Devolo has launched its latest powerline Ethernet product: an 85Mb/s adaptor designed to connect a hi-fi to a mains-hosted network so it can play streamed music.
Devolo dLAN Audio Extender Devolo's dLAN Audio Extender: ready for remote playback
The dLAN Audio Extender looks like a typical powerline adaptor, but in place of …
I'll be interested in this, and the wired set, and the wireless extenders... when the prices drop to something reasonable. In the meantime, I'll be channeling audio and video along ethernet the old fashioned way (I've made one of these, works nicely too):
No way I let this thing anywhere near my hi-fi. Not only will the preamp be destroyed if it will get 220V into line-in but it will likely catch fire too.
or the ethernet versions to be honest, i don't like the idea that a manufacturing defect could result in mains voltage going directly into my stereo/pc
Seems like this would be much nicer if it was optical. Not only would that do all sorts of surround goodies, but there isn't much chance of a rogue current roaming down a plastic/glass fiber. Not much chance at all. And if you don't have a reciever with optical input, then you probably don't need to be wasting this kind of cash on powerline networking to connect up your pc to it.
Artoo, that's a power socket, not a data terminal!
#
As others have posted, the idea of plugging my sensitive data ports into the mains just makes me cringe. A single short-circuit could fry every piece of electronic equipment in your house... ouch!
Posted Wednesday 30th January 2008 10:53 GMT
Anonymous Coward
@ mains voltage going directly into my stereo/pc
#
So this is mains-powered - well aren't your PCs and pre-amps mains-powered too? There's as much chance of mains getting into the audio connections with these devices as there is with those. Just because it passes information over the mains doesn't make it - or a conventional power-line ethernet adaptor - any more likely to fry your equipment than anything else.
Mains Interference being the biggest bugbear of audio freaks, i can't see this here product doing all that well for anyone other than the teen market with the MP3's stored on the PC - but where will they send the audio too!?
Personally I just use an RF link - cost me about £30 iirc and lets me move things around wherever I want, even out in the garden, where there is a surprising lack of 13amp sockets.
Audio freaks will believe what they are told by marketers about overpriced sillies to make their music sound better, even when they make no difference at all. I'm sure they'd buy one of these if the prongs were gold plated.
The rest of us are more sensible and some of us even realise that this is a digital system so will be able to cope with reasonable amounts of noise on the mains without it making the slightest difference. If it gets through to your badly-designed amplifier, it will get through via its existing mains cable just as easily as by this device.
And I'm astonished that people still think that this thing is likely to put mains down their audio leads. They obviously have no understanding of electronics at all. Still, fodder for the marketers...
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Device routes audio across powerline LANs
Devolo has launched its latest powerline Ethernet product: an 85Mb/s adaptor designed to connect a hi-fi to a mains-hosted network so it can play streamed music. Devolo dLAN Audio Extender Devolo's dLAN Audio Extender: ready for remote playback The dLAN Audio Extender looks like a typical powerline adaptor, but in place of …
This topic is closed for new posts.
Posted Tuesday 29th January 2008 16:15 GMT
Jason Togneri
Not bad #
I'll be interested in this, and the wired set, and the wireless extenders... when the prices drop to something reasonable. In the meantime, I'll be channeling audio and video along ethernet the old fashioned way (I've made one of these, works nicely too):
http://karpus.wordpress.com/2007/03/07/how-to-make-a-super-duper-quiet-pc/
Posted Tuesday 29th January 2008 16:15 GMT
Mal Franks
make one #
...that could carry video (composite - though component would be nice) as well as audio and I'd be interested.
Posted Tuesday 29th January 2008 20:37 GMT
Carl Zetie
X10 compatible? #
Does Ethernet/Power interfere with X10 automation?
Posted Tuesday 29th January 2008 20:37 GMT
Jason Togneri
@ Mal Franks #
That's what I said - see the link above. Composite video and RCA sound over ethernet! Tested and sure to work over 150ft.
Posted Tuesday 29th January 2008 20:37 GMT
Vladimir Plouzhnikov
Won't trust it. #
No way I let this thing anywhere near my hi-fi. Not only will the preamp be destroyed if it will get 220V into line-in but it will likely catch fire too.
Posted Tuesday 29th January 2008 20:37 GMT
Andy S
not sure i'd trust these #
or the ethernet versions to be honest, i don't like the idea that a manufacturing defect could result in mains voltage going directly into my stereo/pc
Posted Wednesday 30th January 2008 10:53 GMT
Nexox Enigma
Just stereo? #
Seems like this would be much nicer if it was optical. Not only would that do all sorts of surround goodies, but there isn't much chance of a rogue current roaming down a plastic/glass fiber. Not much chance at all. And if you don't have a reciever with optical input, then you probably don't need to be wasting this kind of cash on powerline networking to connect up your pc to it.
Posted Wednesday 30th January 2008 10:53 GMT
Steve Roper
Artoo, that's a power socket, not a data terminal! #
As others have posted, the idea of plugging my sensitive data ports into the mains just makes me cringe. A single short-circuit could fry every piece of electronic equipment in your house... ouch!
Posted Wednesday 30th January 2008 10:53 GMT
Anonymous Coward
@ mains voltage going directly into my stereo/pc #
So build in a resistor or something.
Posted Wednesday 30th January 2008 10:53 GMT
Anonymous Coward
Alarmist #
So this is mains-powered - well aren't your PCs and pre-amps mains-powered too? There's as much chance of mains getting into the audio connections with these devices as there is with those. Just because it passes information over the mains doesn't make it - or a conventional power-line ethernet adaptor - any more likely to fry your equipment than anything else.
Posted Wednesday 30th January 2008 10:53 GMT
Scott Mckenzie
INterference #
Mains Interference being the biggest bugbear of audio freaks, i can't see this here product doing all that well for anyone other than the teen market with the MP3's stored on the PC - but where will they send the audio too!?
Thanks, but i'll stick to cables here...
Posted Wednesday 30th January 2008 12:49 GMT
mike brockington
Wireless #
Personally I just use an RF link - cost me about £30 iirc and lets me move things around wherever I want, even out in the garden, where there is a surprising lack of 13amp sockets.
Posted Wednesday 30th January 2008 14:47 GMT
Anonymous Coward
@Scott Mckenzie: Interference #
Audio freaks will believe what they are told by marketers about overpriced sillies to make their music sound better, even when they make no difference at all. I'm sure they'd buy one of these if the prongs were gold plated.
The rest of us are more sensible and some of us even realise that this is a digital system so will be able to cope with reasonable amounts of noise on the mains without it making the slightest difference. If it gets through to your badly-designed amplifier, it will get through via its existing mains cable just as easily as by this device.
And I'm astonished that people still think that this thing is likely to put mains down their audio leads. They obviously have no understanding of electronics at all. Still, fodder for the marketers...
This topic is closed for new posts.