Question for Powerline/homeplug users?

livEwirE

I recently got UPC 100mb BB in and am using 2x Belkin Gigabit Powerline HD adaptors with my router. I'm wondering is it safe to leave these plugged in all of the time and do they use much power? Unfortunately even when not in use I don't think these adaptors have any kind of power-saving mode and are always warm to the touch..

I'd be interested to hear other users experience of these types of devices.

Cheers in advance

fionny

livEwirE wrote: »

I recently got UPC 100mb BB in and am using 2x Belkin Gigabit Powerline HD adaptors with my router. I'm wondering is it safe to leave these plugged in all of the time and do they use much power? Unfortunately even when not in use I don't think these adaptors have any kind of power-saving mode.

I'd be interested to hear other users experience of these types of devices.

Cheers in advance

I was using the powerline adaptors for a good few months and had no issues with overheating anyway but I think you are right they do not go into any power saving mode and are always warm to the touch.

I stopped using them in favour of wiring the connection in the end due to getting better pings / speeds (I wanted the full Gigabit)

armitage_skanks

The newer generation of powerline chipsets use less power than old ones like those Belkins. And pretty much all the newer ones have power save.

livEwirE

That's what I was thinking, I had my eye on these ones

TP-Link TL-PA211KIT 200Mbps Mini Powerline Ethernet Adapter - Twin Pack

fionny

Only 200mbps? The one's you have now are faster.

armitage_skanks

livEwirE wrote: »

That's what I was thinking, I had my eye on these ones

TP-Link TL-PA211KIT 200Mbps Mini Powerline Ethernet Adapter - Twin Pack

I have those and I think they go into a powersaving mode when not in use. It's hard to tell because they only use about 3W normally anyway, they barely get lukewarm when in use.

Generally the newer the better, there is only a couple of chipsets (Atheros, Intellion etc) and they update them every year or so to more efficient technology.

livEwirE

Anyone know of software to test the connection speed between two powerline adaptors?

armitage_skanks

livEwirE wrote: »

What connection speeds do you get? Have you tested by copying data or straming 1080p video?

I have 3 in different rooms and across one floor.

Actual real world throughput is about 4-6MB/s (32-48Mbps) copying from my media server on one floor to a HTPC on another. That's just very simply via SMB, using the XBMC file manager to copy a file from my server. So not really a scientific throughput.

I've never had any issues with streaming 720p or 1080p rips, though my useage scenario is just one stream at a time. I tried a full BD once and it was a no-go, stuttered a bit. Might try it again with NFS at some stage.

At the time I was happy with them (have them a year) but obviously new things come along so if I was shopping today i'd probably look at the TP-Link PA511s. They werent on sale when I bought the 211s. However it looks like they use about 2x the power of the 211s.

livEwirE

I saw them and the 500mb option is very appealing. Ideally I would like to buy a Powerline Adaptor with all of the following:

1. 1gb network ports, preferably 2.
2. Powersaving mode.
3. Small form factor.

I might be wrong but I don't see any manufacturer offering a 1gb powerline model right now apart from the Belkin's model which I currently have

I have a desktop and router(100mb upc) both with 1gb network speeds so would I be loosing out BIG TIME if I used a 200mbps powerline adaptor?

howamidifferent

I have 6 of the Belkin Gigabit plugged in 24/7 for over a year.
Yes they stay warm but I've never had any problem with them.
I use 2 to connect 2 ipcams to a server for recording and 2 others to connect 2 gigabit switches to my router. Then the remaining 2 are used to receive streaming video to my media players from the server.
Work like a dream.

armitage_skanks

livEwirE wrote: »

I might be wrong but I don't see any manufacturer offering a 1gb powerline model right now apart from the Belkin's model which I currently have

I have a desktop and router(100mb upc) both with 1gb network speeds so would I be loosing out BIG TIME if I used a 200mbps powerline adaptor?

There was various competing standards that advertised their speeds etc in different ways. They've all mostly moved towards Homeplug AV now, that's why you don't see many other '1Gbps' adaptors. Even Belkin do AV500 adaptors now afaik.

In relation to the speeds, first I would test what you have. That's the only way you know how much you'll gain/lose with a newer product. The advertised connection speed with all these products is pretty much irrelevant, the important thing is real world throughput and how stable/consistent it is over various distances and wiring layouts.

fionny

I had the same "gigabit" adaptors you have and I got nowhere near the gigabit speeds via it. I decided the only sure fire fix was wires