See larger image Billion BiPAC 7700N 300 Mbps ADSL2+ Router with Wireless N Firewall (Personal Computers) List Price: 49.99 GBP New From: 48.10 In Stock Used from: 30.40 In Stock Release date May 16, 2011.

Have just had my first ADSL2+ Annex M line installed with 21cn at the phone exchange, after initial problems with the equipment at the phone exchange all is up and running.

Currently using a Netgear Dg834v3 which is capable of connecting to Annex M after checking using the debug facility on the Netgear and using telent to print out stats.

Initial connection speed
1km from phone exchange on first connection 17 meg download and 1.6 meg upload but after these initial speeds i notied a huge drop in speeds, have left the router for 20 hours and noticed a huge db noise margin so i think the router is no good, so am ordering the Billion BiPAC 7700N 300 Mbps ADSL2+ Router with Wireless N Firewall from Amazon which supports Annex M

Will post results when i install

Latest Update
Download speed stable at about 16 meg upload only 1/2 meg, but have had power-cuts in the area so router has not had time to train with phone exchange. After nearly 24 hours SNR Margin (0.1 dB):downstream 89:upstream 310
I will keeping an eye on the upstream as that needs to drop below 300, somewhere between 200 and 300 would be ideal then hope to see upload speeds rise.

Newer update
Ok found out from Entanet that the original Netgear router had sent so much noise on the upstream, it caused the card at the phone exchange to put the new Billion router on a profile lock. In essence this means to keep the line working safely the line was limited to no damage could occur.

So as of today line speed now reporting after the profile was reset
Line Rate – Upstream (Kbps): 1999
Line Rate – Downstream (Kbps): 19239

so using a speedtest site was achieving about 18 Meg download and 1.75 Meg upload speed. Fingers crossed line will now settle but all looks good for this Annex M connection and i shall be a happy bunny.

Definitely sticking to Billion routers from here on in. Apparently the Billion 7800N can be tweaked to gain extra download speed, only if phone exchange is compatible with the tweaks but just waiting for my phone exchange to be upgraded this month and shall be buying one for myself to test.

Have now just used another Billion 7700n adsl router on a standard 8meg adsl line, very impressed again, getting great line stats, have order the line to be upgraded to 21cn with complete confidence this router is going to give great performance – will post results in a month when line upgraded.

Extra Information on the Billion 7700n
If you need to assign extra public ip’s that you may have ordered from your ISP, my example is i order 8 public ip’s and would like to say run a mailserver on its own ip address, then in the Billion 7700n you have to scroll to the advanced menu options and if on a dsl line, go to the Lan where the is an option you need to tick (Configure the second IP Address and Subnet Mask for LAN interface),  then i put one of the assigned public ip’s into the box below and subnet mask, i was then able to put a webserver with its on ip point to the secondary Ip address and it behave with no firewall which is perfect.

Billion Ipsec vpn router

See larger image Sony KDL40EX523BU 40-inch Widescreen Full HD 1080p Internet TV with Freeview HD (Electronics) New From: 484.99 In Stock Used from: 455.53 In Stock Release date May 10, 2011.

Sony KDL40CX523BU 40-inch Widescreen Full HD 1080p LCD Internet Ready TV with Freeview HD

The Sony KDL40CX523BU has loads of features including Freeview HD already built in meaning you do not need to purchase a HD box to receive HD programmes.

It also has the ability to view web pages or using Bravia services it features BBC Iplayer and YouTube amongst other services.

Another fantastic feature is the ability to plugin a external hard drive for instant recordings or scheduled recordings.

Although Sony offer a WiFi adapter that can be plugged in to connect to your home router, i used a pair of homeplugs in my setup as i do prefer a wired connection against using wireless connectivity.

The HD picture is very clear not only on the Freeview service but also using the Bravia service for BBC Iplayer HD.

There are some great deals on at Amazon at the moment, Just visit this Offer Link to view all the Sony Widescreen cashback offers.

With Amazon you are using a trusted seller for example we actually noticed
on this Set after i did the video, it had a slight problem with the screen, Amazon were excellent and we had a replacement Sony KDL40CX523BU sent out for the next day and Amazon also organised the pick up of the old set at our convenience.

