
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Firstly, this
review is being written on the 1.6Ghz, HP2133 Mini Note with 2Gb
RAM and Vista Home Basic (which was installed at the factory). I
have also read the myriad comments in the other reviews about poor
CPU performance and warm operation. Therefore, I'll avoid similar
statements, only to say that I have also noticed these issues under
certain circumstances.
Nevertheless, I have turned off most of the useless bells and
whistles in Vista and customised the OS to work adequately for the
tasks I perform. And what I do isn't necessarily trivial. I have
Office 2007 installed and it works fine to write university
assignments and work reports, etc. Word, with the screen set to
"page width" view is readable and as functional as my desktop. I
also installed Adobe CS3. Yes, it can be slow at times, but it
performs well enough to get the job done (using InDesign, Photoshop
and occasionally, Dreamweaver). However, I understood when I bought
the Mini Note, that it was not designed for multimedia production,
but more for multimedia presentation and for basic computing. It is
NOT a desktop replacement and was never intended to be.
The more I use my 2133, the more I love it. That doesn't mean I
haven't noticed some negative issues (other than those highlighted
in other reviews). I'll outline these below.
I won't comment on the touchpad, because I rarely use it. Most of
the time, I use the Mini Note on a desk or on my briefcase (placed
on my lap), so I plug in a laptop mouse. I would do this with ANY
laptop or notebook. However, the Mini Note does allow for more
space to use a mouse than a conventional laptop. Once I have
finished using the Mini Note, it fits in my briefcase with all my
other stuff.
Talking of placing the Mini Note in a briefcase; I am astonished
that there isn't a case or bag for it. Most laptop bags are too big
and would defeat the purpose of buying the Mini Note. As a result,
I use a cloth bag I got with a mixer tap (faucet) I bought for a
renovation. It is the perfect size to protect against scratches and
marks. This is not to say the nice brushed aluminium (aluminum)
case is susceptible to scratches; it's not, I just like to protect
my equipment.
The Mini Note's screen hinge and battery design prevents any
connectors from being located at the back of the unit (where I'd
like them). Hence, all the connections are on the left and right
sides of the machine. I usually plug the notebook mouse into the
left USB port and run the cable around the back of the Mini Note to
the right side. This keeps the cable out of the way and gives me
more room on the right for the mouse. This is OK if I am working
off the battery. But when the Mini Note is connected to mains
power, the huge power plug that sticks out the right side is quite
annoying and can get in the way of the mouse. HP, take note; please
redesign the next series to have an "L" shaped connector to keep it
out of the way.
Some other reviewers mentioned the lack of battery life. I agree
with this, too. Nevertheless, there are configuration tweaks you
can apply to help maximise battery life. In the BIOS I turn off the
hardware I don't regularly use, such as Bluetooth, LAN, Express
card, web cam, etc. If I need them, I just turn them back on.
Now, the screen; I love it. At 1280x768, it is bright and sharp,
therefore, usable. Yes, it presents some text and menus in tiny
fonts, but at the distances most people would use this machine, the
screen is readable. Most web sites fit within the browser view port
without horizontal scrolling. I'd prefer this over the offerings
from other UMPC manufacturers.
I know I said I wouldn't mention the temperature issues, but, I
feel compelled to state that after an hour or so spent writing this
review (I was distracted by a phone call) the Mini Note is hardly
warmer than the ambient room temperature. Of course, this is just
running Word 2007. But, as far as I am concerned, this is the sort
of thing the Mini Note is designed for; simple productivity
tasks.
Additionally, one reviewer stated that the CPU fan runs flat-out
all the time. He obviously missed the setting in the BIOS that lets
you turn this "feature" off. Normally, the Mini Note runs very
quietly, as is the case with mine right now. Although, I must admit
that twice now, when waking from "sleep" mode, the fan in my Mini
Note seemed to get stuck on full speed. A reboot fixed this, which
implies it is an OS problem, not the hardware.
What would make the Mini Note perfect? OK, a faster CPU would
definitely be welcome. Secondly, the 225mm (8.9") screen is fine;
however, the lid has a lot of wasted real estate. After moving the
speakers, it could accommodate a screen 50mm (2") larger (275mm or
11"). Even at the same resolution, this would make the Mini Note
considerably better.
That seems to sum up all my main thoughts on the Mini Note. But
suffice to say, after another hour using it, I love it even more.
Highly recommended.
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about:
HP 2133-KX870AT 8.9 Inch Netbook - 6 Cell
Battery
Product Description:
Small but mighty, the HP 2133 Mini-Note PC offers you a
full-function laptop that weighs just 2.8 pounds. Designed to go
where you go without weighing you down, it's perfect for young
students in your home, and robust enough to handle demanding
business applications for road warriors. Despite its size, it
features an 8.9-inch scratch-resistant display with a WXGA
resolution and a nearly full-size keyboard (92 percent). A durable
all-aluminum case encompasses the top and bottom of the notebook,
while an internal magnesium alloy support structure helps protect
sensitive components from damage.
The HP Mini-Note features a simple, refined design and
anodized aluminum shell that is sleek and sturdy yet lightweight.
