Is ethernet over power a viable solution?

Guru · 13 Mar 2011 at 17:25

I'm looking to move my PC and media server up stairs and I'm wondering if ethernet over power is a decent solution or not?

I'm currently running a gigabit network between a PC, Microserver and PS3 but I need to move things to rooms that currently aren't catered for by ethernet.

Does anyone use EoP? If so which do you own and what are the transfer speeds like?

Can it compare to a gigabit switched network or cat5/6? Or is it still seen as a kind of temprorary solution for people who can't run cat cable?

/edit main uses are streaming hd content and online fps gaming.

Thanks,

G

RickST · 13 Mar 2011 at 17:35

My experience has always been wired>wireless>eop

Its fine for browsing the web and a bit of light gaming but it does increase pings significantly and the bandwidth is patchy depending on house wiring.

Ch3m1c4L · 13 Mar 2011 at 19:30

my pings are around 10ms higher using it than using ethernet. I dont know about transfer speeds, I know the net hasnt slowed down, but I havent tried transferring any large files around yet (only had it a month, and everything is stored on my PC).

Baldrick1001 · 13 Mar 2011 at 23:25

Wired/EoP/wireless. I've used EoP on my daughters pc for around 3ish years - superb, it's not as good as wired but it streams DVD quality video no problem - never tried hd

me227 · 13 Mar 2011 at 23:37

Baldrick1001 said:
Wired/EoP/wireless. I've used EoP on my daughters pc for around 3ish years - superb, it's not as good as wired but it streams DVD quality video no problem - never tried hd

Been using it for a while too and I barely noticed the difference compared to wired (not gigabit) when moving files or gaming.

brigzilla · 13 Mar 2011 at 23:50

Has the technology improved over time (quite a lot) ? because i distinctly remember an underlying buzzing noise when i tried one of these about 2 years ago whenever I did something on the internet, IE moving a file, downloading something, even refreshing a webpage would produce an underlying buzz. It got annoying so I got rid, but yeah. Thats my experience with them.

benhog · 14 Mar 2011 at 00:33

it's allways been perfect for me- almost as fast as a cable - and i have bridges that are at least 2 years old, i think its a safe bet and wireless has allways been completely iffy to me so do it

Overslop · 14 Mar 2011 at 03:56

Depends on the wiring. The Xbox in my bedroom runs great off homeplugs. The Wii in the front room is unusable with homeplugs.

jamesgoss · 14 Mar 2011 at 19:19

I've had a couple now for a few months linking my router on the 1st floor with my xbox in the loft. My 4mb internet connection maxes out and gaming on the xbox is indistinguishable from an ethernet connection. I think I tested it for ping and it was no different from a direct ethernet connection to the router.

I reckon they're great

Phrozenpenguin · 14 Mar 2011 at 19:53

I think it probably depends on the wiring. I tested a setup recently....copying 600mb photos from one machine to another.
Homeplugs = 3.5mins
100 Lan = 1min
1000 lan = 11 seconds

Your results may vary.

Guru · 15 Mar 2011 at 00:33

I bit the bullet and bought some £100 500mbps ones.

Then I had a complete change of heart, didn't even open the and spent the last 5 hours pulling up the carpet and running cat cable lol

Back to the shop they go tomorrow lol