Conclusion
The Corinex GameNet, which is essentially a bundle of two
AV200
devices, worked as intended - facilitating a smooth online gaming
experience with the simplicity of plug-and-play. Multimedia
functionality such as 1080p video-streaming is possible, but only when
the devices are located closely together.
Performance for file transfers isn't great, running into issues when
the devices are at a distance but, considering this is somewhat
outside the GameNet's intended use, it's hard to really criticise
Corinex.
If you want a simple way to connect your games console to your home
network, without routing Ethernet cables throughout your house, the
GameNet certainly works. At £70, it's expensive, but does
provide clutter-free performance and tremendous ease of use.
Much of the above can also be applied to the ZyXEL PLA401. It allows
you to setup a simple network over powerline with adequate performance
for online gaming, web-browsing and small-file transfers. Paired with
the P660HWP, it offers better performance than the Corinex, although
when
compared to a wired Ethernet connection, which most people have,
performance is far lower.
ZyXEL's P660HWP ADSL routers support of Ethernet, Wi-Fi and
powerline makes a lot of sense. None of the three connection options
are ideal; Ethernet lacks portability; Wi-Fi suffers from variable
performance and connectivity; and HomePlug is a compromise between the
two, offering some portability within the home without the risk of
dropped connection, but performance for more demanding tasks is only
there at close proximities. Having all three connection
types on the router allows you to mix and match as needed.
Ethernet-over-powerline in either its UPA or HomePlug forms clearly
doesn't supplant either Ethernet or Wi-Fi, but, rather, complements
them, filling a niche where you need a degree of portability
and ease of use, but where the performance or, more likely, he
reception of Wi-Fi, even draft-n, may
not suffice.
For Joe Average who needs to connect to the Internet, or for online
gaming via either a console or PC, Ethernet-over-powerline seems a
worthy consideration. Our reviewed products all have faults, of course,
with the primary one being a lack of speed at distance, but they fill a
need at a reasonable cost.
HEXUS.certification
Corinex GameNet
ZyXEL P660HWP
ZyXEL PLA401
HEXUS Where2Buy
The Corinex GameNet is available for £71.63 from Import Market.The ZyXEL P660HWP is available for £89.89 from Scan.
The ZyXEL PLA401 is available for £52.86 from Scan. or £93.27 for a twin pack.
