CES 2009: D-Link Coax Ethernet Adapter Kit (DXN-221)

Well, we’ve seen networking over powerlines, and now D-Link are launching networking over coaxial for those homes that are fully wired throughout with coaxial cable for TV and cable service.

The kit works in a similar way to powerline networking kit – with an adaptor that plugs into your router and a nearby coaxial cable and a second adaptor for another room that connects the coaxial cable to the PC/Extender/Digital Media Receiver that you wish to use.

No word in the release on network speeds, but they do quote the ability for high definition media streaming, so I’d expect it to be 100-200 Mbps

At $199 for the kit and $109 for individual adaptors, it looks a little pricey compared to some of the powerline kits out there, which have been available for some time – but it looks like a really convenient solution for those homes which have previously been coax-ed up.

Here’s the lowdown from D-Link:

D-LINK INTRODUCES ETHERNET-TO-COAX KIT FOR EXTENDING THE HOME NETWORK USING EXISTING TV CABLING

LAS VEGAS, Jan. 6, 2009  – D-Link, the end-to-end networking solutions provider for consumer and business, today introduced an easy-to-use Coax Ethernet Adapter Kit that taps into existing coaxial wiring throughout the home, delivering fast and stable connections for extending a network to devices at the entertainment system and to multiple rooms without interrupting cable service.

The D-Link Coax Ethernet Adapter Kit (DXN-221), on display at the Consumer Electronics Show this week at the Las Vegas Convention Center, is ideally suited for adding bandwidth-demanding applications such as high-definition (HD) media streaming, music sharing and online multi-player gaming to the home network. It comes with two adapters, each of which includes an Ethernet port as well as a Coaxial F-type connector for bridging the two adapters together. The adapters may also be purchased individually (DXN-220).

Users can easily connect the D-Link Coax Ethernet Adapter to their existing router and then to an available coaxial outlet in the home, enabling network and Internet access to multiple rooms. A second adapter is added in another room to connect Ethernet-enabled devices like PCs and media players. The DXN-221 may be used in rooms with multiple devices by connecting a switch to the adapter to connect additional devices.

In a typical scenario, a single adapter comes from the home network router via an Ethernet cable and then connects to a nearby coaxial cable. The second adapter can then be placed anywhere in the home where there is another coaxial cable which can then plug into an Ethernet-ready device or network switch for connecting multiple devices.

The technology also works as a point-to-multipoint network which enables placing multiple adapters throughout the home for connections in any room with a coaxial outlet.

The Coax Ethernet Adapter Kit is an ideal solution for home networking requiring no new in-home wiring. Pairing the device with existing coaxial cabling in the home can extend the network to the home entertainment center where more devices are now network-capable such as gaming consoles, digital video recorders (DVR), and media players.

“With simplified user setup, coaxial networking support, the ability to coexist with other coaxial devices, and fast networking speeds, our Coax Ethernet Adapter Kit delivers a simplified networking solution that makes it easy for consumers to enjoy the benefits of a digital home designed for high-definition media streaming, online gaming and other emerging applications,” said AJ Wang, chief technical officer for D-Link “The technology is fast and a natural complement to our popular networking solutions for moving data into areas of a home where it may be difficult to run a cable or achieve a strong Wi-Fi signal.”

The D-Link Coax Ethernet Adapter Kit is Multimedia over Coax Alliance (MoCA) certified and therefore designed to coexist with other technologies already being distributed in the home. MoCA certified products are able to seamlessly deliver HDTV and DVD quality digital entertainment and high-speed data without interference or latency. The device operates in the 800-1500MHz range, so there is no interference with other products such as cable TV transmissions.

Price and Availability

The D-Link Coax Ethernet Adapter Kit DXN-221 will be available in Q1 2009 from D-Link’s network of retail outlets and will be available from D-Link’s extensive network of e-tail shops with a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $199.99. Individual adapters (DXN-220) are available with a MSRP of $109.99.