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HD over power lines: more sensible than wireless
After waxing rhapsodic in our last podcast about how dodgy the issue of wireless HDMI / wireless HD really is, we're beginning to wonder if passing along 1080i / 1080p content on existing power lines is an acceptable (or flat out better) alternative. Granted, PowerLine applications haven't had the best of luck over the years functioning as advertised, but given that PowerLine-enabled HD media streamers are already seeing reality, we're hoping the technology can advance beyond its flawed past. Another example of said technology moving forward is the debut of several PLC (Power Line Communication) adapters from Sharp, which can be used to connect an AQUOS Net HDTV (among other devices) to the internet via electrical wiring. Truth be told, we're crossing our fingers that this stuff can really take off -- after all, you'll still be stuck figuring out a way to run a single wire to an AC outlet regardless of everything else. Of course, only time will tell if DRM-laced, uncompressed HD content will flow unimpeded through a home's electrical infrastructure, but this corner is definitely rooting for it.[Image courtesy of X10]
ZyXEL intros DMA1100P HomePlug AV digital media adapter
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
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
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]
I-O Data busts out new powerline routers
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
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
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.
DirecTV testing the broadband over power line waters
While analysts have long questioned how satellite television providers would answer the challenge of cable companies offering up bundled services with such little hassle, both DirecTV and EchoStar have traditionally partnered with DSL providers to tempt users to the dish, but change may finally be on the way. Reportedly, DirecTV's CEO recently suggested that it "may test delivering high-speed internet service through power lines in a major US city within the next year," meaning that broadband over power lines could be comin' down the pike. Notably, the company fessed up and stated that it "wasn't the only one" in talks to get such a plan in action, and while prospective test areas weren't named, the firm did say that it would probably aim for a "top 50 city where you're covering at least half the city." Of course, the talk of mergers was quickly shot down, but it's hard to think that a partnership isn't at least in the cards.
Pioneer's MT-01 music tap PLC sound system gets a date
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]
CeBIT showcases looming trend: TV through the AC outlet
Piping internet, audio, and other bits of entertainment through one's power sockets has been available for some time now, but due to its less-than-impressive results in a majority of scenarios, it never really blossomed as a reliable networking option. Don't tell the folks at CeBIT this, however, as firms such as Devolo and Channel Vision are showcasing yet another shot at taking advantage of cabling already wired throughout your domicile. As expected, the technology converts the signals emitted from your set-top-box into an IP signal, which can then be streamed to other rooms or even other gizmos such as portable video players. Interestingly, there was no mention of HD abilities, and the Devolo system can currently only deliver the same digital channel being viewed to other areas, but the company is reportedly working on a future iteration to beam separate shows to different sources. Both pricing and availability details ran par for the course, as none of the kiosks displayed any information of the sort, but judging by the sheer interest shown here, it (hopefully) can't be too far off.[Via Wired]Read - Devolo demonstrationRead - Channel Vision demonstration
Sling's upcoming SlingLink Turbo leaked?
When you're slinging media across the home, there's no such thing as "too much bandwidth," and it looks like Sling Media is beefing up its SlingLink line of home wiring network products with the SlingLink Turbo. The new device ups the bandwidth from 14Mbps to 85Mbps, and while the original SlingLinks were primarily designed for a single Slingbox connection, the Turbo vision should be able to handle more general purpose home media networking tasks. The SlingLink Turbo was spotted by a SlingCommunity member on Amazon.com, with an expected ship date of February 27th 2007 for $149. The device is interoperable with existing PowerLine adapters, and has four Ethernet ports beyond the PowerLine link. As far as rumors go, this one looks pretty legit, but with a February 27th date on the books, we should know exactly how legit before too terribly long.[Thanks TieGuy]
Linksys announces HomePlug AV PowerLine adapter
Linksys announced the PowerLine AV Ethernet Kit, its first HomePlug AV release. The bundle includes two PLE200 PowerLine AV Ethernet adapters and companion cables, and allows data to flow around your house as fast as 100Mbps (as in Ethernet, theoretically enough to support HD streams). Currently a HomePlug AV network will support up to 16 devices, and can "combat electrical noise generated by appliances, electronic [products] and halogen lights." A quick refresher for those unfamiliar with the concept, PowerLine allows you to create a home network via electrical outlets rather than running CAT-5 cables up and down the stairs. You plug any internet ready device into one adapter, and connect the other adapter to your router, plug both adapters into a wall socket, and like magic you've got internets. It is backwards compatible with PowerLine 1.0 (a sigh of relief for early adopters) and the kit and additional adapters are available now for your enjoyment.[Via Crave]
Vidanti chooses Intellon to offer HD IPTV via Powerline
Vidanti is hoping to shake things up in the HD IPTV game by offering up a product line devoted to networking your HD streaming home devices without laying down for fancy new cabling and a weekend's worth of installation charges. The company has chosen to base its forthcoming lineup on Intellon's INT6000 HomePlug AV, which utilizes the power lines already ran throughout your home to distribute HD audio / video. Intellon claims that its technology beneath the hood will allow Vidanti's product line to realize 200Mbps, but we all know that transferring bits and bytes through the power lines hasn't exactly lived up to expectations. Nevertheless, Vidanti is now hoping to "offer service providers an HD IP set-top box (pictured) whose power and connectivity to the broadband gateway are both supplied through a standard power cord," and if all goes as planned, it should be listed under its future BBTV4000 lineup of goods.
