Solwise introduces Homeplug adaptors with wireless networking

 

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Posted on 17 Dec 2009 at 16:20

British networking specialist Solwise has introduced a new addition to its HomePlug AV range. The PL-200AV-PEW is a HomePlug 200 AV adaptor with a theoretical maximum Powerline throughput of 200Mbit/s and built-in 802.11b/g wireless.

Like any other Powerline adaptor, you'll need to pair the device with a second compatible adaptor, but it doesn't need to be one with built-in wireless. The new adaptors are compatible with any other 200 AV HomePlug kit, as well as most 85Mbit/s HomePlug AV 1.0 adaptors with up-to-date firmware.

Solwise's press release suggests that the adaptors are "ideal for you to stream your HD media via the Ethernet and use your regular 54g laptop via the built-in WiFi". Our tests on previous Solwise 200 AV adaptors have consistently produced transfer speeds of over 60Mbit/s on adjacent sockets, which is indeed up to HD video streaming.

Our only reservation about these adaptors is their use of 802.11b/g wireless, with a theoretical maximum transfer speed of 54Mbit/s. In our tests 802.11g equipment tends to produce actual transfer speeds of around 14Mbit/s at 10m, but we have seen significantly lower speeds, too.

We would have preferred to see wireless using the 150Mbit/s single-antenna implementation of 802.11n technology that we've seen from routers like Buffalo's WBMR-HP-GN, which tends to produce faster tranfer speeds, but 802.11b/g is more than sufficient for basic web browsing.

Each PL-200AV-PEW adaptor costs £46 and is due to become available on the 23rd of December. You can order now from Solwise's site . This looks like a great way of providing net access in hard-to-reach areas of your home and we hope to test the adaptor in the near future.

Author: Kat Orphanides