D-Link DHP-303 powerline network adapter

'So far so what', you might think. But under the hood, the D-Link DHP-303 has a different engine. The DHP-303 PowerLine HD Network Starter Kit is the only kit we've seen recently based on the Universal Powerline Association (UPA) standard; all of the others use HomePlug AV technology.

As a result, D-Link adaptors such as the D-Link DHP-303 are not interoperable with HomePlug AV adaptors. But since we advise buyers to stick to one vendor for ease of support, that's something of a moot point - although worth bearing in mind if you're adding to existing kit.

Whereas HomePlug AV kits use AES encryption, the D-Link DHP-303 kit uses 3-DES encryption - an older standard that is more CPU-intensive and marginally less secure (though both 3-DES and AES are more than adequate for home use).

Despite the extra overhead of 3-DES, the D-Link D-Link DHP-303 far outperformed the HomePlug AV kits we've tested recently, with sustained throughput in the range of 85 to 90 mbps. (The HomePlug AV kits maxed out at 62 to 69 mbps.)

The D-Link DHP-303 kit has a power-saving mode and push-button encryption that works in much the same way as the system that HomePlug AV models use. A software utility lets you set a specific encryption passphrase and prioritise network traffic — a useful option when you have multiple devices connected via powerline and want to ensure uninterrupted TV streaming.

The only significant downside to the D-Link DHP-303 kit: is that the company doesn't sell multiple-port adaptors, a feature that greatly reduces the cost of networking multiple home-theatre components and conserves scarce wall plugs.

If you buy, be sure to get the DHP-303 kit. The older D-Link DHP-301 PowerLine HD Ethernet Kit looks very similar (and has a similar name), but has far lower throughput and lacks push-button encryption.