Customer Reviews

NETGEAR Powerline AV Adapter with Ethernet Switch

5 star:		(20)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I picked up one of these along with the V101 in a combo package to run my Xbox 360 and DirecTV DVR downstairs from the cable modem and router in my upstairs office. I had been using wireless networking for the past several years but had issues with wireless failing from time to time and went through 3 routers over 3 years accordingly. Since the wired portion of the routers worked just fine at retirement in each case, I thought I'd give an alternative a try. I researched a few different brands and finally settled on Netgear's Powerline offering. I specifically went with the ones rated for 200Mb for HD streaming options.

I am very satisfied with the performance so far. The Windows Media Center functionality with my Xbox 360 is finally performing in a manner that I expected. With wireless I was getting VERY slow response in the Media Center menu but it operates much more smoothly with the Powerline adapter connected.

I ordered an additional adapter for a computer and DirecTV DVR in another room of my home and all 3 devices are operating well together with excellent connection speed. In addition, setup was completely simple. It was literally plug and play. No configuration required whatsoever.

I would definitely suggest this product line without reservation.

I've used Netgear Powerline Ethernet products for a long time and they are great. The units are brainless to setup and work as described to extend your internet connection without the worry of wireless coverage issues. I was interested in this product as it seems like more devices connected to your TV are wanting internet connectivity. Some of my devices have wireless built in already but I would rather run them over wire for online gaming and streaming HD movies. Right now I have a PS3, Blue ray player, Dish network box, and Apple TV hooked up to my Netgear and all work great. I like the QOS for the ports so that I can place my PS3 and Apple TV at higher priority then the blue ray player and Dish Network box. The ports are color coded based on priority which makes it easy for non technical users who may purchase this. The unit seems to run cool which is nice for a TV cabinet and has power saving features as well. As the product description states, this needs to be used with another adaptor like the XAV101 powerline eithernet unit that then hooks up to your router so if you don't have one there is a similar package of this device for more money that has the adaptor included, this package just has the 4 port AV unit.

We already had the powerline system running the internet throughout our home but needed multiple connections at our entertainment center. This was the perfect solution. You just plug it into the wall, and then plug your internet-ready devices into the adapter. We have a Wii and the Roku device for Netflix hooked up and the signal is great. We have been using it for about 10 days and no problems so far.

I already had one Netgear Powerline but I needed an extra one to cover another area of the house that has AV equipment and another computer. Our house was built in the 50's with a couple of additions so the wiring in the house is from a couple of different eras. When I got the new PowerLine adapter all I had to do was plug it in and connect the cat-5 cable to the computer and presto! No installing software, no setup screens, it just works.

Got this item at 'Worst Buy' about a month ago in a bundled package - it came with the XAVB101 Ethernet adapter which is necessary if this is the first one you are buying.
Set up could not have been simpler - simply plug the powerline adapter to a power source and connect to your router, and then connect this adapter to a power source nearest the location you want to use the network and voila - you are connected.
As expected, I have not realised the advertised connectivity speeds, but that's not the fault of the equipment. It's due to the number of other electronics I have plugged into and using the same powerline. I have had no problem with streaming HD video (DirecTV on Dmemand), HD video download (Amazon on-demand), nor streaming music (Pandora), even though I live in a rural area a good distance from my DSL service providers source.
I recommend you give this a try - it may replace your wireless network in my home if it continues to function without problems.

We needed a connection from our DSL modem which is in an upstairs office to our Sony Bravia internet-ready HD TV in our downstairs family room. After research and finding much disappointment among users of a wireless device for that purpose, I decided to purchase the Netgear Powerline Adapter. Within minutes of getting the device out of the box, plugging in the cables and setting up the TV to connect, I was receiving Youtube, Netflix, Pandora, Slacker, and others on my TV. This device is trully "Plug and Play."

Works well with my other netgear powerline products. It allows me to keep my Xbox and LG DVD player connected to the internet at all times. We game and watch our favorite shows when we want.

Don't get me wrong when I give this only 4 stars. I recommend this product. However, I have some gripes.

A little background. I have an old, wired Netgear router. Recently, I purchased a Netgear Powerline Wireless-N access point solution for upstairs. I'm pretty pleased with it so decided to add the Netgear Powerline AV switch for a home theater system I'm putting together. Sure, I can use wireless but this wired solution is cheaper and should prove to be more reliable.

Rather than pay extra for built-in wi-fi or wi-fi dongles for a blu-ray player, TV, etc. I will be able to hook them all up with this AV switch. I almost never buy refurbished stuff but at $49 for a 'Netgear certified' (for what that's worth) refurbished unit I bit.

RealTekDirect quickly shipped it and, while it was shipped in a generic brown box (who cares?), it was neatly and securely packaged including peal off plastic covering the surface of the unit. Just like it was factory fresh. My hats off to them!

No manual is include but you can get it and the installation software at Netgear's site. I already had Netgear's Powerline utility installed but upgraded it while I was at it. I looked at the manual but, to be frank, having already installed Powerline products before was familiar with the drill.

One nit I have with Powerline products is I always have to go through a stressful 10-15 minutes fiddling with the adapters to get their software to properly recognize them and for the secure connection to hook up. When I first plugged in the AV Ethernet switch then ran the Powerline software it only found my existing adapters from the wireless kit. I'd run upstairs fiddle, then run downstairs to my PC running the software. I hooked up a table/netbook I have to it as a test. The power, of course, was on and the Ethernet port was recognized but the light indicating it found my network was dark. I finally pressed the factory reset button on the back then went through the drill of holding down the security button on my AV 200 (connected to my router), pressed the button on my AV 200 Wireless-N adapter then the AV Ethernet switch one last time. It worked. The Internet on my tablet was smoking fast and the Powerline software found it when I refreshed it.

Some other nits that keep it from a 5-star rating. One, the construction isn't the greatest. For example, the security button on the back, ironically, doesn't feel very secure. Two, the previous Netgear kit I bought included a short Ethernet cable for each port. I got 1 this time for a 4-port switch. I think you get 2 if you buy the kit.

It's hard to judge from the picture but the thing is really small (and light). Those green status lights in the picture look like pin holes in real life. Very hard to read.

After constant struggles to get an adequate wireless signal to reach all areas of my house, I am using not one but THREE of these Netgear powerline adapters, and they simply work great. It was not clear from the instructions if you could have more than one (1) receiving adpater with just 1 transmitter, but I obviously confirmed that you can.

Before, even when I got a wirelss signal, it tended to be intermittant or not very fast. Now I get a much stronger, faster and more consistent signal from the powerline adapter. Set up is amazingly easy. Press the set up button on the sending unit, and then press the button on each of these units within a couple of minutes. When most computer and networking products are lessons in frustration, it is nice to finaly find something that is easy to use and works as advertised.

This product did just want I needed it to do! It provides a connection in an area of the house that I had not been able to get to. It makes a great connection. It was very easy to setup - just plug in cables and outlets. I don't use it to stream video from Netflix _ that's my next thing - but so far so good!

Ricky