Actiontec HLE200AV0-01GK MegaPlug 200 Mbps Powerline HomePlug A/V Gaming Adapter Kit (White)

by Actiontec

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 2.5 x 3 x 3.5 inches ; 1.8 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B0018RUCJ8
• Item model number: HLE200AV0-01GK
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (27 customer reviews)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: March 9, 2008

Product Description

Manufacturer Description

Is your online gaming experience fast, powerful, and hassle-free? Or are you struggling with wireless dead spots and frozen graphics, or tripping over the Ethernet cable running from your living room to bedroom? The latest Powerline technology solves these headaches, by combining the flexibility of wireless home networking with the stability and speeds of a wired connection. And best of all, it's a very simple way of creating a home network that uses the electrical wiring already in your home.

Turn any plug in your house into a gaming network connection with the Actiontec MegaPlug AV Powerline Gaming Kit. Perfect for PC, Xbox, Playstation and Wii gamers, it features a very fast up to 200 Mbps speed, very low ping rates under 3-milliseconds, and instantly connects the gaming console to your Internet connection. To use with the Wii, an USB to Ethernet adapter is required.

HomePlug is faster than 54G Wireless
While the 802.11g standard supports a maximum bandwidth of 54 Mbps, most users are lucky to get 20 Mbps. In contrast, HomePlug AV can deliver a theoretical maximum speed of 200 Mbps, and most users can enjoy speeds of 85 Mbps -- many times faster than their broadband connection. In addition, HomePlug networks have very low latency (less than three milliseconds, depending on gaming configuration).

HomePlug is more reliable than wireless networking
Wireless networks are prone to dead zones, weak signals, and fluctuating speeds. And they're subject to interference from common elements in any household -- walls, cordless phones, microwaves, other wireless devices, and more. The HomePlug Powerline technology offers a stable connection wherever there's an electrical outlet, including the basement and corner room on the second floor.

HomePlug is easy to setup
Literally plug in and go! While a wireless network can be difficult to setup (especially when dealing with lengthy WEP Keys), Powerline networking offers a simple alternative. All you need to do is plug a HomePlug-to-Ethernet adapter into an outlet and attach it to a router via an Ethernet cable, and then connect another adapter to your gaming console or computer. HomePlug uses the existing electrical wiring, so there's no need to run Ethernet cables or drill. And considering most homes have more than 44 outlets, chances are you can find an outlet exactly where you want to game.

Product Description

Actiontec's MegaPlug Powerline 200 Mbps HomePlug A/V Gaming Kit creates the online gaming network you crave! Using the existing power outlets in your home, you can enjoy up to 200 Mbps speeds with less than 3 milliseconds of latency! In addition to your gaming needs, your 200 Mbps Gaming Kit will transfer movies, songs or any other large files faster than you've ever seen. It's easy to set up, universally compatible and provides high security. HomePlug AV Certified.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great product that does what it is supposed to do!!!, June 27, 2008

By 

Sofia Hernandez "Maddy, Eli & Joshy's Mom" (Woodside, NY) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Actiontec HLE200AV0-01GK MegaPlug 200 Mbps Powerline HomePlug A/V Gaming Adapter Kit (White) (Personal Computers)

(What's this?)

Having been dealing with a weak wireless connection throughout our home, especially when we stream HD movies through our 360 and while gaming.... I jumped when I saw that this product was available.

I handed the box to my hubby LOL and he slowly began connecting everything. First he plugged one near our router which is located in a closet and the other one by our XBOX 360. A minute later the eternet cables were connected and VIOLA!!! That is it. It couldn't have been any easier... a monkey could have done it (sorry to my hubby). Instantly there was a difference while he tested it with the gaming applications. IT handled it effortlessly. The connection wasn't dropped as it would have been atleast twice a night beforehand. Then came the streaming of the HD content ( I AM SAM)... once again... it was quick and there wasn't any buffering like we had before when there was a lot of action in the scene. It works and it is a wonderful solution for hard-core gamers that can't handle the response that they receive from a sometimes sketchy wireless connection. If you NEED to be wired in many applications... not only one; and don't want to run a million wires all over your home; then this would be a sound investment. IT is a touch pricey, so that is why I say it should only be for a hard-core gamer.

Also, most do rent and they do not have the luxury of having their wires running hidden throughout their walls; hence the ugly black cords spider-weaving in many renters apartments in NY. This would be the solution to end that.

The downside... it is clunky and it takes up outlet space. Another pet peeve... you have to have outlets near the product you want it to "wire".

Highly recommend... at a price drop.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Home networking has never been so convenient., June 29, 2008

By 

Marshall Carter "Ornery Gamer, Fiend Club Member" (Lexington, SC United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Actiontec HLE200AV0-01GK MegaPlug 200 Mbps Powerline HomePlug A/V Gaming Adapter Kit (White) (Personal Computers)

(What's this?)

This is actually an interesting little product. The Actiontec HLE200AV0-01GK MegaPlug 200 Mbps Powerline HomePlug A/V Gaming Adapter Kit (mouthful, isn't it?) works as advertised. You plug one end into the wall near your router, and the other near the target PC or console (if the case may be), connect cables and voila, instant network connection. The only software that comes with the MegaPlug 200 is an application to change the "encryption settings," which is probably something you'll never need to do. It works out of the box, and it works well.

There are a couple of cons to report: 1. You cannot have it plugged into a power strip or backup unit, it either has to be directly in a wall or into a straight extension cord. 2. Actual speeds don't quite live up to the "200 Mbps" hype, although they are significantly better than any wireless solution (including n).

All-in-all, this is a very good product. It works right out of the box with very little hassle and definitely provides performance beyond what wireless networking currently offers (and without drops in the connection). If you've got a PC or console on the other side of the house and don't feel like going through the hassle of buying the equipment and setting up a wireless network, you could do worse than the MegaPlug 200.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Easiest home network setup I've ever encountered!, June 26, 2008

By 

Modern Blue Argonaut - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Actiontec HLE200AV0-01GK MegaPlug 200 Mbps Powerline HomePlug A/V Gaming Adapter Kit (White) (Personal Computers)

(What's this?)

I was only vaguely aware of this product but since I have several electronics items connected to the wireless network I was open to a new and better solution to home networking.

I was very impressed with the simplicity of this product. The installation is plug and play. Each adapter gets plugged into the wall, and then one ethernet cable gets plugged into your router and the other ethernet cable gets plugged into your computer/gaming system. Your router and connected device can be up to 300 meters of electrical wiring apart.

Unlike wireless connection methods, there is no need to install software, set up usernames and passwords, or keep track of wep or wpa codes. It truly is plug and play.

Before installing this, I was browsing online getting anywhere from 24Mbps to 54Mbps, but once this was installed my page load speed was remarkably faster. This can be very important to internet and live game system gamers who want to have a competitive edge.

Additionally, if your internet connection drops a lot when using your wireless network, this can provide a stable, secure connection using your homes electrical wiring.

I also have the Wilife DVS800I LukWerks Indoor Starter Kit, and although that also uses the powerlines to transmit images through the electrical wires I found no interference when using both.

This will not work if you have it plugged into a surge protector or power strip. Also included was a configuration CD for changing the encryption key for even more network security. This step is completely optional.

Two more important points: Actiontec claims this uses 128-bit AES security (vs. WEP or WPA), which up until recently was used to secure classified, top-secret government documents. Also, if you have a Wii, you are going to need to buy an adapter. I'm sure there are many choices, but I did find this one on Amazon: Wii Net Connect.