Linksys has announced that they are shipping their first HomePlug AV2 Powerline networking kit, bringing high-bandwidth connectivity via your electrical wiring.  Read on for details.

Linksys has announced that they are shipping their first HomePlug AV2 Powerline networking kit, bringing high-bandwidth connectivity via your electrical wiring.  So why would this be interesting to you?  Well, do you have a TV and Blu-ray in a bedroom at the far side of your home, and struggle to support video streaming at that location?  One option is to install a wireless repeater, but bandwidth might not be high enough to support hi-def streaming.  Another option is to cut holes in the walls and run ethernet, and that is often not a good option.  Another option is Powerline, where you leverage your electrical wiring in the home to run data across.  It has the benefit of leveraging current wiring, so no holes in the walls, and current standards promise gigabit performance.  Here is the Linksys press release:

Linksys Ships First HomePlug AV2 Powerline Networking Kit for Next-Generation Connectivity

Linksys PLEK500 Powerline AV2 Kit Uses Electrical Outlets to Dramatically Improve Networks and Eliminate Wireless “Dead Spots” in Homes

Irvine, Calif. – June 11, 2013 – Linksys, a networking pioneer that is transforming how people connect, communicate and collaborate, today announced the availability of its next-generation compact design Powerline HomePlug AV2 Kit (PLEK500). The all-new HomePlug AV2 technology allows consumers to cost-effectively upgrade their home network to smoothly handle high-bandwidth capabilities including HD / 3D video streaming, gaming and other data-intensive applications at faster speeds by simply leveraging their existing power outlets. Combined with a Gigabit Ethernet port and HomePlug AV2 Technology, this new solution helps boost speeds of up to 500 Mbps* when using computers, tablets, consoles and televisions throughout their home.

NPD Group, a market research firm, reports that there are more than 500 million devices in US homes connected to the internet and, on average, every home with Internet access has 5.7 devices connected to their home network.

“With numerous Internet-enabled devices such as computers, gaming consoles and set-top boxes entering today’s homes, at times these devices require high-speed network connections that cannot be served by wireless network due to a home’s construction,” said Mike Chen, senior director, product management, Linksys. “Our latest Powerline kit transforms any room’s electrical outlet into a stable Internet access point for connected devices and provides the highest streaming and fast throughput speed. The PLEK500 helps eliminate cumbersome wiring throughout a home and serves as an economical, complimentary solution to wireless or Ethernet where Powerline might be the only option.”

The Linksys PLEK500 provides a simple way to help extend the home network into rooms that may not have wired Ethernet, have wireless dead spots or a limited wireless signal due to building materials; such as concrete or steel. With easy setup software and simple plug-and-play technology, users can easily network their devices in minutes by connecting one of the powerline adapters via a gigabit Ethernet cable to a router and plugging it into the wall, then plug the second adapter into a device that wants to be connected to the network and the other end into an electrical outlet.

The Linksys Powerline HomePlug AV2 Kit uses the latest HomePlug AV2 industry-standard technology to turn any home wall outlet into a powerful network connection source without requiring electrical rewiring. The compact, space-saving design of the PLEK500 Powerline HomePlug AV2 Kit, along with its upgraded wall coloring, blends with the wall and leaves room for other appliances to be plugged into the same outlet or power strip. Household 120-volt electrical service is unaffected when using the Powerline AV2 Kit.

Features:

• Kit includes two 1-Port Network Gigabit Ethernet Adapters. (One for connecting to your home router and the other is for connecting a device to the network
• HomePlug AV2 technology provides better overall coverage and performance
• Up to 500 Mpbs speeds – ideal for home entertainment solutions such as smart TVs, game consoles, media players and more
• Regular household 120-volt electrical service is unaffected by Powerline, nor will most household appliances interfere with Powerline transmissions
• Power Save Mode for improved power efficiency
• Space-saving design allows other devices to be plugged into the same outlet or power strip
• New color for matching neutral baseboards and outlets
• Backward compatible with HomePlug AV and GreenPHY

Availability

The PLEK500 is now available on Linksys.com and at major retailers for $129.99 MSRP.

Check out these product pictures:

Linksys was nice enough to mail a set out to me, so stay tuned for a full review soon.