pressing a button on the front, moving to the next unit and pressing the button on the front providing simple, encrypted configuration without requiring a PC.

As I pointed out earlier, there are 200Mbps versions which give increased speed. Powerline technology is perfect for devices that have hardwired ethernet and no wifi - some products get sold in 2 versions (with wifi and without) and generally the price difference is more than the cost of a powerline module. There are things like the Keane IR Anywhere (IR over tcp/ip) that don't come in a wireless version at all - powerline solves that problem pretty well. You can also get units with a passthru plug socket so you still have the socket available.

I use powerline modules and have done for years with no problems at all - I even imported one of the first units from Hong Kong way back in 2002 (prices were ~$150 per unit then!!). Back then there were some issue with using a switch plugged in (irratic behaviour) but this is a problem of the past - with the exception of IP phone locations, everywhere I have a powerline unit I have a little 8 port 3Com switch so one powerline device can server multiple networked equipment. You can now even get units with 3 network ports built in.

So, while powerline DID have issues a long time ago there's really nothing to complain about now. If you get the chance and have the need then I'd recommend that you give powerline another go.

[Aztek @ Dec 29th 2008 4:11PM]

These things work great. I had these for over a year. Faster then wireless I feel.

[Wwhat @ Dec 30th 2008 12:58AM]

And more secure and when you use powerline for media it's not interfering if you get wifi for your internet, best of both worlds, and you can get wifi routers from reputable brands for as low as $20.
Pity those powerline ethernet products are still a bit pricey though, but you gotta spend to make the economy survive I guess.

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[Greg Legowski @ Jan 2nd 2009 11:48AM]

I use the HD-PLC's to connect the Dish receiver and Sony BR deck in my living room to the net (master in the wiring closet off the patch panel, slave in the living room, 5-port switch on the slave, Dish 622 and Sony BR on the switch). Works perfectly -- didn't have to try to route a new CAT5e/6 cable along an outside wall (pain in the ass), don't have to leave my wireless enabled (and buy a wireless bridge/two wireless adapters, plus I snagged the HD-PLC's on sale at Amazon for $30 each -- not even too expensive).

I think the cool idea here is the ability to sync devices in a plug-in hybrid. Put a car PC in your trunk and update the MP3s/podcasts/what have you while charging.

[René @ Jan 26th 2009 8:53AM]

I recently bought from Conceptronic a Media Giant Pro -- it arrived with a built in Powerline mains connector and an Ethernet /mains Powerline adapter to network the Media Giant with my desktop in another room .
The computer and the Media Giant are the only two items on the "network "
The computer is running Vista Home Premium .
The setup for Media Giant includes a tab for wired connectivity and another for Auto connectivity .
I used the Auto connectivity tab and entered the IP address from my computer's ethernet card .
When connected the Media Giant cannot see the computer -- and vice versa .
The Network connection on the computer shows "limited connectivity " and the Media Giant shows "no connectivity "
I contacted Conceptronic Support -- They furnished me with standard IPaddresses to use for both the Media Giant and my computer --using these made no difference whatsoever .

They also told me that "usually these are connected to routers which have DHCP Automatic IP addressing .

I have changed all my Vista settings to allow traffic / share folders / share files / share media .
I have setup a user partition on my computer called "media giant " .

I have ensured that the computer and the Media Giant are both on the same circuit breaker on the distribution board.

So far I have spent 3 days trying to get some connectivity with this technology -- described as "simple -- just plug in " .

I have used the same card / port on the desktop to connect to my wife's laptop -- via an ethernet cable -- no problem whatsoever .

This latest electronic marvel tops the bill of " complex nonsense posing as a solution " -- its even worse than my Geniatech USB dvb-s card -- and that was a truly awful experience !!!

[Host Review @ Feb 19th 2009 4:45AM]

I will never try this thing as long as my wireless router is coping my needs. I mean, it is too early to tell whether it is perfect for home uses or not.