Neanderthal

iTrader: (6)

I'm moving house soon to a 3 storey jobbie. Whilst I could cross my fingers and hope that my current wireless setup is up to the job what I'd really prefer is a wired solution to increase speed between the 360 and the main PC and have a centralised music database so that I can connect to it via any room (except the bathroom ).

Has anyone used these 'homeplug' types of network? are they reliable and are they fast (I want to stream HD stuff to the 360, something that's impossible via wireless).

Matt

mike1210

2 Devices connected using Cat 5e Ethernet cable to a switch

Size of file

4,571,424 KB

Time For Wired

7 miniutes 12 seconds

10,582Kbyte/Sec Average transfer

85Mbit/Sec average speed over time

average network utilisation 92-94% of LAN adapter

Ping results

Reply from 192.168.1.11: bytes=32 time<1ms TTL=128
Reply from 192.168.1.11: bytes=32 time<1ms TTL=128
Reply from 192.168.1.11: bytes=32 time<1ms TTL=128
Reply from 192.168.1.11: bytes=32 time<1ms TTL=128
Reply from 192.168.1.11: bytes=32 time<1ms TTL=128
Reply from 192.168.1.11: bytes=32 time<1ms TTL=128
Reply from 192.168.1.11: bytes=32 time<1ms TTL=128
Reply from 192.168.1.11: bytes=32 time<1ms TTL=128
Reply from 192.168.1.11: bytes=32 time<1ms TTL=128
Reply from 192.168.1.11: bytes=32 time<1ms TTL=128
Reply from 192.168.1.11: bytes=32 time<1ms TTL=128
Reply from 192.168.1.11: bytes=32 time<1ms TTL=128
Reply from 192.168.1.11: bytes=32 time<1ms TTL=128
Reply from 192.168.1.11: bytes=32 time<1ms TTL=128
Reply from 192.168.1.11: bytes=32 time<1ms TTL=128
Reply from 192.168.1.11: bytes=32 time<1ms TTL=128
Reply from 192.168.1.11: bytes=32 time<1ms TTL=128
Reply from 192.168.1.11: bytes=32 time<1ms TTL=128
Reply from 192.168.1.11: bytes=32 time<1ms TTL=128
Reply from 192.168.1.11: bytes=32 time<1ms TTL=128
Reply from 192.168.1.11: bytes=32 time<1ms TTL=128
Reply from 192.168.1.11: bytes=32 time<1ms TTL=128
Reply from 192.168.1.11: bytes=32 time<1ms TTL=128
Reply from 192.168.1.11: bytes=32 time<1ms TTL=128
Reply from 192.168.1.11: bytes=32 time<1ms TTL=128
Reply from 192.168.1.11: bytes=32 time<1ms TTL=128
Reply from 192.168.1.11: bytes=32 time<1ms TTL=128

Ethernet Over Power using Netgear HDX101 adapters


1 Device connected using Cat 5e Ethernet cable to a switch, the other device connected downstairs using 2 Powerline adapters into a switch

Size of file

4,571,424 KB

13 Minutes 20 seconds

5714KB/sec average over time

45.7 MBit/sec over time

Network utilisation at most 53%, at worst 30%, varying over time, less stable than wired.

Ping results

Reply from 192.168.1.11: bytes=32 time=4ms TTL=128
Reply from 192.168.1.11: bytes=32 time=1ms TTL=128
Reply from 192.168.1.11: bytes=32 time=3ms TTL=128
Reply from 192.168.1.11: bytes=32 time=2ms TTL=128
Reply from 192.168.1.11: bytes=32 time=3ms TTL=128
Reply from 192.168.1.11: bytes=32 time=5ms TTL=128
Reply from 192.168.1.11: bytes=32 time=1ms TTL=128
Reply from 192.168.1.11: bytes=32 time=6ms TTL=128
Reply from 192.168.1.11: bytes=32 time=4ms TTL=128
Reply from 192.168.1.11: bytes=32 time=9ms TTL=128
Reply from 192.168.1.11: bytes=32 time=6ms TTL=128
Reply from 192.168.1.11: bytes=32 time=18ms TTL=128
Reply from 192.168.1.11: bytes=32 time=4ms TTL=128
Reply from 192.168.1.11: bytes=32 time=20ms TTL=128
Reply from 192.168.1.11: bytes=32 time=13ms TTL=128
Reply from 192.168.1.11: bytes=32 time=5ms TTL=128
Reply from 192.168.1.11: bytes=32 time=2ms TTL=128
Reply from 192.168.1.11: bytes=32 time=2ms TTL=128
Reply from 192.168.1.11: bytes=32 time=2ms TTL=128
Reply from 192.168.1.11: bytes=32 time=2ms TTL=128
Reply from 192.168.1.11: bytes=32 time=13ms TTL=128
Reply from 192.168.1.11: bytes=32 time=2ms TTL=128
Reply from 192.168.1.11: bytes=32 time=10ms TTL=128
Reply from 192.168.1.11: bytes=32 time=2ms TTL=128
Reply from 192.168.1.11: bytes=32 time=2ms TTL=128
Reply from 192.168.1.11: bytes=32 time=2ms TTL=128
Reply from 192.168.1.11: bytes=32 time=2ms TTL=128
Reply from 192.168.1.11: bytes=32 time=1ms TTL=128

