Some people might wonder how there is so partly different reviews. The reason is obvious: Unlike a say network cable plays DLAN also the mains (via the so ultimately the data transmission takes place) a crucial role. How old is the network, what kind of devices are operated alongside else how far the track is to be bridged - all factors the pure play here. I'll try following this review to be divided fairly.
Scope:
I had previously always two normal, small adapter from TP-Link 200Mbit. So I had no problems, the connection has always been very consistent and stable. However, I have with me in the new apartment a somewhat unfavorable scenario.
So are my Fritz! Box and my NAS in the living room, my PC but in sleep / study room. Unfortunately, a network cable lay is not, because that would be defined by two doors or walls. I can not puncture, blocking the doors and place a stumbling block across the hall is also not an option. Because just when streaming on the PS3 Media Server, the 200Mbit adapters were much too slow and I wanted to place in the socket, my choice fell on the new dLAN 500 adapter with integrated socket.
Tested adapter and experience:
First, I picked up the self-proclaimed leader in PowerLAN so Devolo. The firmware I had of course updated directly. The software was for me but a horror. Funnily enough, was every time I launched this connection briefly away (incidentally, the same with the software from AVM). Why could tell me no support. The data rate was with 10-12MB / sec over my expectations and also filed with no problems to stream Full HD on my PS3 or on my PC from my NAS. Here then was a problem that I could not solve to date:
From time to time, sometimes several times a day, sometimes only once, I suddenly had no internet connection more. No Connectivity I realized. The strange: Both the software and the adapter (LED display) showed a normal connection. This, however, was clearly disturbed (the router, it was not, and wireless Internet worked well over here). This issue surfaced after months with ever newer firmware versions continue.
And here's the point: The same problem I had with both these adapters AVM here, as well as with the models and the new XAV5501 XAV5601 from Netgear (last grade in operation). I tried everything to determine the source of interference, such as power strips exchanged, PC connected directly to the dLAN adapters, individual device disconnected in the current circuit (eg also the TV in the living room) imaginable. Everything brought no improvement! After half a year dLAN 500 I can therefore highlight positive as the only positive feature of the dLAN 200 compared to significantly higher data rate.
Of course, the cause of the interference will probably be in my current cycle, while others have no problems with it. Frustend it is anyway, so the apartment was where I live now core before moving rehabilitated and relocated including new power lines. Suspected as the cause of the disorders I have more and more my PC. I've also read of cases where, for example, the motherboard has caused disturbances on DLAN. I have this and also the power supply is suspected. The latter I will swap this month with a new one, something should change this I will update this review course.
Finally, a few tips:
1) DLAN 500 can work, but you need to test necessarily in your own home it!
2) DLAN 200 is CLEARLY Interference (the frequency range is just too much smaller). When you access to 5MB / sec rich prefer to Devolo AV200 adapters (the TP-Link provide only the 3-4MB / sec, measured everything myself).
3) To prevent fluctuations in the data rate from Windows Vista necessarily the data flow control in the network settings to disable. I had this on the data rate dropped sometimes for no reason at about half the normal speed.
4) What company you should grab is left to your taste. Made in China, they are all, probably even from the same factory with only minor changes to the technique. These are the AVM "Made in Germany" I do not think so personally. A better noise filter in the adapter would namely probably avoid my problems.
Finally, a comment about the support of the individual companies:
Devolo: quite rude on the phone, but technically the most competent for me. Here has been suggested that high electromagnetic fluctuations cause interference in my current network. But where that is coming from the other thing (I suspect as already mentioned one or more components in my PC as a cause).
Netgear: friendly and fast, got as a replacement for my XAV5501 adapter directly the new, much smaller XAV5601. Did this also still in use.
AVM: The support was always endeavored, unfortunately, I was just an exchange offered expertise I've missed here clearly.
Of which company they attack now is up to you. Personally I find the easiest Adapter and software from Netgear. Here both adapters can be updated directly via the software. In AVM each adapter needs to be individually attached to the PC - annoying. Both companies also the LEDs can be turned off if desired to the equipment. If you have the adapter, for example, in the bedroom in operation a nice thing. In Devolo I found the software from the surface as to overload, turn off the LEDs Option also lacked eg whole.
Because of all the problems with the adapters and the unsatisfactory means by the support, as well as the annoying procedure when updating I can give the AVM adapters no more than two stars. A speed advantage over the other producers also had not seen me.
So: First try at home, make any experiments with problems and resort to dLAN 200 adapters.
Update 07/10/2012:
I have now tried everything possible to settings on my Fritzbox 7390 and the PC to both really are not the cause. But as dLAN 200 adapters at run and also a hard reset the router to no avail, it must clearly be due to the dLAN 500 adapters.
I've gotten to test the TP-Link 551 adapter - unfortunately, the problem of irregular disconnections on with these adapters. I am going to swap this month the Power Supply at my computer. Whether thereby improve something or the problem is solved even I will then report here.
Update 6/17/2013:
I've gotten a brand new PC and was, until recently, still both the AVM and Netgear adapters problems. Since I have however changed my graphics card (it was the last "old" component in my system) have disappeared the problems. However, the video card worked flawlessly, why this has caused the apparently the problems I can not explain it.
Update 12/18/2014:
Unfortunately, it was after 1 week again to the above-mentioned problems. They occur def. more rarely, they are not completely gone but. I had the Devolvo 650s in March shortly there, but unfortunately still the same problems. Currently I use WLAN AC with my now Fritz! Box 7490 and a Netgear A6200 WiFi Stick AC. Since I have swaying times 12 to 20 MB / sec, but especially no disconnections (the driver I find it so-so). No idea if the 650 adapter from Devolo would now run störfrei with the Firmware Update from November 2014. I adjust my rating therefore again to forgive and now finally completing 3 of 5 stars. The adapter you should try at home just once. The Devolo 650 should probably defy most disorders, as these with the "diversity" technique possibly one of the now 2 of 3 used lines (ground will be used with) can change.
