[Philistine]

I currently have my Duet and Transporter operating wireless and have two Netgear HomePlug adapters: one used to network an Xbox 360, the second to transmit onto the AC power line and a satellite receiver has one built in.  It works great with these.

Anyone tried to use HomePlug for their SB/Duet/Transporter?  I have reservations about trying it, but if it works it could be a great solution to eliminate having to use these in wireless mode.

[datman]

I have been using the Linksys version of the ethernet over power lines adaptor with my Transporter for some time.  It appears to work flawlessly.  You have to remember, the data stream produced by SqueezeCenter is not all that large.  Sending audio files (even wav format) uses very little bandwith.

[anthony a.]

i used to use the d link version when i was in my other place.  worked excellent.  these devices are breakthrough for reliable internet connection imo.  pity they are not as well know as wireless counterparts.

[Philistine]

I've just stolen the HomePlug my son uses with his XBOX360 and it works great with my Transporter.

Totally agree that it's a great alternative to wireless and eliminates the need to install ethernet cabling, at the same time I read that it has the bandwidth capacity to handle HighDef video so, as previously mentioned, audio streaming is well within its capabilities.

[DSK]

I'm aware of these devices but haven't read up on them yet. Most of us use dedicated AC lines and AC power conditioning to prevent any crap on the AC lines from degrading our sound. Now we are sending our music data down the same lines? Is there a reason that this is not a concern? Cheers!

[bprice2]

I'm aware of these devices but haven't read up on them yet. Most of us use dedicated AC lines and AC power conditioning to prevent any crap on the AC lines from degrading our sound. Now we are sending our music data down the same lines? Is there a reason that this is not a concern? Cheers!

It seems like if you were to use this device, it would make it a necessity to use a power conditioner in order to clean up after it.

[NewBuyer]

Been using powerline networking with my SB3 for a long time now, also with flawless performance.  Very highly recommended. 

[DSK]

Many AC'ers even go to the extent of using battery powered hifi equipment in order to avoid the garbage riding on the AC lines. You HomePlug pioneers are sending your delicate music signals down these same AC lines. Have any of you done a careful A/B against a straight ethernet wire (or against wireless)?

The convenience (versus trying to run ethernet cabling in existing walls) is great but ..... I'm apprehensive at this point.

Do any of you have your hifi gear on dedicated AC lines but your music server on a different AC line, perhaps on another floor? Any issues ... is it better if each HomePlug device is connected to the same AC line?

EDIT: Sometimes switching on/off electrical appliances or lights causes a momentary audio dropout and picture breakup on digital TV's. Does this apply to the audio signal going to the HomePlugged SqueezeBoxes/Transporters as well?

[PhilNYC]

I recently installed ActionTec powerline network adaptors for my Transporter and one of my SB3's, and they work flawlessly.  I even think they sound better now...!   Regarding dedicated lines, I happen to have a non-dedicated outlet near my reference system, so the powerline adaptor is plugged into that.

[Philistine]

Many AC'ers even go to the extent of using battery powered hifi equipment in order to avoid the garbage riding on the AC lines. You HomePlug pioneers are sending your delicate music signals down these same AC lines. Have any of you done a careful A/B against a straight ethernet wire (or against wireless)?

The convenience (versus trying to run ethernet cabling in existing walls) is great but ..... I'm apprehensive at this point.

Do any of you have your hifi gear on dedicated AC lines but your music server on a different AC line, perhaps on another floor? Any issues ... is it better if each HomePlug device is connected to the same AC line?

EDIT: Sometimes switching on/off electrical appliances or lights causes a momentary audio dropout and picture breakup on digital TV's. Does this apply to the audio signal going to the HomePlugged SqueezeBoxes/Transporters as well?

I tried my TP wireless and with the HomePlug, thought the HomePlug might be a little better but would need to spend more listening time to be sure - maybe the wireless section of the TP being switched off with the HomePlug may be a major contributor in any improvement?
I realize that my experiment is flawed as the HomePlug 'sender' is always connected, and the signal will be present in the AC when I use the TP wireless.

The ethernet signal sent down the AC line is very fragile, it doesn't survive a power conditioner or surge suppressor - maybe a regular transformer will kill it before the AC is converted to DC?   So far we've never experienced any drop outs or loss of signal.

I intend to get a length of ethernet cable and repeat this, next time I will eliminate the HomePlug when going wireless and ethernet.

[DSK]

I did a quick search of some AV forums last night and the net outcome seemed to be that these devices are a last resort (after running ethernet cable or using Wireless N). Most people who tried these devices were unable to stream 1080i video without stuttering, especially if the devices were not on the same powerline spur. Although the software utility suggested a good connection, the measured data throughput was often terrible, worse than wireless. Some people even had terrible throughput when using the devices in the same room, getting 1mbps instead of 100mbps (let alone the advertised 200mbps).

I was really hoping to avoid sliding along on my stomach in the roof space, over the fibreglass insulation to run cable. I can just see myself putting a knee through the plaster      However, looks like it is the only guaranteed way of getting a good throughput. 

[Philistine]

I did a quick search of some AV forums last night and the net outcome seemed to be that these devices are a last resort (after running ethernet cable or using Wireless N). Most people who tried these devices were unable to stream 1080i video without stuttering, especially if the devices were not on the same powerline spur. Although the software utility suggested a good connection, the measured data throughput was often terrible, worse than wireless. Some people even had terrible throughput when using the devices in the same room, getting 1mbps instead of 100mbps (let alone the advertised 200mbps).

I was really hoping to avoid sliding along on my stomach in the roof space, over the fibreglass insulation to run cable. I can just see myself putting a knee through the plaster      However, looks like it is the only guaranteed way of getting a good throughput. 

I did a quick forum seach, and the first thread I found had the following posts:

'm using a Netgear Powerline adapter to stream lossless audio and video to my Sonos and Xbox (XBMC) respectively with zero issues on audio and a frame drop MAYBE once a week on the video (usually when someone else is listening to audio). Works great. Good luck

I use the wifi for pda control of some of the fireballs (zp-1) and the rest for computers and additional fireballs that are connected to displays. Works GREAT. No pulling wires, no wifi drop outs and no sleeping in the dog house.

I used Netgear's XE102s (14Mbps) to stream Apple lossless audio to four Sonos zones and never a single issue even with each zone playing different music.

I'm also using the Netgear XE102 to send audio to 3 Squeezeboxes. It works well.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=982924


I would pick up a couple of refurbs from ebay and give them a try, if they don't work out you can always resell them.  Nothing to lose.