[Paul_G]

I'm kind of uncomfortable with wireless (which is what we're currently using) and can't afford to have the house wired with ethernet cabling. Is anybody using home networking via home power points?
Things like this:
Belkin Introduces Fastest Way to Stream HD Movies Over Your Existing Home Electrical Wiring with New Gigabit Powerline HD Starter Kit
It sounds great - does it live up to the hype? Problems? Reliability?

[Mac Ram]

I've just installed the Netcomm 85Mbps version at the in-laws. Both ends plugged into powerboards (without surge or trip protection). Took me longer to get it out the box than set it up - pure plug'n'play.

Cost $167.

[Paul_G]

Originally Posted by Mac Ram

I've just installed the Netcomm 85Mbps version at the in-laws. Both ends plugged into powerboards (without surge or trip protection). Took me longer to get it out the box than set it up - pure plug'n'play.

Cost $167.

Transfer fast? Were the rooms far away from eachother? (important for me, because we've got a largish house). Also anyone with feedback on how it goes with multiple outlets, more complex network? (I'm likely to have half a dozen outlets, with at least 5 macs using it).

[Mac Ram]

Originally Posted by Paul_G

Transfer fast? Were the rooms far away from eachother? (important for me, because we've got a largish house). Also anyone with feedback on how it goes with multiple outlets, more complex network? (I'm likely to have half a dozen outlets, with at least 5 macs using it).

Distance is about 16 metres. Speedtest was 1.3Mb/s down and 0.22Mb/s up, Internode 1500/256 plan.

Didn't try transferring files from another computer though - they only have one on the network. The plugs seem more reliable then wireless (a lot of concrete walls) and were cheaper than running ethernet.

[Soliah]

I have the same Netcomm EoP plugs. Works very well after struggling with wireless. I pull around 2-3MB/s over the network, which is enough for streaming most media (720p). I'd highly recommend them to anyone having issues with wireless.

[Brains]

EoP (Ethernet-over-Power) has a new standard called HomePlug, and it comes in three versions, the original 'Homeplug 210' developed and popularised by Australian company Netcomm (capable of 11 Mbit/sec), the more common 'HomePlug' (sometimes called 285) capable of 85 Mbit/sec, and the expensive 'HomePlug AV' capable of 200 Mbit/sec. You can use up to twelve HomePlug devices on the one mains circuit, and each pod has an ID selector switch to choose one of the twelve 'stations'.

As far as interference goes, the technology that drives HomePlug is a variant of wifi technology and works in much the same manner as ADSL does, by superimposing a very high frequency signal onto the mains. Because the signal is designed to travel along a conductor rather than being radiated, the power levels are very low, and you would have to hold a sensitive EM meter right up to a mains run in a wall to detect its presence.

Whilst Netcomm may be the best known EoP makers (they even have an EoP pod with a built-in wireless access point!) there are other players in the field -- Belkin, Billion, Netgear, Panasonic, T-Link and others. Because it is a standard now, HomePlug and HomePlug AV pods from different manufacturers will work together. My personal favourites are the Panasonic ones, not only can they often be found cheaper than the Netcomms and Belkins, but like the Belkins they have a short mains cord, instead of being a space-hogging wall-wart.

As MacRam said, these are truly plug-n-go, no drivers involved at all. He's also right in that you can't plug them into a power-board, UPS or line filter, but they will work through a standard double-adaptor. Note that some house wiring may isolate different mains circuits in the house, and the EoP signal won't cross circuit boundaries in these cases.

I know several people using EoP pods and they are all very pleased with their performance -- solid, stable connections that don't drop out or become congested like wifi can.

[macaholic]

Nice price:

NP285-Twin : Netcomm NP285 Turbo HomePlug (Twin Pack) : Bargain @ ddcomputer com au

[Paul_G]

Originally Posted by Brains

He's also right in that you can't plug them into a power-board, UPS or line filter, but they will work through a standard double-adaptor.

Great post, thanks for the info. Can I just check about the powerboards - he actually said he DID plug them into powerboards.

If there's only one unit per power socket - is it possible to plug an ethernet hub into the unit, and run 2 or 3 of computers networked successfully through the one unit? Sometimes we have a few people with laptops sitting at the one table (ie a meeting), and we only have one close power socket.

Also - is it just a matter of buying more units as you expand, or do they need to be paired or synced somehow?

I'm really interested in this - it looks like the technology has matured nicely in recent times.

[Mac Ram]

Originally Posted by Paul_G

Great post, thanks for the info. Can I just check about the powerboards - he actually said he DID plug them into powerboards.

If there's only one unit per power socket - is it possible to plug an ethernet hub into the unit, and run 2 or 3 of computers networked successfully through the one unit? Sometimes we have a few people with laptops sitting at the one table (ie a meeting), and we only have one close power socket.

Also - is it just a matter of buying more units as you expand, or do they need to be paired or synced somehow?

I'm really interested in this - it looks like the technology has matured nicely in recent times.

With regards to the powerboards, I think the trick is to make sure the powerboard has no surge or trip protection. Somebody posted that here, and I can vouch for it being true.

[Brains]

Originally Posted by Paul_G

Great post, thanks for the info. Can I just check about the powerboards - he actually said he DID plug them into powerboards.

MacRam's clarification is true - if the power board has its own circuit-breaker thingy inside (evidenced by a reset button somewhere on the strip), then the breaker will stop the HomePlug from working properly.

If there's only one unit per power socket - is it possible to plug an ethernet hub into the unit, and run 2 or 3 of computers networked successfully through the one unit?