See a larger view of all the external ports. It's powered
by the VIA C7-M ULV processor, which provides a 1.6 GHz clock speed
and excellent power management capabilities. Other features include
a 120 GB hard drive, 2 GB of installed RAM (maximizing capacity),
tri-mode Wi-Fi connectivity (802.11a/b/g), integrated Bluetooth,
lightning quick Gigabit Ethernet, VGA webcam built into the
screen's bezel for video chats, and up to 4.5 hours of battery
life.
It comes pre-installed with Microsoft Windows Vista Business, which
has a new user interface, named Windows Aero, that makes it easy to
navigate through the operating system and from application to
application. For instance, Windows Aero helps you juggle multiple
tasks at once by providing a three-dimensional, real-time, animated
view of all your open applications and documents. Vista also
integrates new search tools throughout the operating system,
includes new parental control features, and offers new tools that
can warn you of impending hardware failures.
The Basics
Processor: The VIA C7-M ULV (ultra-low voltage) processor
has a 1.6 GHz speed, 800 MHz front-side bus (FSB) and a 128 KB L2
cache. (An L2, or secondary, cache temporarily stores data; and a
larger L2 cache can help speed up your system's performance. The
FSB carries data between the CPU and RAM, and a faster front-side
bus will deliver better overall performance.)
Operating at an average power of less than 1W, the VIA C7-M ULV
processor is the embodiment of cool processing and sets the
standard for next generation low power mobile and personal
electronics systems. It also features VIA PowerSaver technology
that further reduces power consumption by dynamically adjusting
the frequency and the voltage of the VIA C7-M ULV processor as
the system requires. This innovative technology can reduce power
consumption by as much as 50 percent while still ensuring
seamless mobile operation.
Hard Drive: The 120 GB hard drive (5400 RPM) offers enough
to room to hold a digital audio library of over 20,000 songs and
still have room left over for movies, games, and a large
collection of software. This Serial ATA (SATA) hard drive also
quickens the pace with a higher speed transfer of data--akin to
Firewire and USB 2.0. It also includes HP's 3D DriveGuard, which
sends a signal to shut down the hard drive upon sudden movement
or shock by using a three-axis digital accelerometer chip.
Memory: The 2 GB of installed RAM (2 x 1024 MB, PC2-5300)
maximizes the capacity for this PC. It also offers a top-of-class
667 MHz speed.
DVD/CD Drive: The HP 2133 Mini-Note PC does not include an
integrated optical drive, but HP offers optional drives that
connect to the Mini-Note using the optional HP External MultiBay
II.
Keyboard & Mouse: The spill-resistant keyboard is 92
percent of full size, 101/102-key compatible with isolated
inverted-T cursor control keys, both left and right control and
alt keys, 12 function keys, and hotkey combinations for audio
volume, power conservation, brightness, and other features. It
also features HP DuraKeys, which have a clear coating applied
over the keyboard to protects the finish and printed letters and
characters. The touchpad includes a scroll zone and two
soft-touch buttons.
The HP DuraKeys have a clear coating applied over the
notebook keyboard to protect the finish and printed letters and
characters. See a larger view of the keyboard and internal
features. Screen, Video & Audio
The 8.9-inch display has a 1280 x 768-pixel resolution, for native
720p high-resolution clarity, and the Mini-Note includes a VGA
output for connecting to an external monitor or projector. Video is
powered by the integrated Via Chrome 9 video/graphics card, and it
includes an integrated high-definition audio card for crisp sound
via the internal 2-watt stereo speakers.
Networking, Connectivity & Expansion
This notebook has an integrated tri-mode Intel 3945ABG wireless LAN
(802.11a/b/g), with throughput up to 54 Mbps at 5 GHz (802.11a) and
2.4 GHz (802.11g). It's compatible with 802.11b/g networks
(commonly found in home routers and Wi-Fi hotspots) as well as
802.11a networks (which has a higher throughput, but more limited
range--great for closed office environments). With the Bluetooth
connectivity (version 2.0), you can communicate and synchronize
with Bluetooth-enabled peripherals such as PDAs and cell phones.
You also get super-fast wired connectivity via the Gigabit Ethernet
port (10/100/1000).
This notebook includes a next-generation ExpressCard 54/34 card
slot (replacing the PCMCIA slot), which lets you take advantage of
thinner, faster, and lighter expansion cards for even more advanced
wireless, networking, storage, and security features. And it offers
a Secure Digital memory card slot for downloading pictures and
videos from your digital camera, or filling up a card for your MP3
player. It includes the following ports:
2 USB 2.0 ports for connecting a wide range of peripherals--from
digital cameras to MP3 players
1 ExpressCard/54 slot (also supports ExpressCard/34)
1 Secure Digital memory card slot
1 headphone/line-out and 1 microphone
1 VGA monitor port
1 RJ045 for 10/100/1000 Gigabit Ethernet connectivity
Operating System
The Windows Vista Business operating system is designed to meet the
needs of business organizations of all sizes. For small businesses,
Windows Vista Business will help keep PCs running smoothly and more
securely so you will be less reliant on dedicated IT support. For
larger organizations, Windows Vista Business provides dramatic new
infrastructure improvements, enabling your IT staff to spend less
time focused on the day-to-day maintenance of PCs. An array of
sophisticated new backup technologies helps protect your
information even in the event of a catastrophic hardware failure.
