d-link

LAS VEGAS--D-Link's latest top-tier router almost includes a kitchen sink.

The company showed off today at CES 2012 the Amplifi HD Media Router 3000 (model DIR-857). This is the first home router on the market you'll soon be able to purchase that comes equipped with USB 3.0. On top of that, the router's included USB port now supports D-Link's SharePort cloud technology. The router is part of D-Link's cloud services strategy, which also includes the hybrid router model DHP-1565, a sub-$50 Cloud Router (DIR-605L), and a new Cloud Camera.

SharePort has always been a unique feature of D-Link USB-equipped routers that enables the router to support any USB device as though it were connected to a network computer directly. Over time this technology has evolved from allowing only one computer to access the connected USB device at a time, to multiple access, and now, the ability to share data via the Internet.… Read more

LAS VEGAS--D-Link finally gets it right with its new hybrid router.

The company demoed today at CES 2012 the all-new Amplifi Wireless N PowerLine Gigabit Router (DHP-1565). This is part of the company's Cloud Services, which also includes a sub-$50 cloud router (DIR-605L) and the flagship DIR-857 that were also announced at the show.

In my opinion, the DHP-1565 is a much-needed upgrade to its first hybrid router, the DHP-1320 Wireless N PowerLine Router.

Nothing is wrong with the DHP-1320. In fact, it's a great router. The only problem is that it lacks both of what I consider "must-have" features for routers and a power-line device: Gigabit Ethernet and support for the latest 500Mbps Powerline AV standard.… Read more

LAS VEGAS--D-Link today unveiled a portfolio of Cloud Services that includes a new router that costs just $40.

The device in question is the Cloud Router (model DIR-605L), which is basically a single-band Wireless-N router that offers a top wireless speed of 300Mbps.

Like all products in the company's new Cloud Service portfolio, it supports cloud-based management, allowing users to remotely monitor it via the mydlink portal and mydlink apps on iOS- and Android-based mobile devices.

D-Link said the DIR-605L helps bring "cloud capabilities to the masses" by allowing users to see and monitor which Web sites … Read more

D-Link's latest Amplifi Whole Home Router 1000 (model DIR-645) almost makes an excellent router.

For one, living up to the Whole Home notion, the router offers great Wi-Fi range, possibly the longest I've seen in a long time. Secondly, it provides a great set of features, including Gigabit Ethernet (great for a fast wired network), guest networking, parental control, QoS, support for IPv6, and a very easy-to-use yet comprehensive Web interface. And finally it won't break your bank, either, with a street price of just around $90.

Unfortunately, it also comes with one major shortcoming, according to my trials.… Read more

It's that time of year again.

If you're in the market for networking devices to upgrade your home's media-streaming capabilities, Black Friday is a great opportunity to fulfill that desire. As with everything else, not all networking devices are created equal. In fact when it comes to wireless routers, it's actually a better deal to pay the full price for one that works than getting a lemon for cheap.

But we're talking about getting the one that works for cheap here. And while I can't advise you on how great of a deal you'… Read more

Boxee co-founder Avner Ronen took to the official Boxee blog this morning to announce the Boxee Live TV tuner.

It's a $50 TV tuner dongle coming in January that connects to one of the Boxee Box's USB ports and works with either free over-the-air TV signals (which typically include the major networks, plus PBS) or unencrypted Clear QAM cable channels. (There's a useful overview on Boxee's site.)

The pitch is that the Live TV tuner makes the Boxee Box an exceptional cable-cutting device, letting you still watch major TV events like local sports and award shows, while catching up on other TV and movie content via streaming video services like Netflix and Vudu. (But not Hulu Plus, which still hasn't been added to Boxee, despite the announcement over a year ago.)

The catch? That all sounds great, until you remember that every modern HDTV already has a built-in ATSC tuner that allows you to watch live TV.… Read more

D-Link today announced its three new power-line solutions, the PowerLine AV Mini Adapter (model DHP-310AV), PowerLine AV Mini Adapter Kit (DHP-311AV), and PowerLine AV 4-port Switch Mini Adapter Starter Kit (DHP-348AV).

All of these new devices come in a compact design that's much smaller than similar products of the same standard. Unfortunately, they offer throughput speeds of only up to 200Mbps. Other power-line products on the market, such as the Netgear XAV5501 or even the D-Link AV 500 switch, support the faster 500Mbps power-line standard.

Nonetheless, the new adapters will make a great wireless alternative for the far corners that a Wi-Fi signal can't get to.… Read more

The Boxee Box has always seemed overpriced at $200, but D-Link is about to make it slightly more palatable. Effective September 4, D-Link is dropping the price of the Boxee Box to $180, down from $200.

Pricing was definitely one of our major hangups when the Boxee Box was first released, and Boxee has also made some strides to fill in its content gaps, now supporting Netflix, Vudu, Pandora, and MLB.TV. (Still no update on when Hulu Plus support is coming.) We'll be re-reviewing the Boxee Box this month in light of all the changes that have been made this year.

While the new $180 price helps, the Boxee Box still has an uphill fight against more affordable rivals like the Roku 2 or Apple TV. Boxee's big advantage has always been superior support for a wide range of different file types, but that won't be enough to transcend its enthusiast-only appeal.… Read more

The HD Media Router 1000, model DIR-657, is the first in the Media router series that D-Link introduced at CES 2011, and it's a totally new router. At least on the outside.

Unlike previous routers, such as the DIR-655, DIR-825, and DIR-855, the DIR-657 doesn't have external antennas that stick up from its back anymore. Following the lead of Cisco and other vendors, D-Link now uses the internal antenna design, making the new router seem much more compact than previous models. The router's chassis is as sleek as many other new routers, and attracts fingerprints very easily. … Read more