HDMI cables are a great thing - video and audio combined into a single thin cable. How much better can it get for a home theater enthusiast? How about wireless HDMI connections? That’s the promise behind Gefen’s latest product, the Wireless for HDMI Extender which utilizes the WiMedia specification (WiMedia is an ultra wideband wireless specification). Gefen claims the device is able to wirelessly transmit 720p/1080i content over a range of 10 meters (or 33 feet). Now you can have your video source equipment in one location while setting up your flat panel display and receiver in a totally different location without worrying about cumbersome cables - even if they are just HDMI cables. Gefen’s extender has a throughput of 480Mbps and the package comes with a wireless HDMI extender, one 6 foot HDMI cable, two 5V Power supplies, and a user’s manual.

Here’s the feature list from Gefen’s website:

• Guaranteed bandwidth reservation: Full Quality of Service (QoS) based on WiMedia Alliance MAC specification
• Real-time, visually lossless HD compression
• Multiple video formats: 480p, 720p, and 1080i @ 24/30 resolution
• High error resiliency: Wavelet transform provides high-quality image under varying channel conditions
• Dynamic bit rate adjustment: Predictable, on-the-fly control of channel bandwidth consumption
• Fully compliant family of HDMI/HDCP products

Here are the specs:

• Data rates : 53.3 to 480
• Frequency band: : 3.1 - 4.8 GHz
• Resolution support : 480i, 480p, 720p, and 1080i
• HDMI v1.2a: Compliant and interoperable
• Consumer Electronics Control (CEC)
• Tzero RF Radio Chipset
• ADI JPEG 2000 visual lossless compression
• Power Supply: 5V DC
• Power Consumption: 20 watts (max)
• Dimensions: 8.75″W x 1.625″H x 5.875″D
• Shipping Weight: 6 lbs.

My only complaint - lack of 1080p support via wireless connectivity.

You can pre-order the Gefen Wireless for HDMI Extender right now for $699. Not exactly cheap is it?

[Check it out via CrunchGear]

Technorati Tags: Gefen, Wireless for HDMI extender

Toshiba is currently working on a new wireless communications standard that will allow for wireless streaming of high definition content around the home. According to PCAdvisor.co.uk, the new wireless standard will operate on the 60GHz band and will deliver well over 1 gigabite per second of throughput. This wavelength is known as the ‘millimetre waveband’ and is deployed in Japan, Europe, and in the US.

The new Toshiba technology was unveiled last week at the 2007 Symposia on VLSI Circuits in Kyoto Japan. It’ll be an interesting market for wireless HD streaming technologies. There are a number of wireless standard coming out - all with varying degrees of support for HD streaming. The only problem with having too much choice is exactly that - too many different options that are not necessarily compatible with one another. Here’s hoping for a single wireless standard that’s capable of HD streaming. I’m sick of routing wires around the home folks!

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