Home networking expert TRENDnet added two new products to its Powerline series on Thursday, the Powerline 500 AV2 Adapter Kit and the Powerline 500 AV2 Adapter. Both are available now through retailers and other TRENDnet partners.
Unlike your typical Ethernet-based or Wi-Fi network, Powerline uses the electrical system of a home or office to transfer networking data. TRENDnet's new kit features two adapters, one that connects to the router by way of a Gigabit port and plugs into a wall electrical outlet, while the other adapter can be plugged in mostly anywhere along the local electrical system.
Need additional network connections? That's where the Powerline 500 AV2 Adapter comes into play. According to a short list of specs, these adapters, including the ones in the kit, connect to each other right out of the box, with speeds up to 500 Mbps. That's faster than some wireless connections.
The adapters also provide one Gigabit Ethernet port, and feature a power saving mode that reduces electrical consumption by 80 percent. The adapters can connect over electrical lines for distances of up to a 5,000 square foot home, or a 980 feet linear distance. This series does not provide wireless connectivity.
The new Powerline 500 AV2 Adapter Kit (TPL-408E2K) sells for $104.99 USD, and a single adapter (TPL-408E) costs $59.99.
In addition to this new kit and adapter, TRENDnet sells a number of additional products in the Powerline 500 AV series including the "Nano" models that take up less space and provide an optional built-in electrical outlet. The Ethernet connections are only 10/100 (no Gigabit).
The company also serves up Powerline 500 AV adapters with four Gigabit Ethernet ports and a full-sized (non Nano) Powerline 500 AV adapter with a built-in electrical outlet. All that said, there are plenty of options provided by TRENDnet for extending a home or office network through the electrical lines.
For more information about the entire series, head here.
