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Stu2j
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 Powerline Ethernet Adapter - 2007/02/09 00:49 I currently run my ShowCenter wirelessly and it works pretty well but as with any wireless connection there are hiccups esp with video.

Typical wired is not a really good option for my situation but I was thinking of using a couple of these powerline ethernet adapters (they plug into an outlet and use your homes wiring to network).

It sounds like it should work better than wireless (since it would be a wired connection) but I was curious how well these work. Does anyone use these things and do they work well?

Also, if I go this route, I have a four port broadband router that is full and would need another port. What's the best option to get the extra port?

Thanks for any assistance. Showcenters 1000g/200/250HD Popcorn Hour A-100
Netgear HDX101 Powerline Adapters
Windows XP Simese 2.07 running latest SVN
NAS Server IBM NetVista 900Mhz/256RAM
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Stu2j
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 Re:Powerline Ethernet Adapter - 2007/02/20 20:56 Well, I was really hoping that I might get some opinions on this but I've gone ahead and ordered the powerline adapters. I'll post how it works with the ShowCenter once I get it hooked up. The adapters chosen promise 85Mbps which would be a significant improvement over wireless and should stream video quite nicely if everything works as advertised.

To expand the four port router, I just went with a four port switch (hub) with an uplink. Seems like there should be an easier option but I know this will work and the hubs are really cheap these days. Showcenters 1000g/200/250HD Popcorn Hour A-100
Netgear HDX101 Powerline Adapters
Windows XP Simese 2.07 running latest SVN
NAS Server IBM NetVista 900Mhz/256RAM
  | | The administrator has disabled public write access.
Stu2j
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 Re:Powerline Ethernet Adapter - 2007/02/24 10:13 This update is complete and it works pretty much as expected. It appears to be somewhere between wired and wireless. Setup was literally pnp as you just plug em in and they start working. There is a setup utility to enable security if you need it and it was really easy to do. The hardest part was freeing an outlet near the router

According the utility provided, I am ranging from about 12mbps to 20mbps which is probably pretty good considering that I am traveling from one side of the house to the other (which is why running cat5 wasn't a great solution).

What I was after here was a stable connection for streaming video and not only did I appear to achieve that but the response of the overall system (menu navigation etc) has improved significantly so I am really pleased with the change.

I always baby step into these things and picked up a couple cheap 85mbps adapters from ebay. I should have probably sprung for the newer 200mbps adapters but everything appears to be working pretty well.

As time passes, I am certain to find problems with running certain electrical appliances etc but as I write this, it is certainly better than wireless for my purposes because while wireless certainly gave acceptable speed, having a dropout at a critical point in a movie just wasn't going over big

Upgrade consisted of two new Airlink Powerline Adapters 85mbps (cat5 included) and one used LinkSys hub. Total Cost: 99.98 including shipping.

Enjoy! Showcenters 1000g/200/250HD Popcorn Hour A-100
Netgear HDX101 Powerline Adapters
Windows XP Simese 2.07 running latest SVN
NAS Server IBM NetVista 900Mhz/256RAM
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Stu2j
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 Re:Powerline Ethernet Adapter - 2007/02/24 10:13 Ok, lesson number one... ya really don't want to have someone open and close the garage door while watching a movie Showcenters 1000g/200/250HD Popcorn Hour A-100
Netgear HDX101 Powerline Adapters
Windows XP Simese 2.07 running latest SVN
NAS Server IBM NetVista 900Mhz/256RAM
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admin
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 Re:Powerline Ethernet Adapter - 2007/05/08 15:43 Stu,

Thanks for the feedback on your experiences with the homeplug adapters. I remember reading a review of the new devices available on the market in last month's PC-Pro and they did mention that the newer ones don't suffer from dropouts due to sudden surges of demand like a kettle being switched on/off. So maybe if you're desperate to open that garage door whilst watching a movie(!?!)...

Incidently, I also found a wired connection to be much better than a wireless one. I used to use a 54g wireless bridge to my showcenter 1000, but when I pluged in a wired ethernet cable I was so pleased with the improvement (in terms of response times) that I'd never go back to a wireless solution again.

Rob Player : Pinnacle Showcenter 200 and 1000 (wired ethernet)
Server : Windows XP Pro running on an Athlon XP 2200, 768 Mb RAM, 1.8 Tb storage.
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Stu2j
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 Re: Re:Powerline Ethernet Adapter - 2007/05/10 14:43 admin wrote:
I remember reading a review of the new devices available on the market in last month's PC-Pro and they did mention that the newer ones don't suffer from dropouts
There is simply no question IMO that when it comes to streaming video, wired is the only way to go.

I always "baby step" into these things so I went for the inexpensive route to try it out . I really like this solution better than attempting to run cable and (as you pointed out) the new 200mbps HD adapters are supposed to be not only faster but provide a more solid/stable connection.

I'm trying to snag some of these (as well as a ShowCenter 200) on ebay at a bargain. I'll let ya'll know how they work out but one thing is certain, I'll not be going back to wireless... Showcenters 1000g/200/250HD Popcorn Hour A-100
Netgear HDX101 Powerline Adapters
Windows XP Simese 2.07 running latest SVN
NAS Server IBM NetVista 900Mhz/256RAM
  | | The administrator has disabled public write access.
Stu2j
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 Re: Re:Powerline Ethernet Adapter - 2007/05/20 11:16 I finally snagged a set of Netgear HD 200mbps powerline adapters and have been putting them through the paces and all I can say is:



These aren't cheap but if you can't run Cat5, here is your answer. It is just as good. System is just as responsive as if it were wired directly and Video streaming is rock solid without any interference.

Now I am definitely going to snatch more Showcenters as I will be able to place them anywhere.

Here's a report from the Utility.. first number is TX, second is RX


Office PowerlineHD Local 200 200 May 21
Showcenter PowerlineHD Remote 42 32 May 21

Given that wireless has a top speed of 54mbps.. not too shabby..

Update 08/08/07... I use my ShowCenter a LOT and since I started using these adapters I have not had a single video hiccup.. not one.

YMMV Showcenters 1000g/200/250HD Popcorn Hour A-100
Netgear HDX101 Powerline Adapters
Windows XP Simese 2.07 running latest SVN
NAS Server IBM NetVista 900Mhz/256RAM
  | | The administrator has disabled public write access.
Stu2j
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 Re: Re:Powerline Ethernet Adapter - 2007/12/19 14:10 Another follow up on this...

The original HD adapters are from one side of the house (server) to the other (ShowCenter) and consistently put up better than 40mbps (no video problems).

However, I just got another ShowCenter so I snagged another HDX101 to hook it up. This one is in the next room and the numbers are consistently above 100mbps .... very nice.

Obviously, placement is a big deal with these things and they continue to work great for me. Showcenters 1000g/200/250HD Popcorn Hour A-100
Netgear HDX101 Powerline Adapters
Windows XP Simese 2.07 running latest SVN
NAS Server IBM NetVista 900Mhz/256RAM
  | | The administrator has disabled public write access.
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