What's the general feeling on Powerline Adapters...

[-hanko]

Looking for a better solution than wi-fi for streaming Netflix on a slow dsl line...I'm aware it may be a bit faster than wi-fi, but slower than ethernet.

I can run ethernet, but it's up to the attic, across the house, down 2 levels to the basement, and then back up to the floor to the TV.

I'm concerned as I see some mention on the web that the start and end adapters have to be on the same circuit.

Any knowledge, especially a good brand that you use, would be appreciated.

thx

-hanko

[Peter.Steele]

I've got a set of Netgear powerline adapters. Love 'em. They work just fine across different circuits, or even plugged in to power strips, or whatever.

They're every bit as fast as I need them to be. I can get 450-500 mbps across different circuits in the house, no problem.

[deebix]

I probably got the same set you got. I use them at work and in once instance, its going over more than 1000 feet no problem 500 mbps.

[noob_tube]

+1 for the Netgear adapters. Reliable 400 mbps.

[FresnoRob]

Used a pair to get around vaulted ceilings work way better than the cruddy Xfinity WiFi

[sd_shooter]

I used to be against them, "I don't want any ugly warts sticking out of the wall!" or "They can't be any good, who would run ethernet over power lines?"

But they have come a long way:
- They are inexpensive. I bought a pair of TPLink brand adapters from Fry's for something like $30
- Easy to setup. There's some of pairing that must take place, but after that they're invisible and "just work"
- They are fast! Whatever they're rated at is definitely faster than my internet feed (a paltry 3 Mbps) and fast enough to stream HD video from my laptop. These are not the bottleneck in my system.

If you still want to do something fancy, here's my thread on how to extend your network with another wireless router and gain some hard lines at the other end. I have this for my garage:

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=804912&highlight=wirelessly

[Peter.Steele]

I probably got the same set you got. I use them at work and in once instance, its going over more than 1000 feet no problem 500 mbps.

I leave one plugged in by my router and move the other one around as needed to wherever I need internet but don't have WiFi available. Right now the other half of the pair is in the garage. It's plugged in to a power strip that's plugged in to a power conditioner that's plugged in to a 100-ft orange extension cord that's plugged in to a different circuit than the router and other half of the powerline adapter. And even after all that ... it STILL works great.


The only real issue is security: someone could, in theory and if they knew the brand of powerline adapter you used, go into your back yard and plug in to your patio outlets and get in to your network. You can set up security, but I honestly never bothered.

[drclark]

Are you looking to replace the WiFi with power line? The bottleneck in your system is likely DSL modem and not the WiFi. DSL speeds are 3-6Mbps. WiFi speeds are up to 54 Mbps with wireless-G which has been around forever. You should be getting plenty of throughput through your current WiFi set up unless your signal strength is really bad. Unless you upgrade your DSL to cable or fiber, I don't think you'll see that much improvement in streaming performance.

Upgrading your network will help if you have multiple computers on your network and you are moving large files around or your WiFi connection is really bad.

[-hanko]

The only real issue is security: someone could, in theory and if they knew the brand of powerline adapter you used, go into your back yard and plug in to your patio outlets and get in to your network. You can set up security, but I honestly never bothered.

Peter...security is not an issue in a very rural neighborhood in southwest Idaho, to put it mildly.

Steeling wi-fi on an unsecured connection is definitely possible.

Going in my back yard and dicking with power outlets would involve 2 Belgian shepherds and that was not pretty a few years ago...actor required ER and was arrested, fined, and jailed for dumping animals. Nor would it be pretty in the future.

Are you looking to replace the WiFi with power line? The bottleneck in your system is likely DSL modem and not the WiFi. DSL speeds are 3-6Mbps. WiFi speeds are up to 54 Mbps with wireless-G which has been around forever. You should be getting plenty of throughput through your current WiFi set up unless your signal strength is really bad. Unless you upgrade your DSL to cable or fiber, I don't think you'll see that much improvement in streaming performance.

drclark...I am looking to replace the wi-fi connection from my upstairs dsl modem/router to my new TV downstairs. I know I can run ethernet, but it's a relatively long run drilling holes through downstairs garage ceiling to crawlspace and up through the family room floor to the TV...it's hot here and I thought the powerline adapter might be a viable possibility.

CenturyLink (used to be Qwest) installed a dsl pop about 8 years ago, it's ~3000 feet away from me. Tech from CL verified good copper to and in the house.

Issue is that more people have signed onto the pop (I'm one of 60) and speeds decline to under a meg evenings, when everybody wants to stream a movie. Qwest has no plans for infrastructure updates in the next two years...bastages.

What's weird is that kid's PS2 upstairs can stream anything anytime using ethernet. TV (new Vizio M series) can stream anything save Netflix, and I've already told NF to use the lowest speed. No issues streaming though my Roku 2 box attached to TV with wireless, save maybe some buffering on very long movies...but no NF without error messages.

Thanks very much for your response and your expertise.

-hanko

[the86d]

Now if they cross circuits, can a neighbor get on your LAN if you are in a tight community (tract-homes)?

Anyone know?

Is this even a possibility?

[Peter.Steele]

Now if they cross circuits, can a neighbor get on your LAN if you are in a tight community (tract-homes)?

Anyone know?

Is this even a possibility?

No, so long as you're on separate meters you'll be okay.

[e90bmw]

Looking for a better solution than wi-fi for streaming Netflix on a slow dsl line...I'm aware it may be a bit faster than wi-fi, but slower than ethernet.

I can run ethernet, but it's up to the attic, across the house, down 2 levels to the basement, and then back up to the floor to the TV.

I'm concerned as I see some mention on the web that the start and end adapters have to be on the same circuit.

Any knowledge, especially a good brand that you use, would be appreciated.

thx

-hanko

You do realize that the slow DSL line is the bottleneck?
No matter how fast your home network is, you will never be faster that your dsl.

That being said, I use wireless repeaters in my house.

[the86d]

You do realize that the slow DSL line is the bottleneck?
No matter how fast your home network is, you will never be faster that your dsl.

That being said, I use wireless repeaters in my house.

Wouldn't it be less latency if you had another router or AP in the other end of your house on a different channel?

AND

What prevents the signal from flowing through the meter?

[MaHoTex]

Can you connect a network switch to a power line adapter? I would think you could with no problem, but never even messed with power line stuff.

[-hanko]

You do realize that the slow DSL line is the bottleneck?
No matter how fast your home network is, you will never be faster that your dsl.

That being said, I use wireless repeaters in my house.

That's my conclusion...I was just hoping for something to get me by.

That said, DSL will be dumped and wireless (microwave) internet begins mid-August.