Best Buy's $15,000 ConnectedLife.Home in a box
Sure, a fully connected house with the ability to control things like the TV, lights and thermostat remotely sounds great, but at the end of the day someone's got to hook all of that stuff up, and it's not going to be us. Best Buy recently announced its plans to step in with a $15,000 one-size-fits-all solution, including Media PC, Xbox 360, wireless cameras, light switches and other equipment. Dubbed ConnectedLife.Home, the package doesn't require new wiring, thanks to Corinex's AnyWire Powerline Ethernet technology. Best Buy doesn't install the lighting equipment and wiring, but once the high voltage bits are in, an installer comes to connect and configure your existing A/V setup, and then train you on how to use it. Whole home integration is a buzzword we can expect to see gain more steam at CES and beyond, but it remains to be seen if Best Buy can convince the mass market that this is a better option than paying the kid down the street $15 to flip the HD switch on their new Xbox 360.
Pioneer's MT-01 Power Line Sound System
Just as things seemed to be dying down on the ol' HomePlug AV front, Pioneer comes along and tempts us with their new MT-01 Power Line Sound System. Just plug the main control unit and speakers into any available electrical outlet and the Sound Station will pump audio out to six (or less) network speakers scattered about the house. The main Sound Station control unit features 2x USB, one front audio-in and 2x analog-ins for connecting pretty much any audio system (yes, even that one) and supports multi-room playback from two different sources. Besides the control unit, the kit includes one large 2 x 25W Network Speaker, a remote control, and a small 5W Network speaker with motion sensor to automatically turn on when you enter the room. Now that we have your attention you'll have to hold tight 'cause the system won't drop until the end of the month (in Europe anyway) for an undisclosed price. [Via Impress]
Netgear and DS2's 200Mbps Powerline HD solution gets real
Close on the heels of XAVi's announcement earlier this month, the HD Powerline collaboration we told you about a few months ago from Netgear and DS2 (sorry HomePlug) has officially hit store shelves. The new HD ethernet adapter (HDX101) and networking kit (HDXB101), which are selling for $129.99 and $249.99 respectively, allow for data to be transferred at high speed through a building's existing electrical wiring. The step up in bandwidth and the video quality of service technology allow for real-time streaming of HD video and gaming content by prioritizing that data over everything else. It's good to finally see a networking solution with its priorities in line with our own. Now all we have to do is hope these can actually live up to the bandwidth hype, unlike some other Powerline devices we've seen in the past.[Via WiFi Net News]
XAVi announces DS2 200Mbps Powerline HD lineup
XAVi of Taiwan just announced their new product lineup exploiting the DS2 200Mbps Powerline HD chipsets shown as a reference design to the right. Just like Netgear's hardware, XAVi promises the ability to stream high-definition video to any room of the house via your existing electrical wiring -- something promised by first generation HomePlug devices but never quite achieved. XAVi says they'll begin shipping their XP302A and XP302H wall adapters starting this month with their XP302D -- a power supply integrated with the DS2 chipset -- shipping later in the summer. It's not clear from the press release but we assume that some magical combination of the devices will allow simultaneous access to high-definition TV streams, internet access, and voice over IP services when the XP302D is mounted or plugged into XAVi's lineup of xDSL and cable customer premise equipment. We'll just have to hold on for a bit to see where XAVi is taking us with all this.
Netgear teams with DS2 for 200Mbps powerline networking
We weren't so impressed with Netgear's 85Mbps powerline solution (pictured), so we'll give them another shot with their 200Mbps attempt. Netgear nabbed DS2's chip for their up and coming 200Mbps Powerline HD solution. The theory is that any electrical outlet in your home can be used as a blazing fast Ethernet port with the equipment and 200Mbps is more than enough for multiple high-def streams. No product until the second quarter of 06, which is fine with us; we're still smarting over our failed attempts to stream HD, or SD for that matter, with the last product iteration. For now, we'll keep streaming our HD over 802.11a.
