Are Homeplugs worth the cost?

faded_flowers

Currently have the main PC connected by wire to the router, this always has a decent signal. My PC is as far as could possibly be away in the house, so wires aren't an option. Currently use a dongle and get speeds of between 1-15 mbps. Connection also breaks frequently.

Basically would homeplugs be likely to increase my speed and reliability enough to be worth the cost?

Also, how many plugs would we need to start up? Three (one router, two PC) or two (router to PC, other PC still wired up)?

Many thanks!

Antispam

Two plugs one into the router another anywhere in the house

Dont use electrical adaptors and you wont get the full speed because it depends on your houses wiring

Any thoughts on wireless 'n' it can be faster than most homeplugs depending on where you are from router and or equipment you have

DonnyDave

There may be other things that can be done to improve the wireless signal.

Where possible, move either the dongle or router or both to get them closer and reduce any obstructions between them, such as walls.

Slow speeds and breaks in connection could be caused by interference from a neighbour's wireless network using the same frequency as yours. Your router settings should allow you to change this.

totalsolutions

Not worth the cost >£100 ? Cable very cheap. 100 metre runs are the normal. Can you not do it by cable? Place the router in the middle of the house and get an access point as well.

DonnyDave

computershack wrote: »

Plus if you have any amateur radio operators within 300 yards of you, be prepared for a visit from Ofcom and to be told to stop using them because you're breaking the law. So far, I've had Ofcom out to two people in the streets adjacent to mine who have been served with stop notices.

Here's an example of what the poor sod would be listening to over the frequencies he can use.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S__UBDaL-aE

That's very interesting. So what you're saying is that your neighbour's mains wiring (and possibly to a lesser degree other mains cables nearby) are acting as an antenna, transferring the noise that these devices create into air around them?

Also, is the problem caused by wireless access points or is it just those devices that plug in and (supposedly) pass the signal along mains wiring?

CharlieBilly

How ofcom stop people using wireless or homeplugs if the equipment hasnt been modified etc its legal hardware

That video says its down to BT Vision which surly will be legit

Inactive

Home Plugs, best things since sliced bread, they just work.

JasX

Might seem silly but you tried one of these? -does work quite well.....

http://www.pcmech.com/article/extend-your-wi-fi-signal-for-less-than-a-dollar/

LindaMary

CharlieBilly wrote: »

How ofcom stop people using wireless or homeplugs if the equipment hasnt been modified etc its legal hardware

That video says its down to BT Vision which surly will be legit

Ofcom treat it as "Spectrum Abuse". My neighbour had to remove his homeplugs. There is an ongoing legal case to get homeplugs outlawed. By the way, they interfered with their son's Wii.

TonyMMM

Homeplugs - brilliant. I messed around for ages trying to get a stable wireless signal for my desktop PC....homeplugs solved the issue instantly , never dropped since and a steady 70Mbps (from a pair of 85Mbps rated "value plugs from ebuyer that cost lesss than £35 for the pair)

jamesb1239

LindaMary wrote: »

Ofcom treat it as "Spectrum Abuse". My neighbour had to remove his homeplugs. There is an ongoing legal case to get homeplugs outlawed. By the way, they interfered with their son's Wii.

OFCOM are not actually forcing people to remove their offending homeplugs, they basically explain the effect that it is having on others and are referring the owners to the manufacturer of the homeplugs. They cannot force you to remove the equipment as somehow it managed to become certified (and i have no idea of how big of a backhander that took).

Some dont cause interference and others do, supposedly the D-link ones dont cause any problems or any others based on the DS2 technology as these dont broadcast anything on the affected frequencys.