When it comes to home networking the current philosophy is no wiring.
Anyone with an internet account at home and multiple computers will certainly have a wired or wireless router to share one account between many computers. Those that use a wired router know that running wires around a home is messy and also time consuming to set up. Most either switch to wireless or start with wireless from day one.

I can still remember the days when I would spend hours if not days trying to get two Windows 98 computers to communicate with each other via ethernet (peer to peer). Not a simple setup and in many instances and prone to conflicts with other hardware in my PC’s.

Nowadays, most of us are familiar with wireless networking either using an 802.11b or 802.11g wireless routers and adapters. These now provided an easier setup with Windows XP or Windows Vista, provides freedom of network access locations and no long networking cables or RJ-45 outlets to worry about. The 802.11g provided 54 Mbps transfer rate which is good but when you consider my laptop has a 10/100 Mbps networking card built in it seems slow. For the most part, I do not really notice the difference since majority of my wireless related activities involve the Internet and the speed I subscribe to is a 3 Mbps DSL connection. Not fast compared to the actual ethernet card in my laptop or the wireless 802.11g router but such is life. 3 – 5 Mbps DSL is standard in my area.

When I was provided a MegaPlug AV for review, I was truly intrigued to find out it supports upwards of 200 Mbps. Initially I was not quite sure how this benefited me since my ethernet card on the laptop only supported 100 Mbps maximum? After taking this device for a good long spin, I realized these are a must have devices were wireless signals are not accessible or a proper wired ethernet connection is lacking nearby.

First, let me explain what the MegaPlug AV is.

General details:

The Package comes with MegaPlug AV 2 units,

2 Ethernet Cables

Installation CD

Users Manual

The system converts your home wiring into a network conduit allowing two PC’s to connect via Peer to Peer or connect PC’s to a router not accessible via wireless or direct ethernet cabling. The MegaPlug AV connects between 2 electrical outlets by plugging each into separate outlets.

Specific details:

Allows your house wiring to mimic an ethernet cable with speeds of up to 200 Mbps (more on this later). Has built in 128 bit encryption to allow only other MegaPlug AV units to access the signal with the proper encryption code authorization. Works within distances of 300 meters around the house from one electrical outlet to any other, Typically 20 meters is maximum for direct CAT 5 cabling. No special software required to use. Just connect the PC or router to the first MegaPlug AV and insert into the nearest outlet. Then the second MegaPlug AV  to the nearest plug at the distination location and connect the other PC.

Now for the speed aspect of the MegaPlug AV. As stated earlier, the unit supports 200 Mbps. This is the speed that the data travels between the two or multiple MegaPlug AV units. You can actually purchase additional MegaPlug AV Units.and have them all around the house. once the signal reaches a MegaPlug AV, the signal travels via standard ethernet at 100 Mbps. Therefore the speed advantage is really gained when long distances are required. Going from one room to the adjoining room will not see added speed advantages but will allow ethernet or networking access with looping long cables along the floor through the doorways or installing wall RJ-45 jacks and cabling.

Here is one scenerio you might appreciate which I experienced first hand.Currently I use a wireless router to feed the Internet to different laptops in different rooms. The laptops are not configured to access each others files via the network, For this reason, I am always using a USB memory pen to transfer large files from one laptop to another, This is due to only one laptop has a printer connected to it. Mind you, I could easily convert the printer and laptop for access via the wireless network but this has always been a low priority for me.

The 64 meg USB memory pen is great but you can instantly see the drawbacks. Transfering 100′s of photos from one laptop to another becomes a long drawn out process involving multiple trips. Also the laptop with the printer connected already has all its USB ports utilized. This means removing the USB printer cable and connecting the USB for transfer. You might say why I do not use a USB hub? I actually do on the second USB port but this has an external USB storage device and multiple camera cables connected to this since 3 different cameras are used.

To fully test the MegaPlug AV, I now had no excuse but to setup the two laptops for Peer to Peer networking. This is not a complicated procedure. It involves going to the Control Panel in Windows and setting up a static IP address in the 192.168.X.X range. Subnet mask of 255.255.255.0.

I will not bore you with the complete step by step details since the CD included with the MegaPlugAV comes with the complete detailed instructions for Windows 2000, XP and Vista.

Now that both PC’s are setup with Peer to Peer access plus file and printer sharing enabled, I am able to connect to this laptop via the other laptop from anywhere in the home. All I do is take the laptop, a short 6 feet ethernet cable and the MegaPlug AV with me to any AC outlet for connection to the other laptop remotely, Transfering files is a breeze now using Windows Explorer. Just select the files and copy them to the shared folder on the laptop. Printing now is as simple as selecting the networked printer before printing. I was not able to come anywhere near the 200 Mbps transfer rate but around 80 – 90 Mbps which is still faster over the maximum 54 Mbps 802.11g Wi-Fi.

