homeplug compatibility av200 to av600

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I've used homeplugs for many many years now, got 5 x av200s around the house.

One of them has finally died so was looking for a replacement, and av200s are no more, but I was pleased to read that they are all backwards compatible... From the FAQ...

TP-LINK AV200, AV500, AV600 Powerline adapters adopted HomePlug AV Standard, so they are compatible with each other. The TP-LINK AV1200 adapters adopt HomePlug AV2, also backward compatible with HomePlug AV standard, which means TP-LINK AV200, AV500, AV600, AV1200 are all compatible with each other.

But it then goes on to state...

However, the Powerline rate will drop to lowest ones rate when use different AV adapters together

What I can't figure out is, does it drop for per-device communication, or does having one lower one on the whole network cause the whole network to drop?

E.g. I was thinking of buying a 2 pack AV600 starter kit to replace my broken one (connected to main PC in rear room) and replacing the one connected to the router. So would the PC then talk to the router at AV600 speeds, or will the fact the upstairs xbox/sky box etc still on AV200s cause the whole lot to drop to AV200?
 
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As I understand it, the allegation made against them is that they are only legal because the manufacturers exploit a loophole in the certification process; they demonstrate that the box itself doesn't emit much interference and say that the interference subsequently emitted by the unshielded mains wiring is outside their responsibility. It's not unlike the situation with diesel engines that don't exceed emissions standards in lab tests but do on the road.

This may change; OFCOM are to update the Wireless Telegraphy Act to alow them to require users of interfering devices such as these to stop using them:

https://www.ofcom.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0020/55307/annex6.pdf
https://www.ofcom.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0017/58220/statement.pdf

Their statement points out that, for example, in the past they could take enforcement action against a fluorescent light that was causing interference but not an LED light because that wasn't specifically mentioned in the regulations! Now the rules will apply to any "apparatus" at all.

Technically, the equipment "as tested" passed the tests - allegedly. The fact that they deliberately test them in a non-standard setup (ie in a filtered socket so the signal can't get to the main cabling is just outright fraud. But where the real fault lies in with our regulatory bodies that have, apparently, put a lot of effort into coming up with justifications for why "it's not my problem" - and there have been strong suggestions that this is because the nit of OfCon that used to be the RA was afraid to upset BT, an example of regulatory capture where a large company effectively gets to call the tune at the regulator that is supposedly regulating it.

Lots, lots more over at http://www.ban-plt.org.uk

See also https://www.ispreview.co.uk/index.p...te-owners-bad-powerline-network-adapters.html

https://community.talktalk.co.uk/t5/TalkTalk-TV/powerline-adapters/td-p/1736914

Seriously, these devices are dreadful, they ought to be banned, nobody should be using them.
 
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