Netgear Powerline AV And AV+ Adapters Hit CES 2010

If wireless is too much trouble for you, Netgear have also brought a pair of new Powerline networking devices to CES 2010.  The Netgear Powerline 200 AV Adapter Kit (XAVB2001) and the Powerline 200 AV+ Adapter Kit (XAVB2501) are both HomePlug compliant, and each offer up to 200Mbps connectivity.  The key difference between the two is that the AV+ system has filtered pass-through AC sockets, meaning you don't have to entirely monopolize an outlet with the adapter.

If you're trying to squeeze a Powerline connection into the already-overloaded outlets behind your A/V rack, then the AV+'s pass-through sockets will come in very handy.  The payoff is bulk: the XAVB2001 adapters are small, more compact than a deck of cards, while the XAVB2501 adapters are understandably larger given that they have to fit in an outlet.

The XAVB2001 AV adapters will be available in January 2010, priced at $149 for a pair and $79 individually.  The XAVB2501 AV+ adapters will follow on in February 2010, priced at $169 for the pair and $89 individually.  Since they're compatible with each other, you could just add a socket-bearing AV+ unit to the basic system if you only need one extra outlet.

Press Release:

NETGEAR Plugs Two Powerful New HomePlug AV Powerline Networking Kits into Product Line-up at the Consumer Electronics Show

Advanced Design and Technology Improves Performance Up to 20 Percent Over Competing Powerline Home Theater Solutions

LAS VEGAS – January 6, 2010 – NETGEAR®, Inc. (NASDAQGM: NTGR), a worldwide provider of technologically innovative, branded networking solutions, today expanded its award-winning family of powerline networking solutions withtwo new devices incorporating HomePlug® AV-certified powerline technology: the diminutive Powerline 200 AV Adapter Kit (XAVB2001) and the Powerline 200 AV+ Adapter Kit (XAVB2501) with a filtered "pass-through" power socket. These networking kits incorporate the latest in design and technology innovations to support performance surpassing that of existing solutions by as much as 20 percent. These solutions enable high-performance applications such as HD video streaming, Voice over IP (VoIP), Internet gaming, and large file transfers to networked devicesover existing electrical wiring in environments where wireless network performance may be challenged.NETGEAR will introduce its new products at two press events today in conjunction with the opening of the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. See today's press release, "NETGEAR Introduces New Solutions at Consumer Electronics Show To Enable Any Media on Any Screen, Anywhere at Anytime" at http://www.netgear.com/About/PressReleases/en-US/2010/20100105a.aspx.

Powerline technology enables consumers to create a 10/100 Ethernet connection from any ordinary electrical outlet, thus eliminating the need to run new cables and lowering the overall cost to deploy a high-speed data network. Consumers can extend the range of their home network with these affordable, simple-to-install adapters, especially those consumerswho use Internet-connected devices that demand high bandwidth, such as the new NETGEAR Digital Entertainer Express (EVA9100), Elite (EVA9150)and Live (EVA2000) digital media players, Blu-ray™ players, TiVo®, AppleTV®, Xbox 360™, PlayStation® 3, DVRs, and network-enabled TVs. Moreover, because these new NETGEAR powerline kits are HomePlug AV-certified, they can easily and affordably extendany existing HomePlug AV network.

"Powerline has become an increasingly popular option for an always-on infrastructure because of the explosive growth in connected AV devices, and the high speeds and reliability required to support these demandingapplications," said Chris Geiser, NETGEAR's product line manager for in-home distribution consumer products. "Home theater products need constant, shared and faster access to the Internet and the home network. You might have wireless dead spots in your house. You probably don't have Ethernet in your walls. But chances are, you've got at least one electrical outlet in every room in your house. Powerline can boldly go where no Internet connection has gone before. Besides, you can't beat powerline adapters for simple set-up and ease-of-use."

NETGEAR has a well-documented track record of bringing the latest in powerline technologies to the market, offering a broad portfolio of powerline connectivity options optimized to deliver the highest performance, including single-port, pass-through, 4-port, and wireless extensions. (http://www.netgear.com/Products/PowerlineNetworking/PowerlineEthernetAdapters.aspx) NETGEAR is the only networking company that offers the full range of in-home distribution technologies to the retail and service provider markets, including powerline, MoCA® coax and wireless.

"While wireless is becoming increasingly popular as the core technology for home networks and is often embedded into new products, its performance can be affected by many factors, including the construction materials of the building itself," said Norm Bogen, vice president of digital entertainment research for In-Stat. "Powerline can be a great complementary solution for TVs, Blu-ray players, set-top boxes and other home theater devices that still require a wired connection."

Powerline 200 AV Adapter Kit (XAVB2001)

The NETGEAR Powerline 200 AV Adapter Kit (XAVB2001) is HomePlug AV-certified, featuring up to 200 Mbps performance through powerline. Its performance surpasses that of competing solutions and even that of NETGEAR's own award-winning Powerline AV Ethernet Adapter Kit (XAVB101) by up 20 percent. It's distinguished by its compact size, smaller than a deck of cardsand up to 50 percent smaller than competing products. It is thus an excellent choice for consumers who are concerned that a powerline device might block an open power outlet.The NETGEAR Powerline 200 AV Adapter Kit (XAVB2001) containing two adapters will be available worldwide in January 2010 at an MSRP in the U.S. of $149.Single adapters (XAV2001) will have an MSRP in the U.S. of $79.Photos and other information are at http://www.netgear.com/Products/PowerlineNetworking/PowerlineEthernetAdapters/xavb2001.aspx.

Powerline 200 AV+ Adapter Kit (XAVB2501)

The HomePlug-certified NETGEAR Powerline 200 AV+ Adapter Kit (XAVB2501) shares the same performance and design benefits asthe Powerline 200 AV Adapter Kit (XAVB2001), but differs from its sister product in offering a unique integrated filtered power socket for "pass-through" capability. This ensures that customers don't cannibalize an existing wall power socket with the adapter, which means they can connect a wider range of power-hungry devices than competing solutions while still maintaining the highest performance.The NETGEAR Powerline 200 AV+ Adapter Kit (XAVB2501) containing two adapters will be available worldwide in February 2010 at an MSRP in the U.S. of $169.Single adapters (XAV2501) will have an MSRP in the U.S. of $89.Photos and other information are at http://www.netgear.com/Products/PowerlineNetworking/PowerlineEthernetAdapters/xavb2501.aspx.

Improved Performance, Improved Design

Both new NETGEAR products are designed to provide customers with industry-leading features at an affordable price. For example:

Effective throughput and speeds up to 20 percent better than competing solutions over extended locations; a typical coverage area is up to a 5,000-square-foot home.

Multi-colored "pick-a-plug" LEDs indicate current network performance, so the customer can determine the strength of the powerline connection without having to look at a computer.

Advanced energy management and standby capabilities provide wake-on-activity functionality to reduce overall energy usage.

Prioritized Quality of Service (QoS).

Simple "push-and-secure" functionality enables average users to easily install and secure the devices with 128-Bit AES encryption- no software configuration, no knowledge of networking, and no PC required, all with the push of a button.

Compatibility with other HomePlug AV products from NETGEAR, as well as HomePlug AV-certified products from other vendors.

Backed by a one-year warranty and 24/7 technical support from NETGEAR, the Powerline 200 AV Adapter Kit (XAVB2001) and the Powerline 200 AV+ Adapter Kit (XAVB2501)will be available worldwide via leading retailers, direct marketers, e-commerce sites, and value-added resellers. For a fun look at the evolution of gaming enabled by NETGEAR powerline products, visit http://www.agamer4life.com.