Okay, we’re not saying that wireless technology gives you tumors. The jury’s still out on that one. What we are saying is that rather than go through the painful process of setting up a wireless network to stream you’re Hi-Def porn collection illegally bittorrented home movies (the only legal type in Australia, really) from your PC to your TV, why not try streaming it through the powerlines?
The Billion BiPAC 2070 (sounds like an evil robot from the future) is a 200Mbps Ethernet over power plug that lets you stream content through the copper in the walls rather than the air. Because it’s so fast, there’s no need to worry about buffer streams or interference like you would with a wireless router.
You get two HomePlugs in a box for $229, which automatically creates an extended network. Grab a couple more for different rooms of your house and anybody can log onto your new super fast ADSL2+ network as well.
Of course, to stream your video, you’ll still need a separate box, like an Apple TV or a Netgear EVA8000. But as far as setting up a home networks go, this sounds about as easy as plugging in a powerpoint. Stay tuned for a review in the coming weeks.
[Billion]
GoldCoastMuso
Wednesday, February 6, 2008 at 6:45 PMDoes anyone know how much it costs to have ethernet cable wired into your house from one room to another?
Surely it costs less, runs faster and more reliably than this technology!!
Flame me if I’m wrong, it’s the only way I’ll learn…
David D.
Wednesday, February 6, 2008 at 8:06 PMI’ve tried the wireless thing but got fed up with all the signal drop outs for seemingly no reason (OK, I’m sure there was a reason it’s just that I couldn’t narrow it down after lots of attempts and wasted time). I got a sparky to install Ethernet ports including cable and wall hardware for $80 a pop to my kids bedrooms, lounge and games room. It’s been great ever since. Only problem I have now is the routers seem to only come with 4 ports so I need an extra switch to plug in the network laser printer and my study media centre PC.
I’m sure these things would be great where you don’t have access to cavity walls or are renting or likely to move in the near future so you can take your network with you, but otherwise I’d say the real thing is the better and cheaper way to go especially as gigabit Ethernet becomes more widely available.
Feral
Thursday, February 7, 2008 at 11:00 AMYep, I too have wired up the house. Given the access underneath the place it wasnt a very difficult DIY job. Get some quotes and choose the right sparky if you are not confident. Couple of hundred bucks, no worries.. increases the value of your property, lol.