Review: Trendnet TEW-680MB 450Mbps Dual Band Wireless N HD Media Bridge

The Trendnet TEW-680MB 450Mbps Dual Band Wireless N HD Media Bridge provides connections between a router and a media device. The sleek black console, weighing in at just over one pound, can be well-placed in any corner of a home’s entertainment area. It offers four Gigabit ports for connections, and provides a 450 Mbps wireless network – one of the fastest in the business – to convey data between gaming devices, televisions, DVRs, and much more. It further boasts HD streaming capacities and a power reduction upgrade that can save energy by up to 70%. The Wi-Fi protected setup allows for connections to occur easily and instantaneously.

For consumers who seek a cable-free HD or gaming experience, the Trendnet TEW-680MB 450Mbps Dual Band Wireless N HD Media Bridge certainly has much to offer. But does it live up to the competition and to past versions? How reliable, fast, and easy is it to use? Let’s take a quick look at some of the major pros and cons:

Pros:
-Easy setup
-Appealing and unobtrusive design
-High link quality
-Long-term (3 yr) warranty
-Impressive downstream speeds
-Pairs well with a range of routers

Cons:
-Lower signal strengths
-High cost compared to the competition (such as the Linksys WES610N)
-Slow upstream speeds
-Occasional lack of consistency with gaming connections

Of course, the strengths and weaknesses of the Trendnet TEW-680MB 450Mbps Dual Band Wireless N HD Media Bridge depend in part on users’ broadband internet providers and on the specific devices being connected to the model. If you find that the product is not living up to its standards, you may want to do a broadband comparison and seek out other providers before chucking the media bridge out the window.

Ultimately, the Trendnet TEW-680MB 450Mbps Dual Band Wireless N HD Media Bridge is a solid product with a strong performance record and a high selling price. It works well and consistently with most applications — media more so than gaming, however — and it promises to pose few headaches in the installation, startup, or connection process. If you’re willing to pay for a bit extra speed and quality, this model may be the right purchase for you. If not, there’s no need to worry — there are plently of low-cost competitors out there.