Product Description

The PowerLine AV Ethernet Adapter lets you turn your existing powerlines in your home or office into a high-speed network without drilling holes through the wall or climbing through the attic to install network cables. Use the wires that are already running through the building. Interface Ethernet devices to the HomePlug AV PowerLine network simply by pluging in the PowerLine AV Adapter into the wall and connecting your Ethernet-equipped device to the Adapter using the included cable. Turn your whole house into a network infrastructure. Attach more computers to the network by simply plugging them into the wall using more PowerLine AV Adapters. Share resources like printers and storage space with all kinds of music, digital picture and document files. 200Mbps data rates can play lag-free head-to-head network computer games and run media-centric applications like streaming video and Voice over IP telephony. The Linksys PowerLine AV Ethernet Adapter is the perfect solution for high-speed, no new wires, home or office networking. One AC Plug, 100-240V, 50-60 Hz Dimensions - 4.0 x 5.5 x 2.0 inch Weight - 4.80 ounces (136 grams)

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #2102 in Consumer Electronics
• Brand: Linksys
• Model: PLK200
• Released on: 2006-12-11
• Original language: English
• Dimensions: 2.00" h x 5.50" w x 4.00" l, 4.00 pounds

Features

• Use your home or office's existing powerlines to network your computers
• Bridges 10/100 Ethernet and powerline networking
• Data rates up to 100Mbps — 128-bit encryption keeps your data secure
• Share files, printers, network storage, and gaming throughout your home — connect it to a router to share your cable or DSL Internet connection

Customer Reviews

Beware of lights
I have two PLK200 units running far away apart in my house. Pretty much the farthest end possible and here is my experience after more than a year.

Pros:
1. This thing is very tough. It is built like a tank basically. I have constant mpeg2 quality video streaming going on a solid 2-4 hours a day consecutively 7 days a week for a year now. And it is still running top notch.

2. Performance is not a problem on this unit. The speed is as advertised.

Cons:
1. The blinking light drives is insane. The blue flash is huge. It is almost a strobe light if you have enough data streaming! Get a piece of duct tape to block it.

2. It does get rather warm to hot.

The good and the Bad
Linksys PLK200 Powerline AV Ethernet Adapter Kit

After the unpacking I plugged the product in and the devices found each other and connected. I was very impress that they came pre-paired. The performance was as expected. Streaming Video looked much better than before when using wireless. Unfortunately I was not able to get the software to work. I tried installing on three different computers (two XP and one Vista) in all three cases the software would not connect to the devices. The three main problems with not having the software were. 1. I was not able to change the network name (encryption key) 2. I was not able to flash the firmware 3. I would not be able to add more devices later.
I did attempt to get Linksys to assist me, but their support was not good. After calling in three times and being hung up on twice. I was then transfer from India to the U.S. where the support tech only wanted to say that it was a problem with the computer and not the software. After 45 mins of frustration I decided to ordered the Netgear HDXB101 and have not looked back. The easy of setup and working software has sold me.

Netgear HDXB101 Powerline HD Ethernet Kit.

Works great
Like many of the other reviewers I got these devices because the wireless quality in my townhouse has gotten very poor as more and more of my neighbors have gotten wireless devices.

The PLK200s I got worked great. Currently they are getting about 90Mbs between my office and the living room where I have them connected to a switch for my laptop and PS3. If you want to use them with the default security password (not recommended) you can pretty much just plug them in and go. Things were a little more complicated when I changed the password and installed the new firmware. The latest firmware required you to also download a new configuration tool. But after about 30 minutes I had them up and working again.

I plan to buy 2 more of these for various devices I have on other floors in my townhouse.