Question about Powerline adapaters

[Vavs15]

I have seen these powerline adapters


http://www.scan.co.uk/products/tp-link-tl-pa411kit-av500-mini-powerline-adapter-starter-kit-twin-pack?utm_source=google+shopping&utm_medium=cpc&gclid=CjwKEAjwxruuBRC9lLGslqjs-HISJAAkq21sPjhZSKgpiEcIGk1LdhHbLN8A3jWBHC8_1A37Trk4cBoCQbTw_wcB

And have noticed that someone in the reviews has said they're 10/100 instead of 10/100/1000 meaning they can only achieve 100 Mbps. I will be getting 152Mbps internet and would like to get the most out of it, so was wondering what I should do (I can't be directly connected to it).

I looked into these Ethernet cables http://www.amazon.co.uk/CSL-Ethernet-Gigabit-1000Mbit-compatible-Black/dp/B00J4FSDEM due to their ability to output 1000Mbps. However, if the powerline can't do the same then there's no real point... What do you recommend I do?

 

[USAFRet]

Recommend? A Cat5e direct from the PC to the router.

Powerline (or WiFi) will almost certainly not deliver the entire 152Mbps that your ISP can deliver.

 

[Suztera]

That power line adapter is limited to 10/100Mbps so max theoretical speed would be 100Mbps without accounting your electrical wiring.
If you want the full 152Mb, use a Ethernet cable.

 

[kanewolf]

To get 150+ Mbit you need to purchase the latest powerline adpaters. They are identified by "AV2" designation. The very fastest have AV2-MIMO designation. A Cat5 cable, if possible is a much cheaper option $10 vs $150 for the powerline adapters.

 

[Vavs15]

Ok Kanewolf what about using http://www.scan.co.uk/products/1m-scan-blue-cat-5e-snagless-moulded-patch-lead with http://www.scan.co.uk/products/tp-link-tl-pa411kit-av500-mini-powerline-adapter-starter-kit-twin-pack?utm_source=google+shopping&utm_medium=cpc&gclid=CjwKEAjwxruuBRC9lLGslqjs-HISJAAkq21sPjhZSKgpiEcIGk1LdhHbLN8A3jWBHC8_1A37Trk4cBoCQbTw_wcB. I know that this setup can't get over 100Mbps and that's fine

 

[gangrel]

Look a bit further. AV500 isn't the limit any more. Here's one model (US vendor, so just take as an example)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833122676&cm_re=av1200-_-33-122-676-_-Product

Or search for powerline av1200.

But AV500 is nominally rated to 500 Mbps. I'd start checking the manufacturer's page; the reviewer may have been totally off base, especially if it was a typical customer review. One has to be rather suspicious of those. I'd also say: read up on powerline networks. They aren't simple. They may NOT work for you, or may behave very poorly...it relates to how your residential wiring is configured.

That is the theoretical; odds are you won't get that much, should be getting reasonably close. The only other alternatives would be wiring the PC to the router as was noted, but you suggest that's not possible, or a higher-end wireless router like an AC2400.

 

[madmatt30]

Those exact adapters I've pulled in excess of 120meg on so the review is wrong.
On UK network virgin.

 

[Vavs15]

Those exact adapters I've pulled in excess of 120meg on so the review is wrong.
On UK network virgin.

I will also be with Virgin Media, so this is helpful Should I be fine with the cable linked here: http://www.scan.co.uk/products/1m-scan-blue-cat-5e-snagless-moulded-patch-lead to go with the previously mentioned adapters? thanks

 

[USAFRet]

Those exact adapters I've pulled in excess of 120meg on so the review is wrong.
On UK network virgin.

I will also be with Virgin Media, so this is helpful Should I be fine with the cable linked here: http://www.scan.co.uk/products/1m-scan-blue-cat-5e-snagless-moulded-patch-lead to go with the previously mentioned adapters? thanks

Just about any Cat5e cable will work. The limiting factor is the powerline adapters and your house wiring.
Is a 1m cable long enough?

 

[Vavs15]

Those exact adapters I've pulled in excess of 120meg on so the review is wrong.
On UK network virgin.

I will also be with Virgin Media, so this is helpful Should I be fine with the cable linked here: http://www.scan.co.uk/products/1m-scan-blue-cat-5e-snagless-moulded-patch-lead to go with the previously mentioned adapters? thanks

Just about any Cat5e cable will work. The limiting factor is the powerline adapters and your house wiring.
Is a 1m cable long enough?

Yeah, it should be long enough for me. I'd need two, as one cable goes from the one adapter, into the hub, and the other cable goes from the 2nd powerline adapter into the back of my PC. I'm sure you know this though. Both aren't very far from the plug socket, so it should be fine.

 

[USAFRet]

Yeah, it should be long enough for me. I'd need two, as one cable goes from the one adapter, into the hub, and the other cable goes from the 2nd powerline adapter into the back of my PC. I'm sure you know this though. Both aren't very far from the plug socket, so it should be fine.

Better to be 2 meters too long, vs 2 centimeters too short.

 

[gangrel]

I've been picking up 1m video cables for connecting VERY small boxes, as they can be colocated, pretty much, with the monitor(s). Doesn't work so well with more-typical mid-sized towers, or even bigger cases for, say, a water cooling rig. With a tower; you'd have few optons in how you lay out the system. With the ethernet cable, this is even more true with a short cable. With powerline...yet another issue: the powerline adapter can't be plugged into even a power strip without at least significant speed loss,. You may be restricted, to some degree, in how you locate things by where your power plugs are located.

