ZyXEL PLA400 200 Mbps Powerline HomePlug AV Desktop Fast Ethernet Adapter
by ZYXEL
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Category: CE
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Digital Photo Product Details
Manufacturer: ZYXELAudio: English (Original Language)
Format: CD
Platform: Windows
Model: PLA-400
Product features:
- Sold Individually
Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of ZyXEL PLA400 200 Mbps Powerline HomePlug AV Desktop Fast Ethernet Adapter
Customer Review: OK speed, but not as advertised
Summary: 3 Stars
I purchased the PLA-400 with a PLA-401 unit to connect a Gigabit router to an XBOX 360 for video streaming via Netflix. I have another XBOX 360 in another room that is wired ethernet through the same gigabit switch (and a separate Gigabit switch in another part of the house). Unfortunately I couldn't run ethernet to this particular location without tons of work, hence the reason to try this product. I first of all installed a Netgear XE1004 (85MBS) which worked fine for two PC's for general internet access, but was not quite good enough for netflix streaming, nor TV via Windows Media Center (using Xbox 360 as an extender). The PLA 400/401 combo, works well enough for standard TV and can stream neflix OK, however, it is not good enough to stream HD video from my media center PC (windows 7). It only shows enough bandwidth for standard TV. Since it's via an Xbox 360 and not a PC, I can't test the throughput. Simply using the Xbox 360 "performance tuning" faclity for the media extender. The units were truly "plug and play" however. I plugged them in, waited lesss than 5 minutes (probably more like 2) until they found each other and I had geen link lights (the units show red if you have <10MB throughput). I tried them in a couple outlets and got marginally better speed, but had to run a long ethernet cable which defeated the purpose. So far (1 month) it's working fine. I can stream DVD's files from the media center PC and recorded TV (even HD) is fine- just can't "watch" live TV via the media center PC.
They are pricey though- the pair was $105 from Amazon, which was cheaper than getting two of either at the time (which is why I got two different units). Zyxel indicates they will have Win 7 software utility by end of March. OK with me as the PC I use to monitor my network is still Win XP, but if you have Win 7, their website says it will work (and I have proven it works because my Windows Media Center PC is Win 7, you just can't use the utility software (evidently). It supposedly tests throughput and tells me I'm getting 40+ MBS, but given these are 200MBS (theoretical) throughput, I think I should get more. Also my home is only 10 years old.
I considered the Netgear 200MBS model, but they were $150 for a pair and given the less than stellar performance of their XE1004, I decided to try these. So they are good, but not great and for me they don't meet the advertised speed.
1/9/10- UPDATE - The PLA401 unit stopped working while watching a movie via netflix on xbox 360. Had it less than a month. Returned to Amazon and requested a replacement. Due to be received tomorrow. Experience with Amazon was great (assuming replacement comes tomorrow as I requested it Sunday night). Not happy with PLA401 unit dieing so quickly. Perhaps my above review jinxed things.
Description of ZyXEL PLA400 200 Mbps Powerline HomePlug AV Desktop Fast Ethernet Adapter
ZyXEL´s Powerline Series is an access extension solution to have your house completely networked with existing power lines. Thanks to the advanced HomePlug AV Technology, the PLA-400 v2 is capable of transmitting data at up to 200Mbps. It allows you to share network resources and enjoy Internet access through secure high-speed data connection over the house power lines you already have.Digital Cameras & Photo Categories
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