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Product Article: IPTV Services on Freesat TV Made Easy with devolo dLAN 200 AV HomePlug Adapters (3/9/2010)

By Peter Huddleston, devolo AG

devolo AG is the market leader in powerline-based network solutions and has been developing innovative powerline products for private customers and commercial use since 2002. devolo's dLAN product portfolio is based on the international HomePlug standards, which allow users to easily create networks through use of a building's existing wiring.

Home networking is increasingly coming to play an important role in households, with devices such as games consoles, webcams, PCs, printers and even home automation all now able to be networked. Through devolo's HomePlug adaptors, users are able to extend their network to as many rooms as they wish. The recently-launched dLAN 200 AV adapters, made specifically for connecting freesat-enabled TVs to the Internet, currently allow for a bandwidth of up to 200Mb/s and have a range of up to 300m, providing a reliable and hassle-free alternative to wireless.

dLAN 200 AV (freesat) Kit and dLAN 200 AVpass (freesat) Kit

The devolo dLAN 200 AV (freesat) Kit enables freesat viewers to receive Internet TV services (IPTV), such as BBC iPlayer, on their television, simply by connecting their freesat digital box or freesat TV to their broadband router. The new products have been created to work specifically with freesat, and are capable of delivering speeds of up to 200Mb/s, which means that freesat-enabled users can enjoy IPTV services on their television for free, without having to wait for downloads.

By connecting the user's broadband router to their freesat box or freesat-enabled TV, the devolo dLAN 200 AV (freesat) Kit allows freesat viewers to receive Internet TV services, such as BBC iPlayer, on their TV.

There are two products in the dLAN 200 AV freesat range: the dLAN 200 AVpass Kit and dLAN 200 AV Kit. The dLAN 200 AVpass Kit includes an in-built electrical socket to ensure that no electrical outlet is lost, and also features an integrated network filter to minimise interference from any connected devices and to optimise networking speeds. Alternatively, the dLAN 200 AV, without the pass-through socket, is a more compact solution for those with more limited powersocket space.

The devolo dLAN 200 AVpass Kit with in-built electrical socket, and the compact devolo dLAN 200 AV Kit.

Installation

Setting up a powerline network requires minimal effort and can be done in a matter of minutes. Each kit provides the user with two adapters, which is the minimum required for any powerline network. One of these adapters should be connected to the user's broadband modem/router by plugging the supplied Ethernet cable into the Ethernet port at the bottom of the adapter. Once connected, this first adapter should be plugged into a nearby electrical socket.

The second adapter is connected to the freesat box or freesat-enabled TV using the other supplied Ethernet cable, and is then plugged into a nearby power socket. The freesat box or freesat TV is now connected to the user's broadband network.

dLAN 200 AVpass adapters connect a freesat-enabled TV to the Internet via the home's existing mains power wiring.

Once installed, the adapters allow the user to view IPTV services, such as BBC iPlayer. To do this, the user selects the red button on their freesat tuner remote and can then navigate the TV programmes and radio shows from the last 7 days that they are interested in. The installation process can be viewed in a simple 30-second video tutorial at

The advantages of powerline

Through using the existing wiring in a building, powerline networking eliminates the need for any additional wiring. All of the dLAN 200 AV adapters, including the dLAN 200 AV (freesat) Kit and dLAN 200 AVpass (freesat) Kit, have a range of up to 200m and the network can be further extended around a building through the addition of more adapters.

dLAN Cockpit control panel

To further enhance the usability of devolo's powerline networking products, the company has recently introduced its first comprehensive powerline software - the dLAN Cockpit control panel. This allows the user to monitor and optimise their dLAN home network. The dLAN Cockpit control panel shows the connection speed of all adapters in the dLAN network and gives the user the option of controlling encryption and configuration. In addition, the software provides devolo updates to further enhance the performance of dLAN adapters, allowing for network-wide configuration for the first time.

Screenshot of the devolo dLAN Cockpit control panel.

Conclusion

While there are many options available for home networking, powerline offers one of the most extensive and reliable solutions. Making use of existing wiring means that an instant high-bandwidth network can be created all around the home without the need to retrofit or hide cables, and unlike wireless networks, powerline technology guarantees that users receive a reliable and stable connection at all times, which is not affected by thick walls and ceilings.

The high bandwidth and network range of dLAN 200 AV adapters provide a quality connection that offers users the ability to run multiple network devices at once, including streaming videos, playing games consoles, listening to music and sharing photos. Plus, with devolo offering adapters with integrated sockets, no power socket need be lost.

Peter Huddleston is the UK Sales Manager for devolo AG, the global market leader in HomePlug powerline technology and developer of innovative powerline products for private customers and commercial use.

www.devolo.com