And Windows Vista Business has a new user interface, named Windows
Aero, which is designed to deliver new levels of efficiency for any
business user. This new interface makes it easy to navigate through
the operating system and from application to application. For
instance, Windows Aero helps you juggle multiple tasks at once by
providing a three-dimensional, real-time, animated view of all your
open applications and documents.
Every edition of Windows Vista provides the essential tools and
technologies to help protect you whether you are browsing the
Internet, connecting to a wireless network, or just reading e-mail.
All editions of Windows Vista include new tools that can warn you
of impending hardware failures long before you have lost any
important personal data. And, all Windows Vista editions include
parental control features that allow you to manage and monitor your
family's use of games, the Internet, instant messaging, and other
activities.
Preloaded Software
Microsoft Office Ready 2007, Norton Internet Security, MS Live
Messenger, Adobe Flash Player, Roxio Creator Basic, Intervideo
WinDVD, HP Backup and Recovery Manager
Dimensions & Weight
This notebook measures 10.04 x 6.5 x 1.05 inches and weighs 2.8
pounds.
Power
This model is powered by 6-cell high capacity lithium-ion
rechargeable battery, which can provide up to 4.5 hours of battery
life.
What's in the Box
This package contains the HP 2133 Mini-Note PC (model KX870AT),
rechargeable lithium-ion battery, AC adapter, and operating
instructions. It is backed by a limited warranty for parts and
labor for one year from date of purchase as well as technical
telephone assistance for one year. Software is also covered for 30
days from date of purchase.
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Battery now ?
Date Published: May 18, 2012 - 4:26 am

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Great camera but it
is a bit slow to set-up.
My main issue was that I use Firefox, but the camera will only log
in using the Inernet Explorer window. They don't tell you this on
the instructions and it still gives you the login panel - but it
just says done and won't connect you to the camera.
When you iron out these problems its a great camera a little tricky
to focus and the view angle is quite small but it is easy to moveto
any location andyou get a great image.
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about:
D-Link Securicam Network DCS-950G Wireless Internet
Camera
Product Description:
The D-Link Securicam Network DCS-950G Wireless Internet Camera
provides the ultimate in full-surveillance security performance and
convenience. Using 802.11g wireless technology, the DCS-950G
transfers video and audio directly to your computer, allowing you
to take snapshots or record audio directly from the Web browser to
a local hard drive without installing any software. Security
doesn't get any more straightforward or convenient than this.
Using Internet Explorer 6.0, you can watch and listen to what the
DCS-950G captures. For more recording flexibility, you can
configure the camera to record to a network-attached storage (NAS),
eliminating the need to set up a dedicated computer for storing
recorded video.
With 0.5 lux light sensitivity, the DCS-950G is capable of
capturing video in rooms with minimal lighting, making it ideal for
use at night time. The DCS-950G also features a motion detector
that sends e-mail alerts and triggers recording to hard drive once
motion is detected. By adhering to the Universal Plug and Play
(UPnP) standards, computers running Windows XP/Me will recognize
the DCS-950G and automatically add it to your network. The DCS-950G
can then be seamlessly accessed and viewed from "My Network Places"
just like any other device. A "Site Survey" tool allows users to
easily find wireless networks within the range of the camera. And
by signing up with one of the many free Dynamic DNS services
available on the Internet, you can assign an easy-to-remember name
and domain to the camera (e.g., www.mycamera.myddns.com). This
allows you to remotely access your camera without having to
remember the IP address, even if it has been changed by your
Internet Service Provider.
Virtually everything you need to get started is included in this
package. Simple installation procedures, along with the built-in
Web-based interface, offer easy integration into your network
environment. Powerful surveillance software is included to enhance
the monitoring and management of the DCS-950G, allowing you to
archive video straight to the hard drive, play back video, monitor
up to four cameras on a single screen, and set up motion detection
to trigger video/audio recording and send e-mail alerts. The
DCS-950G is a cost-effective and versatile security solution for
any home or business.
What's in the Box
DCS-950G camera, Cat5 Ethernet cable, 802.11g antenna, power
adapter, camera stand with mounting hardware, CD-ROM with software
and manual, and quick installation guide.
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Internet Camera now ?
