Homeplugs

Mr_Thrifty

Seen those gigabit homeplugs. Are they actually any good? What speed do they get in real life and what is their realistic range? My wi-fi says it stretches out 250 metres but frankly I'm lucky if I can use it the other side of the house. I need to cut through the marketing lies and find out what these things can really achieve. Any experience/knowledge/tips, guys?

bluesnake

I have a 200Meg homeplug, bought it about 2 years ago and it is brilliant. There are other old post on this site that say similar

Enterprise_1701C

We often instal them for customers, they are very good and we would use one in an instant if we had the need.

marms

I've got Belkin gigabit homeplugs but don't use them as i got very low speeds, about 20mb/s from a downstairs router to a bedroom upstairs.

justjohn

depends on how good wiring is in the house.
most people get better than wifi.

boxst

The gigabit ones apparently suffer from interference and are tempremental. I haven't had any experience myself.

I do have the Netgear Nano 500mb/s and they are very good. I get 440/mbs out of 1 socket and 250 mb/s out of another (on a different side of the house). Both are more than adequate to stream HD movies.

They are ideal for 'fixed' things like televisions, games consoles, media players etc...

Dave_C_2

For homeplugs to work you need an Ethernet connection (Ethernet patch cable) between the router and the first homeplug and the PC and the second homeplug.

If your DIY skills are up to the job and the PC is in a fixed position, simply route a long Ethernet cable between the Router and the PC.
The cost of 20m Ethernet patch cable is about £5 and a Pair of homeplugs is about £20 more.

An ethernet cable will easily give 100Mb/s transfer rate, is 100% secure and there is no software to install.

Dave

robmar0se

Have a look here for more info http://www.solwise.co.uk/net-powerline-intro.htm and/or give them a ring on 0845 458 4558 - I think you'll find these guys are not only experts (they make the stuff), plus they should give you all the info you need plus any drawbacks.

I am using them as I write this, plus install them in client locations too. Only experienced one problem where the new part of a house and the old were on two totally separate circuits with their own switch/fuse gear (note: not usually a problem using the homeplugs on different rings).

Nilrem

I recently setup a homeplug network at home, I've got the house wired up for ethernet, and a pair of wireless routers (one working purely as an access point), but wanted to get a connection out to the garage (which has power from the house).
I could get about 15mb from a wireless n dongle, and about 80mb on a 200mb homeplug (which is going from the house ring, to the garage ring + about 40 foot of armoured cable), so I've been pretty impressed with it

marms

Dave_C wrote: »

For homeplugs to work you need an Ethernet connection (Ethernet patch cable) between the router and the first homeplug and the PC and the second homeplug.

If your DIY skills are up to the job and the PC is in a fixed position, simply route a long Ethernet cable between the Router and the PC.
The cost of 20m Ethernet patch cable is about £5 and a Pair of homeplugs is about £20 more.

An ethernet cable will easily give 100Mb/s transfer rate, is 100% secure and there is no software to install.

Dave

In the end that's what i did, i got a 10m cable off amazon for under £3, it's the only way i could make full use of my internet connection speed.