Netgear today announced a host of exciting devices for use in the home. New Routers
The first announcement was its 802.11a/b/g/n RangeMax Dual Band Wireless-N Modem Router (DGND3300) which operates using both the 2.4GHz and 5GHz frequencies, to help prevent interference. This ADSL2+ router (it's for DSL users) offers a unique Push 'N' Connect feature for easy and secure installation and setup. The router uses 8 internal antennas to help maintain a strong signal range. We like that it also automatically upgrades to the latest firmware, and its sleek design; it looks just like prior generations of Netgear routers, but it's black.
Netgear also announced the RangeMax Dual Band Wireless-N Gigabit Router Premium Edition (WNDR3700), a sleek piano black device that packs 4 gigabit ethernet ports, the same Push 'N' Connect setup technology which uses Wi-Fi Protected Setup security (WPS), and a 680MHz processor. Netgear claims the router will help prioritize different traffic, whether it's streaming media, gaming, or making a VoIP call to ensure the best quality of service. The device also has adjustable power and range settings, so you can reduce power consumption by up to 75 percent; you can also power the device down with just a press of a button. Forget buying a secondary broadband card: Netgear released a 3G broadband router called the MBR624GU. This router takes the broadband connection from a broadband card and
creates an 802.11g wireless access point which can deliver throughput up to 54Mbps. You can also connect up to four computers using its 10/100 Ethernet jacks. This is perfect for frequent travelers, that may try to avoid paying a hotel Wi-Fi bill by using broadband, but are limited to using just their computer. With the MBR624GU, any Wi-Fi enabled device can take advantage of your 3G connection. The technology is limited to USB cards, including the Sprint Compass 597, 595U, Ovation U727, Ovation U720, AT&T AirCard 880U, Compass 885, and Verizon Wireless Compass 595U, Ovation USB727 and Ovation USB720. Internet Connected Devices
The Internet TV Player ITV2000 lets users connect their TV to the internet. It's a small box with a remote that lets you easily stream content from news and sports sites like CNN or ESPN and evens teram video content from YouTube, Google Video, Yahoo Videos, and MetaCafe. You can also use it to purchase multimedia from BitTorrent. We like that it lets you plug in and browse your own USB devices, so you can watch your home video content on the device as well. To get online, you either have to plug in an Ethernet cable or attach a wireless USB dongle.
Finally, Netgear announced its Digital Entertainer Elite (EVA9150) a 500GB digital media player (upgradable) that lets you stream 1080p video, music, photos, and other content directly from your PC or network attached storage device to your TV. Like the ITV2000, it lets you stream videos from the likes of YouTube, but it also throws in Flickr support and an RSS reader for keeping up to date on your favorite Web sites. It one ups the ITV2000 by tossing in a second USB port for extra storage, or playback from personal media devices like an iPod. In-Home Access and Networking Connectivity Netgear's new Powerline AV Adapter with 4-Port Ethernet Switch lets you achieve 200Mbps of throughput by simply plugging the adapter into your powerline. That means, if you have a room that doesn't get a good wireless signal and you don't want to drill holes in the walls, you simply have to plug this in to an existing outlet, and then plug your Ethernet cables into it for a quick internet connection. The Netgear MoCA Coax-Ethernet Adapter Kit (MCAB1001) lets you stream high defintion video and games by using your TV outlets. As long as your home is wired for cable, you can use it to stream multimedia at a max rate of 270Mbps, which Netgear claims is satisfactory for uninterrupted HD streaming from consoles like Xbox 360s andPlayStation 3, direct to a TV.
