X

Netgear Powerline AV adapter slims down a giant notch

Netgear announces the Powerline AV 500 adapter that's significantly smaller than previous models.

Dong Ngo SF Labs Manager, Editor / Reviews
CNET editor Dong Ngo has been involved with technology since 2000, starting with testing gadgets and writing code for CNET Labs' benchmarks. He now manages CNET San Francisco Labs, reviews 3D printers, networking/storage devices, and also writes about other topics from online security to new gadgets and how technology impacts the life of people around the world.
See full bio
Dong Ngo
Netgear Powerline 500 Nano
Netgear Powerline 500 Nano Netgear

LAS VEGAS--Following Trendnet, Netgear also announced today at CES 2012 a mini Powerline AV 500 adapter, the Powerline 500 Nano, model XAVB5101.

Netgear says the new tiny adapter is "perfect for connecting a single device such as game console, Blu-ray player, smart TV, HD set-top box, network DVR, PC, and other devices to the home network router and the Internet." The company also said that gamers will particularly benefit from it since power-line technology generally has low latency, compared with Wi-Fi.

The new Powerline 500 Nano comes with Netgear's unique "Pick-a-Plug" function, allowing it to automatically test the connection at any electrical outlet. It displays the results in the form of color coded LED lights to help users pick the best outlet for the optimal connection. It doesn't have a pass-through power socket, like the previous version, however, that allows you to plug another device to the same power outlet.

The Netgear Powerline 500 Nano will be available in the first quarter of 2012 with an estimated price of $120.