Actiontec MegaPlug A/V 200 Mbps Ethernet Adapter

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actiontec megaplug a/v 200 mbps ethernet adapter

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Actiontec MegaPlug A/V 200 Mbps Ethernet Adapter

Supports HomePlug AV speeds up to 200 Mbps
Great for distributing TV signal or high-bandwidth content through power lines
Co-exist but not interoperable with 14 Mbps and 85 Mbps HomePlug devices
128-bit AES Link Encryption with Key Management
Compatible with any router or gateway

List Price: $169.99
Lowest Price: $129.99

Product Description:

The MegaPlug allows you to transfer files and access the Internet over your home's power lines. So wherever there is a power outlet, you can easily connect to the network. Simply plug one adapter near your router/gateway and connect them with an Ethernet cable. Then plug in another adapter anywhere you'd like. Connect your computer via Ethernet and you're ready to go! Security - 128-bit AES Link Encryption with Key Management Operating Range - up to 300 meters in wall power lines Capable of passing through circuit breakers Power Input - 100 to 240V @ 50/60 Hz internal

Customer Reviews:

Rating:
Date: 2008-06-27
Works great out of box for Xbox 360 & Mac, no setup
I bought the Actiontec MegaPlug A/V 200 Mbps powerline ethernet to replace a poor performing wireless connection to my XBox 360. I'm very pleased with the performance and the ease of setup. It worked right out of the box with no setup needed anywhere (do nothing on: device, router, computer, or XBox) - just plug in one near your router and the other near your network device. You don't even need to touch the install CD unless you feel compelled to change the encryption key. I have experienced no drops and better performance than wireless. As a test I compared speeds as reported by [...] while connected via the Actiontec device and while directly connected to the router, results were identical. I also use a Mac, this product is compatible, but you will need to use a windows machine if you want to change the encryption key.

Highly recommended for applications where wireless is poorly performing or not practical.

Rating:
Date: 2008-06-11
USE CAUTION!
This Ethernet adapter is advertised as transferring "up to 200 Mbps", but you would be very lucky to even come close to that. I did some tests and the following is typical in my house - I transferred a 48.3 MB file from my desktop to my laptop using the MegaPlug and it took 1:36 - that is 3.93 Mbps! I transferred the same file using 802.11g wireless access points, and it took 0:35, which is THREE TIMES FASTER than the MegaPlug. I wrote to Actiontec giving them the results I just mentioned, and they responded: "This is normal as any interference or noise in the home wiring slows data transfer." Normal? When they advertise "up to 200 Mbps", I think it is reasonable to expect more than 4 Mbps! I cannot recommend this product. If you do buy it, test it right away so you can return it if necessary. Probably 802.11n access points are a better buy in any case.

Rating:
Date: 2008-06-07
Just great.
As others have pointed out, it works just great right out of the box. I changed the default encryption code just because. I had a TiVo and laptop using WiFi and although it worked, both the TiVo and the laptop reported a weak signal with both being on the opposite side of the house from the router. A quick benchmark using this gizmo on my 3Mbps DSL line shows I get around 300KBytes/sec on the desktop which is plugged direct into the modem (via an etherswitch) and the laptop on the other side of the house connected via the Actiontec is getting around 275KBytes/sec. I imagine the TiVo is getting the same. It's plenty good enough for me. I'm sold.

Rating:
Date: 2008-05-31
Pleasantly surprised
I'd used powerline ethernet adapters in the past and always found them to deliver rather poor results, but I've found that the performance of the MegaPlug is vastly superior to previous generations. These are cheaper and more reliable than wireless bridges for connecting your game consoles or settop boxes. I bought one pair to try to extend my network down to my garage, which was well out of range of a reliable network connection, and after seeing how well it worked, ordered a second pair for reaching a couple of spots in my house, that I'd been previously planning to either run wiring to or looking at wireless ethernet bridges for. Very simple to set up and performance just as fast as wireless for short distances and able to reach much farther distances through cement walls or other obstructions that would stop a wireless signal.

Rating:
Date: 2008-04-30
Simple and effective
After leaving a cat5 cable running downstairs for far too long, I decided to give these a shot to bridge the gap from my computers to my media center. I have one connected directly to my main Internet gateway/switch and the other device upstairs connected to a small Linksys 4-port switch with an Xbox and Xbox 360. I haven't noticed any issues streaming media (MP3 and HD-quality video files) from my servers to either Xbox device, and Xbox Live appears to work just as good. No added latency that I can tell. I didn't even bother to use the software to configure the security keys, just plugged them in and was off and running.

Just no more stupid wire laying on the floor :)

I did notice that one unit has shut-off a couple times after a few days on non-use and required me to reconnect to the AC plug to reboot it. I flipped the devices to see if it is possibly a hardware problem or if the device next to the offline Xboxes powered itself down by design? Since swapping the devices between room I haven't noticed either turning off.

One strange side-effect is that my guitar amplifier was picking up the line-interference one day as a loud clicking noise; I reconnected one of the devices and it went away; hasn't come back since.

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