D-Link ships $139.99 PowerLine HD Ethernet Adapter Starter Kit

While we wait for the phenomenon that is wireless HD to actually matter, D-Link's forging ahead with technology that's here, now. Starting today, the outfit is shipping a new PowerLine kit that can stream high-def footage throughout a home's integrated electrical wiring system. In other words, it's not wireless, but it's far from being messy. The PowerLine HD Ethernet Adapter Starter Kit (DHP-303) includes a pair of wall plugs / adapters which convert power sockets into access points for streaming media across the network. D-Link promises that users will see up to 200Mbps of throughput, and of course, the tried-and-rarely-true "plug-and-play" buzzword is thrown in as well. Assuming it actually works, the $139.99 asking price ain't too bad.

D-Link ships $139.99 PowerLine HD Ethernet Adapter Starter Kit

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 15th 2009 3:42PM]

Some brave soul (or souls) - let us know if these actually work....

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 15th 2009 4:02PM]

I have been using Netgear set of PowerLine HD adapter without any issues for almost 2 years now. They work. Obviously I do not get anywhere near 200 Mbps speeds. More like 25-30 Mbps. It's mainly due to the fact that each adapter is on a different circuit and there is also computer, NIC, NAS and gateway mish-mash.

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 15th 2009 4:59PM]

I also have the Netgear Powerline HDs. 4 of them. They're good in a pinch when you either don't feel like running cat5e through walls or have a dead spot in your WiFi - but mainly for internet access. I tried running off of one adapter, into a 5 port Gigabit switch, and only got frustrated. Couldn't maintain consistent speeds.

There are tricks I've read about to make them work better. They did help too, but it was some work. Assigning static IPs to all pcs, testing plugs to find common circuits. I think we managed around 80Mpbs, but it was up and down. And then I started to wonder if they were interfering with our T-Mo VOIP service, but it's just T-Mo. They suck. I know... that's for Engadget Mobile. :)

[brjndr Posted Apr 15th 2009 8:43PM]

I have d-link powerline adaptors and they have been a dismal failure Looking on forums the failure rate has been really high, i would stay away from these.

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 16th 2009 1:47PM]

I sent mine to RMA and was send N router becuase there was something defective that fried the chip.

[(Unverified) Posted May 13th 2009 1:46PM]

I just bought a pair of D-Link Powerline adapters.. Are they really that bad, because i'm starting to have doubts after having read too many rubbish reviews!