TV sets to get data-over-mains

Televisions and other consumer-electronics equipment going on sale next year will be network-enabled using data-over-mains modules, according to a company making chips implementing the technology.

"They want to get rid of the HDMI socket and cables," said Andy Barnes, European field applications manager of Intellon.

The Intellon chips use Home Plug AV, the latest generation of Homeplug Powerline Alliance technology, which is rated at 200Mbits/sec, with real data rates of up to 85Mbits/sec in each direction.

This is enough to deliver at least two high-definition data streams, which in theory could eliminate the need for a monitor data cable.

Barnes says the latest-generation Home Plug implementations are cleaner than earlier ones, reducing the risk of RF interference by 'notching out' frequencies used by radio hams, aircraft and police.

He claims they are also less susceptible line noise than rival data-over-mains technology from the Spanish company DS2. Hair driers, microwave ovens and other appliances plugged into the mains can hit data throughput.

"Even mobile-phone adapters can cause noise. Oddly they are worse when they are left plugged in but not attached to the phone."

Devolo has just launched kits using the Intellon chip, with a starter pack of two costing £179.99 inc Vat – there will be a review on this site shortly. The company says the units can allow you to set up a network in a minute, with no additional wiring – you plug an adapter in the mains and it acts as an Ethernet port.

Barnes said fears about the cumulative affect of RF noise from power-over-mains have not been justified. Devolo has been pushing out 250,000 units a month with no complaints.

Panasonic has its own data-over-mains technology, which it has said will be implemented as standard on its consumer-electronics equipment. However this is not compatible with Homeplug equipment.

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