Recently Filed in Ethernet

HDMI 1.4 delivers two big features that earlier specs lacked: data and bi-directional audio. The new capabilities could eliminate the need for extra Ethernet and audio cables—a single HDMI can do the trick. Two-Way Data With transfer speeds of up to 100 Mbps, the HDMI Ethernet Channel (HEC) will enable countless IP-based applications that previously required a dedicated Cat 5 cable connected to the home network. Now, instead of running Ethernet to every component in an A/V stack, only one device needs to be connected… View this story
HDMI • Ethernet • Networking • Product News

Q. A few years ago, I ran Ethernet wires to every room in my split level home from a central hallway. Can I piggyback audio with Internet over the same Ethernet wire without any problems? How about video? - John, CA A. Typically, this is not possible. There are some systems I have heard of (but not tested) that allow multiple protocols on a same wire. However, anything we use now, that is reliable and robust, involve using a single Cat5 for each discipline -… View this story
Cables, Wires and Tools • Networking and Communication • Ethernet • Ask a Pro

It’s been a big month for Netgear as it tries to take over your home’s coaxial cable network. That’s not a bad thing though, because it’s using the coax to bridge your home entertainment system to your network. The latest piece of gear is the company’s MoCA Coax-Ethernet Adapter Kit (MCAB1001), which carries an MSRP of $229 but can be found on Netgear’s website for $189. The solution employs the Multimedia over Coax Alliance (MoCA) initiative to connect your PC network to your home entertainment… View this story
Networking and Communication • Cable • Ethernet • Product News

If only home networking were as easy as hooking up your cable TV ... well, D-Link is trying to make it that way and is now shipping a starter kit to help you expand your network a tad more conveniently perhaps. The company announced that it’s now shipping its HD MediaBridge Coax Network Starter Kit (DXN-221), which bridges your existing coaxial (cable) wiring with your home network. There are so many Ethernet-ready devices out there it’s hard to keep track these days, but you may… View this story
Networking and Communication • Cable • Ethernet • Connectors • Product News

People often ask us what their best bet is regarding web, TV and telephone service. Everyone has their favorites; even “Consumer Reports.” The mag just announced results that fiber-optic services seem to be the leading choice, when it comes to the trifecta. Verizon FiOS and AT&T U-verse were cited as the best bang for your buck, as well as providing some of the best customer service. Sadly, those services are not available everywhere. In that case, the report says to go with “a highly-rated cable… View this story
Cable • DSL • Satellite • Ethernet • Fiber/FiOS • IPTV • Telephones • VoIP • Home Theater • Networking • Product News

Looking for whole-house music without tearing down your walls to run wiring? Got a Pandora or Rhapsody account and want it streamed to more than just your computer speakers? Sonos has been giving us affordable wireless multiroom music for a bit of time now, and today it’s announced new amplified and non-amplified ZonePlayers, a new bundled package for a cost-effective starter system, and also an added perk of more than $200 in DRM-free music offers. The new ZonePlayer 120 (ZP120) and ZonePlayer 90 (ZP90) both… View this story
AV Components • Digital Media Servers • Multiroom Audio • Networking and Communication • Ethernet • Audio • Multiroom AV • Product News

The major audio-video accessory companies fear that the big CE manufacturers have finally delivered on the age old promise of "No New Wires." With Sony and Panasonic starting to introduce products that are supposedly wire-free, the accessory companies have been touting their own new wireless solutions for HDTV to HDMI to whole home audio and other house cluttering products and services. Here's a look at both sides of this ever troublesome home theater dilemma. No More Wires Please! (By Susan Davis, an award winning advertising… View this story
Audio Cables • Video Cables • Bluetooth • Ethernet • WiFi • Networking • Info and Answers

Q. What are my options for a TV in the bathroom prewired with a cat5 and a coax? I would like to stream my home video, mp3’s, photos, etc., but space is limited on the wall. What I have in mind may not exist: A TV with Ethernet and a built in media player. -Tony The choices for this type of application are limited at the moment, but there are a couple of options for what you are looking for. HP has a new line… View this story
Ethernet • Bathroom • Multiroom AV • Ask a Pro

Home automation manufacturer Control4 has always been about combining affordability, convenience and performance. They’ve rolled out the latest version of their Home Controller to further speak to those points. The new Control4 Home Controller HC-500 gives you an HD on-screen output for better visual navigation, a 160-GB media server to stuff plenty of files for multiroom audio and video distribution, and enough inputs and outputs for your home theater controlling needs. It’s expected to be available in February for $1,495. Here are some more highlights:… View this story
AV Components • Multiroom Audio • Multiroom Video • Home Control • Home Control Systems • Lighting Control • Lighting Control Systems • Networking and Communication • Ethernet • WiFi • Multiroom AV • Home Control • Product News

Good communication is a must in a home filled with electronics. Your remote needs to talk to your audio/video components, your wall switches need to speak with your lights, your media server needs to share its music with your family room loudspeakers, and, more recently, it’s become important that your computer be able to transmit photos, videos and other information to every display in the house. There are several ways of getting information from one place to another. If you’re building a new home, high-speed… View this story
Ethernet • Powerline • WiFi • Buyers Guides • Holiday Gift Guide • How To • Networking • Info and Answers • Research

How do you make a mammoth flat screen boring? Show vacation photos on it. Still, Sony just announced the HDMS-S1D ($400), a server designed to be stuffed with up to 50,000 high-resolution photos. The 80GB hard drive allows users to transfer photos via almost any memory card, a CD or DVD, USB or Ethernet. I find it really annoying when I can’t find different photos, so it’s nice to have them in one spot. Whether or not, I want to blast them on a big… View this story
Digital Media Servers • Ethernet • Computer Accessories • Gadgets • Home Theater • Enhancements • Product News

This Maryland house has a whole-house control system, security cameras, 13 zones of audio distribution, a wireless computer network, geothermal heating, sensors for water leaks and humidity, a surround-sound system and a DVD movie server. Must be a new home, right? Try 1781—as in the days of George Washington. That’s when the original structure was built. A renovation of the modest Quaker-style house was done in 1814, and a few years ago, the current homeowners added a wing with a family room on the first… View this story
Plasma • Multiroom Audio • Surveillance • Humidity Control • Thermostats and Sensors • Home Control Systems • Ethernet • Multiroom AV • Cool Homes • Slideshows