Gadgets and Gizmos

ZyXEL First DMA1100P Home Plug AV digital media adapter

ZyXEL has taken the step of including the PowerPlug technology in something other than a plain old HomePlug adapter. ZyXEL has picked a digital media adapter the DMA1100P as its debut HomePlug enabled device, which is some kind of set-top box for accessing networked media.

Users can now toss content around on their home power lines at around 200Mbps and it also “automatically discovers all media files from DLNA supported devices and makes them available for browsing and playback.”

The DMA1100P streams HD digital content to a user’s home entertainment system from a home computer, or network storage devices over power lines, using the built-in HomePlug AV technology, at up to 200 Mbps.

Once connected to the network and the home entertainment system, it can be set up by using the included remote control.

It automatically discovers all media files from DLNA supported devices and makes them available for browsing and playback.

A DLNA server is included with the appliance, on a CD for easy installation on the home computer. Other features of the Zyxel DMA1100P include 1080i support, USB 2.0 connectivity and an included DLNA server.

This adapter should be available next month. A Windows-based DLNA server is also included with the appliance. The DMA1100P will be available next month at an MSRP of $270.