It’s true that Powerline networking is nothing new, but when we come across such a compelling new application of the technology, it simply begs to be reviewed.

If you don’t know about HomePlug networking, the premise is simple: network your home using existing power lines and sockets; no worries about flaky wireless networks or endless CAT-5 cable running around the house, inevitably chewed through by a pet or tripping up somebody with a full tray of tea. HomePlug’s throughput of about 14Mbps might sound low, but it’s perfectly fine for most needs. It’s fast enough for browsing the web or checking email. Devolo has also announced a faster version of the technology, running at 85Mbps. This should be available in the UK over the coming months.

Devolo released a HomePlug Starter Kit late last year. You can now pick-up a Starter Kit that has two power-to-Ethernet plugs for £83. Singles cost £44 and you’ll need at least two plugs to create a network and least one other HomePlug adaptor plugged in.

One of them could be this new vision in blue: the Audio HomePlug Adaptor. It uses the HomePlug technology to transmit audio through the power cabling in your house. You can transmit the signal from your PC to a hi-fi, or just to a set of powered speakers. The HomePlug software installs plug-ins on your streaming PC for Winamp and Windows Media Player. There’s no support for the increasingly used iTunes though.

The plug has six composite inputs – three for upstream, three for downstream – as well as four different channels. This means you can play different music through different PCs in your house and ‘tune in’ to them. So you can record music back through the HomePlug Audio and record to your PC from an audio source. You can even store IP addresses on the plug and tune the presets to specific online radio stations. Pretty impressive in our book.

Apple’s AirPort Express may have been launched over a year ago, but it doesn’t have half of the HomePlug features, which is cheaper and features a wireless access point to boot. Both adaptors have a drawback though; you can’t control what music is being played from the source. However, vision is not what the HomePlug audio was invented for. If you’ve a purpose for it and can justify the outlay, it’s a fantastic buy.