NETGEAR announced today that they are releasing the WNDR4500 high performance Dual Band Gigabit Router. In an effort to have a more media friendly home network, this router has speeds that can stream high definition video to more than one TV at the same time. Their top-of-the-line router is designed for the serious user with a large house and many video streams.
The router allows a user to choose to which band a device connects -- using the 5 GHz band instead of the crowded 2.4 GHz band where microwaves and portable telephones use the same frequency. NETGEAR claims that the WNDR4500 is 50 percent faster in 2.4 GHz band than the current generation of 750 Mbps routers. It uses six internal antennas connected to highest power radio amplifiers allowed at both 2.4 and 5 GHz. What this means is that you get the fastest connection possible to your devices no matter where they are in your home, garage or granny unit near your house.
Several features make it even more effective at streaming video to network media players in your home network including DLNA certification, and Advanced Quality of Service.
The WNDR4500 is also packed with features to make it easier to set up. There is no CD needed to install the router and each router is labeled with a unique name and password for those people who find it confusing to create their own login information. NETGEAR's Genie menus explain how to further customize the router and makes it easy to find information like internet speeds and usage.
WNDR4500 Features
- USB sharing - The 4500 has two USB ports for sharing hard drives or printers with the whole home network.
- DLNA - When you connect a USB drive that has media files, the WNDR4500 makes the media available to your home network using a DLNA Media Server Certification. This means you can stream music, photos, or video to any network media player, computer or other device on your home network.
- Live Parental Controls - Parental controls can be easily set up on the router to limit the amount of time certain devices can access the internet. It can also set specific hours that internet access is permitted along with blocking specific sites or specific types of sites such as gambling or porn sites. The parental controls can be set to covers any computer, as well as smartphones and tablets.
- No CD required for installation - NETGEAR recognizes that fewer devices are coming with CD drives. Examples include the MacBook Air or any type of tablet. Instead of installing software on your computer, you can access the router setup using a web browser. Type an address (URL) into your web browser and it connects to the router for setup. This means that you can set it up without a computer, using a smartphone or tablet or other device that has a web browser.
- NETGEAR Genie Dashboard - The dashboard walks you through setting up your router, troubleshooting and monitoring your home network--icons and images help to graphically explain tasks.
- Advanced Quality of Service (QoS) -The router gives higher priority to video streams so there is more speed to stream HD and 3D without long buffering lapses.
- Faster Access to those connected USB drives - The faster WiFi connection speeds also mean that you can copy or access files on a USB drive that is connected to the router.
- Easiest Way to set up the network - Each NETGEAR router comes with a unique name and password. You will no longer be strapped with a WiFi network called "Linksys" or "NETGEAR." The router name and password can be found on a label on the device. Plus, you'll never forget the password because it is listed right there on the router. It also has a WiFi protected (WPS) push-to-connect button for network media players and other devices that have that capability.
The WNDR4500 Versus the WNDR3800
While NETGEAR previously released the WNDR3800 router, the 4500 was created as a more powerful premium router. When you are choosing whether to buy the WNDR3800 or the WNDR4500, the decision will be between performance and other useful features. The WNDR3800 has a number of features lacking on the WNDR4500 including: ReadySHARE Cloud for access to an attached USB drive while away from home, Time Machine Compatibility, and the ability to use the connected USB as Extended Storage for a TiVo on your network.
The WNDR4500 will be available at the end of September 2011 and will retail for $179.99. We'll post reviews of both the WNDR3800 and the WNDR4500 at that time.