Sure. Everyone connected to that point will have to share the link, but it'd be no different to wi-fi sharing. It's akin to running a 50-metre length of cat5 from the broadband router to the other end of the house, sticking a hub on the end and sharing several computers off it.

is it just a matter of buying more units as you expand, or do they need to be paired or synced somehow?

As I mentioned, you can have up to twelve pods in an average house or building, depending on how the various electrical circuits in the building meet up at the junction-box where the electricity comes in. You dial in a 'station' number on each pod, making sure each is unique. They will automatically see each other.

[Snusnumrik]

I used to sell these things for some time -- they work great & don't require any drivers, they mash automatically and no setup required.

The only limitation is that they all have to be on one phase -- meaning if you have more than one source of power at your place for some reason, you will have to make sure they are plugged in across one of them, otherwise they won't talk.

Theoretical maximum distance is 200 m (for 200 Mb model), in reality it's lower (depending on the quality of wiring), but usually more than enough for a home network.

[Jimbo]

Originally Posted by Snusnumrik

The only limitation is that they all have to be on one phase -- meaning if you have more than one source of power at your place for some reason, you will have to make sure they are plugged in across one of them, otherwise they won't talk.

Yes I can imagine this would be a problem. I don't think there would be many houses on more than one phase though, I know mine is, but its a different story.

Most Powerpoints would be on the same phase anyway...

[Paul_G]

Originally Posted by Snusnumrik

The only limitation is that they all have to be on one phase -- meaning if you have more than one source of power at your place for some reason, you will have to make sure they are plugged in across one of them, otherwise they won't talk.

Is there a way for a lay person to determine if their house has more than one phase? I guess I could buy a pair of these and try out different combinations of sockets, but it's an expensive mistake if I find out there's a problem.

[Brains]

The only easy way for a lay person to find this stuff out is to get a non-lay person (ie, a certified electrician) in to tell you what's what.

The chances the EoP pods won't work as you want are low. Buy the bloody things already

[Paul_G]

Originally Posted by Brains

The chances the EoP pods won't work as you want are low. Buy the bloody things already

lol - okay, okay!

I'll start having a hunt online. The ones that have a short power cord sound the best - Panasonic, Belkin, (others?). Anyone know of good deals on these out there? I'll probably be needing 8-10.

[Paul_G]

Originally Posted by Brains

My personal favourites are the Panasonic ones, not only can they often be found cheaper than the Netcomms and Belkins, but like the Belkins they have a short mains cord, instead of being a space-hogging wall-wart.

On the Panasonic website they only show units that plug directly into the wall - I imagine they might come also with an extension cord, but it doesn't specify that. Can you tell me which one you're referring to?
HD PLC from Panasonic

[Brains]

They look like they are just another over-large wall-grommet, but on the thin face that's away from the camera there is a standard figure-8 two-pin mains receptacle; the cord is about 20 cm long.

Rather than buying 8-10, why not just buy two and a wifi-enabled router that you can place in a far more central position in the house?

[Paul_G]

Originally Posted by Brains

They look like they are just another over-large wall-grommet, but on the thin face that's away from the camera there is a standard figure-8 two-pin mains receptacle; the cord is about 20 cm long.

Rather than buying 8-10, why not just buy two and a wifi-enabled router that you can place in a far more central position in the house?

Thanks for that. I can't see the logic of the wifi-enabled router though. I've already got a perfectly good wifi setup - I was wanting to get rid of wifi altogether. Basically I'm not so happy with the health aspect.

Another tricky thing - currently we stream iTunes to the stereo via an airport express. The stereo is right next to the media computer (a macbook), so that could plug into the stereo instead, but Airtunes works only via wifi. Anyone know of a way to do it via ethernet? (It's not convenient to run it from the Macbook, and using screen sharing for any length of time is too taxing on the poor thing - the fans go into overdrive, very noisy).

[Brains]

Originally Posted by Paul_G

Thanks for that. I can't see the logic of the wifi-enabled router though. I've already got a perfectly good wifi setup - I was wanting to get rid of wifi altogether. Basically I'm not so happy with the health aspect.

Ah, yes, that makes a lot of sense. Good on you.

As mentioned previously, you can use up to twelve HomePlugs on the one network.

Another tricky thing - currently we stream iTunes to the stereo via an airport express. The stereo is right next to the media computer (a macbook), so that could plug into the stereo instead, but Airtunes works only via wifi. Anyone know of a way to do it via ethernet?

Why do you need to handle streamed iTunes, why not just play your music straight from the MacBook and plug it in via a normal audio cable?

Considered replacing the MacBook with an AppleTV?

[Paul_G]

Originally Posted by Brains

Why do you need to handle streamed iTunes, why not just play your music straight from the MacBook and plug it in via a normal audio cable?

Considered replacing the MacBook with an AppleTV?

It's all a matter of ease of use - the macbook is a mediacentre, which has an elgato eyetv attached (hence can't replace with an appleTV), and it's not easily accessible. I could have iTunes on that computer and control it by screen sharing, but the fan goes crazy and it's just not as simple as using Airtunes. I know it sounds fussy - but this has to get past the other members of the household, so if it's any less convenient than the wifi setup it won't be accepted.

Essentially I'd really like to replicate my wireless setup, but replace the wireless with wired. Trouble is, some stuff seems to only work on wireless. I need a wired version of Airtunes! I'll have to ponder on this one. Maybe someone else has figured out a workaround - just no time to search for it at the moment!

Thanks for all your help.