This does not work with any kind of surge protector. If either the transmitter OR receiver is plugged into a surge protector, the signal between the two is severed.

So by plugging these directly into a wall and then connecting it via an ethernet cable to a TV or computer, you have now created a backdoor way for a power spike to circumvent your surge protectors and fry your TV, computer, and all electronics connected to them

I would NOT recommend using these to anybody unless lightning or power company surges are near a 0 risk.

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Update from page 1-6 of the manual:

“Do not connect the Powerline AV Ethernet Adapter to a power strip, extension cord, or surge protector as this might prevent it from working correctly, or degrade the network performance.”

I’m returning it to Amazon tomorrow.
Rating: 1 / 5

Everything worked immediately and not one single problem. The installation took me all of two minutes and it has been running without a single problem ever since. This is a GREAT solution for people who need to run internet to various parts of the house that don’t have an internet connection or where wireless will not reach. Some people may think this is a little expensive but it is well worth it and delivers on what it promises. I really think anyone could set this up regardless of whether they know anything about technology or not. I highly recommend this product.
Rating: 5 / 5

There’s a transmitter and a receiver. You plug the transmitter into a wall outlet, then plug an Ethernet cable (RJ45 male on each end, standard stuff) into it, then connect the other end of the cable to your router. You can’t plug the transmitter into a power strip, extension cord, UPS or surge protector, it has to go directly into a wall outlet. This is the part I wish had been stressed more in the product description…yes, it does say to plug the devices into an electrical outlet, but it doesn’t emphasize that extension cords, power strips, surge protectors, UPSs and the like will render the devices useless. I have a lot of equipment located where my cable modem and router are located, and unused wall outlets are in short supply. Same story with my entertainment center. As long as you know you can’t share a power outlet on either end and that works for you, this will almost surely work for you.

NOTE that you need some kind of router/splitter at the source of your Internet connect to plug the transmitter into. If you have a completely minimalist setup where your high-speed connection goes directly into your PC and there are no available plugs to connect another Internet device to, you have a problem. Be sure to look at the product connection info carefully to make sure you have this prerequisite and don’t order it if you’re not sure you do. I think everybody assumes that everybody has a home network or wireless router or something like that, and this thing makes that assumption.

OK, now for the receiver: you plug it directly into a wall outlet (again, no extension cords, etc.) and BANG. You have four live Ethernet ports available at the receiver…just plug stuff in and off they go. I’m using mine to provide Internet connections to my HDTV and Blu-ray player which are far away from my modem and router, neither of which support wireless and have to be physically plugged into a port to access additional content.

No wiring, no configuring, no muss, no fuss…you don’t even have to be able to read to install the thing. The pictorial instructions work just fine. The Internet connection is carried from the transmitter to the receiver(s) by the electrical wiring in your house. You can add more receivers once you have the sender installed if you want live connections elsewhere. I have a small house but I can imagine someone with multiple Internet-capable TVs and/or BD-DVD players in different rooms. You just plug the additional receivers into the wall where you need the connection and you’re in biz.

Cons: I needed an Ethernet cable or two a bit longer than the two supplied with the kit, plus a third to connect the 2nd device on the receiving end. These are super cheap and in many office environments are sitting around unloved in a recycle/landfill bin. I also had trouble on my first attempt at enabling the built-in security (writing this 2 hours after receiving the item). Help files (PDFs) on the included CD and online refused to open with Acrobat 5.0 (yes, I know it’s old), reporting that the files were corrupt and couldn’t be repaired. I guess these are negatives but not negative enough for me not to give 5 stars.

Highly recommended if you have use for such a thing. Now I’m all set up to pay Amazon more money for VOD titles! Hopefully my TV/DVD vendor (Panasonic) will get Netflix hooked up to Viera sometime.
Rating: 5 / 5