D-Link unwraps dual-band 802.11n router

D-Link began establishing its presence at the upcoming CES expo with news of the Xtreme N Duo, its first mainstream wireless router to provide dual network bands. The device can operate on the 2.4GHz frequency used by most forms of Wi-Fi while simultaneously running a 5GHz network for 802.11a and 802.11n networks. Setting up the router this way allows a relatively interference- and lag-free connection for games, video streaming, and other features that demand 802.11n's higher speed while still providing a separate network for less speed-dependent hardware.

The N Duo will also have quality of service to prioritize games, streams, and similar data. Wired connections are supplied through four gigabit Ethernet ports and a USB port for sharing devices over the network, though D-Link does not say whether this will include both printers and mass storage devices such as hard drives. The price of the router will be set closer to its expected late spring release window.

D-Link has also provided early details about a pair of media extenders. The MediaLounge PConTV (not yet pictured) is designed to stream media from any computer to a TV with standard media player software, including iTunes and Windows Media Player. Few details are available, though the company says it will support up to 720p for any computer on the local network. A second release, the Internet Photo Frame, will allow users to beam photos to its 10-inch display over Wi-Fi by dropping photos on top of an on-screen computer utlity. Launch information for these devices is unavailable but should appear closer to CES itself.