Background Information

Actiontec is known for their technological grace and precision hardware creation. They offer many useful devices such as IPTV and Video solutions, Home Controlling and Monitoring kits, Broadband Access kits, and last but not least, the Home Networking kits such as the Powerline Gaming Kit. They have many partners including Qwest, AOL, Verizon, Radioshack, Best Buy, and more on their list of powerhouse suppliers and great broadband providers. This is no low-qual-kiddie product, people.

Unboxing

The PGK (Powerline Gaming Kit) came in a nice looking, well designed box, displaying of course the Actiontec logo, the name of the product, what it can do (which immediately will draw a gamers attention) and what it’s perfect for. It also bullet outlines the maximum transfer rate of 200Mbps, the ping rates, and again what it can do for your gaming console. They have also posted various awards on the front, and on the back of the box there is an organized, well designed display of it’s features, it’s perks (no new cables required, uses your existing power line, and 128-bit AES security!), and a small diagram showing exactly just  how easy setup should be.  If you’re a Spec tech, those are listed on the side panel, too – but for your pleasure, I’ve typed them out:

Standards: IEEE 802.4, IEEE 202.3U, HOMEPLUG AV

Additional Protocols and Features: CSMA/CA CHANNEL ACCESS SCHEME (UPGRADEABLE TO TDMA); CO DEVICE GENERATES A PERIODIC BEACON CARRIER FOR CHANNEL ACCESS SCHEME.,FORWARD ERROR CORRECTION(FEC),AUTOMATIC CHANNEL ADAPTATION

Data Rate: PHY Rate: Up to 200 MPBS over standard home power lines and 10/100 MBPS over Ethernet

Operation Range: Up to 300 meters in wall power lines | capable of passing through circuit breakers

Security: 128 -bit AES Link Encryption with Key Management

Frequency Band: 2MHz- 28MHz

Modulation: OFDM Symbol Modulation on Line Synchronization, QAM,QPSK,BPSK,ROBO Carrier Modulation

QoS: Integrated, Prioritized Random Access, Contention-Free Access, Segment Bursting

LEDs: Power, Link, and Ethernet

Power Input: 100 to 240v@ 50/60 Hz internal

Regulatory Compliance: FCC Part 15, Class B, UL, Homeplug Certification

Environmental Ranges: Operating Temperature: 0C to 40C, Humidity: 10% to 90% (Non Condensing)

Warranty: Limited 1 Year Warranty

Once you open the box, the neatness comes into play. Inside, there is  another snugly fit white insert which houses the two adapters in compartments, separately. They are wrapped nicely in plastic and everything appears to be well accounted for. The box also contains an instruction manual and a setup disk to help you get started. The only thing I would put on the box is Playstation 3 and Xbox 360 rather than Playstation and Xbox – there are some people that would think the product is old on that merit alone.

Product Design and Appeal

I myself prefer that the product just gets the job done, and I can modify the looks myself, or void my warranty and integrate it into my own shell, later on; but as you all know, it does not  always work that way with everyone. That being said, this product is not phugly, but just a little bleak. It has a smooth, Lexus like curvature about it’s surface, and great placement of the LED’s and Ethernet port, too. It’s just that the off-white color and the plain box and curve look of it make it looks like a Windows 95 PC component (no offense windows users). Maybe some glossy paint or larger color offering could do the trick, but for now, I couldn’t see many people jumping up and down to buy the PGK based on it’s “this will fit my modern home well” category. With a little touching up, though, this can be modified just a bit and just fine for gamers.

Functionality and Performance

The PGK hardware packs a punch. It has bright indication LED’s, a solid Ethernet jack, and a sturdy design which won’t fall out of your wall when you’re playing Street Fighter IV and you lose that crucial fight online. I have every system you can think of, plus more, and this monster of a PC. My first test was my PC, because usually, when I use wireless, I experience a significant difference in down/upstream speed and ping times.  It has nothing to do with my hardware, as it’s an amazing setup; it’s just that wireless doesn’t work well in every home, due to different frequencies all over the place.

Wireless: PC to Apple Airport Extreme | 6000KBPS Downstream(Download Speed)  800KBPS Upstream(Upload Speed)

Not bad, just not great, either. I’d much rather have it somewhere in the 1mbps Upstream area. Now, with the Powerline Gaming Kit

Wireless: Powerline Gaming Kit (Connected to Airport Extreme) | 12,000 KBPS Downstream(Download Speed) 2000 MBPS Upsteam(Upload Speed)

Ca-ching?  It worked! It’s not another loosely advertised home networking solution! It’s the  Powerline Gaming Kit (screams from the stadium, chanting, SUCCESS! With the exclamation point pops up from every japanese RPG or fighting game).

