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286
 
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 21/11/2008 15:34:47
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| Following Jason's (excellent) article on Homeplug technology a while back I took the plunge and converted most of my home network to Homeplug using a Zyxel router and ethernet adapters - all the 200AV powerline standard. I dug the article up after seeing a pair of the slower 85mb adapters very cheap at ebuyer, and confirmed that the two standards are not compatible but can co-exist. What I'm unsure of is whether adding pair of the slower 85mb devices to my existing set up would have a detrimental (in terms of speed) on the existing 200AV connections. Also, given that a router is involved, would traffic between the 200AV and 85mb devices be possible, obviously at the lower rate? Thanks
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Santa Pig
Group: Moderators
Last Login: Today @ 15:06:57
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| Never tried it, but I don't see why not. Make two Homeplug "networks" and plug each one into a seperate LAN port on the router is the way I'd go.
Dave R
XP Pro + various VMs: Q6600 @ stock, Asus V3-P5G33, 2GB DDR2 800, 7600GT
XP Pro: E1200 @2.4Ghz, GA-G33M-DS2R/S2, 2GB DDR2 800, 3450 on HDMI
Mandriva S 2008: SOA Athlon 2200, 1GB DDR, 9550
Windows Home Server: S3000, ASUS V2-M2V890, 512mb DDR2 667, 1TB
4GB USB Pendrive: Mandriva 2009 - my portable PC 
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286
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 21/11/2008 15:34:47
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Visits: 1,037
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| thanks Dave - that's what I was hoping would be the case, worth a try anyway. I just can't get my head around bandwidth and the mains - I presume there must be some constraint on how many homeplug networks can be supported. Cheers
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186
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 28/11/2008 10:49:59
Posts: 138,
Visits: 630
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| I would be interested in hearing your experiences with Homeplug and in particular the speeds attained and media streaming. Having recently finished decorating the whole house ( and still kicking myself about not putting in a wired solution) I see this as one possible route to go to improve what I've got . With the other being Wireless N any thoughts on how the two compare would be great. Edited for spelling.
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Santa Pig
Group: Moderators
Last Login: Today @ 15:06:57
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| Homeplug 85Mbps should knock the spots off of even wireless N - which is still not a standard anyway. E-Buyer are currently doing a twin pack of Dynamode 85Mbps for £40.
Just off to buy a set myself.
Dave R
XP Pro + various VMs: Q6600 @ stock, Asus V3-P5G33, 2GB DDR2 800, 7600GT
XP Pro: E1200 @2.4Ghz, GA-G33M-DS2R/S2, 2GB DDR2 800, 3450 on HDMI
Mandriva S 2008: SOA Athlon 2200, 1GB DDR, 9550
Windows Home Server: S3000, ASUS V2-M2V890, 512mb DDR2 667, 1TB
4GB USB Pendrive: Mandriva 2009 - my portable PC
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286
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 21/11/2008 15:34:47
Posts: 202,
Visits: 1,037
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| Not done any scientific testing, but subjectively it is MUCH quicker than 54G and MUCH more stable. I am using this router http://www.scan.co.uk/Product.aspx?WebProductId=687210 which includes a 200AV homeplug adaptor, a 4 port switch and a draft-N wireless access point. they were recently doing this router with £40 cash back making it £50. The wireles access point is handy for the laptop but everything else is either wired or homeplug I use the Zyxel PLA-400 adapters http://www.scan.co.uk/Product.aspx?WebProductId=687207 at £68 a pair. and am mightily impressed with everything. I don't stream HD but have 2 Slingbox TV streaming boxes on my home network which are often in use simultaneously, along with several PCs NAS devices etc and the Network is extremely fast. am considering the adapters Dave mentioned, but now I think about it a single 200AV adapter would be cheaper, as I would only need one....hmmmmm. The only down sides I can see for the homeplug stuff is power consumption (versus wired CAT5 distribution), but the big advantage is flexibility, if you move a desk you don't need to move wires, and if you move home you take it all with you! All in all a very positive experience.
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186
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 28/11/2008 10:49:59
Posts: 138,
Visits: 630
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| Thanks for the speedy response. I think this is the route I'm going to go specifically the faster 200Mbps option. I have looked at the ZyXEL range before an like the asthetics of it over the other options. What would be ideal would be to have the 'plug' bits with the ability to plug things into them. It took me ages to get all the cables behind the glass TV stand hidden ( i had to construct a false skirting board just to hide some excess cable!) and just have two plugs in the wall. I don't mind having the ethernet cable but don't really want to have a 2 way extension cable to plug in the Homeplug and the PS3. I know I'm being really picky.
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