UPC Horizon Powerline Adapter

Rataan

In the last few days I have received a Horizon box from UPC and I’m on their 120 Mbs package. Previously, my router was located upstairs, and my home office pc was connected to it using an ethernet cable. Now the Horizon box is located in the living room, the old upstairs router is gone, and as my upstairs pc is not Wi-Fi enabled I cannot connect to the internet on it.

I was considering using a powerline adapter, and the UPC support page recommends to use a Netgear XWNB5201-100UKS 500 Mbs. The cost for a pair of these adapters from UPC’s recommended supplier is 88 euro (or I can source them from Amazon for 55 pound sterling). This seems a bit pricey to me. Amazon also sell a Netgear XAVB5201-100UKS 500 Mbs for 20 pounds sterling.

I have no experience of using powerline adapters and I do not know anybody who does. Does anybody know of any reason as to why the 20 pound adaptor will now work? I’m not trying to increase the strength of my Wi-Fi signal upstairs, just bring an ethernet cable for one older pc.

Cuddlesworth

Rataan wrote: »

In the last few days I have received a Horizon box from UPC and I’m on their 120 Mbs package. Previously, my router was located upstairs, and my home office pc was connected to it using an ethernet cable. Now the Horizon box is located in the living room, the old upstairs router is gone, and as my upstairs pc is not Wi-Fi enabled I cannot connect to the internet on it.

I was considering using a powerline adapter, and the UPC support page recommends to use a Netgear XWNB5201-100UKS 500 Mbs. The cost for a pair of these adapters from UPC’s recommended supplier is 88 euro (or I can source them from Amazon for 55 pound sterling). This seems a bit pricey to me. Amazon also sell a Netgear XAVB5201-100UKS 500 Mbs for 20 pounds sterling.

I have no experience of using powerline adapters and I do not know anybody who does. Does anybody know of any reason as to why the 20 pound adaptor will now work? I’m not trying to increase the strength of my Wi-Fi signal upstairs, just bring an ethernet cable for one older pc.

I think you need to remember that most people don't know what a ethernet cable is and have the vaguest idea of how that wireless stuff works. UPC are just trying to cater for the lowest common denominator.

The 20 sterling adapters would be fine, I'd push for the XAVB5421-100UKS if you could spare the extra money. It saves you a plug and the performance is usually better.

wes

Just one thing to note in regards powerline adapter (if you don't know about it that is), is to make sure to plug them directly into the wall and not via an extension, especially an extension that has a surge protector, as it will degrade speeds.

Have 1200 mbps adapter and a small 8 port switch and it works great for me.

Cuddlesworth

Ohh and one other thing, you don't get 500Mbps or 1200Mbps. Best I have seen is maybe 120 on the 500's but its usually under 100. I wouldn't say the 1200's are much better.

colm_mcm

Pretty sure maplin have this netgear setup reduced to €58 at the moment

Rataan

Thanks for all the advice, Cuddlesworth, Wes and Colm. I'm going to go with the 20 pounds option, seeing as Cuddlesworth reckons it will work. It might not be as good as the second option that he recommended, but the computer that I need it for gets very infrequent use, and I'd be happy enough if I was only able to supply it with a 10 Mbs connection.

colm_mcm

Misread, if you don't need wifi, then just get a basic powerline adaptor.