D-Link's New Routers Go All Out With the Antennas

D-Link isn't kidding when it says its new line of 11AC Wi-Fi routers have a "bold new look." Our sister site, Geek.com, compared them to equipment used by the Imperial Guard in Star Wars (which is actually a compliment).

The company's latest routers include the AC3200 Ultra Wi-Fi Router (DIR-890L/R) with six antennas, plus the AC5300 Ultra Wi-Fi Router (DIR-895L/R) with eight antennas, and AC3100 Ultra Wi-Fi Router (DIR-885L/R) with four antennas. The AC3200 is US$309 and exclusive to Newegg at the moment; the latter two have prices to be determined—they'll be out before June.

D-Link claims they'll achieve wireless speeds up to 5.3 Gigabits per second (Gbps) across the 5GHz and 2.4GH bands, and have great household coverage. A new Smart Connect load-balancing feature of the router software will also make sure clients on the network are all getting the bandwidth they need—so your smart TV streaming won't suffer when the kids are upstairs video chatting on tablets, for example. Inside are dual-core processors clocked at 1.4GHz (1GHz in the AC3200).

Here's a noisy video with a CG-rendered look at the new routers.

Naturally, there's also a matching Wi-Fi adapter, the AC1900, that plugs into a computer USB port to match your PC up with the new chips in these routers. It's also got a price and availability to be determined.

D-Link's got other devices at CES this year, too. They include a baby monitor camera with 720p HD view and pan and tilt controls, with mobile viewing via an app. The camera will play up to five MP3s of your choice or five pre-programmed classic lullabies for the little one, and can store snapshots and video on a microSD card. It's for sale now for US$229.99; a standard VGA version is US$139.99.

Not to be outdone by Netgear, which is also releasing 1.2 Gbps HomePlug-based Powerline networking adapters today, D-Link's new PowerLine Kits claim full 2 Gbps speed over your existing home power cabling. That kit, the PowerLine AV2 2000 Gigabit Starter Kit (DHP-701AV), is US$129.99, and pure plug-and-play to connect two rooms. There's also a slower 1 Gbps version (DHP-601AV) that sells for US$79.99.

Don't not forget that home networking gives way to home automation, and D-Link wants its piece of that pie. Today it's launched two home security suites, including a camera, sensor, and smart plug.

Called the D.I.Y. Security Kits, one has an HD camera and goes for US$189.99; the other with a pan and tilt-capable cam goes for US$229.99 (you can buy the HD cam along for US$119.99). All feature myLink cloud video recording (or will later in 2015), local storage to D-Link Network Video Recorder, and can be monitored via apps for iOS and Android.

A Connected Home Hub rounds out the CES offerings—it's a US$79.99 device that can be bundled with sensors for opened/closed doors, motion, water, and a Wi-Fi Siren, all for better monitoring your home. Look for the Connected Home line products to become available in the second quarter of the year.