runaroundtech.com

I’m sure you’ve heard me mention it before.  Every computer my wife seems to use in our house always has WiFi connection issues.  Dropped connections, slow speeds, she just can’t win.  I solved the problem of her office computer with the Diamond Multimedia Wireless Range Extender. The remaining challenge was her home computer, located two floors up in our master bedroom.  For that computer I choose the Diamond Multimedia Powerline Internet HP200 AV Kit.  The HP200AV creates an ethernet port anywhere in your home simply by means of your home electrical system.

How does it work?  Read on to find out.

The kit contains essentially two of the exact same thing.  3 ft. ethernet cords, two of the adapters and CD ROM and quick start guide.  Based on my set up, and the proximity of my router and my computer to electrical outlets I found that the included ethernet cables were way too small.   I did have two longer ones at home so I just used those instead.

In my case I used the HP200AV with a laptop.  However the unit can be used to bring hard wired internet to a variety of devices including internet capable BluRay Players, Gaming Consoles, Internet enabled TVs, Media Players and more.

The set up process could not have been any easier.  Step one.  Plug one of the units into an electrical outlet.  Then plug one of the included ethernet cables into the unit and then into your internet router.

Then proceed to step two.  Plug the other unit into a wall outlet near the computer, or other internet capable device.  Then plug the other ethernet cable into the unit and then into your device.

It’s literally that easy.  I took my wife’s MacBook Pro from running on WiFi to running on high speed ethernet, with speeds up to 200 Mbps in a matter of minutes.  And the best part – no complaints about buggy WiFi connections dropping or crawling to a snail’s pace.  Usually sets ups like this involve tinkering with settings and they often simply don’t work.  I was super impressed with how easy the HP200AV was to set up and how fast it started working.

If you’ve been looking for a way to create an available ethernet port in your home and you’re simply not wired for it you’ll want to check out the HP200AV and take advantage of your home’s existing wires to make the connection happen.

You can learn more about the Diamond Multimedia Powerline Internet HP200 AV Kit by visiting this product page on the company’s web site.

MSRP:  $79.99

PROS:  Simple set up, Works as advertised.

CONS:  Included ethernet cables are too short.