5. HomePlug happenings

An announcement that didn't seem to get much coverage was the HomePlug Alliance's announcement that it would be demoing HDTV streaming using powerline networking technology. But I made my way to the small HomePlug networking "zone" not because of this announcement, but to see whether anyone could fill me in on their plans to counter all the attention that wireless networking was getting as the home multimedia distribution method of choice.

I didn't find much in the way of solid plans, but more a sense that a major obstacle in the way of HomePlug's growth was about to be removed. The real significance of the HDTV demo announcement is that after about a year and a half since its announcement back in October 2003, the HomePlug AV spec was finally coming together. 

HomePlug AV is pulling together pieces from Panasonic, Intellon, DS2, Sharp and Conexant so that HomePlug products able to support video streaming will be able to get out of the labs and onto store shelves. Details on the components of the HomePlug AV spec., which I sense is still in a high state of flux, weren't available, and only time will tell whether HomePlug member companies can get products to market while anyone still cares about powerline as a home networking alternative.

HomePlug seems alive and well, however, in commercial applications. Asoka introduced two commercially oriented products at the show (the PlugLAN Network Jack is pictured below) and Corinex proudly showed me its CableLAN adapter.

Corinex' adapter is an IP-over-coax solution using HomePlug technology, and the first coax-based networking solution available as a stand-alone product. Since it uses a 1-24MHz frequency band, it doesn't interfere with analog television signals that run from 47MHz and up. Since HomePlug protocols are used, the adapters work with HomePlug network management tools and use the same encryption and security schemes.

Updated Jan 13, 2004
Corinex says the system will work up to 700M and is being used in MDU (Multiple Dwelling Unit) installations such as hotel / motel, apartement buildings, etc. The adapters also provide the benefit of being able to divide a large HomePlug-based network into smaller segments. This is very useful in MDU installations because, according to Corinex, HomePlug falls back to about a 1Mbps crawl when more than 16 nodes are on a network. Pricing is higher than Ethernet and USB Homeplug adapters, at about $99, direct from Corinex' website.

My talk with Asoka was also pretty interesting. They say they are the largest maker of HomePlug products with a large OEM / ODM business in addition to fielding their own branded products. Although due to confidentiality agreements they would not tell me the names of any of their customers, if you have a "wall-wart" form-factor HomePlug product in packaging similar to Asoka's, well...you can draw your own conclusion!

Asoka doesn't have a video-capable HomePlug multimedia product, but their PL9140-AUD PlugLink Audio Server handles MP3 (but not WMA) streaming audio. The unit is WinXP / 2000 only, is controlled via an infrared remote and can actually handle up to eight separate audio streams.

In addition to its just-introduced PlugLAN Network jack, Asoka's commercial product line includes the 8230-4RP PlugLAN Active Repeater, which can help extend a HomePlug LAN's range and solve problems in networks using multiple line phases.

By the way, if you were a fan of the Siemens Speedstream HomePlug wireless access points that seem to have quietly disappeared from the market, you can get them from Asoka in both 802.11b (PL9520-WAP) and just-introduced 802.11g (PL9540-WAP) flavors.