Date Published: May 17, 2012 - 3:21 pm

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)If you are
considering this bridge to do video/audio streaming inside your
house, think again.This review is based on over 2 months worth of
testing this unit and then working with Linksys/Cisco trying to
figure why it does not deliver.A saleperson at a local store may
have told you that you can stream MP3s over your wireless network,
or perhaps you have two DVRs in your house and your want to stream
recorded TV shows from one to another. This is not the device you
want to use for this purpose.Don't belive me? Ask Linksys level 3
support.Its architecture is not designed to support high levels of
network traffic needed for streaming -- it has very small or zero
I/O buffers to handle it -- as a result, the device will crash
after 2-5 minutes of streaming.You can power cycle it and it will
resume for the next 2-5 min.But forget streaming for a moment,
WET54G crashed when I was simply working from home VPN'd into my
company.Not for that either?!Do you think that WET54G ver 2 is
better than WET54G ver 1?Been there, don't waste your time -- the
architecture is the same.Alternatives? WET54GS5 might be better,
but I'm yet to find that out myself.I know you want to try it
yourself.Piece of advice -- buy at a retail store, and if it
doesn't work, return within 30 days.Do not get into RMA exchanges
with Linksys - unless you enjoy 2 months of 2-3 hours/day trying to
get your money back.
Click Here to see more reviews
about:
Cisco-Linksys WET54G Wireless-G Ethernet
Bridge
Product Description:
Connect any Ethernet-equipped device to a high-speed Wireless-G
Network The versatile Wireless-G Ethernet Bridge can make any wired
Ethernet-equipped device a part of your wireless network. At home,
use the Bridge to connect game consoles, set-top boxes, or
computers to your Wireless-G network and its shared high-speed
Internet connection. In the office, convert your Ethernet-wired
printer, scanner, camera, notebook or desktop into a wireless
networked device. Its completely driver-free, so it works on any
platform and under any operating system Since theres no drivers to
load, setup is a snap -- configure the network settings through
your PCs web browser, then plug it into your device and go. And
physical installation is simplified by support for Power Over
Ethernet. With an optional POE Adapter, you can mount the Bridge
wherever you want -- power and data are both supplied through the
Category 5 Ethernet cable.
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Bridge now ?
Date Published: May 16, 2012 - 7:15 am

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I purchased this
netbook because of the small size, excellent price, long battery
life, and great customer service that HP is known for.
As far as the computer goes...
The computer itself is very light weight and easy to tote around.
Not too heavy in a purse or bag and the size it great for
concealing what you're carrying, say on a city bus or train.
I'm not a big Winblows fan so I changed the OS to Linux Mint 8 and
that gave me back around 8 or 10GB of space that the old OS was
eating up. There is plenty of room on the hard drive for a
mid-sized music collection, lots of files, and plenty of pictures
with room to spare.
The keyboard is great, but lacks a home key, page up, and page
down. The touch pad gives you the ability to double click or single
click by touch and there is a button on the keyboard for a
right-click action.
The AC adapter is plenty long for most tasks and the battery life
is excellent.
The webcam is fairly low quality but for basic things, such as
using Skype or other conferencing methods, it will do the job.
Speakers and mic are great and produce good quality sound for a
netbook.
Customer Service...
After having the 210-1030nr for only two weeks, my hard drive went
bad. No drops, no spills, no crazy room mates, just went bad. I
called HP customer service and they were excellent! They're sending
me the shipping materials to send the computer back and are footing
the repair bill for me. Great customer service, just like I
expected.
The 210-1030nr would have earned that fifth star had the hard drive
not gone bad on me. I know, however, that this is a rare occasion
for a netbook and sometimes things are not made properly or other
issues occur that are beyond my, or any one else's, control.
This HP has performed very well up until the hiccup with the hard
drive. My boyfriend was very impressed with the machine, despite
his initial aversion to it's small size; he was worried it would be
fragile or flimsy. He will be purchasing one for himself very
soon.
Click Here to see more reviews
about:
HP Mini 210-1030NR 10.1 Inch Black Netbook - 9.75
Hours of Battery Life
Product Description:
Prepare to be noticed when you take this Netbook out on the town.
Small, slim and stylish, the HP Mini 210 lets you surf the web,
stay connected, and be entertained wherever you go.Amp up the fun
by playing videos and music or showing off your photos.Exclusive,
integrated software keeps you in sync with your life by letting you
e-mail, chat, and instantly access your files from anywhere.Take
just what you need And leave the rest on your primary PC. At less
than one inch thin and starting at just 2.69 pounds, this
ultra-compact PC won't weigh you down. You'll enjoy a 16:9 10.1"
diagonal BrightView Infinity display and nearly full-size
keyboard.
Want to read more honest consumer review about HP Mini 210-1030NR 10.1 Inch Black Netbook - 9.75
Hours of Battery Life now ?
Date Published: May 15, 2012 - 1:35 pm

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Although Power over
Ethernet (PoE) was once only a term used in IT departments of
businesses, this technology is being implemented in more and more
consumer electronics and is slowly becoming known in homes with a
computer network as well.The concept is quite simple; running data
and low voltage power across a single cable.While this may not
immediately sound very interesting or important, PoE allows the
installation of electronic, networked devices, without the need for
an AC power source at the installation site.This is especially
useful for products like network security cameras, VoIP telephones,
and Wi-Fi amplifiers.There are two primary types of PoE power
sourcing equipment (PSE).PoE endspans, which are Ethernet switches
with built-in transmission circuitry, and PoE midspans, which are
Power over Ethernet products that stand between a regular Ethernet
switch and the device needing power.This review is for the
PD-3001/AC single port PoE Injector, made by PowerDsine (now owned
by Microsemi), which is a PoE midspan device.