View the Sony KDL40CX523BU video review

[video url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jMo22nEav8k" height="420" width="580" se_title="Sony KDL40CX523BU" se_desc="The Sony KDL40CX523BU has to be one of the coolest tv\'s available at the moment"]

See larger image Panasonic Smart VIERA TX-P50GT30B 50-inch Full HD 1080p 3D 600Hz Internet-Ready Plasma TV with Freeview HD and Freesat HD (Installation Recommended) (Electronics) New From: 1,100.00 In Stock Used from: 719.00 In Stock Release date March 31, 2011.

The Panasonic TXP50GT30B Smart VIERA 50-inch televison is a Full HD Neo Plasma 3DTV with Freeview HD and Freesat HD.

You maybe looking to upgrade that older tv in your lounge and upgrade to a 3D experience with the 3D chanel offered from your Sky Box.

Panasonic is a tried and trusted brand and over the years has offered reliability and good customer support.

With its great looking high gloss black finish, built in WiFi meaning its easy to connect to your wireless router.

Using the Viera Cast option which is Panasonic’s web connecting option you will find Social Media websites like Facebook, Skype which if a Panasonic web cam kit is purchases enables Skype call from the 50″ PLasma TV.

Another versatile option is the Internet Media Streaming capability of connecting to services like YouTube and BBC Iplayer, enabling you to watch re runs of shows from the comfort of your Big Screen TV.

It has the ability for USB recording, plugin your external hard drive press record and you can store your show instantly.

Surround sound Audio built in and extremely high picture quality, just to note you need to purchase the 3d glasses as an extra.

4.5  out of 5 review score on Amazon

Specifications

• VIERA Neo Plasma Full HD 3DTV
• Freeview HD & Freesat HD
• 600Hz Sub-field Drive Intelligent Frame Creation Pro
• G14 Progressive Full-HD NeoPlasma
• High Contrast Filter (AR Filter)
• 24p Smooth Film/Playback
• Super Resolution
• Vreal 3D
• 3D Image Viewer
• 3D Colour Management
• Infinite Black Pro
• 2 x 10 watt 2 Speakers
• V-Audio Surround
• Dolby Digital Plus/DolbyPulse/dts2.0/dts Digital Out/CoNEQ
• VIERA Image Viewer
• VIERA Connect
• USB 3 (1 side, 2 top)
• USB HDD Recording
• HDMI Input4 (side)/ Audio Return Channel (Input 2)
• DLNA/WiFi Ready
• Dimensions (W x H x D) (w/o stand) 1,177 x 718 x 58 mm (Panel depth: 37 mm)
• Dimensions (W x H x D) (with stand) 1,177 x 753 x 335 mm

See larger image Toshiba 22DV501B 22-inch Widescreen HD Ready LCD TV with Built-in DVD player (Electronics) New From: 186.17 In Stock Used from: 120.00 In Stock Release date June 21, 2011.

The Toshiba 22DV501B could just make that perfect Christmas present, If you are stuck for ideas this could be perfect present to fill that empty space in the bedroom where maybe thoughts are leaning to plugging in a HD Ready TV.

With its sleek gloss black design, included in the Toshiba 22DV501B is a built in DVD Player and also a built in Freeview tuner.
Just to note if you able to receive HD Freeview in your area you will need a HD Freeview tuner as well.

Ideal for plugging in a games console or even a laptop or computer in the bedroom via an HDMI connection.

Toshiba have proven in the past to offer good support and products with reliability as well.

4 out 5 review score on Amazon

Specifications

See larger image Sony KDL32CX523BU 32-inch Widescreen Full HD 1080p 50Hz LCD Internet TV with Freeview HD (Electronics) New From: 349.99 In Stock Used from: 325.49 In Stock Release date March 2, 2011.

Best Sony TV deals for Christmas

Coming up to that time of year of what do i buy someone for Christmas.

So here is a great little suggestion if you are looking for a bargain television offer with all the mods included with it.

About Sony
Reliable, good brand, good support and always seem to last a long time.

