Customer Reviews

Cisco-Linksys PLE200 PowerLine AV Ethernet Adapter

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

See also the Linksys PLK200 Powerline AV Ethernet Adapter Kit, which is more economical.

This product is based on a "HomePlug-AV" chipset than runs a specialized type of sofware known as "firmware". Linksys does not design, manufacture, or maintain this chipset or its firmware. An unaffiliated company does that, and Linksys is just one of dozens of that company's customers.

I've purchased about 20 (twenty) PLE200s over the past year--from Amazon and other sellers--and all of them have shipped with firmware version 1.4.5 installed. The primary purpose of my 'review' here is to caution you that hardware running firmware version 1.4.5 cannot communicate with hardware running newer firmware versions. I hope this caution reaches people who have already purchased the PLE200 as well as those who are contemplating doing it.

Version 2.0 implemented a change that was required to achieve compliance with the HomePlug-AV standard. That change unfortunately rendered 1.4.5 unable to intercommunicate with versions thereafter. Fortunately, no subsequent firmware change will have such a devastating side-effect.

"HomePlug-AV" products currently coming off various manufacturers' production lines are likely shipping with 2.0 or later firmware installed. Be advised that if you wish to build unified network consisting of PLE200s and these other products, you'll have to upgrade the firmware in your PLE200s; otherwise, the PLE200s and the other products won't even "see" each other. Not only that, but they'll probably also step on each other's transmissions because of inability to coordinate their usage of the powerline medium.

The PLE200 ostensibly is compliant with the HomePlug-AV standard, but it actually is NOT compliant with the HomePlug-AV standard until its firmware is upgraded from version 1.4.5 to version 2.0 or newer. As of this writing, 3.0.5 is the newest version.

Linksys ought to provide a binary image of the firmware for download on their web site, but I don't see it. The Windows GUI application that Linksys ships on CD with the PLE200--it has a mechanism for programming a new firmware image into a PLE200, but I've never used it and am not certain it is able to perform the 1.4.5-to-later upgrade even if it were given the appropriate binary image.

Being an engineer who is doing development work in the HomePlug-AV space, I have the means to do the upgrade, but it requires my using some software that is not available to the general public. To the general public who already own PLE200's, I would suggest pestering either Linksys or the chipset manufacturer about the firmware. To everyone else--maybe you can find a HomePlug-AV adapter under a different brand name that comes with firmware version 2.0 or later pre-installed.

Not sure what may have caused Mark's problem, but I own 2 of these units already and they work perfectly for me. In fact, I'm thinking of purchasing 2 more. If you're considering other powerline adapters similar to these, make sure you pay attention to the data rates. Some of the other popular powerline adapters don't provide the data rate that these units have - up to 100Mbps.

There's no configuration required at all. Just plug one in to an outlet close to your router and another one in to an outlet anywhere you need another network connection, connect the Ethernet cables, and you're in business. I definitely recommend them.

This listing is for the PLE200, which is a single unit. This is what you might need if you are expanding your existing powerline network. If you're just starting out with powerline adapters, you'll need at least 2 adapters. So you might consider the PLK200, which is a kit containing 2 units.

I'll keep this short and sweet. There were a few posts about the benefits upgrading the firmware, to make these units compatible with the current homeplug av stnndards.

I tried updating three units. Two upgraded just fine. The third bricked.

Dead as the parrot in the Monty Python sketch. And unlike the routers, there is no reset option.

The unit is out of warranty. So Linksys said "Sorry Charlie". Even though their software and firmware update killed the machine.

So if you buy these new or used, beware. There is much truth to the firmware upgrade warnings posted here on Amazon.

For someone who is technologically challenged, the set-up was extremely simple. The whole process took less than 10 minutes. I purchased it in order to get Direct TV on demand and it works perfectly. Great product.

These adapters work great, but the Linksys setup could save many hours of frustration and tech calls to your ISP and to Linksys if they gave more information to those who need one adapter hooked up to their modem/router. [The instructions gave no specific steps for this.]

#1..The first adapter must be configured on a PC that's attached to the modem/router you plan to use with it. [This may sound obvious, but my home network only had Macs directly hooked to the router, and the PC I was connecting was previously wireless downstairs at the very far end of the house. You can't configure the first adapter attached to the PC alone, then hook it back to router, like I tried to do.] Now you can configure it's twin where you want. However ...

#2..It makes a difference which outlet in your house you plug the second adapter into. My adapter was originally plugged into the farthest plug away from the modem/router, and the internet connection was very poor. Simply moving it to another outlet helped a lot.

These units are highly portable and you get an internet connection that is much faster than wireless.

However, they tend to overheat and hang up (the lights flash quickly even when no data is being transferred) when used intensively. This is especially true for video applications.

Whenever I use them for a videophone call, I unplug them for at least 30 minutes to make sure that they start out cool. If the call degardes badly, often unplugging for a few minutes solves the problem.

I have used PLE200 for some time and was extremely pleased with their performance. I recently added one which unfortunately had the new firmware installed. It would not communicate with the original PLE200. My conclusion, I must apply the new firmware to the old units, what other conclusion could one come to. I proceeded and installed the new firmware but to my amazement not only were the units not communicating with each other I could now make no connection to either. Well don't worry I said Linksys will have a solution. The Live chat said it was a "known" issue and an engineer would call. Great...I waited and yes 48 hours later I got a call. The result- "Tough, it does happen" the engineer said, maybe 1 in 150 but I was just unfortunate that it zapped 100%. OK so what to do.... "bin them" was the reply. "Buy some new ones there is nothing else you can do".

So much for being a "valued" customer.

I reckon I may as well dump the new one as well. Would you risk buying two more? I couldn't see any indication of which firmware was installed.

Conclusion:

Good product but poor performance by Linksys.

I purchased 3 based on the reviews posted here. I hooked up one to my Verizon FIOS router, one to a PS3, and one to a DirecTV DVR to receive DirecTV On Demand. Everything worked perfectly on the first try. Highly Recommended.

I've had two PLE200s for several years now that have worked reliably. I just tried to perform the firmware upgrade. It worked on one unit and made the other unit unusable. Linksys would not give me free tech support for this issue because the units are out-of-warranty. Searching the Linksys knowledgebase and the internet, I found no means to fix the unusable unit, but did find multiple mentions of others experiencing this same problem. I will avoid buying Linksys products in the future. Any company who's upgrade breaks the product, and refuses to deal with it, is not getting any more of my money.

When I tried to go on the internet with my PC it said "unable to find ip address" so i couldn't go to any website. Just get yourself a decent internet provider and router...