I recently found the need to add PoE capabilities to my home
network when I decided to install some new network security cameras
around the house.I wanted ceiling mounted dome cameras, and most of
the units I found were PoE cameras.I knew about PoE technology but
had never had any direct involvement with it.I quickly decided that
I did not wish to purchase an expensive PoE network switch for my
home, so I needed to find a low cost alternative.That is when I
found the PowerDsine 3001/AC PoE Injector.This device allows me to
run a data cable from my Ethernet switch to the PoE injector, the
PoE injector plugs into an AC wall outlet, and then another
Ethernet cable comes out of the injector and runs to my PoE
camera.This way I only have a single cable running to each of my
cameras, rather than having to run separate power and data
cables.
The important thing to know, when purchasing a PoE product, is to
make sure that it complies with the IEEE 802.3af power distribution
standard, from the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers
(IEEE).IEEE802.3af provides for 48 VDC over 2 of the 4 available
pairs on Cat 3 and Cat 5 network cables, with a maximum current of
400 mA, for a maximum load power of 15.4W.You shouldn't have to
worry much about the actual specifications as long as you make sure
that both PoE devices on each end comply with the IEEE 802.3af
standard.It is usually noted on the product itself or in the
product specifications.And speaking of specifications, here are the
technical specs. of the PowerDsine PD-3001/AC PoE Injector:
* No. of Ports=1
*Data Rates=10/100 Mbps
*Output Power Voltage=-48
*User Load Power=15.4W
*AC Input Voltage=90 to 264 Vac (auto switching)
*AC Input Current=0.5A@110-220 Vac
*AC Frequency=47 to 63 Hz
*Dimensions=2.4" (W) x 1.2" (H) x 5.7" (L)
*Weight=1.1 lbs.
*Indicators=AC Power (Green), Channel Power (Green)
*Connectors=Shielded RJ-45, EIA 568A and 568B
* Operating Ambient Temperature=32
Date Published: May 14, 2012 - 2:29 pm

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I read the reviews,
and I decided to give it a shot anyway since I've had good luck
with connectivity in my house. In all honesty, the connectivity
wasn't the issue with me. It was the configuration. Below is a
detailed account of my experience trying to set this thing up:
When setting up a router, I always use the web-based interface. I
don't like installing a program since there's no guarantee it will
work with the operating system that I have. So I use the web-based
set-up page as the basis for evaluating a router. So the first
thing I do is set the administrative password. The default was
blank. The next thing I want to do is change the IP address of the
router under the LAN settings so that the network portion of the
address (i.e. the first three numbers of the IP address) matches
all the statically addressed devices on my network. I try to give
the router the same IP address as my old router, which is
192.168.1.1. I immediately receive an error that the IP address is
being used by the "Guest Access" (or something to that effect). I
have no idea what this is, so I click on that setting. It turns out
that the feature is turned off already. So what gives?
I try to eliminate some variables by turning off DHCP. Still can't
change the IP address. Then I turn off the router features by
turning the device into an access point, and doing this gives me a
prompt to set the IP address. Ah ha! This could be it. I set the IP
address and commit changes. Uh oh. Big mistake! Once the router
resets, my browser navigates to page that reads "Guest Access" with
a prompt for a password. What? As I said, the Guest Access feature
was turned off to begin with. So I enter the administrative
password that I set at the beginning, and I receive a message that
the password is incorrect. Great, there's a default password for
"Guest Access", which I didn't bother checking since THE D@MN THING
IS SUPPOSED TO BE TURNED OFF!!!! Now I have no way to get back into
the router setup. My only recourse is to stick a pin into the reset
button hole to reset it to factory settings.
At this point, I should have packed this sumb1tch up to return it,
but I'm a stubborn fool. I start all over, but this time I first
set the "Guest Access" password. I get to the point of turning the
device into an access point (mind you, I do want to use the router
features, but I'm only trying to diagnose my original problem of
not being able to set the LAN IP address). After applying the
changes, the router resets as expected, and I get the "Guest
Access" page again. I enter the password (that I now know since I
set it myself), and the response is something like "You are now
connected to the Internet". Again, WTF??? It still doesn't allow me
to get into the setup page. So I now know that turning off the
router features is a no go. I reset it to factory settings
again.
I conclude that there's an issue with using the 192.168.1.* network
which apparently is completely reserved by the "Guest Access"
feature whether or not it's turned on. I decide to change the
router's IP address to 192.168.0.1. Success! I know I still have to
reconfigure other devices on the network with static IP addresses,
but at least I'm able to set the router's IP address now to
something other than the default of 192.168.2.1.
