HomePlug® Powerline Alliance Unveils Plans For Next Generation Specification

HomePlug® AV Designed to Provide Network of Choice for Home Entertainment

24 Oct 2002

SAN RAMON, Calif., October 24, 2002 - The HomePlug Powerline Alliance, an industry consortium established to provide a forum for the development of an open specification of home powerline networking products and services, today announced plans for the next version of its technical specification. Named HomePlug AV, the new specification will be designed to support distribution of data and multi-stream entertainment including High Definition television (HDTV) and Standard Definition television (SDTV) throughout the home.

“As a result of our work on HomePlug 1.0, we are confident that the powerline is, in fact, capable of supporting data rates as much as ten times faster with coverage, quality of service (QoS), ease of use and cost that will ultimately make HomePlug AV the network of choice for home entertainment distribution,” said Tom Reed, president of the HomePlug Powerline Alliance. “The HomePlug AV specification, currently under development by our member companies, will set the stage for entertainment-friendly home networks that let all types of electronic products - from set top boxes to DVD players to flat panel displays - work together.”

The objectives for the HomePlug AV specification include providing the best solution for high quality video distribution, with secure connectivity at the highest quality of service possible, at a cost that is competitive with other home networking alternatives. HomePlug AV will also coexist with HomePlug 1.0. Currently, more than a dozen different HomePlug 1.0 certified products from eight manufacturers sell at retail.

“As home networking expands beyond Internet sharing, HomePlug AV will enable simple connectivity for emerging entertainment applications,” said Debashis Pramanik, chief home networking strategist with NETGEAR. “Our membership in the HomePlug Powerline Alliance has already been extremely beneficial in both the development and marketing of the latest technologies for our home networking customers.”

When finalized, HomePlug AV integrated circuits will connect a variety of PC and home entertainment devices including satellite and cable set top boxes, personal video recorders, and flat panel monitors. The new specification is expected to be completed in 18 to 24 months, with integrated circuits and consumer products available thereafter.

The HomePlug Powerline Alliance is open to any company interested in supporting the specification and adopting the HomePlug networking specifications for use in their own product offerings. HomePlug sponsor and participant level members have the opportunity to review and contribute to technical specifications including HomePlug AV. HomePlug will issue an RFP in the coming months for interested companies to provide technology submissions (see www.homeplug.org for more information).

Filed: Oct 2002, Press, Co: HomePlug, NETGEAR, Tech: HomePlug 1.0, HomePlug AV