This 32″ Sony HD Ready 1080p with integrated Freeview but more importantly it also has a built Freeview HD tuner as well.

This Sony television comes with the Bravia Internet Video plugin, which gives you internet media streaming like YouTube and BBC Iplayer but also offers plugins like skype and other social media plugins that you can use directly from your TV.

Want to a watch a movie stored on your external storage disk! No problem this Sony has a usb slot. Just plugin and watch your stored movies from your external storage device.

How about recording your favourite TV show, again using an external hard drive you can record to your hard drive ( you may need to check for the latest firmware).

WiFi connection with the Sony UWABR100 USB Network Adapter means you can easily connect to your wireless router so less wires are needed.

The Sony KDL32CX523BU comes with its friendly green light sensor to, so it will automatically adjust light needed for the environment its in but this can easily be turned off.

Saving the best for last if you buy now on Amazon they are offering an amazing £130 cashback before Christmas on selected Sony models, making these Sony Televisions one of the best offers out there for an amazing Xmas present. Use this Best Sony TV Deals Linkand read the special deal instructions to be able to claim cashback on your Sony model

Just click on the images below for a direct link to Amazon for one of the best Sony TV deals for Christmas of go to our Amazon store

Q: How far away can i receive the signal?
A: So far with the use of an external antenna i have surfed about 4 miles away with good speeds

Q: Whats the difference between 3G and 3G+?
A: 3G offers less download speed more useful for email and web browsing application

Q: Can i share my 3G dongle with more than one computer?
A: Yes with the purchase of a 3G router

Q: What sort of 3G router should i purchase?
A: It easier to buy a router that supports sim card insertion rather than usb

Q: How can i measure my own download usage that i am using?
A: Your isp (internet service provider) should provide with a user login portal to display these details if not try bitmeter os – choose computer system

See larger image Devolo dLAN 500 AVtriple+ Starter Kit (Accessory) List Price: 139.99 GBP New From: 119.28 In Stock Release date November 25, 2011.

Homeplugs have been for a long time to me now an absolute life saver. Living in the Cotswolds houses are always made with those lovely Cotswold stone walls, nice to look at but not friendly for a wireless signal around the house.

What is a homeplug?

A homeplug plugs into a normal electrical socket and distributes your broadband around the house through the mains supply. Thus being able to get broadband maybe around the walls that wireless router cannot.

Do i need more than one homeplug?

Yes you need at least two homeplugs, one plugs into the router via an Ethernet lead and one nearest to the equipment you wish to extend your broadband connection to.

Can a homeplug boost my wireless signal?

Yes a standard homeplug offers only one Ethernet connection (good for plugging into your router) but a wireless enabled homeplug often known as an wireless access point will distribute wireless very near to maybe your new WiFi enabled television or games console.

There are homeplugs advertised with different speeds which ones should i buy?

A 85Mbps homeplug does not mean you will be able to get 85 Meg get half and you are doing well, there are lots of factors like the quality of the electrical circuit. For usage of watching things like BBC Iplayer and streaming media from the internet 85Mbps adapters are fine, but of course there are those who always need that bit more so 200Mbps adapters  or 500Mbps adapters can offer that bit more.

Can i plug a homeplug into an extension lead?

Yes but it may not always work, I would advise you to try plugging it into the mains socket.

Can i use more than two homplugs?

Yes  a good example would be where i have had to install in a house with 3 floor levels and have inserted a WiFi access point homeplug on every level providing access for laptops etc in each room.

Do they require setting up?

Yes and no, the  Ethernet only homeplug works straight out of the box, so if you require only two of those then no setup required, but the wireless access point homeplug will need a WPA key setting up for wireless security. Simply insert the disk provided in the box, then either use the software provided or read the setup manual for instructions.

Can i mix the speeds of the homeplugs?

Best not to really, either buy a pair or 85 Mbps or a pair 200Mbps homeplugs just in case they dont communicate with each othere.

Do Homeplugs work with any wireless or ethernet device like Mac or Ipad?
Yes no different to plugging in to a router, you may need to install the software disc on a windows computer for initial setup.

