Powerline ethernet adapters

[#1]

Hi
Has anyone used these and are they any good?
I ask as I'm thinking of getting some so that I can build a shuttle media centre connected to my TV so that I don;t have to sit at my PC all the time.

[#2]

try one of these http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=221816&C=Newsletter&U=08P12-7_A90HJ&T=11946872

[#3]

Thanks pierre but do you have any experience of these adapters?
My intent is to build a small form factor PC with blu ray drive etc and use the house wiring as a LAN wiring as opposed to running Cat 6 as to give myself net access (yes am an occaional youtube fan) I'd need a link back to the router and I don't trust wireless.

[#4]

no, the link I gave is a 500G media player with Scart and remote, smallish and easily portable, the only trouble is loading it, doesnt have a optical drive, simple connect to existing pc to load the 500G
    *  High-speed external hard disk with stand-alone media player
    * Load your videos, pictures and music
    * Download video, audio and images via your PC and immediately play them back through your TV
    * Can be used as a standard external hard drive
    * 3.5-inch high speed SATA hard disk drive installed
    * Unique DVD folder playback feature: directly play the ripped DVD
    * Easy to use on-screen file navigation, supporting multi-language
    * Navigate using the included remote control
    * Powerful DivX subtitle display feature; supports most of the subtitle file formats
    * USB 2.0 interface
    * Video media formats: DVD-Video, DivX 3.11/4.x/5.x, Xvid, SVCD, VCD 1.1/2.0, MPEG-1, MPEG-2
    * File extension formats: DAT, MPEG, VOB, AVI, DivX, XVID, JPEG, MP3, M2P, WAV
    * Audio media formats: MP3, WAV files
    * Image media formats: JPEG
    * Content resolution: DivX file up to 720 X 576 resolution/ JPEG file Up to 5120 X 3840 pixel
    * Video upscaling to 720P for better picture quality
    * Component video output: NTSC-480i / 480p / PAL-576i / 576p / 720p
    * Supports 16:9 and 4:3 TV screen
    * Media outputs: composite, component, SCART and digital audio outputs
    * Media format support: FAT32 / NTFS
    * Supports Windows 98SE/ME/2000XP/2000 and Vista
    * Dimensions: 196(l) x 58(w) x 126(h) mm

[#5]

My brother has a pair which allows him to have his router at the Master Socket (at the front of the house) and his PC at the back. Windows configuration software was a doddle and we keyed the pair up and just plugged them in and off he went. Seem to be very reliable and stable. Dont seem to cause interference but have no idea how well they'd cope under a really heavy load.

[#6]

I've used the Solwise PL85 and the Netgear equivalent to solve an Ethernet distribution problem in an old house with thick stone walls.  Works extremely  well   Personal choice:  I prefer the Solwise gear it does seem to be easier to set up and have better throughput.
I'd guess for your project you may need to go for the newer PL-200 AV range though?
Maurice

[#7]

Cheers for the replies, I'll have a look at the kit suggested.

As I say my intent is to have a PC away from the desk so that I can watch blu ray disks and do stuff on the net if I want without having to come to my desk, e.g. if I see a trailer for a film and decide I want to add it to my DVD rental reserve list I can flip over to the PC video output, login to the DVD service rental site and add it.
And of course keep an eye on whats going on here and read tech news and watch videos about new technology (PCs, routers, etc) which is what I use my connection for.

[#8]

Just get a PS3 then 

[#9]

Anyone any ideas on a Media Extender that will couple to a TV either AV or HDMI and will pull data MP3 AVI etc from a NAS drive directly either by IP or mapped. Ideally something which would look correct in a front room next to the Sky Box, other than PS3 XBOX, i.e. dedicated ?

[#10]

I have one of these http://www.maplin.co.uk/module.aspx?moduleno=227469&C=Newsletter&U=09P01-1_A96JC&T=11946872
The one I got recently has a USB connection to fill it from the PC, then has scart, analogue AV, Composite Video out, remote control, on screen display, for Picture, MP3, Wav and several different Video, including DVD Rip
the device is 196 long, 61 wide, 122 h  (mm) and weighs 900 g
the one I got was this one http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=221816&DOY=27m12  It was reduced to £99 before Xmas

[#11]

How do these work across RCD's and transformers?
I remember seeing the signal over mains technology years ago in maplins before it became mainstream IT networking technology. I always wondered how you jump a signal over a transformer back then...
I'm just curious really as the thought of running an isolated power supply and network connection to the shed could be useful.

[#12]

Quote from: okrzynska

How do these work across RCD's and transformers?

My first reaction would be that they won't work via an isolating transformer - which designed to only pass 50Hz mains - not sure how would let a meaningful amount of signal through at up to 1 MHz.
maybe an email to Maplin would clarify
technical@maplin.co.uk