What happens when household equipments have LAN (PLC) connectivity via an electrical outlet? HD-PLC Alliance had all the answers at its exhibition booth during CEATEC JAPAN 2009, the IT and electronics convention held at Makuhari Messe in Chiba-City from October 6th-10th,2009. HD-PLC showed off its improved features in the equipment to the visitors to the exhibition booth, with specific proposals on its effective usage.
1. PLC Adaptor for AV equipment: Watch Video via the Net on your TV
Panasonic had models PL-LS14KT and PL-LS11 on exhibit, PLC adaptors for AV equipment use to connect TVs and Blu-ray/DVD players featured with network function. They provide enough connection speed so users can enjoy internet content services such as ‘acTVila’ and ‘YouTube’ on their TVs and recorders through the LAN plugged into the electrical outlets. Recorders can be operated remotely from a TV in another room through PLC. This will allow the recorders to be used as video servers inside the homes.
2. Streaming Recorded Video on Your PC
I-O Data Device displayed a system which combined LAN connected HDD storage, PC and software to play digital programming. This system allows users to stream recorded digital programming on their PCs using HVL1-G, a HDD storage device. A PLC adaptor was used to connect the PC with the storage device. The video in the storage was then played on the PC via PLC plugged into the electrical outlet. The company representative stated that “a large bandwidth is necessary in order to stream high definition video, but HD-PLC makes this possible since it provides enough speed.”
3. Watch Full HD Video from Anywhere in the Home
Averlogic Technologies of Taiwan and Fujitsu Microelectronics America had on exhibit the Power HD Link, a set-top box which can compress high definition video and display it on another TV via the network. Since the video is compressed at H.264, a higher compression standard than MPEG-2, the general standard, full HD videos at 1920x1080i can be sent to multiple TVs. HD-PLC was used to connect the two set-top boxes at the exhibit booth. They proved that full HD video from Blu-ray disk player can be displayed on a TV placed at a distance. Power HD Link can transfer data between set-top boxes placed more than 50 meters apart. By using PLC which dismissed the need for cables, as well as not having to worry about the range of the wireless signals, Power HD Link can release its full potential.
4. More Places for Digital Signage with HD-PLC
The attention for digital signage, which uses LCD displays instead of posters, is growing. AOpen of Taiwan displayed a system for digital signage using HD-PLC. Digital signage receives the data needed to display the information from a PC or Internet via a network, and dynamically displays information, such as ads. Securing a network with a broad bandwidth where the digital signage is set up is what becomes crucial. By using HD-PLC, digital signage can be set up as long as there is an electrical outlet. As an OEM sample for the company, GigaFast E of Taiwan displayed HD-PLC ready OA power strip with surge protection and a 4-port hub.
5. A New Monitoring System to Cut Electrical Usage for Factories/Homes
There were exhibits which proposed systems using LANs using electrical outlets for equipments other than household items. ‘Basic Controller View’ on display at the Shinsei Denki Inc. booth is an electrical monitoring system with a network features. Not only can it display daily or monthly usage reports based on information gathered from the circuit breaker on the main display, but it also can show that same information on a web browser on a PC. Users can even remotely monitor electrical usage via the internet and receive the cost of electrical usage from the previous day via email. Currently, most networks use cable LANs, but some users are starting to use PLC with electrical outlets where it is difficult to use cables. The company representative says that they are looking to have internal PLC adaptors on their controllers.
6. TLC Modem uses HD-PLC as base technology
SUN CORPORATION displayed products using HD-PLC technology not over electric wiring over operating TLC (TV Line Communication). It modem was on exhibit which uses coaxial cables for TV as network cables. By connecting the modem to the TV antenna connector, users can connect to the network from any room. It uses the same LSI used in PLC adaptors; encryption technology, maximum data speed at 65Mbps (TCP) and the method of encryption are also the same. This modem is already in use at an elementary school in Mie Prefecture. The classrooms in the school are all connected to the internet via the network through the TVs, and this allowed for classes which use computers and the internet.
| Top of Page | Plug-in Type LAN: First Hand Experience |
(1) / 2
