TL-LINK TL-PA210KIT HomePlug AV 200Mbps Mini Powerline Adapter Starter Kit

Pros: Works great where it's not possible to run physical cable and where wifi is saturated.

Cons: Doesn't support IPv6!!! This means that all of my great Apple Bonjour-based auto-discovery stuff breaks crossing this device. AppleTV and Airport Express discovery for Airplay just don't work!

Other Thoughts: TP-Link support knows this device does not support IPv6, but will not do anything about it. They "sincerely recommend" buying a new upgraded device instead.

Pros: Quickly adds network connection to places where it's hard to get a physical cable. Is more reliable than wifi where there is lots of bandwidth competition.

Cons: Does not pass mDNS (aka Bonjour), so it doesn't work at all with Apple devices. Going through this device, I cannot see my AppleTV, Airport Extreme, or Airport Express devices at all. What a letdown!

Other Thoughts: This is supposedly a layer 1 device, so I don't understand why it's blocking mDNS. Maybe it's stopping all broadcasts as a bandwidth-saving measure? Whatever it is, I can't turn it off.

Pros: There is no way you can get this wrong. You plug in one side to your router and the other side to whatever device you want to connect (and a wall outlet of course) and BOOM! It works. No set up, no CDs to insert, no passwords to memorize.

Cons: Absolutely none.

Other Thoughts: I picked this kit up to replace a wireless AP client that I had. The wireless was okay, but it kept dropping out every now and then, and even then, I wasn't getting the full 54. The speed test I ran wasn't getting the 200, but then again I wasn't even expecting a full 200, I was getting about 80 or so, which is plenty for what I'm using it for. Keep in mind that I was going clear across the 2,000 square foot home.

Pros: Couldn't be simpler, connected the Ethernet to my router, plugged them into the wall, after a few seconds the remote computer was on the Internet. The speed was as good as a direct connection to the router. Even when the remote computer was downloading a large file the speed on my main PC was not affected.

Cons: None. The other comments about the short CAT5 cables is moot. Cables are cheap.

Other Thoughts: I am seldom so inspired by a product that I need to write a review. But this TL-Link product was the exception.
Even though the instructions say to plug these directly into the wall I tried using a cheap extension cord on the unit connected to the router. Not only did it work but there was no effect on the speed.

Pros: They work. Setup could not be easier. No, really, I mean it. Plug them in and press a button.

Cons: Doesn't seem blazing fast, but better than the wifi I had which had to cross 50 yards and 2 walls.

Other Thoughts: Got this kit and two belkin 5e cords under $40 shipped. Win.

Pros: works @ 100 mbps
good solution for weak wireless signal
mega-easy install

Cons: doesn't fit wall socket tightly - feels insecure
provided cat5 cables are way too short (about 4'?)
lights should show to the side, because sockets are often behind furniture and difficult to see power light on the front of unit

Other Thoughts: these worked right out of the box, but be prepared to provide your own, longer cat5 cables. I plugged in the base, plugged in the remote end, hooked it up to the laptop and it was connected instantly. Almost too easy.

Pros: I just plugged it in and it works great, no config.

Cons: Short Ethernet cables included

Pros: When it works, it's a kool, niffty device.

Cons: When it doesn' work, it's frustrated the hell out of you.

Other Thoughts: I bough two pairs of these Poweline Adapters. Read the manual extremely thoroughly before installing them. One worked for 20 minutes, then quit.

Called the 800 hotline for tech support. Talked to a lady in China. She sent me a e-mail with a few links that directed me to the same user manual as found on the CD included in the origial package. So no help at all.

Then, called the 800 number again. This time, talked to another Chinese lady. We spoke Mandarin on the phone the entire time, and this is what she told me to rectify the problem:

(1) Download the "correct" model utility program from the CD included in the package, i.e. TP-210.

(2) Plug the Powerline Adapter into any socket; attach one end of the ethernet cable to the Powerline and the other end to the COMPUTER where you just downloaded the Utility program.

