Power-line networks--networks that use the existing electrical wiring in your residence or small office--may yet prove the dark horse of home networking technologies.
That"s the message emerging from the HomePlug Powerline Alliance"s annual technology conference here, which wrapped up today. Taking center stage this year were the first products based on the group"s HomePlug AV standard, which was ratified more than a year ago. Promising theoretical throughput of up to 200 megabits per second (and real-world speeds approaching 100 mbps), HomePlug AV will be competing with other technologies as the best way to stream multimedia--specifically, high-definition video--throughout the home.