Western Digital Expands Wireless In-Home Video

8 Sep, 2010 By: Erik Gruenwedel

WD Livewire Powerline AV Network Kit

Western Digital has unveiled a gadget that allows consumers to stream high-speed encrypted video and data wirelessly to connected devices anywhere in the home.

The WD Livewire Powerline AV Network Kit ($139.99) features two adapters with eight ports that allow users to connect the router to seven Internet-enabled appliances anywhere in the home, including Blu-ray Disc players, media players, video game consoles and high-definition televisions.

The adaptors plug into an available electric outlet to create a high-speed network capable of handling up to 200 megabits per second (Mbps).

Lake Forest, Calif.-based Western Digital created Livewire in part to third-party research that found 42% of consumers unwilling to connect their TVs to the Internet either because their router was too far from the device or it would be too complicated to set up.

“Consumers are accumulating an increasing number of Internet-capable connected TVs, video game consoles and media players providing access to online content through services such as Netflix, YouTube and Pandora,” said Dale Pistilli, VP of marketing for WD's branded products group. “Wireless networks, while popular, don’t always deliver the reliable high-speed connections needed to sustain HD video streaming.”