The real value of a powerline kit, as it relates to signal, is realized when the normal distribution of a wireless signal is impeded. Powerline kits create a more secure, reliable signal, which is reason enough for many business and home users to consider them. Where dead spots exist in wireless service, powerline kits are a choice that makes very good sense, and indeed, might be the only way to go. In dorms, apartments, or rentals where wireless systems are ineffective, drilling holes and adding wiring to create a wired network simply is not an option, to say nothing of the expense that would be involved. Choosing a powerline kit that uses the existing wiring infrastructure to distribute the signal, with speed to keep all your devices humming along in real time, offering superior clarity, and delivering excellent affordability, will prove to be the right decision.

Powerline kits will never weaken signal strength, and in the settings described here, will allow you to get a signal when no wireless signal is capable of reaching your devices.

Speed made Simple and Secure!

Two of the most popular options for setting up a network in your home, office, or apartment can both present significantly problems. Wireless networks often do not offer the security that wired networks do. In addition, dead spots can be caused by distance or equipment interference. They second type, a wired network, can be costly, when cabling has to be run throughout a building. There is a third alternative that is affordable, provides an instant network using the existing wiring in the building, is very secure, and hums along at a very quick 200Mbps. The ActionTec HLE20003 PowerLine Kit is the perfect choice for high-bandwidth applications like HDTV, audio streaming, head to head gaming in real time, sending big projects to network printers or faxes, and sharing files of all types. If your device has an Ethernet port, it’s got a place on the network. Common brand items include Blu-Ray players, PlayStation 3, Wii, and Xbox360. They’ll run smoothly with full compatibility for any ISP and equipment.

The 128-bit AES encryption offers a safer connection than wireless, where that is important. Plug and Play ease, rated for HomePlug AV devices, so there’s never been an easier, faster way to fire up a network. The kit contains 2 MegaPlug AV 200Mbps Ethernet adapters complete with cables. The ActionTec HLE20003 PowerLine Kit runs on Windows 2000, XP, or Vista, Linux, and Mac. Extend your network to any outlet in the place and never run cable, drill holes, or cut in boxes. Easy usability is offered new for $105 to $119.

To set up a powerline networking kit, plug one adapter into a live electrical outlet near the incoming network feed or router. The other adapter will have one to four ports for Ethernet enabled devices. Plug this unit in where you want to run these devices. Using the Ethernet cables with USB connections, attach your devices and you are done. It you want to expand your network to other rooms, simply purchase more adapters, plug them in, connect your equipment, and get on with the business or pleasure at hand!

Typically in a kit, one of the adapters is designed to host your network router, and often features a 10/100 Ethernet port. The router can be wired or wireless, making powerline kits a great option for extending the range of a wireless network that does not reach the furthest rooms or offices of a building. The second adapter will have one to four ports, each capable of supplying high speed service to a separate device, such as a PC or laptop, an HDTV, MP3 player, network fax or printer, or gaming console. The advantages of a network system are many, including the ability to provide interference-free connections where electrical equipment is in use and a range offered that is greater than many wireless networks.

Most homes or offices today feature two or more serial devices that are Ethernet enabled. Networking them together using the building’s wiring is simple with this adapter set, the Aboundi PowerLine Kit. There’s no need for a costly, time consuming project running wire throughout the building, if that’s even possible. Now, those devices can be used to share internet access, swap even very large files, engage in head to head gaming, and much more via 802.3 Ethernet LAN. The connection created is much more secure than wireless, and offers 56-bit DES encryption of all data.

This high-tech unit is easy to set up using a secure web browser, and offers firmware that is designed for future upgrading. The Aboundi PowerLine Kit offers the greatest versatility on the market, with a range of applications that extend from those common with home use, such as high speed internet, video streaming, file swapping, and sending large jobs to the network printer. It also offers businesses fantastic network capabilities related to modems, point of sale registers, and offsite tracking. The bandwidth offered is 85Mbps, and offers very convenient Plug and Play simplicity, and is HomePlug 1.0 compliant. This is one of the few powerline kits that work on both a 110 volt outlet and a 220 volt outlet. The LED display shows power and when Ethernet connectivity is present. A great piece of technology for an excellent price. New kits can be had for under $55.

1. The Linksys PLK300 PowerLine AV Kit: This 2-adapter set delivers high speeds and terrific bandwidth so that even when multiple devices are tapping into the network performance will be outstanding. Maximum speeds of 100Mbps will be enjoyed, even while streaming HDTV, downloading graphic-intensive files, using a network printer or fax, or engaging in real-time online gaming. For families or business owners that need lots of capacity, this is an outstanding choice. The 4-port adapter allows 4 separate Ethernet enabled devices to function effectively without delay or slow-downs. It’s compatible with all Windows, Mac, and Linux operating systems. Read our full review of this product here!

2. Corinex AV200 Powerline Wireless Kit: This units boasts speeds of up to 200Mbps, making it right for streaming video or audio, gaming consoles, top of set boxes, VoIP, and any PC or laptop. Use with Wii, SlingBox, Xbox360, TiVO, and all your favorite Ethernet devices. Read our full review of this product here!

3. Netgear HDX101 Powerline Kit: Netgear is one of the most trusted names in networking, and this kit delivers reputation-building performance at speeds up to 200Mbps. It works as a powerline kit or will also work with an existing wireless network. Plug and Play usability will give coverage to up to 5000 square feet. Read our full review of this product here!

