PLTE200-M,0

New Linksys Powerline Network Adaptors Announced

By on October 20, 2008 in Hardware

Those of you who have been following the site for some time will know that I’m a bit fan of Powerline network adaptors – if wireless doesn’t cut it at your home, and running ethernet cable is tricky (or more likely, would annoy the wife) then running parts of your network over your existing power lines works really well – particularly when streaming media to a Media Center Extender or other digital media receiver.

Today, Linksys have announced a brand new range of Powerline Network Adaptors which are well worth checking out:

plte200m0 thumb1 New Linksys Powerline Network Adaptors Announced

PLTE200 Powerline Network Adapter

  • Use your existing powerlines to network your computers and other devices
  • Share files, printers, storage, and networked games throughout your home — connect it to a router to share your Cable or DSL Internet connection
  • Easily add more devices to your network by plugging additional adapters into electrical outlets
  • HomePlug® 1.0 with Turbo technology for data rates up to 85Mbps, also works with HomePlug 1.0


plts200m4 thumb1 New Linksys Powerline Network Adaptors Announced

PLTS200 Powerline 4-Port Network Adapter

  • Use your existing powerlines to network your computers and other devices
  • Share files, printers, storage, and networked games throughout your home — connect it to a router to share your Cable or DSL Internet connection
  • Built-in 4-port Ethernet switch
  • HomePlug® 1.0 with Turbo technology for data rates up to 85Mbps, also compatible with HomePlug 1.0 devices


These two devices are fine for standard networking and file sharing – if you’re looking to stream media, then make sure you go for the Powerline AV equivalents:

plte200m0 thumb1 New Linksys Powerline Network Adaptors Announced

PLE300 Powerline AV Network Adapter

  • Use your existing powerlines to network your computers and other devices
  • Share standard or HD video, files, printers, storage, and networked games throughout your home — connect it to a router to share your Cable or DSL Internet connection
  • Easily add more devices to your network by plugging additional adapters into electrical outlets
  • HomePlug® AV technology for data rates up to 200Mbps*


plts200m4 thumb1 New Linksys Powerline Network Adaptors Announced

PLS300 Powerline AV 4 Port Network Adapter

  • Use your existing powerlines to network your computers and other devices
  • Share files, printers, storage, and networked games throughout your home — connect it to a router to share your Cable or DSL Internet connection
  • Built-in 4-port Ethernet switch
  • HomePlug® AV technology for data rates up to 200Mbps*
  • 128-bit encryption helps keep your data secure


The 4 Port Network adaptor in particular looks great, as it negates the need for an ethernet hub – useful if you need to attach a number of devices to the network in close proximity.

Best of all, it really looks like the price of these units has started to come down – still more expensive than running cable though!

PLTE200 Powerline Network Adapter – $69.99 (UK – £45)
PLTS200 Powerline 4-Port Network Adapter – $89.99 (UK – £55)
PLE300 Powerline AV Network Adapter – $89.99
PLS300 Powerline AV 4 Port Network Adapter – $99.99

More Info: Linksys.com


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About Terry Walsh

Terry Walsh is the founding editor and owner of We Got Served. Since February 2007, the site has provided detailed coverage and analysis of the emerging home server category, and has subsequently grown into a trusted outlet for digital home news and reviews.
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  • Mike48236

    I picked the pkl300 kit from Best Buy last week. I think they accidentally released them there early. They seem to work really well. I returned a recently purchased plk200 for this. Performance seems to be almost exactly the same. The big improvement is the form factor and the fact that the pls300 has a 4-port switch. They seem to run less hot than the ple200′s. It’s nice have a cord instead of plugging directly into the outlet, and these units feel more solid than the ple200′s. Security now has a touch button method. There was no software with the kit, only a manual on cd. The ple200 software does detect them, though. Now I just need another pls300 to expand to another location. Those don’t seem to yet be for sale anywhere.

  • DamianP

    Tempted to buy but afraid to waste my money. I have the 4 port SlingMedia Turbo Powerline (claims up to 85mbps). When I first set up I was able to stream all media except HD content (including standard dvd rips). I had to move around some of my furniture around and had to change where my powerline was plugged in. Ever since, aside from surfing the internet and streaming music, I can no longer stream any sort of video. I tested my speed on the powerline connection and came in with a whopping 3Mbps download speed, vs 16Mbps on my PC connected directly to my cable modem!!! Powerline is way too finicky with the electrical wiring (i.e. distance from main hub to outlet, etc…). I may try the PLS300 to see if the “200Mbps” and newer version correct this, but am a little skeptical…

  • Mike48236

    DamianP – I think it would be worth your wild to check these out. Older powerline devices sometimes had issues crossing to different breakers (you should check to see if there is a firware upgrade for your slimgmedia devices) – this seems to match up with the scenario you describe when you switched locations. If you get the plk300 kit, it also is in itself a faster device than the 85Mbs models. It usually ends up being less than the advertised speed fo 200Mbs, but still pretty fast. Mine clocks at 145Mbs, and I have some pretty old wiring. My files typically transfer at 5MB/s accross a Windows network (Vista to WHS). I suggest buying them at somewhere like Best Buy, taking them home and testing them out, and returning them if you find they don’t work. Also, make sure the devices aren’t plugged into a surge protector. Having them directly connected to the plug is optimal. At the moment, however, one of mine is plugged into a 3-way splitter and it still works fine. I am able to stream HD, by the way. I had a wireless N setup before – this is way more stable.

  • Mike48236

    By the way – you will want to buy the plk300 kit to try this out. If your existing devices have issues, getting one pls300 won’t help. You will need a new device at both ends of the connection.

  • DamianP

    Mike – appreciate the response. I have always plugged directly into the outlet, but the firmware issue does make sense. I will make a stop by Best Buy and give it a shot. Thanks.

  • dave marchant

    It will be interesting to see how they work in a real house. I am using Zyxel PL-100′s and PLA-400′s. The PL-100′s are the 85Mbps devices and they will work across different ring circuits, albeit at lower speed (I get about 25-30 Mbps). The PLA-400′s will not work at all unless on the same mains circuit. They give higher speed (about 150Mbps) but are much more limiting on how I can use them as I have 4 different electrical circuits to cover.

  • Simon

    I’ve been using the Devolo Homeplug 200Mbps devices for some time now and they work great – same technology I believe. I’ve 3 spread across the house including 1 connected to a PS3 for downloading from the Playstation Network.

    Simon

  • scott

    just wondering if the linksys PLE200 would work with the PLS300. I’m interested in having the 4-port hub, but don’t want to replace all of the PLE200′s I already own.

  • Pingback: Netgear XAVB101 and HDXB111 Powerline Adaptors Now Shipping | We Got Served

  • Ron Melton

    Does anyone know roughly what the maximum cable distance is. I would like to connect my shed to the house, I have a mains supply from the house to the shed but the shed is about 150Metres away. Thanks

  • Ron Melton

    Please excuse me re question above- Linksys PLTK300-UK

  • http://fireplace.liveautomatic.com Insteon EZIO

    I'm glad that powerline networking is finally getting some traction – it's an underused technology and hopefully one that will offset all the wifi spam I see.

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    ohhh nice info

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