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powerline posts

Belkin's Gigabit Powerline Adapter ups the ante for electrical outlet networking

by Ross Miller, posted Jun 22nd 2009 at 7:46PM

We don't know exactly how, but Belkin's claiming its new Gigabit Powerline HD Starter Kit adapters can outpace the current 200Mbps standard speed of most other powerline devices (not all of them, mind you) by five fold. Of course, the caveat here is that the touted 1000Mbps is under ideal settings, and there's no telling what other network traffic, interference, or problematic wiring could lower that figure -- still, assuming all conditions are sound, we're talking some hefty numbers for an HD streaming network run via your home's electrical system. It's available now in North America at a penny under $150 for a pair of adapters, with a European release in early August.

D-Link ships $139.99 PowerLine HD Ethernet Adapter Starter Kit

by Darren Murph, posted Apr 15th 2009 at 3:19PM

While we wait for the phenomenon that is wireless HD to actually matter, D-Link's forging ahead with technology that's here, now. Starting today, the outfit is shipping a new PowerLine kit that can stream high-def footage throughout a home's integrated electrical wiring system. In other words, it's not wireless, but it's far from being messy. The PowerLine HD Ethernet Adapter Starter Kit (DHP-303) includes a pair of wall plugs / adapters which convert power sockets into access points for streaming media across the network. D-Link promises that users will see up to 200Mbps of throughput, and of course, the tried-and-rarely-true "plug-and-play" buzzword is thrown in as well. Assuming it actually works, the $139.99 asking price ain't too bad.

Gallery: D-Link ships $139.99 PowerLine HD Ethernet Adapter Starter Kit

HomePlug Alliance hits some milestones, rallies the troops at CES

by Steven Kim, posted Jan 7th 2009 at 3:10PM

We've been disappointed by the fits and starts that powerline technology has suffered in the past, but an honest look over the past year's HomePlug Alliance achievements isn't without bright spots. Growth in the install base (now at 25 million devices), products and vendors (18 new members) are nothing to sneeze at, and HomePlug AV2's promise of 600Mbps speeds sounds promising going forward. Kicking of at CES this week and moving forward, the alliance wants to see lots more household connectivity for HDTV, HDMI and all manner of data transfer you want to get done without tearing down the sheetrock in your home. Could this be the year that HomePlug really takes off, or will disappointing real-world performance continue to dog the technology? Hit the link for the alliance's rosy view and let us know your predictions in the comments.

Continue reading HomePlug Alliance hits some milestones, rallies the troops at CES

Panasonic set to unveil powerline networking prototypes aplenty at CES

by Donald Melanson, posted Dec 29th 2008 at 2:00PM

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]

Netgear's HDXB111 / XAVB101 powerline adapters now shipping

by Darren Murph, posted Nov 17th 2008 at 10:18AM

It took 'em long enough, but Netgear has at long last decided to ship the two powerline adapters it announced way back at CES in January. The Powerline AV Ethernet Adapter Kit (XAVB101; pictured above), which is based on the HomePlug AV standard, and the UPA-based HDXB111 Powerline HD Plus Ethernet Adapter Kit (which is obviously capable of transmitting HD footage) can both be snapped up in time for the holidays. Each set is designed for plug 'n play action and for those who'd rather network their wares via installed cabling instead of running something new. Of course, performance is always the questionable aspect of these type devices, but those with faith (and a North American address) can finally lay down their $149.99 / $169.99 and get busy. The full release and a shot of the HDXB111 can be found after the break.

Continue reading Netgear's HDXB111 / XAVB101 powerline adapters now shipping

D-Link's Internet Surveillance kit lets you see two rooms over

by Darren Murph, posted Jul 15th 2008 at 11:25AM

Okay, let's get this straight. If D-Link is marketing its new $499.95 Internet Surveillance Starter Kit (and $399.95 Expansion Kit, for the hardcore snoopers) as a method for spying on someone residing within your domicile (save for your infant), you probably need a family counselor -- not a gimmicky IP camera. Now, if D-Link is hoping to tickle the fancy of geeks who'd rather check out a room in low resolution rather than taking four or five steps down the hall, we're pretty terrified about the fate of humanity. Still, the weird(est) part about this thing is the D-Life website which it ties into. Video of your home piped through someone else's servers -- need we say more?

[Via eHomeUpgrade]

Belkin revamps routers, introduces N+ gear, new powerline devices

by Nilay Patel, posted Jul 10th 2008 at 9:53AM

Belkin isn't just touting its new FlyWire gear today, it's also taking the opportunity to introduce the new F5D8235-4 N+ Wireless Router, which brings with it a new design language for all of the company's networking gear. The vertically-oriented unit features four Gigabit Ethernet port, a USB port to attach storage devices, push-button WPS security, and front-panel icons that turn from blue to amber if there's a problem on the network. Not bad for $120, but we'll save our love for the 5GHz gear. (There's also an N unit without Gigabit ports and a pair of G routers, but really, who cares?) In addition, there's a matching $99 USB WiFi adapter that shares the glossy black finish, and while we're at it, let's throw in three Powerline kits: a $179 three-port 200Mbps adapter,, a $149 200Mbps adapter two-oack, and a $99 85Mbps two-pack. Photos of the stick and Powerline gear after the break.

