Diamond HomeFree PhoneLine Pac (2 PCI Cards) - CHEAP

[CouponCollect]

this home network kit is @ Amazon for $41.94 after discount and rebate.. pretty hot deal it uses the phone lines instead of network cables and can do 1MB/s

ASIN:B00000JBBO

 

[phoenixstar]

Would this tie up the phone line for calls? Pardon the ignorance here...

 

[bigbigsavings]

phoenixstar,

NO, it doesn't affect your phone line at all.

Alex

 

[MontyBurns]

phoenixstar: No, won't tie up your phone line at all. However, you should know that what you gain in convenience you lose in performance with phone-line networking. THese things are INCREDIBLY easy to set up. But they also have limitations on bandwidth, and won't be anywhere near as fast as a cabled solution.

Still, sometimes something like this, or wireless (which also isn't as fast), are your only solution. But if there's any way you can connect the computers with a physical cable, I'd opt for that route.

 

[bigbigsavings]

If anyone knows about this, perhaps you can help me. I'm looking to network a Laptop and a PC via the phoneline network. SO far, I have only been able to find kits for 2 PCs, but NOTHING for a Laptop and a PC through a phoneline. Is there ANY solution for what I'm looking for?

Thanks!
Alex

 

[peeps]

This item is available at Outpost.com for just $3 more, and of course you get FREE overnight shipping at Outpost, too (Amazon charges about $7 for this item via UPS Ground). Same rebate, as well.

Link to Outpost.com page

 

[shurato]

Also go through Ebates.com ... hey every little bit counts

 

[JesseKnows]

Before you plunk down $41.94 (after MIR), look at http://www.compgeeks.com/details.asp?invtid=HOMEFREEK at $12.50. All it's missing (according to the site) is the phone cable.

JesseKnows

 

[JesseKnows]

Sorry, linkified:
At compgeeks

JesseKnows

 

[PG]

The compgeeks cards also have RJ45 connectors in addition to the RJ11.

 

[peeps]

You can also get it shipped free and use a coupon at Buy.com, where it sells for $71.95. I think everyone knows the Buy.com shipping/coupon deals, so I won't elaborate. Oh, same rebate, etc...

Enjoy!

 

[Bagger]

You might also want to check your local Office Depot to see if they have any of the Linksys Homelink Phoneline Networking Kits available. They were selling them for $9.88 [Comes with 2 network cards (RJ11 & RJ45), 2 phone cables, and WinGate internet-sharing software]. If you they're not available locally I have an extra Kit I'd be willing to part with for a modestly higher amount - just PM me (Hope I'm not out of line in posting that last part).

 

[858diver]

From my experience, the Diamond HomeFree is very tempermental in terms of a clear signal. While it may be a bit more of a hassle, I bit the bullet and ran Cat 5 cable for a hard wired network for my 4-machine home network - best decision I ever made!

We share a single DSL line for internet (used to share a 56k dialup), so there is no prob with extra phone lines or waiting to get online.

 

[Wolverine27]

Gotta agree with 858diver. I had a phone line networking kit...but it was tempermental. I initially bought it for ease of set up and no wiring hassles. However, I got frustrated with it, returned it and bought a 1000 foot spool of Cat5 cabling. Ran the lines and am happier than ever with the performance of my 5 PC network.

But I suppose these things will get better with time. You may want to look at some of the new wireless solutions that are coming out. These are especially nice if you have laptops...for that truly untethered feeling ;-)

Regards,

Wolverine27

 

[gychang]

note speed is 1MB/S, not the more recent 10MB/S.

Alex, I have laptop and PC connected together using Intel (laptop using USB external), PC with PCI card. Fantastic, easy to setup, works well. Now 2 computers can access the cable modem (don't notice any slow down when both are on internet), can share files and use of simultanous phone is no problems at all on one phone line.

More expensive but I would look into Intel for above setup.

GYC

 

[chrisdanford]

The HomePNA 1.0 cards suck. I owned these exact cards, and they wouldn't reach from upstairs to downstairs. I couple months later, I bought the Linksys HomePNA 2.0 cards and they work great. I would highly recommend PNA 2.0 cards over the 1.0. The price difference is much lower than the cost of troubleshooting the old cards.

 

[TimidOCer]

I need to get my cable modem connection to a computer upstairs would this be fast enough to handle cable mode? And would http://www.compgeeks.com/details.asp?invtid=HOMEFREEK be good enough ? Or should i spend more and if i should spend more can you give me a link to a good one?
PLEASE?
Thanks!

 

[fxsts]

1MB card works fine if you just want to share DSL/Cable line. I have my girlfriend's computer connected to 100T Switch via 1MB phoneline card through Linksys gateway. And it is working great.

 

[XL]

I got the HomeFree 10MB/s Phoneline cards and they're not that bad. I would recomend them if you want a simple solution to networking. I use them to play network games with my son and they work great for that. The PCs I have connected are in the same room so I just ran a straight line without plugging them in through the wall jack.

 

[TimidOCer]

xl why didnt u just get nics? Umm I wanna share my cable access with 2 other computers can i do that with the oone at compgeeks? I know id have to have another card but it can handle it right?
thanks! I ordered the compgeeks one

 

[uscpte7]

Hey guys, you need to know that these cards are very temperamental about the telephone cable you use to connect them to your phone jacks. Unless the two computers are in the same room, you need 22 AWG SOLID wired telephone wires. The cheap ones do not work for more than about 25 feet. I tried going from 1st floor to 2nd floor in my house with the cheap one and no go! With the original worked like a charm. I have the linksys 1 MB ones and they do work well for on-line gaming but everything else (file transfer) is very s-l-o-w.

 

[fxsts]

Yap. 1MB Linksys works very well. It is a pain to transfer any big files through it, but better than running around home with floppy disks or zip disks.