But no, the functionality and performance increase with my PC is genuine, and desired. The second system I tested was PS3, and the third and last, but not least, was the XBOX 360 . I tested the PS3 against it’s internal wi-fi component, and I must say, if you’re a serious gamer and you want to have the least amount of lag possible when using wifi, this adapter will hold to it’s claims. I didn’t find much of a performance difference when placed against the Microsoft adapter, though, and the Microsoft adapter does have the added convenience of being connected to your system through those weak plastic prongs on the back. What I did notice however is a slightly lower ping with each game I played online, but nothing to lose your sleep over. Either way, I’d feel safer with the Actiontec PGK:  it’s definitely a more sturdy piece of hardware, it performs a little better, and it’s a much nicer alternative if you have a long set of Ethernet cables, as you can run the cables out of the way of devices and to an outlet almost completely free of interference from other frequencies. You have to remember, though, every setup differs – if you’re download and upload speeds are capped low by your provider (meaning that you can’t go over a certain speed, anyway) then you can’t blame the product. Do a little homework on your ISP (Internet Service Provider) before you call Actiontec or blast me with e-mails saying how stupid I am.

The Verdict

Aside from the old school PC component with curves look, the Actiontec Powerline Gaming Kit is an amazing set of adapters that does exactly what it says, which is a rare occurence in the everday changing game of technology. If i were you, I’d definitely give it a shot. It’s a bit of a High price tag ($150.00) but you can go to the buy section of the website here which lists the best prices from different vendors, and I’ve even seen as low as $124.00. If you do end up purchasing, send Actiontec and E-mail saying you read the Chad Hughes (nerdsoftheyear, thealteredmindstate) review of the product, and see what happens. It’s an outstanding product, and I give it a 9 out of 10.

I picked him up and brought him to the 24 hour vet – i’m currently hiding him from the mom figure until the AM at which point I can get him checked out and groomed to beauty ^^. We both hit rock bottom this week and it seems like we found each other to start off on a great foot! God works in mysterious but glorious ways.

This song is probably one of the most awesome songs to play Assassin’s Creed to, or any stealth game. Need I also mention it is probably the best Killzone 2 song? Oh, and you can listen to the My Way interview here. Aren’t you kids happy with me today?

GO GET KILLZONE 2! I don’t have it, but i’m promoting it.

• Championship Mode expansion pack will add several unique and gameplay enriching options to Street Fighter IV’s already robust feature set free of charge post launch. Street Fighter IV’s Championship Mode Expansion Pack will include:
• Replay Mode – Record, upload, and download top matches to share with the Street Fighter IV community. Players can analyze top tiered fighters matches, leave voter feedback for others, and share their own triumphant victories.
• New Points System – Two new points systems to measure your skill (Championship and Tournament Points)
• Enhanced Tournament Matching System – Skill level matching system offers improved tournament match making for beginners and mid-level players. Competitors earn Grade Points (GP) to earn entry into more advanced tournaments.

• Additionally, we are announcing the DLC alternate costume expansion packs for Street Fighter IV to customize your fighters. Each DLC pack offers an alternate costume for you favorite Street Fighter IV character. The packs are grouped by themes and will be available for 320 MS points for Xbox 360 or $3.99 on PlayStation 3 post launch.
• 2/17 – Brawler Pack DLC Pack will include alternate costumes for: Zangeif, E.Honda, Rufus, El Furete, and Abel.
• 2/24 – Femme Fatale Pack will include alternate costumes for: Chun-Li, Cammy, Sakura, Rose, and C.Viper.
• 3/3/09 – Shoruken Pack will include alternate costumes for: Ryu, Ken, Akuma, Gouken, and Dan.
• 3/10/09 – Shadowloo Pack will include alternate costumes for: Seth, M.Bison, Sagat, Balrog, and Vega.
• 3/17/09 – Classic Pack will include alternate costumes for: Guile, Dhalsim, Fei-Long, Blanka, and Gen.

You can definitely feel the effects of a whiffed ultra by Sagat(ouch) but it’s even better when you counter with the Target > Srk > FADC > EX SRK > Laugh.

If you don’t know what that means, go kill yourself.

There are a couple of issues pending about SFIV as the Shoryuken.com forums outline nicely. Things that I have been bothered by but have yet to complain about to Capcom because of the amazing product they have released. One of those happens to be the DISCONNECTS. OUCH. Don’t you hate when you know you beat someone who has a lot more BP then you, but they disconnect right before the end of the match? Quite annoying. Not only should they be penalized, but that should go down on their record! like in Starcraft, the best RTS ever made (don’t you love my random opinion inserts?).

Now let me give you the scrubs on myself. I use Ken, mainly because my old main (sagat) is fairly cheap unless you are playing someone who is 10k, World Warrior, or Akuma spamming with fireball delux`. I like Kens WIDE array of FADC combos, and this air tatsu crossup capabilities. Plus he can stick out that wonderful poke (F+MK) and then you can straight KARA that bitch into a throw. It works wonders and makes people extremely mad. If you don’t already know, you can Add me on PSN: n0_shotos

Anyways, I want you guys to leave your gamertags/PSN ID’s so we can get a community of decent to advanced players going. This should make for an interesting competitive slaughter fest.

I don’t get or understand Tim and Eric..yet..I’m always COMPELLED to watch the show. I can’t even give you the scrubs on it because I don’t understand what it’s about! Ever! Unless it’s a really obvious scene. I do like the show Xavier Native American retarded looking animal, though, and the Axe commercials when a bunch of chicks randomly lunge toward a dude because he smells good (probably like me). Oh, and Killzone 2 is almost here! Yes! I gave away my demo key but the game comes out Thursday anyway.

Now you have to give it up to Capcom for what they’ve created in Street Fighter 4. I have gripes, but none of them come with the game, only the players.