I now move on to setting the wireless security settings. I select
WPA2-PSK. I notice the AEP is the only available encryption method
(no TKIP). No biggie since that's what I was using anyway. At this
point the router isn't connected to my cable modem. I want to check
the wireless connection speed first. I connect to the router using
the 5 GHz band, and check the connection status. While still
clicking around the router settings in my browser (still no
Internet connection yet), I see that the connection speed reaches
the maximum of 300 Mbps, but it doesn't stay there long. It
fluctuates quite a bit. It gets as low as 90 Mbps, but it seems to
average around 200 Mbps. In contrast, when connected to my old
router which only supports the 2.4 GHz band, my connection is
capped by my adapter card at 144 Mbps, but it rarely drops below
130 Mbps. I consider this an acceptable trade-off, however.
OK. Now onto connecting the router to the Internet. I connect my
cable modem to the WAN port, and I set the connection type to
dynamic. The router resets, but no Internet connection. I power
cycle the cable modem as well as the router for good measure. Still
no Internet connection. Thinking there might be a modem
provisioning issue, I change the MAC address of the router to that
of my old router. Amazingly, this does the trick. Now I have an
Internet connection! I now go all my statically addressed devices
(desktop PC, server, and printer) and change the IP addresses.
Everything is looking good so far. I check if I can access a
website that I'm hosting on my server. Oops. I forgot to set the
virtual server settings. I go back to the router setup page, and
set up the virtual servers like on my old router. It's a little bit
more cumbersome since you can add servers using a port range.
However, I like the fact that you can set the private port number
to something other than the external port number. My old router
lets you add servers using an external port range, but it doesn't
let you set the private port number. Anyway, I set up all the
virtual servers, open up a browser window, and navigate to my
website. Take a wild guess what renders. That's right. It's the
D@MN router setup page! What's going on? I check the settings for
remote router configuration, and it's turned off! So why is this
page coming up? I change the URL to one that I know doesn't exist
on the router's web-based setup, and I get a 404 error.
Essentially, my web server isn't receiving the HTTP requests. I
check my web server configuration, and every thing is OK. I even
remembered to change the IP address that the web server is
listening to. I fiddle around with the router some more, and I
eventually give up.
Now, I've had problems setting up routers before. Even setting up
Netgear business-class routers using Telnet wasn't as frustrating
as this experience. Admittedly, the router works OK if you're just
using it to access the Internet. But if you want to use it as the
router for your own internal network and want to set up your own
web server, stay away from this product. I'm warning you.
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about:
Belkin Wireless Play Max Router (F7D4301)
Product Description:
Belkin's PlayMax Wireless Router with the latest Dual-Band N
technology, gives you the fastest, most reliable speeds for
streaming video, playing music and gaming online.
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Date Published: May 13, 2012 - 1:43 pm

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Bought this to go
with a Swann C510R camera.Ended up not using it - it needs a lens
adapter (found with the Swann Wide Angle lens).
Pros:It fits, fisheye effect as designed when used with adapter
(not included).
Cons:Far too expensive for what it is - a cheap little piece of
plastic.It should be less than ten bucks.Without adapter it is only
good for the smaller non-standard cameras.
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about:
Swann Fisheye Lens
Product Description:
The Swann Fish Eye Lens will increase the viewable angle of your
miniature video camera up to 150 degrees. Designed to fit 12mm
'board' and miniature cameras, the Swann Fish Eye Lens is ideally
used with the Swann TV Observation System, DIY Security Cam,
SecuraCam, Audio SpyCam and more. Use the lens to see more than
ever before including the whole office, an entire car park, the
showroom floor and more. Telephoto & Wide Angle lenses also
available.
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Date Published: May 11, 2012 - 2:30 am

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I want to be able
to view and control my IP cameras installed around my home when I
am away. The IP camera I have comes with a web interface for
realtime viewing from a PC in the local network. This SSL VPN
router allows me to connect back to the web interface of my IP
camera when I am at work. The out of the box experience is good - I
have no trouble in setting it up and connect to the internet with
my cable modem. After I changed my default password, created a few
user accounts for my family members, and enabled the Remote
Management, I put the device into test. First, I have to find the
ip address that my cable company assigned to me and the ip address
of my camera given by the router - all available from the router
administration web interface at http://192.168.1.1. When I was at
work the next day, I was able to get to the internet address of my
SSL router and connect to my home network within a minute. Just
want to share my success story with the community that might have
the same need. The QoS feature may come to rescue when I am working
from home, using my company's VPN, and my kids are playing
bandwidth extensive internet games. I have to see how well it would
work.
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about:
Cisco RVL200 4-Port SSL/IPsec VPN Router
Product Description:
The RVL200 features a Virtual Private Network (VPN) security engine
that creates encrypted SSL tunnels through the Internet. The SSL
VPN tunnels enable remote users from at home, or on the road to
easily, and securely connect to the office network through a
typical wired or wireless broadband connection. When used with the
RV016 or other Linksys VPN router, IPSec branch-to-branch
connections can be established allowing users in a remote office to
connect to the corporate network. The RVL200 features a built-in
4-port full-duplex 10/100 Ethernet switch to connect four PCs
directly, or additional switches. As an essential element of your
business, this product provides security functions for
authentication and encryption. Linksys proven SPI Firewall is
integrated into the gateway providing security from outside
threats. The QoS features provide consistent voice and video
quality throughout your business.
