Wireless Adapters

Netgear, one of the top wireless adapter brands, intends to launch two wireless adapters that connect Ethernet-equipped home-theater components wirelessly to the Internet to stream high-def video, audio and other content.

The devices will be compatible with any Ethernet-equipped TV, game console, Blu-ray player or A/V receiver designed for streaming content.

One of the two new products, the Wireless-N HD Home Theater kit, consists of two Wi-Fi-certified 802.11a/n adapters capable of delivering multiple, simultaneous, jitter-free 1080p HD video streams wirelessly.

One adapter has two Ethernet ports, allowing the adapter to connect to two Ethernet-equipped CE devices at once. The other adapter connects to the Ethernet port of any wired or wireless home-network router. Both adapters must be plugged into AC. Additional adapters are available separately to plug into additional CE components in the same room or other rooms. Each adapter is 6.9 inches by 5.1 inches by 1.4 inches.

It’s promoted as the only solution that provides sustained throughput of HD streams exceeding 40 Mbps 99.9 percent of the time through multiple walls in an above-average single family home, the company said.

The Home Theater Kit also features plug-and-play setup, enabling them to power up, connect and work automatically, the company said. Built-in security enables users to add adapters to additional components by pressing a button.

The Home Theater Kit will be available in the third quarter in the U.S. Pricing hasn’t been announced.

Netgear’s other product is the Universal WiFi Internet Adapter, which consists of a more compact 802.11b/g/n adapter that communicates with an existing wireless router at up to 300Mbps. The 3.2- by 2.44- by 0.7-inch adapter will be available in May at a suggested $79. It can be powered via a connected component’s USB port to eliminate the need to run a power wire to an AC outlet. It features one Ethernet port and uses a CD-less smart-wizard wireless connection utility on a PC.