4. Belkin F5D4075 Powerline AV Kit: Plenty of speed at 200Mbps is coupled with 3 ports making it a great choice for a small office or a home recreation room or theater where multiple Ethernet enabled devices are in play. The 128-bit AES encryption offers better security than most wireless networks. Read our full review of this product here!

5. Trendnet TPL-302E 200MBPS Powerline Kit: When you want to network multiple PC’s or laptops, a fax and printer for business, or a several fun & games devices, you will appreciate the versatility and speed of this unit. Cruise at speeds up to 200Mbps with total Plug and Play convenience that is compatible with all your PC, game console, and streaming video or audio devices. Read our full review of this product here!

Wireless is great, when its available. Even some homes, businesses, schools, or apartment complexes that are set up with a wireless router have dead spots where access is denied. Construction materials, interference from electrical equipment, and sheer distance can render some put some locations off the network. In those situations, an asset like the HP H950 PowerLine Kit comes in very handy. This technology uses the building’s wiring as the infrastructure needed to extend the network throughout the building, to any location within about 300 yards. Now, your office in the basement, your penthouse apartment, or your desk near the building’s heating units will be within reach of a very clear, very fast Ethernet connection.

The kit contains two adapters, one for an electrical outlet near the main router, and the second for an outlet wherever you want to enjoy Broadband high-speed internet with an Ethernet enabled device. Plug the router into the 10/100Mbps port, and your device into the remote adapter. The range of functions now at your fingertips includes the use of any PC or laptop, top of set boxes, the network printer, or a gaming console – even when employed for real-time head to head gaming. Shared internet access, file sharing, and large file downloading are all well within its capacity. The HP H950 PowerLine Kit includes an Ethernet cable along with the two adapters. The price varies, from a low of just $20, to about $35.

Range: The first goal of any network is to deliver accessibility where you want it. Wireless networks offer total access within their range, and as long as the signal is unhindered, they are tough to beat. The problem is that in today’s electronic world there are many ways in which a wireless signal is impeded. Building materials like concrete and steel prevent wireless signal penetration, and equipment pulling a lot of electricity, such as refrigeration units, creates interference. Powerline networks offer excellent clarity that will not be impeded by equipment in use, and have a very respectable range of over 300 yards, which is greater than many wireless networks will provide without installation of range extenders.

Security: Where security is an important issue, it’s important to note that powerline networking is more secure than wireless. Hacking or eavesdropping on a powerline network is much more difficult than penetrating even “security-enable” wireless networks.

Cost: The price for a basic set up for a wireless network is typically higher than for a single two-adapter powerline kit. If you choose a powerline network and want to add additional adapters, the cost will rise with each additional kit added to the network, which may eventually make the network more costly.

Speed: Both wireless and powerline networks offer very high speeds for data transfer. Where no interference is present, the performance of each type of system is excellent. Where interference from other signals or impediments exists for wireless, a powerline network will offer more consistent performance.

Those of us who live seriously wired lives know that our entertainment options, our work output, or out total connectivity are only as good as our network. Conaxsat/CNX understands that, since their designers are as plugged in as anyone. Their latest FTA receiver is the Conaxsat Nano 2 CNX Nano2 PVR Powerline Kit Wireless, which extends the wireless range in your living or working situation to anywhere you need it to go, with outstanding speed, security, and capacity. This kit comes complete with two adapters with 85Mbps capability that can handle LAN PVR, high-quality video streams, large file downloads, streaming music, and large print jobs for office or school applications. Going the other way and streaming MPEG from your PC using Ethernet won’t tax the capacity of this advanced unit. It’s a great choice in the home office, or the student’s apartment or dorm room.

Other features include the ability to upgrade your channel database for your set top boxes, or upgrade software for any device with ease. Use the Conaxsat Nano 2 CNX Nano2 PVR Powerline Kit Wireless with all PC’s and laptops, your SlingBox, gaming consoles, TiVo, and whatever else you use to access the multimedia you desire. Add multiple adapters to electrical outlets around the building and expand the network, up to 12 units. Surprisingly affordable, prices for new 2-adapter kits range from $59 to $69.

Wireless is great. We enjoy it at the local coffee shop when surfing sports and news or keeping in touch. But it’s not the best type of network in all circumstances. If you want the best possible oversight of your network, with no rogue users, and if you need security greater than wireless allows, you might consider starting your network using the D-Link DHP303 Powerline Network Kit. This two adapter set turns your home or building’s existing wiring system into a network. Just plug them into live 110 volt electrical outlets, and use the high speed port to attach your Ethernet enabled device, and enjoy data transfer rates as high as 200Mbps. Add up to 16 total adapters to the network without experiencing a significant drop in performance.

The D-Link DHP303 Powerline Network Kit will handle with ease even the most intensive applications like streaming high definition video, audio, downloading large files, or employing it for real time gaming with your game console. HDTV, TiVo, DVR’s, laptops and PC’s, network printers, and so much more are all well within the capacity of this advanced system. The network will support multiple users simultaneously, and is compatible with all current operating systems, including Windows Vista. This network offers you faster speeds than wireless and more secure encryption, making it an unbeatable and very affordable wired alternative. Get started with this kit for $115 to $129.