MattW

Only downside I can see is that they would limit internet connection speeds on a very fast broadband connection. How about MIMO or N Broadbandbuyer.co.uk | Wireless Network

mike1210

just to add, very easy to configure also, i'd recommend them but as the results they are not as good as normal Cat 5E, but more relaible and faster than wireless, not sure about when the N wireless standard gets finalised mind

edited to add seeing the reviews i probably wouldn't recommend getting the netgear and would get the AV 200 as Roadrunner suggested

stevem2k

Using them at home now for 'fixed' stuff ( including media streaming ), the solwise 85mbit versions. Trivial to set up ,work a treat.

Steve

RoadrunnerV2

Matt - Homeplug AV is very good for streaming. Simple to use and good enough for 2 simultaneous HD Streams. Avoid the NETGEAR 200 adapters though. Not every good as they are based on old technology which has been around for 2-3yrs. The Homeplug AV 200 is the ones you want to consider for HD Streaming. Intel just announced they are adding Homeplug AV as standard to their hardware in 2008.

Check out PcPro for 'Reviews'

RoadrunnerV2

Homeplug AV is faster than UK broadband at the moment while Homeplug 85 is fast enough for sub 8Mbits broadband connections.

Neanderthal

iTrader: (6)

Thanks chaps,
I've only got a 2Mb connection that I can't see needing to be any faster.
As long as the homeplug tech provides a fast enough data transfer to stream HD stuff from the PC to the 360 I'll be happy, especially as I won't have to worry about extra wires.
One further question, I'm guessing the homeplug needs to be directly into the wall socket, rather than on a 4 way extension lead?

RoadrunnerV2

We are looking at first half of 2008.

Draft 2.0 was signed off recently. Expect it to take about 2-4mths to filter into the market. This draft looks to be very interesting and appealing

RoadrunnerV2

For best results the homeplug should be directly plugged into the wall socket. But in real world most people run them off 4-ways. Just make sure it’s a standard 4-way without filtering/Surge protection. Surge 4-ways = badly filtered homeplug signal

Neanderthal

iTrader: (6)

Thanks Giles mate
Expect a phone call in the next 6 weeks (fingers crossed everything goes to plan anyway!)

HankScorpio

Can you explain that one to me?

I have a 10 Meg internet connection connected at 54Mbps to a machine that can utilise that full connection for download AND stream high res content (920x528 AC3) to a media player with no effect on the download.

If 54Mbps can support that, why is 85Mbps only fast enough for sub 8 bb?

RoadrunnerV2

Advertised speeds on Homeplug/Wireless etc are not the true "real world" speeds. Take wireless for example. The true speed for 54Mbps Wireless-G is around 20-24Mbps based on the signal being at full strength with no encryption. When you factor in distance/interference/encryption then you will quickly find the speed drops to compensate for the mentioned factors.

Homeplug 85 offers speeds similar to Wireless-G.

Rule of thumb I find useful for networking. I never max out the products performance and always leave a margin of error. Therefore I go along the lines of sub 10 bb wireless-g or homeplug 85 will be adequate. Anything above 10 bb then consider wireless-n or homeplug AV.

HankScorpio

I still don't get it.

I have 54Mbs wireless G, over which I can download at ISP full rate of 10 and stream AV simultaneously but you originally say that homeplug 85 is suitable for <8 (which you revised to <10).

"Real world", I have no issues doing the things mentioned on "advertised" 54, if homeplug 85 is similar to 54, why would the OP need more than 85?