The MegaPlug AV has built in security in the form of a 128 bit encryption. The included software allows you to quickly enter a new encryption code while connected directly to each MegaPlug AV. You cannot access other MegaPlug AVs until each has its unique encryption code entered directly and not via the home wiring.

Now if anyone has ever had to reset a wireless router, this means reconnecting the PC directly to the router via an ethernet cable. This is a real chore for me since the router in placed on top a cabinet and the cable access is not very convenient. I decided to connect one of the MegaPlug AV units directly to the Wireless router, The other unit was left connected to the stationary laptop that has the printer connected, Via this laptop I am able to access the wireless router directly via 192.168.1.2 using Internet Explorer when a reset or a configuration change is required and the Wi-Fi on the router is not working. This is not required often but 2 – 3 times a year is still a minor inconvenience to locate the extra long cable and connect it to the back of the router. If you do the above process first involving the setting up of the peer to Peer network, make sure the IP address is set in the same range as the IP router. In my case, 192.168.1.X (where X is a number between 1 – 255)

Once the IP router has been physically connected to one of the MegaPlug AV units, the other one is free to roam anywhere within the home where an AC plug is available. Keep in mind that the AC outlet used by the first MegaPlug AV must be physically connected to the other outlet either directly or indirectly. Indirectly would mean via the main electrical feed of the junction box in the home. In a larger home the maximum 300 meters could easily be reached if you are going from one end of a large home to the other.via the junction box. Going from the main floor down to the basements junction box and then back up to the attic as an example can lead to slower transfer speeds.

I am always careful when connecting expensive devices to an electrical outlet. I try to use a surge protection unit between the AC and the device in question. The manufacture recommends you do not use a power bar or surge protection unit. Line conditioners and surge protection units are excellent for protecting devices from electrical damage but in this case the protection can degrade the networking signal and cause disconnects and unrelaiable performance.

The warranty provided is 12 months. Sounds long but in reality is still only 1 year. Not sure how well these devices will withstand a severe power surge specially in old buildings during bad weather conditions. Do not use this device or any other elctrical device during bad weather. people have been known to be injured due to an electrical surge coming from the elctrical outlet or phone line.

Here are some scenerios that maybe suitable for the MegaPlug AV.

1: Connecting to the IP Router when the wireless signal is too week due to distance or numerous walls.
2: Connecting a PC used for file storage or multimedia file transfer to a remote entertainment system.
3: Better performance when playing multiplayer games versus a wireless connection.
4: Better security versus a wireless setup specially when neighbours are known to use wireless devices also.
5: Avoids running cables everywhere like along base boards and under doorways.
6: No need for RJ-45 wall outlets and snaking cabling between walls and around support beams.
7: If you have a guest house or a room above the garage that has AC running from the main house, an MegaPlug AV can be a suitable option.
8: A good alternative to small or temporary offices where Wi-Fi is not suitable or where wired networks at not available.
 
Basically any device (like IP camera – IP Webcam) or computer with built in ethernet network and a RJ-45 port that has been configured to work with the destination PC can be quickly interconnected via the MegaPlug AV increasing its reach to other areas of the home.
The MegaPlug AV is certified by the Home Plug Powerline Alliance which sets the standards for home wiring based networking hardware. www.homeplug.org
The alliance consists of board members that also are involved in the industry through high profile and recognized electronic based companies.

Cons:

1: At $169.00 USD, I find the package too expensive specially when Wi-Fi for the same price offers so much more.
2: The units are very bulky
3  Since the units are bulky, it will only allow the MegaPlug AV to be connected on a dual AC wall outlet
4: Cannot be connected through a power bar or surge protection unit.
5: The RJ-45 port is on the bottom of the unit meaning I tend to connect the MegaPlug upside down to get easy access to the RJ-45 port.
Would have preferred the port on the side or on same side as the LEDs for quick connections.
6: Product warranty is only stated in the Users Manual located on the CD. No mention of warranty on the companies website. Website only states ”Refer to Owners Manual”.

Pros:

1: Great transfer speeds
2: Easy setup. Specially if the PC’s already have MS Windows configured.
3: Great temporary solution for small offices with a down workstation due to a damaged wall outlet or interconnection.
Rating:

7 out of 10

The MagaPlug AV does have some interesting uses but until the design is more streamlined and the retail pricing ($169.99) reduced, I would stick to using Wi-Fi connections whenever possible. If a wired network connection is your only option and a quick solution is required, the MegaPlug AV is a great choice. No permanent installation required and quick to setup.