During the last years, communication needs for domestic appliances increased very fast with the trend of sharing more and more information.
Amount of data is also in constant increase. For example, 5 years ago, a DIVX movie used only 700 Mo in a hard disk. But with the new large TV screens (up to 40”), image quality was affected and a new format created: HDTV with average size for a movie up to 8.000 Mo. Nowadays, 3D TV is a new challenge as 3D HDTV file may have a size of 16.000 Mo, which is more than 20 times the size of a movie on an old DIVIX file. It results that storage capacity and communication speed have to be adapted wisely.
The most common communication technology used by domestic devices is the same as the one used for network connections. In fact, domestic appliances become small computers …
With Ethernet network, each device is connected to a central dispatcher. Form the dispatcher (called Hub, Switch or Router), several lines will connect any equipment of the building. That draws a start. This kind of network is named “start network” in opposition with a “line network” where each equipment is connected to another, like a chain.
Wire coopered Ethernet line is limited to a maximum of 100 meters. This is the reason why it is important to find a good location for all your system equipment and to switch accordingly. For large network, some switches can be interconnected to extend the distance between some equipment.
