NETGEAR Powerline AV Ethernet kit XAVB101 - bridge - wall-mountable

The technology train we all will manage to jump on to at some point in our lives is getting faster and faster and faster. No matter what product we think is the best or top of the range, is, weirdly enough, obsolete by the time we take to the counter. The good thing is, whatever we buy, it’s getting better, more powerful and more reliable.

I’d like to believe that for everything I buy…….

I use the internet on a daily basis, I class myself as a standard user, and I check my emails, reply to friends on facebook, listen and download music and now and again play some online games. As much as I can find the solutions to a lot of problems that occur with my pc and laptops without the need for customer support, I detest when things stop working when nothing has been done to affect it. My main scowl is at the wireless feature on my router!
I’ve used ethernet network cables and loved them and I still use them for my Xbox 360 as I refuse to use a wireless connection. I went to wireless on my Laptops and decided a wireless usb adapter for my pc as the router Sky provided me has the wireless feature. It was great at first, until the connection became unreliable, I kept disconnecting, I kept having to plug in the usb adapter several times to restart the connection and the further I got from the router, the less of a connection I received. I never got the service I was paying for.
I decided to change my approach and go for the powerline av connection method. I decided to choose Netgear as my Sky Router was made from Netgear. And this is my experience….

-=+ Installation =+-

With the router already powered and the adsl line connected.

I got the kit out of the box, which came with two Ethernet wires and two adapters and odd paper work with a resource cd, which I never needed to use. I did as the instructions stated.

1 ) I plugged one adapter into the mains *( please not not to use a power strip or surge protector, just put it straight into the wall ) then got one Ethernet cable and plugged that into the adapter and then the other end into a port in the router.

2 ) Ran up stairs

3 ) I plugged the other adapter into the wall in the bedroom where the pc is. And plugged the other Ethernet cable into that and then into the pc’s network port.

4 ) Waited for 15 seconds while the network was identified .

5 ) Smiled and laughed at how quick the internet was again after converting from wireless to powerline.

It was so simple. No instillation was needed. No nothing. Plug and play. I definitely have eliminated the use of wires and prevented any stresses from the wireless connection available.

There are security settings you can activate, but I never did. I might need to look into why it’s a benefit to need the security as a home user.

-=+ Tech observations / issues +=-

I sent an email to Netgear customer services and had a reply within 2 hours. which was impressive.

A few things though you might need to take into consideration when using.

Make sure you have one circuit board or connect to the same board for useage.

The connection is much more reliable than wireless, yet not as fast as a direct Ethernet connection.

The box comes with standard 1.8m short Ethernet cables, so you might need to buy longer ones.

The Netgear 85mb adapters are not cross compatible with the 200mb adapters. So make sure to buy one make only. -=+ Final View +=-Anyone who is having issues with wireless but doesn’t want a long wire running through the house should look into getting a powerline adapter. The price is slightly pricey, but in consideration to the cost of an N router and the cost of an N usb adapter, the price is very similar. Wireless is still a good option for convenience, but those with stationary products – pcs / xbox / ps3 – this product is absolutely amazing. Its ease of use makes me forget about the price, and the secure connection I’m getting allows me to have a peaceful mind. I just know I’ve made a good investment.