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Product FAQ
What is Powerline Networking?
Powerline Networking implies the use of existing AC wiring in a building as the medium for data transmission. In essence it performs the same function as a typical Ethernet LAN without the Ethernet cabling.
With Powerline devices, virtually any equipment found in the home such as PCs, printers, TVs, VCRs, set-top boxes, security systems can be easily networked together through the existing power connection. Powerline Networking doesn't require any new wires and is both robust and affordable.
This technology is standards based and provides broadband high-speed communications over existing AC powerlines in the home. Performance levels are constantly improving and VisualGate products utilize the latest versions currently providing up to 85 MB/s throughput.
Are Powerline products proven?
Yes. The technology used by VisualGate has been fully implemented in silicon and tested in the field. The components embedded in the VisualGate video solutions have been field tested in homes and businesses across North America, Europe, South America, Africa and the Middle East, covering thousands of communications paths between outlets. Test results in residences have shown close to a 100% outlet connectivity success rate.
How do PL-VUE products communicate over the powerlines?
PL-VUE video surveillance products utilize embedded HomePlug Powerline technology to transmit data over the existing electrical wiring of a building. This technology allows you to simply set up your cameras and create an instant network by plugging into any electrical outlet making it possible for instant video connectivity to the Internet or local server. For information on HomePlug® technology, please visit www.homeplug.org.
How easy is the installation of the PL-VUE products?
Installation is very simple. The set up is fully automated. After physical installation of the camera(s), the same AC wiring that supplies power to the device carries the data. All data communications are carried between the powerline devices and also to the router or broadband modem using this technology. Therefore, no additional cabling is required.
Can I connect PL-VUE products to power bars with surge protector?
PL-VUE products have internal surge protectors in some models. Some power bar products filter and attenuate the signal carriers and affect the link quality in which case they should be avoided and you should seek such accessories that are identified as "Powerline compatible." VisualGate Systems offers Powerline compatible accessories.
Should I use three-prong outlets with ground or two-prong outlets without ground?
PL-VUE video travels on the two main powerline wires. Existence of the Ground wire does not interfere with our products. Therefore both two and three prong outlets can be used.
Do PL-VUE powerline products work across multiple AC line phases?
HomePlug uses high frequency signals and has a very large dynamic range. This allows cross phase connectivity in most cases. The tests performed on HomePlug technology included houses with two and three phases. The statistical connectivity of near 100% provided by HomePlug association did not exclude such connections. For larger buildings where there may be multiple phases used and the total wiring is extensive, an electrician can simply insert a device called a "phase coupler" to further improve signal performance to most or all outlets in that building.
Is my privacy protected? How does Powerline networking handle co-interference between 2 adjacent homes both using Powerline?
Firstly, the data-bearing signal is highly attenuated when it passes through your power meter and that of your neighbor which in most cases reduces any outgoing signal to a level that is unusable. Secondly, PL-VUE products secure your data during transmission utilizing 56-bit, DES encryption to make sure your privacy is protected. This data encryption is between all your PL-VUE devices and is activated at the time of installation, making your signal invisible to any other network or device on the same local power line technology.
Does a Powerline signal travel through the public AC line network?
No, in addition to the attenuation at the residential electrical panel, outside the medium to low voltage transformer further blocks the data-bearing signal from traveling out to the public network.
How well do PL-VUE products perform in the presence of AC line noises such as when a hair dryer is turned on?
Special software embedded in the technology adapts to these problems by automatically moving among special carrier frequencies that are least affected by the particular interference, thus maintaining data performance even during such unusual interference.
Therefore products are protected against most line noises using the embedded HomePlug® technology. In addition, PL-VUE uses our own technology (patent pending) to adapt data rate and store video inside the device when the line communication is severely affected or even interrupted by some stronger, longer lasting noises. This means that video signals are not lost and are re-sent automatically as the interruption ceases. If the Powerline characteristics degrade during a session, PL-VUE Powerline product will sense the change and automatically adapt to provide the most reliable connection. When normal conditions return, it resets to its original configuration.
What is power usage of PL-VUE products? Would my powerline fuse handle this extra power?
