Comments on: Networking Macs Using The Devolo dLAN 200 AVeasy Starter Kit

By: Dan Brown

Dan Brown — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 08:20:50 +0000

Update: Managed to update firmware in Parallels (switching off Airport did the trick and allowed Windows to see the Ethernet connection). Unfortunately I still have the problem of homeplugs dropping out (I suspect one of the plugs is the culprit but without another one I can’t test this!).

By: Dan Brown

Dan Brown — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 00:14:40 +0000

Do you know a way to update firmware on a mac? I’ve tried running the Devolo software in Parallels but doesn’t see the Ethernet port (is there a way to configure this?). I’m hoping a firmware update will stop my 200AV homeplugs from losing touch with each other.

By: Johnny Terumo

Johnny Terumo — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 14:14:35 +0000

Don’t forget that the connnectors – and possibly more importantly, the line voltage – differs between the US and Europe/UK. The Devolo adaptors have the plugs moulded in, I suppose this could be got around by using an adaptor but I would be careful plugging the devices into the wrong voltage. I haven’t done any research on this but the fact that Europe/UK uses a 50Hz AC line rate and the US uses 60Hz may also cause an incompatibility if the Devolo system uses this in any way but I expect it would not be a problem as they use a defacto standard.
Other manufacturers do use the same system. It’s called Homeplug, and in the case of these Devolo high end adapters, Homeplug AV. 85 mbps and 200 mbps (base maxiumum speed, your milage will vary – although I get 196 on my Devolo AVs) are the respective speeds. There are also older models that have a speed in the 10-20 mbps range, I think.

One more caveat, I did not read the packaging properly when buying my Devolo AVs and although the original Devolo HiSpeed (85 mbps) will work on the same power grid they do not communicate with each other, as I assumed. I imagined that it would be like pluggin a 10 mbps ethernet client into a 100 mbps switch, but it’s not. I now have two different Devolo adaptors connected to my router to enable us to have two computers in different rooms (with a Devolo each) connected to the internet. This aside, I’ve found these guys absolutely fantastic.

So, do a search for Homeplug or Homeplug AV adapters. There are a number of brands and without doing the research myself I would imagine that the US would be well covered.

By: Tania

Tania — Sun, 22 Mar 2009 10:19:40 +0000

Greatings,
Interesting, I`ll quote it on my site later.

Have a nice day
Tania

By: admin

admin — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 17:31:03 +0000

You can shop at amazon.co.uk, right?

find it here: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Devolo-Homeplug-Starter-streaming-capable/dp/B0014LGNMS/

+ US/UK exchange rate is good for USA.

Could not find any US resellers from http://www.devolo.com

Bit I’ve contacted Devolo staff in past (based in Germany – speak English) and they were very helpful! There probably is somebody importing them into the U.S, or they may license their product to somebody in the U.S. (if this is the case pls let me know).

That Netgear u linked to is SLOW (14Mbps). Thats oK if u JUST want to use it for Internet bandwidth and u have only one computer. But if u plan on streaming video or music across it (a Mac on one end, a file server on the other) then you need the Devolo or a similar product with 200Mbps.

By: Pete Peterson

Pete Peterson — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 05:32:40 +0000

This is AWESOME! I cant wait to get this, I’ve been dreading having to fish wires through my attic to set up a boxee box for my tv. I haven’t found anybody who carries this in the states though, do you know of any vendors?

Also I found this on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/NETGEAR-XE102G-Wall-Plugged-Ethernet-Extender/dp/B000ERAIQ0/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

Similar product (perhaps just re-branded?) but they only claim 14Mbps.