Gain Online Access By Simply Plugging Into A Power Outlet
Panasonic debuts the new BL-PA100 HD-PLC Ethernet Adaptor, a revolutionary product that will make it possible for anyone to establish a powerful, robust, high bandwidth network from nearly anywhere in their home in a matter of seconds.
“Forget about complicated wiring and the other hassles of setting up a network. With this new, one-of-a-kind adapter, connecting devices to the network and to the Internet1 becomes extremely easy,” says Mike Timar, national marketing manager, Panasonic’s Communications and Home Office Electronics Division. “With 190Mbps data speed, it is possible to connect and enjoy exceptional quality High-Definition video content, music playback, Internet gaming, VoIP Phone service, color video monitoring and the typical connection of computers, printers and other devices to a unified network. Also, high security is as easy as pushing the setup button on each unit, as the adaptor automatically sets AES 128-bit encryption, the same level of protection afforded by most Internet banking and shopping sites.”
A groundbreaking option in no-new-wires connections, the new BL-PA100 is a product that makes it extremely easy to set up a robust network for connecting devices. Before this product, a reliable network capable of carrying high-definition video content required running dedicated cabling between devices — a possibly expensive and time-consuming venture. With a Wireless LAN, wireless interference and network collisions are a significant problem for many users, in some cases causing the network to drop out or suffer extremely poor bandwidth capacity, and it might be difficult for the average person to properly set the security code (WEP), thereby risking online security.
The new BL-PA100 adaptor eliminates these, and other, hassles associated with this process. Simply plug the adaptor into an electric power outlet, plug your PC or other peripheral, such as a Panasonic IP network camera, into the adaptor’s Ethernet port and you’re ready to go1. To add a second HD-PLC adaptor, plug the Master and Terminal units into the same power outlet, and push the Setup button on each unit. Then, wait for the adaptors’ LED lights to turn on to confirm that setup is complete. To re-locate the Internet connection, simply take the adaptor out of the current power outlet and move it to another outlet in the desired location.
“This new adaptor lets everyone enjoy an entirely new level of networking ease, freedom and comfort, which can be the beginning of an achievable networked lifestyle for everyone,” says Timar. “This can enable a normal family to begin to take advantage of the amazing networked products and Internet technology which has in the past only been achievable with expensive cat5 wiring or messy rewiring of the home”.
The BL-PA100 HD-PLC Ethernet Adaptor will be available in March 2006 with a $129.95 MSRP* (The BL-PA100KTA is a starter kit containing 2 adaptors with a $199.95 MSRP*).
About Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company
Based in Secaucus, N.J., Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company is a Division of Panasonic Corporation of North America, the principal North American subsidiary of Matsushita Electric Industrial Co. Ltd. (NYSE: MC) and the hub of Panasonic’s U.S. marketing, sales, service and R&D operations. Information about Panasonic products is available at www.panasonic.com. Additional company information for journalists is available at panasonic.com/pressroom.
COMPARISON OF HOME NETWORKING TECHNOLOGIES
HD-PLC Wireless LAN Ethernet 100BaseTx
BL-PA100 802.11a/g
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Speed 190Mbps 54Mbps 100Mbps
New Wiring No need No need May be needed
Range Entire House Within a Room 100 m
(150m) (10m)
Security High Fair High
HD-PLC ETHERNET ADAPTOR SPECIFICATIONS
Power line Communication Interface
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Standard HD-PLC (Panasonic Original System)
Frequency Band 4 - 28MHz
Modulation Wavelet OFDM (16 PAM to 2 PAM)
Transmission PHY Rate Maximum 190 Mbps
Transmission MAC Rate Maximum 70Mbps UDP
Maximum 42Mbps
(TCP, based on FTP performance)
Access Method CSMA / CD
TDMA
Error Correction Reed-Solomon and Convolution Code, ARQ
Encryption AES 128-bit Encryption
Communication Distance Approx. 150 m (490 ft.)
(Varies depending on the electrical
environment)
Maximum no. of adaptors per network 16 (including the master)
Maximum no. of devices connected
to each adaptor 8 (using optional switching hubs)
LAN Interface
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Standard IEEE802.3 / IEEE802.3u
Interface 10Base-T/100Base-Tx Auto MDI/MDI-X
Protocol IPv4 / Ipv6 / TCP / UDP
Access Method CSMA / CD
General
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Operational Environment
Temperature 32 degrees F - 104 degrees F
(0 degrees C - 40 degrees C)
Humidity 20% - 85%
Power Supply Input 120v, 60Hz +/- 10%
Consumption 4W
Regulatory Approval UL and FCC
(1) Connecting to the Internet requires Internet Access and may require
that users obtain additional hardware such as a cable or DSL modem, or
a hub or router with a 10/100Base-T Ethernet connection.
