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I-O Data busts out new powerline routers

by Donald Melanson, posted Jul 3rd 2007 at 12:03PM

Japan's I-O Data has introduced a pair of new routers for those looking to get in on the powerline networking action, with one of the two also offering some WiFi for good measure. From the looks of it, the only other difference between the two appears to be the color, with each boasting the same HD-PLC capabilities, 128-bit AES security, and the requisite blinkin' lights to let you know what's going on. No on what what they'll cost, but they should both be available in Japan next month.

[Via Akihabara News]

Sharp's HN-VA40S HomePlug AV 4-port Ethernet HUB: HD streaming over electrical wiring

by Thomas Ricker, posted Jun 25th 2007 at 5:09AM

High definition video streaming over power jacks? We say bring it Sharp, if you can. Meet the HN-VA40S pair, a HomePlug AV 1.1 PowerLine Computing (PLC) solution with the promise of an effective 85Mbps (200Mbps theoretical) across your home's electrical outlets -- ample bandwidth and QoS to stream HD video throughout the home. The ¥17,000 (about $137) HN-VA10 adapter feeds whatever data you bung down its Ethernet jack to the 4-port, ¥13,000 (about $105) HN-VA40 Ethernet hub plugged into any outlet up to 150-meters away. Better yet, save a few bills and buy the set for about ¥24,000 (about $194) when these ship August 24th in Japan. Don't be shy now; you can connect up to 16 units to the same network although we'd suggest waiting for a review before dropping that much dough.

[Via Impress]

Pioneer's MT-01 music tap PLC sound system gets a date

by Thomas Ricker, posted Apr 24th 2007 at 9:27AM

Well, well, who do we have here? Looks like Pioneer's MT-01 Power Line Sound System will finally get a push out the door. Mid-July to be exact-ish though it's unclear if that date represents a global, or Japan-only release. Pioneer seems to have rebranded the whole Power Line Communciation (PLC) audio kit under a "music tap" family of products, although their UK arm still lists it with a legacy MT-01 badge. As for pricing, we expect the complete kit (Sound Station control unit + 2x25W speaker + small 5W speaker) to hit for ¥68,000 (about $574) with an additional ¥14,000 ($118) required to network your iPod. Of course, the individual speakers are sold separately as well: ¥27,000 ($228) for the biggie or ¥19,000 ($160) for the 5W job. But with all the trouble Pioneer's had bringing this to market, you'd be well served to wait for the reviews before laying out the heavy cash on a home-wide system.

[Via Impress]