Netgear has rolled out its Home Theater Internet Connection Kit (XAVB1004), a new powerline networking kit that allows users to connect multiple Ethernet-enabled entertainment devices such as gaming consoles, Blu-ray players, HDTVs and media streaming set-top boxes to the internet and the home network simultaneously.
According to Netgear, through a powerline connection of up to 200 Mbps, the new powerline kit enables applications such as HD video streaming, Voice over IP (VoIP), internet gaming and file transfers to networked devices in the home theater.
Netgear said that the new networking kit contains one Powerline AV Adapter with 4-port Ethernet Switch (XAV1004) and one Powerline AV Ethernet Adapter (XAV101). This ‘no new wires’ powerline technology enables customers to have high-speed data network traffic on their existing electrical wiring.
In addition, advanced energy management capabilities provide automatic port- and device-level sleep modes and wake-on-activity functionality to reduce overall energy usage.
According to Netgear, the new networking kit also features: port-based Quality of Service (QoS); Push-N-Secure to secure the Powerline AV network; and Pick-a-Plug, a multi-color LED to determine the strength of the powerline connection without having to look at a computer.
Chris Geiser, product line manager for in-home distribution, consumer products at Netgear, said: “We are now finding that customers have multiple networked devices in their living rooms that all need to be connected at the same time, making a 4-port switch at one end of the connection key. That is why Netgear has developed this powerline AV adapter kit with 4-port switch, Quality of Service features, and color-coded LEDs that easily display the strength of the powerline connection.”
