Our take on the Channel Master CM6104

by Tara W.

Extend your home network without running wire

Today's "smart" TVs, Blu-ray players, and game consoles let you access content from the Internet, but some of them don't come with built-in Wi-Fi®. And depending on your setup, running an Ethernet cable may not be convenient. Channel Master's CM6104 is a great solution — it uses your home's existing electrical wiring to pass Ethernet signals to up to four devices in a single room.

This powerline-to-Ethernet kit comes with a single-port powerline-to-Ethernet adapter that plugs into a wall outlet near your modem or router, and a 4-port switch that lets you feed Ethernet signals to your TV, Blu-ray player, gaming system, or computer. The two parts of the system immediately identify and connect with each other, and your wired home network is automatically extended to another room of your home.

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Highlights:

turns an ordinary AC wall outlet into an access point for your home network
starter pack includes 1 powerline adapter and 1 powerline Ethernet switch
powerline adapter features
- one Ethernet port
- one male AC adapter (plugs into wall outlet)
- 2-1/4"W x 4-15/16"H x 2-1/4"D
powerline Ethernet switch features
- four Ethernet ports
- one male AC adapter (plugs into wall outlet)
- 3-1/16"W x 5-13/16"H x 1-15/16"D
includes two 47" Ethernet cables
approximate maximum data transfer rate: 200 Mbps
designed for use with a broadband Internet connection
warranty: 90 days
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Hands-on research from the Crutchfield Labs (what are the Labs?)

What’s in the box? | In-depth notes

Product Research

What's in the box?

Download owner's manual

4-Port Powerline Ethernet Switch (CM-6104)
Powerline Ethernet adapters (CM-6100)
Two 47" Ethernet cables (RJ-45 connectors on each end)
Quick Start Guide
Warranty/Registration Card

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Features
Specifications
Dimensions

Features

Overview: The Channel Master CM-6104 Internet-to-TV Powerline Ethernet Switch Kit is an easy-to-install solution providing an Internet connection to any of the power outlets in your home. Many new TV's, SAT/Cable boxes, Blu-ray players, and game consoles are Internet compatible and need to be connected to the Internet. After getting these products home you may find it difficult to connect them to the internet, because you may not have an Ethernet jack by the television or other audio/video component. Most homes are prewired with power outlets in every room, so Channel Master's Internet to TV Powerline Ethernet Switch is the perfect solution. The Channel Master CM-6104 Kit includes one Powerline Ethernet Switch (CM-6104) and one Powerline Ethernet Adapter (CM-6100).

Installation: The Channel Master CM-6104 Internet-to-TV Powerline Ethernet Switch Kit has been designed to allow the home network or internet signal to ride along the same powerline as your cable television or terrestrial antenna signals with no interference. This is the most reliable solution without installing new wires and best of all its affordable & easy to install. Simply connect one Powerline Adapter (CM-6100) to your modem and powerline network, then connect the second 4-Port Powerline Ethernet Switch (CM-6104) to your power outlet in another room and your Internet-ready TV, plus other Internet enabled components.

Note: The AC outlets in your home can be up to 330' (100m) apart.

2-Prong AC Plug: The Internet-to-TV 4-Port Powerline Ethernet Switch & Powerline Ethernet Adapter, each feature a 2-prong connector which plugs into your home's AC wall-outlet. Both, the Internet-to-TV 4-Port Powerline Ethernet Switch & Powerline Ethernet Adapter, will work with 2-prong or 3-prong electrical outlets (AC 100V-240V).

Ethernet Ports: The Internet-to-TV Powerline Ethernet Adapter is equipped with an Ethernet (RJ-45) port and includes a 47" Ethernet cable to connect to your home network's modem/router. The Internet-to-TV 4-Port Powerline Ethernet Switch is equipped with 4 Ethernet (RJ-45) ports and includes a 47" Ethernet cable to connect your Internet-ready TV, SAT/Cable box, Blu-ray player, and/or game console.

Status LEDs: The Internet-to-TV 4-Port Powerline Ethernet Switch & Powerline Ethernet Adapter, each feature 3 LED lights to indicate the status of the Powerline & Ethernet connections.

Specifications

Performance:

PHY Rate: 200 Mbps
TCP: up to 90 Mbps
UDP: up to 92 Mbps

Standards: HomePlug AV, IEEE 802.3, IEEE 802.3u

Power Requirements:

Input: 100-240V~50/60Hz, 0.08A
Power Consumption: <5W

Dimensions

4-Port Powerline Ethernet Switch (CM-6104):

Width = 3.0625"
Height = 5.8125"
Depth = 1.9375"

Powerline Ethernet Adapter (CM-6100):

Width = 2.735"
Height = 4.9375"
Depth = 2.25"

Product reviews from the Crutchfield Labs (what are the Labs?)

Quick impressions from the Lab

Written by Zak Billmeier, Staff Writer - Creative, on 2/19/2013 1:40:00 PM

I actually bought this to go with my connected Blu-ray player. The player has a built-in Wi-Fi® radio, like most newer TVs, but I experienced a lot of stuttering when playing streaming files online. The reason: my Wi-Fi router was too far away to provide a fast enough connection to keep up with streaming video.

But the CM6104 changed all that. It uses my home's electrical wiring to carry a super-fast Internet signal to my Blu-ray player. Now I can stream Netflix®, watch stuff on Google TV™, and even browse the Web with ease. I have tried an online speed test and the connection to my Blu-ray player/TV is now faster than my MacBook®. I cannot recommend this adapter enough to anyone looking to connect a TV to their home network.