Go To Latest Video ReviewsCES 2009: DS2 Builds Web Connectivity Into Power Cables
| Author | Gordon Kelly |
| Published | 12th Jan 2009 |
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TrustedReviews NewslettersLet's face facts, in truth CES 2009 was the quietest and most scaled down we've seen for some time and away from the major announcements made by the biggest players there wasn't as much going on as we'd have liked. That said there were a few gems like Flatwires and the Powermat however and this could be another one…
It's the 'embedded PLC module' by DS2. What? I hear you ask. In short it is a little chipset which can be embedded by manufacturers into their devices to integrate Powerline connectivity so it works through a product's standard power cord.
This means you just setup Powerline on your router then plug your media player / Blu-ray player / media centre, etc into the wall and the product is online. It's fast too running at up to 200Mbit, more than enough to enjoy streaming 1080p High Definition content with no worries about a fluctuating WiFi signal.
The caveat? Well, there's always a caveat and this is a biggie: manufacturers need to opt to use the technology at a base design level and that leads to the tricky question of mass market acceptance. In fact, just one product was shown to me with embedded PLC at this time and that was the 'MediaGiantPro' by Conceptronic - hardly a household brand.
Consequently the sad thing is this tech may never take-off fully, despite the fact it is a great idea. After all, the next logical step would be to embed PLC modules into routers making the whole process seamless and automatic. Yep, magic.
So let's just pray companies see sense…
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Ed said on 12th January 2009
Gordon said on 12th January 2009
@Ed - more than that you just need the device's standard power cable to hook-up to your Powerline network. Saves a plug socket and an Ethernet cable - all very neat and logica... more
haim said on 13th January 2009
Does seem smart, and I must admit I've been surprised how quickly some things start appearing (display link for ex). But I guess all the wireless router/chip producers will b... more
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I assume this uses conventional Powerline technology so if you already have a Powerline network it could simply connect to that. It just saves on one extra Powerline plug.