Read - Belkin N+ Wireless Router and USB stick
Read - The other three routers
Read - Powerline adapters

Continue reading Belkin revamps routers, introduces N+ gear, new powerline devices

FCC's broadband over power lines expansion hits major snag

by Joshua Fruhlinger, posted Apr 28th 2008 at 8:39PM

If you're waiting for broadband over power lines (BPL) as an alternative to cable or DSL in your area, it may be time to finally give in to one of the big companies. The American Radio Relay League (ARRL) -- a group of amateur radio enthusiasts -- has sued the FCC over its plan to speed up BPL's expansion, citing concerns that the service's radio emissions provide too many interference risks to the hobby / ham spectrum. While the FCC conducted a favorable study on BPL's potential problems, their published report had so many redacted sections that the ARRL wants to know what they missed. A D.C. district court agrees with the League, and plans for further rollout have been tabled until the FCC can come up with more facts.

En-Twyn's En-Compass incorporates Powerline into socket

by Darren Murph, posted Mar 8th 2008 at 3:40PM

CeBIT and Powerline seem to have a thing for one another, and sure enough, this year we're seeing yet another firm storm onto the scene in an attempt to advance the flagging technology. London-based En-Twyn set up shop in Germany to showcase its En-Compass, which doesn't require any special wall cutouts and differs from most other Powerline systems by packing its electronics on the backside. In other words, you won't have any unsightly adapters protruding from the front. Beyond that, everything else works as expected -- Ethernet signals travel over your existing home wiring setup -- but unfortunately, the product is still stuck in prototype stage at the moment.

ZyXEL intros DMA1100P HomePlug AV digital media adapter

by Darren Murph, posted Jan 7th 2008 at 2:00PM

HomePlug's had a rocky past, but ZyXEL's looking to take the technology to new heights with the DMA1100P HomePlug AV digital media adapter. Dubbed a "simple solution" to enable consumers to share content on an HDTV via power lines, the "world's first" DMA with integrated HomePlug AV Powerline technology includes support for 1080i streaming and HDMI output. Purportedly, users can toss content around on their home power lines at around 200Mbps and it also "automatically discovers all media files from DLNA supported devices and makes them available for browsing and playback." Granted, we'd be a wee bit gun-shy about pulling the trigger on this one, but the brave souls out there who believe that this stuff will deliver can grab it next month for $269.99.

DS2 announces 400Mbps powerline networking

by Evan Blass, posted Oct 19th 2007 at 10:18AM

Forget 200Mbps powerline home networking -- and don't even mention your poky 85Mbps setup -- because industry leader DS2 has just made all current gear obsolete with its introduction of technology that will enable 400Mbps theoretical speeds over standard electrical wiring. Capable of pushing five simultaneous video streams, the zippy new tech will be key for applications such as PVR networking and multi-room HD IPTV, and should start appearing in "next generation" devices slated for 2009. Luckily 400Mbps products will actually be backwards compatible with 200Mbps gear according to DS2, meaning that you should be able to reuse some of your existing adapters and extenders instead of relegating them to the gadget graveyard.

Conceptual UNI enables compartmentalized computing

by Darren Murph, posted Aug 17th 2007 at 6:09PM

Those who find difficulty in cracking open a typical tower to replace that aging DVD writer with one that burns in high-definition should adore Richard Choi's UNI concept, which exemplifies compartmentalized computing and takes the stress out of upgrading. Apparently, the "Think" module would act as the core computer and handle the essentials, while a variety of other plug-in modules would provide additional outputs (HDMI, DVI, optical audio, USB, etc.), hard drive space, and optical drives. Granted, this could get out of hand for those who get UNI-stackin' fever, but we'll certainly pass along kudos to the idea. Click on for one more shot.

[Via YankoDesign, thanks Martin]

Continue reading Conceptual UNI enables compartmentalized computing

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]

Icron offers USB 2.0 over power line solution

by Darren Murph, posted Jun 6th 2007 at 9:24AM

Although there's never been an overwhelming amount of success in any one category, just about everything has tried its hand at traveling over power lines, but Icron looks to be the first to channel USB 2.0 over the medium. Taking advantage of Panasonic's HD-PLC technology and its proprietary ExtremeUSB magic that was already seen in a wireless USB endeavor, Icron's system "extends USB 2.0 over standard power lines enabling remote connection of standard USB devices such as keyboards, printers, flash drives, hard drives, and web cameras over the AC outlets in your home or office." (What, no hand warmers, aquariums, or drink chillers?) The prototype setup featured a four-port USB 2.0 OPL hub and dongle set that saw 190Mbps over standard power lines, and there won't be any additional drivers necessary for this to play nice with Windows, Linux, and OS X systems. No word just yet on when these kits will be available for sale, but we'd wait on a review before labeling ourselves an early adopter on this one.