TRENDnet TPL-401E2K Powerline 500 AV Gigabit Adapter Kit Up to 500Mbps

Pros: Getting consistent 10 to 11 MB/sec between the pair (86 to 90 Mbps), with little fluctuation in speed. No stuttering while streaming 1080p high bitrate MKV's. Has Gigabit ports instead of 10/100, reducing potential performance bottleneck. Two pronged instead of three, so you can plug them in upside down into an outlet. Simple install - plugged one into my router and the other into an upstairs computer. Worked instantly...no software to install.

Cons: The first outlet I tested only yielded 3 MB/sec transfer speeds while copying a large MKV file. Luckily the outlet I need it at performs much higher (11 MB/sec). I suppose this is the nature of Powerline Networking....your mileage will vary outlet to outlet (wiring, circuits, etc).

Overall Review: The Powerline software utility says I'm getting 211 Mbps. Maybe the overhead of SMB file transfer cuts that down. The speed I'm getting is right in line with the results from the SmallNetBuilder review of the product. I'm not using encryption, but might see if there is a performance penalty first before doing that.

Pros: Just plug in and they work! I connected a router in the basement to a switch on the second floor. All computers up and down can see each other over the network immediately with no setup. Didn't even have to press the 'sync' button. I get ~52% network usage on computers with 100Mb NICs on either side of the devices according to Windows 7 network monitor which is fast enough for me.

Cons: I wasn't able to get the monitoring software to work but the speed seems pretty good so I'm not concerned about it.

Overall Review: Speed through these devices are highly dependent on your house's wiring and especially if you have appliances on the same circuit. A lot of reviewers have dinged off eggs because of bad wiring or whatever that's not the devices' fault. It's like complaining wi-fi doesn't work well through thick walls if you ask me. I probably could have gotten the 200Mb version but the 500's were on shell shocker. I haven't been able to get their exact speed (see cons) maybe because both are plugged into switches instead of straight into computers.

Pros: House is built in the 1920's with old circuits. I get consistent 240-280mbps with the adapters connected to 2 separate circuits. Get a constant 14% utilization of a 1Gb conection. More than enough for me to stream 1080p MKV files to the WD TV Live.

Cons: Was not able to change network name with the provided software even though firewall software is disabled.

Pros: While I have a very high power access point the devices that are on the other end can not handle the distance. The install was drop dead easy. I decided to see how idiot proof I could make the install. Just opened the package, plugged in the Ethernet cables and plugged them into the electric sockets. checked the connection and it was solid, I have never gone back to see what I could have done to make it harder, never even looked at the lights on the units. I am using these to stream 1080p video from both the net and from the other dvrs in the house and not problems with speed.

Cons: None so far.

Overall Review: I have read other reviews about them failing after a month or so, it's been 6 weeks and all is well. I did not post the speeds you will get in reality compared to the 500 on the box. Even the engineer at Trendnet says that you should never expect more then 1/3 what it is rated for so since it I knew that before buying I was forwarned. Also it can stream 1080p both directions at once and that is more then I could have asked or needed.

Pros: Simple installation - just plug in any outlet in your house. Works with other brands and speeds of Powerline AV adapters. Does not block top outlet when plugged into bottom outlet of wall plate. Three LEDs including power line quality. Runs cool. Was on sale.

Cons: Speed is not as advertised. A little large and no plug pass through, but their next model will resolve this. Only one port per adapter.

Overall Review: Somewhat disappointing. I am using them in combination with three Cisco/Linksys PLE300s without problem. Although the others are only 200MBit devices, all work together. Tested separately and same performance. The line quality indicator changes color from green to yellow to red as the quality decreases. Runs yellow typically. Getting 200Mbit (green) on one-way transfers when connected in same outlet, 128Mbit (green) between different rooms on same floor and circuit, 40Mbit (yellow) in different rooms on same floor, and 25Mbit (red) two floors apart. That isn't 250Mbit (500Mbit full duplex) even when one inch apart. Distance matters and I suspect they need more power for the signal. I get consistent but less throughput with each of the Cisco PLE300s in different locations, so it is a small improvement. I get about 8-9MB (HDX 1080) from my bluray to Internet vudu server using their test, but this is pitiful compared to wired gigabit and there advertised speeds.

Pros: * Works just about anywhere. * Easy setup, just plug the two adapters into the outlets and hook them up. *The LED lights will tell you what's connected. *The software utility that comes with it is a nice indicator of the rate of your connection. *I have a steady connection of 100 Mbps

Cons: * It won't get you at 500 Mbps. Like most networking data rates, its theoretical. * One of the ethernet cables it came with didn't work. Luckily, I had a spare lying around (as should we all). * The adapter can be a little large and if you have a power strip that has one of those awkward "diagonal" plugs, you're going to have a bit of an issue sharing that outlet.

Overall Review: I bought these at a retailer for $30 cheaper than what you find them here. I only went with these items because of my issues with Wireless N. I couldn't maintain a steady connection that would allow me to play games such as Battlefield 3 or APB Reloaded online (yet, Starcraft II was just fine...go figure). So, I went with these adapters. I purposefully bought the 500 Mbps model, due to the fact that I was expecting at most 20% of that performance. I wasn't too far off as I'm getting 100 Mbps, which is fast enough for online gaming. One thing I would like to point out is that I don't know how much an additional adapter can affect my data rate. It could very well be possible there may be a slightly slower connection if I added a 3rd device.

Pros: Mobile: These units will work anywhere you put them in a house. Speedy: Far more reliable than wireless N in my abode.

Cons: Don't plan on getting 500 mbps. The best I've managed to get was around 100 mbps under the best conditions. More realistically you are looking at 50 mbps.

Overall Review: The price is probably about $30 to high considering the performance is not there. Still worth it for me though as wireless N just does not do it for me in my house.

Pros: Easy to use. Just plug it in and your done. 1st 500mbps powerline to market. Newegg shipped very quickly and the price was excellent.

Cons: Like a previous reviewer stated, I'm not getting anywhere near the speeds advertised. Streaming standard def t.v. is fine but when streaming HD, things get a little jerky. My home wiring is new. It's frustrating because I really want to like this powerline device but I can't figure out how to get better speed from this product. Perhaps a firmware update might address this issue. Also, I don't see anywhere listed where you can buy just one adapter. Having bought the kit, I would like to purchase a single adapter but so far, no luck.

Overall Review: I would like to recommend this product but I have reservations. If you're streaming regular def and your wiring is in pretty good shape, then this should work well. Also, if you're connecting to a pc, then you should be okay for surfing the web. If the price comes down and the speed issues are addressed, this would be a solid purchase.