If you require any help setting up homeplugs you are welcome to sign up and i can help you setup the wireless from this blog.

Visit our Amazon shop and click the homeplug section for full range or click on one of the images below which link to Amazon.

Under no circumstances should you let them have the opportunity and you should hang up, if you are still worried contact us to check your computer for any spyware of virus you might be worried about.

It is just a complete scam!

See larger image Solwise 85Mbps HomePlug Ethernet Adapter - Single Pack (Electronics) New From: 15.79 In Stock

Before you read any further read my latest post on all you need to know about homeplugs

Recently i had installed a business broadband connection at one of my families houses, they had really got fed up their AOL broadband, although it was on an 8meg connection and they only lived a short distance from the phone exchange they would rarely see very good speeds.

So they decided to migrate to my Entanet Business broadband package, after a quick check i could see the phone exchange was enabled for ADSL2 (21cn enabled) so in theory the check said about 17 meg download available.

Initially BT engineer messed up the migration and we had to organise through Entanet another BT visit, which delayed things 3 days but upon BT arrival it was deemed to be their fault as something was wrong at the phone exchange.

Initially for a couple of days things seemed ok but then i was told that the router was having to rebooted on a regular basis, this is not good for adsl connections at all, as it stops the communication with the phone exchange, if this happens to much, your broadband speed gets lowered to a safe speed automatically at the phone exchange, which can be very slow indeed.

On the second visit i decided to unplug the phone extension in the kitchen where the router was plugged in to the phone extension. Headed upstairs to find the BT master Socket which was and old designed master plate which usually has the half plate with 2 screws.

Unscrew the screws and when you remove the half plate this will disable any phone extensions that you have. Then plug the router directly into the interior of the master socket.

What actually happens with the extensions in the house is that the orange ring wire acts as antenna picking up lots of noise and distorts your adsl signal. A quick fix is to buy an I-Plate which basically kills the ring wire its very easy to fix on and can be done yourself. The other option is to put a adsl Faceplate on which again implements a similar fix.

After removing the extension broadband speed within about an hour rocketed from 12 meg download speed to about 16 meg download speed and allowing a few days to settle hopefully should rise to about 17 meg. Thus allowing media streaming from services like BBC Iplayer and YouTube to hopefully be seamless, HD streaming is very popular in the household with the new HD computer and screen!!

Remember that it can take several days for the router to sync with the phone exchange to get max speed again, so be patient.

Then the next problem!!
The house had lovely big thick walls, no plasterboard to be seen. Wireless was rendered useless very weak signal, so fortunately i had brought some homeplugs with me.

Homeplugs distribute the broadband around the house via the electric circuit, there are a variety of homeplugs available. For this install i used 1 basic homeplug for the router (simply plug into the mains socket and connect Ethernet lead to the router) and for this house i plugged into the kitchen a wireless Homeplug which can distribute wifi in the same way as a normal AP (wireless access point).

Remember the wireless homeplug will have no security as yet setup as default. The best thing to do here is to either insert the cd provided by the homeplug package or look for the default web browser ip address of the homeplug. Then once accessed copy the your router wifi settings this will then act as a wireless booster for your house allowing you to roam without having to keep looking for different wifi signals.

Our Amazon shop provides has all parts mentioned in this article of click one of the images below for a direct link to the parts.

Just had this possibly 4 – 5 year old laptop dropped in, was currently running Windows Vista pretty badly, so opted for a reload but with Windows XP home.

On first inspection after installing Windows XP speed of laptop is now actually quite good.
Battery condition is poor only lasting about 20 minutes.

Laptop Spec

CPU: Intel Pentium Dual CPU T2370 @ 1.73GHz
2 GB of Ram memory
160 GB Hard Drive
WEBCAM – no
Audio quality – good

Installation of XP

Use Drivermax for finding drivers as the may differ from laptop to laptop with the use of different wireless cards etc.

You can download the drivers that i used here for this particular install.
You also then do not need the paid version and can simply install the free version of drivermax and just restore the drivers.

Download Download Toshiba Satellite L300 – 149 XP Drivers

To install the drivers, unzip the file and then select the files in drivermax driver restore driver facility.