SUNNYVALE, Calif. – Seven of the world’s largest consumer electronic manufacturers say consumers will soon be able to ditch the mess of wires behind their HDTVs, PVRs, DVD players and so on in favor of an uncompressed wireless connection.
LG Electronics Inc., Matsushita Electric Industrial (Panasonic), NEC Corporation, Samsung Electronics, Sibeam, Inc., Sony Corporation and Toshiba Corporation announced today that they are working as a special interest group called WirelessHD to develop a specification for a wireless high-definition digital interface (WirelessHD or WiHD), that is intended to enable high-definition audio video (A/V) streaming and high-speed content transmission for consumer electronics (CE) devices.
In addition to actively promoting the new format throughout the industry, WirelessHD will present the format available for adoption as soon as the specifications are completed, likely in spring 2007. Look for products in the market in 2008.
The migration to high-definition content along with the proliferation of digital source devices has intensified consumers’ desire to simply and flexibly connect to highest quality, high-definition displays and consumer electronics systems, says the press release. Research firm In-Stat says global sales of devices with a high-speed digital A/V interface is expected to grow from 60 million units in 2006 to 495 million units in 2009.
“Emerging as the first consumer electronics industry initiative for wireless uncompressed digital video transmission, WirelessHD will provide consumers wireless flexibility and ease of use while preserving the benefits traditionally associated with popular wired alternatives for point-to-point display, such as HDMI and DVI,” said Brian O’Rourke, a senior analyst with In-Stat/MDR, in the press release.
"The data rates (or bandwidth) that WirelessHD will support are truly impressive."
WirelessHD, which intends to specify the unlicensed, globally available 60 GHz frequency band, will enable wireless uncompressed high-definition, high-quality video and data transmission and is first targeted to be built into HDTV’s as well as a wide range of audio video (A/V) devices, both fixed location and portable.
“The availability of high-definition wireless connections stands to eliminate the morass of cables, switches and other complexities traditionally needed to support the wide variety of devices consumers have and will continue to buy, such as HDTVs, HD disc players, digital video cameras and game consoles," said John Marshall, chairman of WirelessHD, in the statement.
"With high-definition wireless links, media streaming and transmission from any source to any display or recorder is dramatically simplified by removing the need for a hard-wired connection. WirelessHD will provide a high-speed wireless digital interface that will enable customers to simply connect, play, transmit and port their HD content in a secure manner."
Commencement of WirelessHD relates to the recent availability of several new technologies that make it possible to achieve the multi-gigabit data rates required for uncompressed video streaming. Such breakthroughs enable low cost, better image quality, and higher performance wireless A/V systems. The key characteristics and focal technologies include:
* High interoperability supported by major CE device manufacturers
* Uncompressed HD video, audio and data transmission, scaleable to future high-definition A/V formats
* High-speed wireless, multi-gigabit technology in the unlicensed 60 GHz band
* Smart antenna technology to overcome line-of-sight constraints of 60 GHz
* Secure communications
* Device control for simple operation of consumer electronics products
* Error protection, framing and timing control techniques for a quality consumer experience
WirelessHD should first appear in adapter products, followed by digital televisions and projectors, DVD players, and digital cable and satellite set-top boxes. Other potential markets include game consoles and portable devices