(3) Open the Utility program, and press the "Reset" button to reset each Powerline Adapter individually.

(4) Next, plug the "Reset" Powerline Adapter into the socket again, but this time, with the ethernet cable attach to the modem.

(6) Finally, install all other units to whichever devices you want to attach (computers, video-streaming units) using the instructions as illustrated on the quick-install leaflet.

If you use the above installation instructions, DO skip the "pairing" instruction (i.e. pressing the pairing button on the unit). The adapters will automatically pair with the first unit because all of them have been programmed to do so during the "Reset" process done earlier.

Had I not received the above instructions (NOT included in the leaflet, anywhere on the TP-Link website, or in the CD) from the super-patient-nice Chinese tech-support on the phone, I would have return the unit because it took me altogether 6 hours from start to get all the units to work properly!

Manufacturer Response:

Hello Customer,

We are sorry for any frustration and inconvenience that this product may have caused. We really appreciate you taking the time to try and review our products. The steps that you have listed are correct and would make a good connection. For these devices to communicate with each other, their ‘private network name’ must be set to the same name. Applying the pair button changes these names to the default; this will allow the devices to see each other.

If you need further information, please feel free to contact me. Howard.he@tp-link.com

Best Regards!
TP-LINK Support Team
support@tp-link.com
(866) 225-8139
http://www.tp-link.com/us/support
http://www.facebook.com/TPLINK

Pros: Good idea- and would solve problems if it actually worked

Cons: I briefly saw my 2nd device but it didn't last long. In the setup window it seemed to disappear as soon as it went to "power savings mode".

Don't like that you have to have computer turned on for this to work. This was intended to power a Roku downstairs and defeats the purpose of going with a Roku instead of a media PC.

Other Thoughts: Wasted hours on this stupid thing scratching my head- trying various resets and combinations. Even tried both devices in same room- in same wall plate. No surge protectors or strange wiring- this is a fairly new home so should be up to spec. Distance from broadcasting device
to receiving device isn't far- but it hits a small patch in the house where wireless for some reason is spotty- hence the need for this device.

Guess this one is going to have to be returned. First time I've had to return anything to NewEgg, everthing else has worked... hope this isn't a painful process.

Even if it worked, the fact that it appears that you have to have the computer turned on in order for these things to network is a big no-no for me.

Manufacturer Response:

Hello Bean Soup,

We are sorry to see that you are unsatisfied with this product. The power-saving mode will allow the Power-Line to save power when there isn't any transmission or receiving data over a certain time frame. This takes the Power-Line from Working Mode into Power-Saving mode. This mode will not turn the device off, but it will reduce the power by 65%. When the device connected to the Roku or Computer receive or transmit a signal, then it will turn back on to Working Mode; this will allow them to function as they're supposed to. We hope this experience doesn't stop you from checking out TP-Link products in the future.

Best Regards!

TP-LINK Support Team
support@tp-link.com
(866) 225-8139
http://www.tp-link.com/us/support
http://www.facebook.com/TPLINK

Pros: My back room PC is only about 10 feet away from the router but far enough where I could not run a direct Cat5 cable. We have been suffering with a wireless antenna for about 6 months. After numerous disconnects and general connection issues, I had enough.

I honestly did not know these thing were available. I saw a deal online for 20 bucks off and picked them up for about 29.00. (I see now they are sold out)

Got them in a day, great job newegg!. These were about the easiest tech related things to setup that I have ever used. Literally plugged them in and they were off and running. Instant connection. Ive only had them about a week but have not lost the connection since. The old wireless setup would drop out at least 3 or 4 times a day or more during large downloads. Great speeds on these too.

Cons: The only con would be, and this is nit-picking, is the short cord included. My PC was a little further away from the outlet than the short cord would allow. I had a 6ft cable on hand so I was good to go. At least they did include cables though.