Plus: the price difference, at least online, is usually nominal, at least between 1m and 2-3m cables. I do agree that longer cables...say, 3 meters or longer...can be untidy, but it shouldn't be an issue with just a 2m cable. And cables 5m and longer, do cost a fair bit more.

 

[Vavs15]

I've been picking up 1m video cables for connecting VERY small boxes, as they can be colocated, pretty much, with the monitor(s). Doesn't work so well with more-typical mid-sized towers, or even bigger cases for, say, a water cooling rig. With a tower; you'd have few optons in how you lay out the system. With the ethernet cable, this is even more true with a short cable. With powerline...yet another issue: the powerline adapter can't be plugged into even a power strip without at least significant speed loss,. You may be restricted, to some degree, in how you locate things by where your power plugs are located.

Plus: the price difference, at least online, is usually nominal, at least between 1m and 2-3m cables. I do agree that longer cables...say, 3 meters or longer...can be untidy, but it shouldn't be an issue with just a 2m cable. And cables 5m and longer, do cost a fair bit more.

To give you an idea of my current situation, I have a free socket next to my PC (not a power strip) and can actually touch it with my foot from where I'm sat. The PC is sat just in front of this, meaning the size of wire needed should be relatively short, although I will look into longer cabling, as it can't hurt. The powerline adapter that would be plugged in next to the hub also has a free socket available, so again, wouldn't need to be plugged into a strip. Thanks for your help

Edit: The PC is on the same level as the plug socket, so wouldn't need to trail up to the top of my desk for example. I'll look at getting some longer cat5e though

 

[USAFRet]

OK. We're just trying to ward off a common mistake people make.

"How long a cable do you need?"
'Well, I think it's about 20 feet'
"So that means you need a 35 foot cable, to account for semi-neat cable management, once you go around all the corners, etc"

 

[madmatt30]

You get 1 cable in the box with the powerline plugs.

Max speed is going to depend on your house wiring
Do not expect a constant 150meg connection on virgins top package - I hit 150 at odd times ,50% of the time its sits around 120,the rest of the time more like 100.
Do not expect good wireless performance from the super hub - its range is poor ,you'll never ever hit above 60meg even if your sat next to it.It is in all honesty a p1ss poor wireless router - to the extent I switched to modem mode & bought my own router for wireless & home plugs + a 5 port switch to connect from the router (upstairs) to my av set in the lounge (downstairs).

 

[gangrel]

When you don't do this, you end up with a nice pile of spare cables, tho.

And ok, I'm not on anything like a tight budget. I needed a mini DP cable...I went ahead and got 2 that were mini DP to DVI, and 2 that were mini DP to DP. So next time I won't have to wait a couple days. SOOO annoying. I'm emotionally reluctant to spend what a Best Buy or other local store wants for these, when Amazon or Newegg has them at 1/3 the price...plus free shipping from Amazon and no taxes. 4 cables (hmm...they're supposed to arrive today....HEY!!!! they're here! ) cost me VERY little more, if anything, than what I would've paid locally, once you throw sales tax in.

What USAF is saying is particularly true when routing ethernet, or coax for TV, where routing for concealment or safety can be significant. It's probably less so in a case like this, but it's a good thought process to maintain.

 

[Vavs15]

You get 1 cable in the box with the powerline plugs.

Max speed is going to depend on your house wiring
Do not expect a constant 150meg connection on virgins top package - I hit 150 at odd times ,50% of the time its sits around 120,the rest of the time more like 100.
Do not expect good wireless performance from the super hub - its range is poor ,you'll never ever hit above 60meg even if your sat next to it.It is in all honesty a p1ss poor wireless router - to the extent I switched to modem mode & bought my own router for wireless & home plugs + a 5 port switch to connect from the router (upstairs) to my av set in the lounge (downstairs).

That's interesting. I believe the hub comes with a cat5e cable as well. So if both the powerline and hub comes with a free cable, I should be fine I suppose. I'm not sure what the sizes of these cables are though. Thanks for all your help guys 😛

Also I find it funny how they say their super hub is amazing for wireless and bang on about you being able to get signal all throughout your house, when in actuality it's fairly poor? That's advertising I guess 😀

 

[Vavs15]

When you don't do this, you end up with a nice pile of spare cables, tho.

And ok, I'm not on anything like a tight budget. I needed a mini DP cable...I went ahead and got 2 that were mini DP to DVI, and 2 that were mini DP to DP. So next time I won't have to wait a couple days. SOOO annoying. I'm emotionally reluctant to spend what a Best Buy or other local store wants for these, when Amazon or Newegg has them at 1/3 the price...plus free shipping from Amazon and no taxes. 4 cables (hmm...they're supposed to arrive today....HEY!!!! they're here! ) cost me VERY little more, if anything, than what I would've paid locally, once you throw sales tax in.

What USAF is saying is particularly true when routing ethernet, or coax for TV, where routing for concealment or safety can be significant. It's probably less so in a case like this, but it's a good thought process to maintain.

haha, got to love having loads of spare cables 😀

 

[madmatt30]

^ yep mate you're right - the virgin comes with a blue cat5,the tp comes with a white one (the to site actually states you get 2 in the box)

As a matter of interest why can't you have the modem installed near your PC??

I had a socket downstairs for the TV box & one upstairs for the router at no extra charge.

I'll also say if 100mb as a new customer is substantially cheaper than 150 ,then 150 is not worth paying extra for as you'll rarely get full speed in my experience (my upgrade was free - seeing the difference I honestly wouldn't have paid for it)

 

[gangrel]

Both powerline and wireless are impacted by their environment. It's a factor the manufacturers can't predict. They're not lying in their claims; they just aren't giving the 5 page dissertation involved. That's why I suggested reading up on powerline networks; there are online sites that do exactly this.