Netgear Intros Dual-Band 450Mbps Router, NeoTV

By Kevin Parrish
published

NETGEAR launched both a dual-band Wireless-N router and a gadget that turns your TV into a connected "smart TV."

Wednesday NETGEAR launched a dual-band Gigabit router, the N900 Wireless Dual Band Gigabit Router (WNDR4500), that supports a full 450 Mbps in both the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands. It also features six highly sensitive internal antennas that are boosted by ultra-high-power radio amplifiers, providing what NETGEAR claims to be more Wi-Fi range – and more wireless speed at any given distance – than any other competing home router available today.

"NETGEAR is very proud to introduce the world's most advanced wireless home router," said Sandeep Harpalani, Senior Product Line Manager for Wireless Networking at NETGEAR. "The NETGEAR N900 stands alone in delivering ultimate wireless speed, range and premium features, while the router's easy-to-use browser-based installation and NETGEAR Genie will help even the most non-technical users explore and enjoy all the possibilities of a modern home network."

In addition to the dual-band capabilities, the router offers ReadySHARE Printer support for connecting a printer's USB cable and sharing the printer across the network, DLNA support for streaming multimedia content from a USB-connected hard drive, and Access Mode support for turning the router into a network range expander. There's also guest network access, Advanced Quality of Service for prioritizing video streams, Gigabit wired Ethernet and more.

For parents, the NETGEAR N900 router also provides a centralized, flexible and cost-free way to establish what web sites children can visit and what times of day they can go online for all devices on the network, including Windows PCs, Macs, smartphones and tablets. It also provides another free utility for monitoring, controlling and repairing home networks via a simple dashboard.

The NETGEAR N900 Wireless Dual Band Gigabit Router (WNDR4500) is available now in the United States at $179.99 and will be available worldwide this winter.

Wednesday NETGEAR also launched the NeoTV Streaming Player (NTV200), a device that turns any television into a connected "smart TV." With this gadget, users can stream movies, TV shows, music, videos, news and games from Netflix, Vudu, YouTube and many other sources. The company also released compatible iOS and Andriod apps that turns any iPhone or Android-based smartphone into a NeoTV remote control.

"The NeoTV Player brings you a wide choice of news and information through channels such as The Economist, Engadget, Make Magazine, TED and TMZ; and connects you to friends through Facebook and Twitter channels," the company said. "Vudu Apps, a companion to Vudu HD movies, offers a wide selection of free channels with videos, music, photo browsing, news, weather and social networking. When it's time to play, there's a collection of free casual games including Blackjack Royale, Rockswap Adventures and Texas Hold'em."

The NeoTV Streaming Player connects to the local network either through an Ethernet connection, or wirelessly via its built-in 802.11 b/g/n (300 Mbps) adapter. Device output only includes an HDMI connection, so a TV with HDMI input is required (cable not included). The unit does come with a remote, so an iOS and/or Android device is not necessary.

The NETGEAR NeoTV Streaming Player (NTV200) will be available later in September in the United States at $79.99 and can be pre-ordered now from major retailers and online stores.

Kevin Parrish
12 Comments Comment from the forums
  • memadmax
    But does it play Crysis?
    Reply
  • animeman59
    Already got the Netgrear WNDR3800 router. This thing is a beast!
    Reply
  • RabidFace
    Netgear's new router doesn't seem like anything special. But it's going to be the wireless performance where it matters. Never been to keen on internal antenna solutions, but if it's implemented right, they can work very well. Need better routers out there with better 5 GHz Wireless N that aren't spotty.

    As for the NeoTV, I see these kinds of devices slowing going away with TV makers incorporating these services in to more and more TVs, while not costing an arm and a leg. Usually only see TVs with "apps" in the higher price range. But devices like the NeoTV are a very cost effective way to add streaming services to your TV if you don't own a game console or internet Blu-Ray player.

    Reply
  • cybersans
    memadmaxBut does it play Crysis?better don't comment anything if you think all networking devices are just for games. such a lame.
    Reply
  • razor512
    Too expensive for a product targeted at a home user.

    To benefit from it's extra speed, you need you buy equally expensive wifi cards to connect at those speeds..

    For that price, you can just use run some cat 6 and get your self a more consistent and reliable gigabit network, and a cheaper N300 router (which can handle multiple HD streams) for the devices where you want to have wireless.

    I have gone to customer homes to repair their computers and see them with routers such as the wndr 3700 and the only wireless device they have is a laptop that only does 802.11g and a kindle wifi. (sadly the main people who end up with these overpriced routers are the ones heading to a store like bestbuy and asking for something that will make their internet faster (and the ignorant worker talks them into getting the most expensive router they have)

    PS I agree that this is a really nice router.
    Reply
  • neon871
    NeoTV now comes the lawsuit from NeoBurn!

    Net gear is a little late with the NeoTV I just ordered Logitech's GoogleTV and it come with remote key board for $99.99 & free shipping. it dose all then same thing as NeoTV also! My Brother has GoogleTV and it is Awesome. So I had to get it too - not to be out done by my Bro.....LOL

    I can't wait to get, then I can disconnect the PC I have hooked to my TV for Netflix.

    as for the router I think it is a good price compared to other dual band router with less fetchers.
    Reply
  • howardp6
    Do not you need a three antenna wireless NIC to get 450 Mbs? Intel has two available and Trendnet has one. It apears Netgear does not have one.
    Reply
  • mavroxur
    And for $179, i'm betting it will perform just like all the other 450Mbit wireless devices out there..... Somewhere around 145Mbit if you have to even pass through one wall.
    Reply
  • accolite
    What is the deal with these manufacturers marketing their products as N900 speed instead it does 450 max per band?

    Really misleading, I think they should knock off that kind of marketing tactics.

    One more complaint if Netgear and others releases a dual band 450 router they should also have a dual band wireless adapter as well otherwise they have a incomplete product.

    Well I won't be buying it unless they get the adapter that goes with it.
    Reply
  • Wish I Was Wealthy
    Netgear is a trusted brand,I've never had much trouble with their gear.
    Reply