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Date Published: May 10, 2012 - 2:11 am

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I have owned these
for over 17 months now with no glitches attributable to the units
and continuous use. My old XP based computer picked up a humm from
the powerline but this never appears in either of my recievers
(Sony 5.1/Kenwood stereo), my HP and PICA Vista based desktop
computers, my laptop (XP) or any TV. Even if they were plugged into
the same power strip.
My main reason for buying is an old brick house with vaulted
ceilings. I am a low voltage electrician by trade and do not like
the idea of running Cat 6 cable under these conditions (though I
did install a floor to floor run on one end). With Comcast as my
provider and drewling for fiber I wanted something that can handle
my current speed and deliver in the future. Under my current
Comcast connection I am basically at the end of their service line
and where my computers are in my house I was 4 broadband splitters
down line from the main feed and getting dropped all the time on
high internet use days. After seeing a review by a monk in Hawaii
and seeing the success these guys have in installing their systems
in old hotels I decided to give it a try.
My current set up has my cable modem at the nearest unsplit cable
feed to the demarcation box. The modem feeds my Buffalo (G-band)
wireless router which feeds one AV200. With the other plugged in
downstairs at the other end of the house (about 80 feet of
powerline plus 8 feet of extension cord on each end). That plugs
into an old D-Link router and feeds my two computers (one upstairs,
one down). The AV200's are plugged in at diametrically opposed
points in the floor plan of a two story house and I presume the
powerline runs through the panel but can not prove it. I have not
been dropped by my ISP since I installed this system. My laptop
runs wireless at a speed of 54 Mbps most of the time but the other
computers rate out at 100 Mbps (the routers limitations), I
download a movie from Starz Play in 12 minutes on average on the
main computers.
As of late my 2.4 Ghz wireless is having speed fits (too much
wireless traffic I fear; twice as many modems now in my area and
who knows how many 2.4 Ghz devices). I am looking to add a unit and
drop the wireless completely. I have yet to find a dual N band
wireless for a comparable price that can do the job plus I would
have to upgrade my laptop to gain speed (but 2.4 Ghz wireless may
still be a problem).
Things to Know;
You can not run these through a surge protector, back-up power
supply or power filter! Regular extension cords do work. I have
experienced a couple of power outages with these and they boot up
automatically in a matter of moments after the power resumes. They
have survived any power surges (had a big one that took out a light
bulb).
For most people I think the out of the box settings will work fine
with little need to use the security settings. But security is
easily setup if you so desire (apartment buildings or duplexes that
do not have separate power meters for each unit; probably why one
person could not get it to transfer signal from one apartment to
another was the power meters). Reconfiguring your IP address takes
a little doing but if you have set up a secure wireless system this
would be a similar experience.
Though they claim 200 Mbps speed no technical review of any BOPL
modem has tested to that speed that I know of (back when I was
researching them) ... yet they certainly can handle multimedia and
high speed gaming needs combining both at the same time may tax the
system. It is useable to connect extender devises to the internet
such as Xbox. I have used a computer based internet phone (Magic
Jack) through the units with no problem.
This device meets the Homeplug AV standard and should be cross
compatable with other such compatible devices but its durability so
far is selling me on this brand. All of the other similar devices
the monk had tested quit working in a matter of days of high
continuous use.
Update 7/24/09 - Rerate this to a four star... One unit finally
died so I have looked around and purchased a set of Actiontec's
newest Megaplug AV, It is also Homeplug AV but will not talk with
the Corinex. This makes me question just what the homeplug standard
is realy worth. The Actiontec is significantly cooler to the touch.
Other comments in it's review.
Click Here to see more reviews
about:
Corinex AV200 Powerline Ethernet Wall Mount - Dual
Pack
Product Description:
"Corinex Communications, the largest Powerline and Coaxial
networking company in the world, brings you the Corinex AV200
Powerline Ethernet Wall Mount Adapter, the world's first product
that lets you instantly distribute video, voice, and broadband
internet signals over your existing electrical wiring, with
transfer rates of up to 200 Mbps. Create a blazingly fast and
secure video network in your home over Powerlines, the AV200
Powerline Ethernet Wall Mount Adapter eliminates the need to
re-wire your home with expensive category-5/6 Ethernet cabling.The
Corinex AV200 Powerline Ethernet Wall Mount Adapter has enough
bandwidth to be able to stream multiple channels of HD content
throughout the home while supporting VoIP, data and gaming content,
all simultaneously.Security is never a concern as 168-bit 3DES
encryption is used to safeguard your information.Gamers will love
the low latency in the network, to ensure there are no delays in
their Real Time games.Creating the network is as simple as plugging
one adapter into a standard electrical outlet in one room and
plugging a second adapter in another room.Then connect
Ethernet-enabled devices to the adapters, sharing video through any
electrical outlet in your home is that easy!Setup takes less than 5
minutes. The AV200 Powerline Ethernet Wall Mount Adapter
connects:Media Center PC's, PVRs, DVRs, TV Set Top Boxes, gaming
consoles, routers, broadband modems, media extenders, Apple TV, or
any other Ethernet-enabled device."
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Pack now ?
