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Trendnet introduces first 500Mbps power-line adapter with Wireless-N access point

Trendnet announces a new power-line adapter that offers both a 500Mbps wired connection and a 300Mbps wireless access point.

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.
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Trendnet's 500Mbps power-line adapter, the TPL-410AP, incorporates a 300Mbps Wireless-N access point.
Trendnet's 500Mbps power-line adapter, the TPL-410AP, incorporates a 300Mbps Wireless-N access point. Trendnet

LAS VEGAS--Just a month ago, Trendnet debuted the first 500Mbps power-line adapter kit, the TPL-401E2K, and earlier than that, Netgear introduced the first 200Mbps power-line kit to incorporate a wireless access point, the AV 200 Wireless-N Extender Kit XAVNB2001.

Now, as predicted, it seems we will soon have the first product that combines both of these: Trendnet announced today the 500Mbps Powerline AV Wireless-N Access Point, model TPL-410AP. It's a 500Mbps power-line adapter that can also work as a Wi-Fi extender.

Similar to Netgear's XAVNB2001 kit, the TPL-410AP combines a high-performance 500Mbps power-line adapter with a 300Mbps Wireless-N access point. Apart from offering a power-line connection that extends the wired network, the kit can also be used as a regular power-line kit.

This higher speed will significantly help media streaming over a power-line connection to wireless clients at the far end, where the wireless signal of the original network can't reach.

Note, however, that as the TPL-410AP is a single adapter, you can only take advantage of the higher 500Mbps power-line speeds if you already have the TPL-401E2K kit or a separate 500Mbps power-line adapter. The device also works with any other 200Mbps power-line adapters, but it'll work only at 200Mbps for the power-line connection. In some cases, it might be a better idea to get the 200Mbps Powerline AV Wireless-N Access Point that Trendnet also announced today.

Like most power-line adapters, the TPL-410AP can work at the far end of a wired power-line connection. At the same time, however, it can also be used as a 300Mbps Wireless-N access point, which supports Quality of Service technology that prioritizes video, audio, and online gaming; Wi-Fi Protected Setup for quick client hookups; and up to four concurrent wireless networks. It also supports embedded power-saving technology that the company says lowers power consumption by up to 70 percent in standby mode.

The 500Mbps Powerline AV Wireless-N Access Point is slated to come with a three-year warranty and will cost $180 when it comes out in May.