No blockbusters, but some interesting new wireless and network video products among D-Link’s CES 2014 introductions.
D-Link’s collection of announcements includes a new network video recorder, portable AC router, two simultaneous dual-band AC range extenders and a wireless baby cam. Let’s just take ’em in order.
The DNR-312L mydlink Network Video Recorder with HDMI output follows on the heels of the DNR-202L mydlink Camera Video Recorder announced in November. The new NVR is considerably beefier and supports simultaneous viewing of up to nine HD cameras to an HD display connected to its HDMI port.
It also supports one 3.5" internal SATA drive (up to 4 TB) for higher storage capacity and better performance. Two USB 2.0 ports allow connection of USB keyboard / mouse, UPS or external storage and a single Gigabit Ethernet port provides LAN connection. Analog audio in / out ports are also provided.
D-Link DNR-312L mydlink Network Video Recorder with HDMI
As a mydlink device, content stored on the DNR-312L can also be accessed via the mydlink web portal or mydlink View-NVR apps with no monthly fees. The DNR-312L is slated to start shipping this April for $379.99 MSRP.
The only new router unveiled by D-Link at CES 2014 is its DIR-510L Wi-Fi AC750 Portable Router and Charger. Like its predecessor, the DIR-506L SharePort Go, the 510L functions as a AC750 simultaneous dual-band router to share an Ethernet WAN connection via its 10/100 Mbps Ethernet port.
It also can share a wireless connection from Wi-Fi or a supported 3G/4G USB modem and supports wireless storage sharing from an attached USB drive.
D-Link DIR-510L Wi-Fi AC750 Portable Router and Charger
Of course, something isn’t really portable if you have to plug it in. So the DIR-510L has its own 4000mAh rechargeable battery to power it and power / recharge USB devices plugged into its two USB 2.0 ports. Other features include built-in UPnP / DLNA media server and mydlink SharePort app support. It starts shipping this month, listing for $99.99.
If wireless network extension is your desire, D-Link has the DAP-1520 Wireless AC750 Dual Band Range Extender and DAP-1650 Wireless AC1200 Dual Band Gigabit Range Extender for ya. Both are pretty much as described, with the latter assuming the cylindrical form-factor D-Link has adopted for most of its line of AC routers. In fact, it looks a lot like the DIR-850L cloud router [reviewed]—with a different firmware load, of course.
D-Link DAP-1650 Wireless AC1200 Dual Band Gigabit Range Extender
The DAP-1520 is less imposing in its wall-wart format. Both support easy secure connection via Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS) and support wireless extension simultaneously on both bands.
The DAP-1650 can also be used as a wireless bridge, supporting up to four Ethernet devices via its built-in Gigabit switch. The DAP-1520 has no Ethernet ports, so can only be used as an extender.
D-Link DAP-1520 Wireless AC750 Dual Band Range Extender
Both start shipping in February at list prices of $59.99 for the DAP-1520 and $89.99 for the DAP-1650.
Rounding out the introductions is the DCS-825L Wi-Fi Baby Camera. I’ll skip the cutesy baby announcement imitation and skip right to the specs, i.e. 720p resolution, 16 ft. infrared night vision, built-in mic and speaker, digital zoom, 802.11n wireless connection, auto-record to an internal micro-SD card slot and auto record and push alerts on sound / motion triggers.
This isn’t just a net cam pimped out with interchangeable blue or pink access rings (which it does have). D-Link has included some potentially useful features for keeping tabs on your little darling. These include a temperature sensor with push alerts when things get too hot or cold and five pre-recorded lullabies "to help soothe [your] child".
D-Link DCS-825L Wi-Fi Baby Camera
Of course, all this works through the mydlink cloud portal and free mydlink Baby Mobile app. But the baby cam can also create its own network if one isn’t available so that you can check in via your Wi-Fi enabled smart phone, tablet or notebook.
All this peace of mind can be yours starting later this month for a mere $179.99 list. And don’t forget the color-coordinated pink and blue trim rings!