Networking company TRENDnet has added another product to its Wireless AC arsenal, the TEW-800MB AC1200 Dual Band Wireless Media Bridge. This device acts like a huge wireless adapter, adding up to four wired devices to a wireless network. It's great for adding gaming consoles, HDTVs and other electronics that don't have built-in wireless connectivity.
As stated, the media bridge is part of the company's AC1200 family which provides speeds up to 867 Mbps on the 5 GHz band for Wireless AC devices, and up to 300 Mbps on the 5 GHz band for Wireless N devices. For faster speeds, customers will need to stick with the AC1750 family which provides up to 1300 Mbps on the 5 GHz channel for Wireless AC devices and up to 450 Mbps on the 5 GHz band for Wireless N devices. However, keep in mind that the boost in speed will come with a boost in price.
As for the new media bridge, it provides four Gigabit Ethernet ports, an IPv6 pass-through feature, and a WPS button for one-touch setup. The company claims it has high power amplifiers that extend its wireless coverage better than other media bridges on the market. It also supposedly handles multiple HD streams simultaneously with ease, meaning less disruption when playing shooters online while someone else is streaming Netflix.
"The TEW-800MB is an extreme performance product which expands the capabilities of a Wireless AC network," said Zak Wood, director of global marketing for TRENDnet. "It brings the internet experience to your TV over the fastest wireless speeds available today."
Despite its Wireless AC connectivity, the new TEW-800MB media bridge should work equally well on Wireless N networks. However, TRENDnet suggests its TEW-812DRU (AC1750) and TEW-811DRU (AC1200) as the ideal companions which cost $209.99 and $157.99, respectively. The new media bridge costs a surprising $127.99, a mere $30 less than the AC1200 router.
TRENDnet's new TEW-800MB can be purchased now directly from the company's website here, and from retail partners sometime this month.