PL-VUE video surveillance products are low power, typically about 5 watts. This power is much less than most appliances on the powerline and does not break your fuse or circuit breaker.
How much coupling is there between phases on the Powerline?
The attenuation between phases is minimal. The average data rate degradation that results from crossing phases in the same home is approximately 4%. No additional equipment is normally required to enable communication between phases. Should the installer determine that signal loss is greater than normal, a phase coupler that is designed to transmit the broadband carrier signal may be required.
Can I use PL-VUE products in large homes and buildings?
The HomePlug technology used in PL-VUE products has been widely tested in houses of various sizes with near 100% connectivity. It has been successfully tested in some larger houses and buildings up to 7000 sq ft. In rare cases of failure, one has a choice of using another nearby power connection, or any electrician should be able to provide a line to the location that is functional. In some VGP products there is an RJ45 Ethernet connector provided for alternative wired networking. The PL-VUE system can handle any combination of these connections.
Can PL-VUE devices work in apartment and high-rise buildings?
Yes, many PL-VUE product designs and the architecture allows for working in such buildings. Utilizing the adaptive bandwidth control, advanced software as well as special devices such as couplers, repeaters, bridges and other components that are installed by the systems integrator or electrician, PL-VUE devices provide a plausible video surveillance solution for such multi dwelling buildings and campus environments.
What Powerline voltage and frequency is needed for PL-VUE products?
PL-VUE products are auto voltage. They work on both 110 and 220V and also through an AC range of 85 to 260V for specialty applications, and have a frequency range of 47 to 63 Hz.
Can I use multiple cameras on powerline?
The technology used by PL-VUE allows for simultaneous use of multiple cameras. The PL-VUE patented technology optimizes use of bandwidth to allow for full motion, high-resolution video surveillance over the Powerline network.
How does Powerline technology handle node addressing on the network?
PL-VUE Powerline technology adheres to standard Ethernet addressing.
How does PL-VUE Powerline technology compare with wireless technologies?
Although Powerline technology used by PL-VUE resembles wireless in some aspects, it offers many advantages, providing better coverage and a more secure environment, plus it is easier to set up. Wireless technologies provide flexibility and mobility for the end user, have been widely used in data networks and are increasingly employed in new handheld electronic devices. For video surveillance and security applications, wireless networking is not as reliable as our powerline technology, and is more difficult to set up and maintain particularly for security of the video signal. The range of the wireless signal is also more limited inside most buildings, and is more often interfered with by other home appliances such as cordless phones, microwaves etc. since they use the same frequencies.
A separate and isolated video security network over powerlines will not be subject to the type of down time often associated with the maintenance of wireless and even conventional wired data networks. It is also more immune from interference and security attacks directed by malicious wireless handheld devices.
Will Powerline technology interfere with ADSL services?
No, Powerline products do not interfere with ADSL services because the radiated emissions are below FCC limits and, in fact, below many existing RF signals in the same band. In addition, the signal does not share the same band with the most popular DSL techniques: DSL-Lite and ADSL.
Does PL-VUE powerline technology coexist with other networking technologies? Is it compatible with other home networking technologies (including phone line, Powerline, and RF)?
Yes, PL-VUE technology does not cause interference and can work together with other networking choices including phone line, wireless and cable networking. It can co-exist with phone line and RF networks with no known problems. Other Powerline technologies using FSK signaling will be treated as noise by the Powerline products and do not pose a problem. Our products also operate in a different frequency band than Powerline control technologies such as X-10, CEBus, and Lonworks and will usually coexist with them in the same home.
What happens if I need to use other electrical extensions, power-bars etc.?
Connecting to a power-bar or one with integrated surge suppressor that is not optimized for Powerline communications may cancel the Powerline signals since these products are designed to eliminate EMI emissions. The solution if surge protection is required (as some PL-VUE products already embed this capability) is to check that your electrical adapter is Powerline data friendly or in particular "HomePlug® compatible." Such devices are becoming more readily available, and VisualGate Systems does have them available. When using electrical extension cords if they are needed, most good quality extensions should not interfere with performance in normal use.
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