This post is my review of the AV2000 Powerline Adapter. A high speed Powerline (ethernet over power) adapter that’s very easy to install.
FAMILY TECH SUPPORT
My parents (grandparents to my kids) live over 600kms away. I’m their tech support for a whole host of device, technology, and computer related issues.
Being so far away can be a challenge, especially when the problem is hardware related. I can’t just pop ‘round and fix the problem. I have to explain things over the phone and hope they get it ! A real challenge at times.
So it’s gratifying when a technology challenge is thrown at me that I can VERY easily solve.
My Dad bought a new TV as his old one died a few days ago. His “new fangled TV” is a smart TV with a whole host of pre-installed apps like Netflix, Youtube, and all the standard “catch-up” TV services – and he wanted to try these apps out. The problem is that his TV room is quite a distance from his broadband internet modem, and he doesn’t have WiFi, and I wasn’t about to drive 600kms to install the necessary Ethernet cable. I know, what a shitty son I am !
NO MORE RUNNING CABLES
The fix was simple though – Ethernet over Power (EoP), otherwise known as Powerline Adapters. EoP is a technology that converts your normal household power sockets into Ethernet outlets. Which means wherever you have a power socket you’ve now got an Ethernet socket.
EoP has been around for years. In fact I’ve been using Powerline adapters since 2006 when I was working for Alcatel in Australia.
I needed to deploy a bunch of Alcatel IP Touch VoIP telephone handsets throughout the home of the then Alcatel global CEO Mike Quigley. His home was spread over two levels and was not wired up for Ethernet. Back then my only choices were to install CAT5 ethernet everywhere or try a new technology called Ethernet over Power. Being the radical guy I am, I chose the later – against the wishes of my manager who thought the tech wouldn’t work or be reliable enough.
I jumped in boots and all, and my gamble paid off. The EoP adapters worked out of the box and I was able to deploy VoIP handsets throughout Mike’s place within minutes. Mike said to me that the solution I deployed was a brilliant idea and applauded my use of this innovative technology. Suffice to say I was rather pleased with the outcome.
STILL USING EoP
11 years later I’m still using Powerline adapters for all sorts of applications. For example I’ve used EoP to connect a research laboratory to a factory control room (between two separate buildings) for CSR Bradford at their glasswool insulation manufacturing plant at Ingleburn, NSW.
I’ve also used EoP to connect both an Art Gallery EFTPOS machine and an artist’s studio back to the administration office, again separate buildings, for a local Blue Mountains world famous Artist called John Wilson. And I’ve used them both for personal in-home applications and that of my friends. Just to name a few. You can read more about my clients on my Portfolio page.
A SIMPLE SOLUTION
The Powerline technology is just so easy to use. So when Dad rang me with his dilemma of how to get the internet to his TV, the answer was simple – Ethernet over Power.
The first thing I did was check all the latest technology review sites for what was considered the best adapters currently available. In short, my research found that the AV2000 Powerline Adapter from TP-Link Technologies is currently top dog of the EoP adapters.
The TP-Link AV2000 2-Port Gigabit PassThrough Powerline Starter Kit (TL-PA9020P KIT) is one of the fastest set of Powerline adapters currently available.
The AV2000 Powerline Adapter uses a technology called 2X2 MIMO which significantly improves speeds. 2X2 MIMO is like adding extra lanes to a highway. It establishes multiple simultaneous connections for you to enjoy higher speeds and greater stability. The technology utilizes all three wires in an electrical cable, transmitting data on any two pairs. It improves speed and longer distances between adapters.
If you’re after a very fast Powerline adapter starter kit, which boasts more than one Ethernet port and a pass-through power socket, then the AV2000 Powerline Adapter from TP-Link is highly recommended.
SPECIFICATIONS of the AV2000 Powerline Adapter
Connectors: 2 X gigabit Ethernet port sockets, and a power socket
Power Consumption: Max = 5.8watts, Standby = 0.5watts
Range: 300 meters
Transmission Speeds: Powerline = up to 2000Mbps, Ethernet = up to 1000 Mbps
Package Contents: 2 X AV2000 2-port Gigabit Passthrough Powerline Adapters, 2 X 2-meter RJ-45 Ethernet Cables, Quick Installation Guide (as if you’d need it, just plug them in !)
Now the most important question you’d want to know….the price. And with this I was very pleasantly surprised. At the time of writing this post the AV2000 Powerline Adapter retails for about $98. Well worth the money.
It can’t get any better !
AV2000 Powerline Adapter
Pros
- Plug and play, no configuration required
- Two gigabit network ports
- One Integrated power socket ensures no power outlet goes to waste
- Ethernet cables included
Cons
- None
