Home Networking

by Francine Gair
Fall 2001

Savvy consumers are using wireless home networking to make home entertainment easier. Check out this sampling of wireless devices that bring audio and video to any room in your home.

TERK Technologies
Leapfrog WaveMaster 20 (LF-20S) A/V Transmitter
$100
Additional receiver modules: $60
[www.terk.com]
Add video and audio throughout the house with no extra wiring. The Leapfrog WaveMaster 20 system transmits video and stereo audio through the air from the main TV, your PC or entertainment center to remote TVs or stereos up to 100 feet away. WaveMaster 20 uses a 2.4GHz frequency band for clear signals from TVs, VCRs, DVD and CD players, cable TV boxes, satellite receivers and other A/V components; a converter card is required for PCs. The WaveMaster 20 is compatible with any type of new or old TV. Add up to three receiver units for multi-room functionality.

Air Streams
Jensen
Matrix Wireless Internet Audio Transmitter
$100
[www.jensen.com]
Send your favorite streaming Internet music or MP3 downloads through the air to your home stereo system or wireless headphones with Jensen's Matrix. A 900MHz transmitter/receiver lets you enjoy the sounds of the Internet throughout your home, up to 150 feet away from your PC. It's like having your own in-house radio broadcasting system. Simply connect the transmitter to an audio source (PC, stereo receiver, CD/DVD/tape player or TV) and broadcast that audio signal to multiple wireless headphones or speakers.

Second Room
RF-Link
Wavecom Sr. A/V Transmitter
$150
[www.rflinktech.com]
This upgrade from the Wavecom Jr. adds a built-in remote control extender, so you can send color video and stereo sound to another room and control the source with your existing remote. The 2.4GHz signal transmits up to 300 feet in a clear line-of-sight, and penetrates three to five walls at up to 250 feet. It also offers several home safety and security benefits when used with a strategically placed camcorder or surveillance camera. Four separate channels allow up to four transmitter/receiver pairs to operate simultaneously.

Far and Away
Lorex
VS-6966 A/V Transmitter
$140
[www.strategicvista.com]
Send your sounds and pictures up to 300 feet with the Lorex VS-6966. The directional antenna transmits up to 300 feet in a clear line-of-sight. The 2.4GHz signal avoids interference from the crowded 900MHz band. A built-in remote control extender lets you control the A/V source from the viewing room using your existing remote control. Four separate channels allow up to four transmitter/receiver pairs to operate simultaneously.