Compared with Gigabit Ethernet, however, the Powerline AV 500 standard is still significantly far behind. It now makes more sense to use it instead of traditional Ethernet connections, which require running network cables all over the place. Judging from the Netgear XAV5501 and now the D-Link DHP-500AV, we believe that power-line networking is no longer to be taken lightly in terms of speed. The TrendNet TPL-401E2K, for example, which is another Powerline AV 500-based adapter, scored just 79.2Mbps. While it's not the fastest, about 20Mbps slower than the Netgear XAV5501, it's still by far one of the fastest power-line adapters we've seen. Note that this is sustained real-world throughput speed, after all hardware and software overheads. The D-Link PowerLine AV 500 Adapter Starter Kit excelled in our testing, averaging 141Mbps, about 50 percent faster than a typical Ethernet connection. Once the client was turned back on, in our trials, it took about 30 seconds for the adapter to be ready again. The DHP-501AV kit's adapters support D-Link's Green Technology and automatically power down after 5 minutes if no data signal detected, such as when the client is unplugged or turned off. The DHP-501AV comes with a Windows-based desktop configuration application called D-Link Powerline AV Utility that can be used to manage the secure connections and to view the connection and perform other tasks such as naming the adapter, changing its password, and updating firmware. Most adapters come with software so you can change the security settings manually, however. This means you might not be able to create a secure power-line network, and it's a good idea to have one if you live in an apartment building. Note, however, that when adapters from multiple vendors are used, the security button might not work unless they support the same security standard. In our trials the DHP-501AV kit worked with other Powerline AV 500 adapters, such as the Netgear XAV5501AV. After that you can add more devices to the power-line network by adding more adapters. This whole process takes just a minute and you can't make a mistake. If the two locations share electrical wiring, which is the case in homes or apartment buildings, a power-line network connection is now established. After that, you just plug both adapters into the power sockets. Then connect the second adapter to an Ethernet-ready device, say at the far corner of the house. First you hook up one of the adapters to the network via the router (or the hub), using a network cable. To make up for the lack of a pass-through socket, the DHP-500AV adapter is just about 40 percent the size of the XAV5501.Īs with most power-line adapters, it's a no-brainer to create a power-line connection with the DHP-501AV kit. This is because generally power-line adapters need to be plugged directly into a wall socket and won't work with surge protectors or power strips. Unlike the XAV5501, the DHP-500AV doesn't have a pass-through power socket on top, meaning you most likely can't use it in a corner that has only one power outlet. It'd also be better if the adapter used a power cord, as the WD Livewire adapter does, so that it wouldn't obstruct the adjacent power outlets the way it does now. The two-prong design does mean the adapter stays less firmly in the socket. On the bottom, the DHP-500AV has a two-prong power connector, so it fits more sockets than the Netgear XAV5501, which comes with a three-prong connector.
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