Date Published: May 09, 2012 - 10:53 am

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Save your money and
time, I bought this for a business and we couldn't get this product
to work properly.It worked intermittently, even after making sure
the voice activation feature was turned off.Even the "doorbell"
feature didn't work properly.I immediately returned this product,
by far the WORST wireless intercom system we've ever purchased...
and we've gone through several over the years.
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about:
Wireless Indoor/outdoor Portable Intercom
Product Description:
CONVENIENT, EXPANDABLE COMMUNICATION INSIDE OR OUTSIDE A HOME;
1,000-FT RANGE WITH NO WIRES OR POWER CONNECTION; CLEAR, SECURE 900
MHZ DIGITAL COMMUNICATION; FULLY SECURE CONNECTION; EASY TO
USEINSTALLS IN MINUTES; EXPANDABLE WITH UP TO 12 UNITS PER NETWORK;
INCLUDES 2 WEATHER-RESISTANT WIRELESS PORTABLE INTERCOMS; 2-YEAR
BATTERY LIFEREQUIRES 4 AA BATTERIES PER UNIT; 1-YEAR WARRANTY
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Date Published: May 08, 2012 - 5:54 am

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Was looking for a
camera to monitor my puppy at home, while I was at work. I was
looking for a wireless network camera, so that I can use the camera
for other reasons if needed around the house. I was told that the
wireless versions were a bit more expensive, and with network
cameras quality improves with higher priced cameras. After looking
around, I initially tried the Panasonic BCL30 for about 3 weeks. I
was initially impressed, but never got that crystal clear quality.
I could see my puppy, and what she was doing, but it was never
clear. Therefore I decided to return it and try the Axis brand.
After all they have a reputation of being used in homes, stores,
malls, hotels. But they also range from low end to very high end.
The Axis 207MW is about $75 more than the panasonic, but the
difference is breathtaking. The images are crisp, clear, and
extremely detailed. Though it does not have the Pan/Scan feature of
the panasonic, this camera was far an away better in terms of image
quality. Setup was also easy. It does require a PC for initial
setup. I have a Mac but was able to set it up using Parallels (mac
users know this). I am planning to buy more of these cameras to set
it around my house, for home security purposes. The quality is
amazingly clear, and if someone does break in, then I will have a
chance get a detailed shot of the intruder. The camera does have
motion setup which can be setup to email snap shots of motion, or
upload motion video to a server. The web interface is also a
breeze. My family also watch my dog over the internet and also have
made comments on how surprisingly clear the picture was. All in
all, though a bit overpriced a great product, and I plan on buying
a few more. To sum it up, the difference between this camera and
the Panasonic BL C-30 is like AM Radio to CD.
Click Here to see more reviews
about:
Axis 207MW Network Camera Network Camera- Wireless
Megapixel
Product Description:
AXIS 207MW CAMERA
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9% OFF
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Megapixel now ?
Date Published: May 07, 2012 - 1:07 pm

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I have been using
the Ipevo So-20 Skypephone for over a week now (mine came directly
from Taiwan) and I am amazed at how well it works.
Previously I had tried and returned both the Belkin and Netgear
Wi-Fi phones because they were full of bugs, the battery life was
ridiculous and call quality inferior to Skype calls from a PC. I
eventually settled for the now discontinued Linksys CIT-400 and I
am quite satisfied with it except that battery life is also poor
and it requires an interface (access point)to be connected to your
modem/router.
The Ipevo SO-20 is a totally autonomous Wi-Fi Skypephone, all you
need is a wireless network (B or G). Compared to its predecessors
the Ipevo has the following advantages:
-Li-ion battery: the SO-20 can last up to 3 days off the charger on
stand-by, but count on a couple of days between charges in normal
use.
-Wi-Fi connection manager: the Ipevo allows you to manage your
wireless access by storing favorite networks and their access keys.
You can also decide whether it can connect to non-saved networks or
only to preferred ones. It supports WEP, WPA and WPA2 encryption (I
just think you cannot use it when you have to log-in on a network
through a web page, but check the Skype site, I think they have a
flat-rate package to access all Boingo hot-spots worldwide).
Wireless range is pretty decent, I never went below 3 bars (out of
5) inside my home.
-Very modern and clean design and the feel is not that of cheap
plastic. The screen is very legible, the keypad is backlit, you can
adjust the volume with 2 dedicated keys on the side, like on a
regular cell phone and there is a headset jack. You can charge the
Ipevo either directly from the charger via a mini-USB connection
(handy if you need to use it while charging), or by dropping it on
the supplied cradle.
Overall the Ipevo SO-20 is an amazing Wi-Fi Skypephone and I highly
recommend it.
Click Here to see more reviews
about:
IPEVO S0-20 WiFi Phone for Skype
Product Description:
Operate via a Wi-Fi wireless Internet connection. This gives you
the freedom to make Skype calls when you connect to a secure or
open Wi-Fi network (that does not require browser-based login or
authentication).No computer required. It is a much simpler and
comfortable way to make and receive Skype calls, without having to
sacrifice the benefits of Skype's free and low-cost services.
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Date Published: May 06, 2012 - 5:28 am