Ask Engadget HD: Is there a good wireless HDMI option yet?
By Richard Lawler 
posted February 10th 2010 3:10PM
posted February 10th 2010 3:10PM
"Currently my setup has wires running around the corner from my display to a media closet stocked with DVR, Blu-ray player, game consoles and the like, but I'd really like to shift my HDTV to a wall across the room without light shining directly on it. Unfortunately that would put it around 15 feet away from where all my HD sources are and drilling through the walls/ceiling is not a desirable alternative, and I want to know if any of the many wireless HDMI extenders or integrated TVs are worth buying. A Panasonic Z1 might be out of my price range, but one of the new HDTVs from Vizio, Toshiba or LG coming this year definitely an option. Otherwise, a dedicated streamer might be my best option, but is there one worth the money available now?"
When we last considered this question a couple of years ago, the immature wireless HDMI market offered only expensive options that compressed the signal and didn't work very well. By now, prices have come down and technology has improved greatly. We haven't gone cable-free in our setups yet but we're sure someone out there has tested the wireless HDMI waters, any advice for our friend Greg is certainly welcome.
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No. I think it will take a long, long time and even then wired will always be better - for pretty much everything.
Does you landline ever drop your calls?
There will always be something new, that you can do over the latest HDMI spec, but is a b--ch wirelessly.
@FORDY
landline?
@delphinus87
Landline = POTS = Plain Old Telephone Service
@delphinus87 Maybe you call them something else in the US?
I'm talking about static phones that are registered to your house and you plug into an RJ45 (I think? I always get it muddled with the Ethernet one..) - although for the last 10/15 years you can keep your number when you move (Isn't modern technology amazing?!
You can run just one HDMI cord and use an HDMI switch. That's easiest for now until wireless is a bit more established later this year or early next year.
I love how this is filed under Cables!
Can you even hook up a receiver wirelessly and send the feed to the tv?
@danhawk911 Yeah, but not the power. Not even with that wireless TV power thing from CES that requires the TV right in front o a specific spot on the wall..
You might as well put the tv so it lines up power sockets, and stick a few metal prongs between the wall and TV.
I would go with the Geffen UWB if you can afford it ($1000 MSRP, but under $800 at Amazon).
http://www.gefen.com/kvm/dproduct.jsp?prod_id=4318
http://www.amazon.com/Gefen-EXT-WHDMI-Wireless-HDMI-Extender/dp/B000VBBPPM
http://reviews.cnet.com/audio-video-distribution/gefen-ext-whdmi-wireless/4505-14101_7-32365996.html?tag=mncol;lst
$800! I'd say it's well worth just wiring it. More power efficient and a lot less worries about interference.
I haven't tried it (though it is on my gadget wish list) but found the Brite-View BV-2500 Wireless HD Video Transmitter and Receiver Kits and it seems very promising with good customer reviews over at Amazon.
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0026FCGLI/ref=ord_cart_shr?_encoding=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&v=glance
http://www.brite-view.com/air_hd.php
I'm hoping to install a TV out on our covered patio but only have a power outlet and don't want to either run wires and drill through the exterior of the house so I'm hoping this setup does everything it describes. Specs say it "supports HD up to: 1080i @ 60Hz, and 1080p @ 24/25/30Hz. The Air HD works with both HDMI and analog outputs. It supports analog audio at 48khz and 24-bit per sample, and digital up to 3.072Mbps AC-3 and DTS." Only has 2 HDMI inputs but that's all I need (HD DVR and Apple TV).
I'm not even sure you can say there is a reliable wireless rear speaker solution let alone hdmi. I have that rare scenario where i have an outlet bedhind my couch but cuoldnt run wires without a large amount of effort and after a few months with the wireless rocketfish solution i had to put in the effort and just wire stuff up. Im even preparing to wire my house with cat6 so i think in the battle of wires vs wireless wireless is losing.... at least in my house
Gefen has a reliable product out now for $800 to $1000 that will support 1080i/720p 2 60hz and 1080p at 24/30hz. Range is about 30-35ft depending on your environment, less if you have to go through a wall. Considering the price, you would be MUCH better off hiring a professional installer to run a cable in wall from your equipment rack to the TV. $1000 buys a LOT of cable! :)
I've hooked up a Rocketfish version from Best Buy. It does 1080p up to 35 feet away. It seems most receivers work with it, having hooked up a Yamaha 6290 to it, and it does 1080p just fine. It's actually one of the cheaper options, at 499$ Canadian, and includes brackets for mounting behind a tv. Pretty decent device from my observations.
Only drawback is it supports only one hdmi connection but hook up a switchbox with it and you'll be fine.
A 15' run is nothing. I have two 35' runs, got the cabling from eForCity.com (35' Metal Mesh Encased 1.3b HDMI for $30 ea free shipping) and everything is beautiful! Wireless has a way to go. I have a dual .11n system and there are many variables that can cause problems, like Cellphones, Cordless Phones, Microwaves, Neighbors . . . Even HomePlug/PowerLine gear is questionable. If you can hardwire for any reason short of, "it'll make the house fall down", do it. If you are serious about your media there is no excuse to do a good job on the wiring.
Just run one HDMI cable and use a switch between your source outlets. Works good.
Wire runs are not always possible, and HDMI is not as reliable as some of you may believe. Anything over 16 feet is questionable whether it will work. I do professional HT install, and have run into issues where long (35, 50, even 75 foot) HDMI runs just don't work. There's too much signal loss and the cable becomes worthless. Even HDMI boosters are recommended that you put them (at maximum) every 30 to 35 feet and daisy chain. This means that if you want to go 50 feet, you need to have the cable go through the wall, come out so you can plug in a booster, then go back into the wall and either to your TV or another outlet. It just isn't reasonable. A lot of the time you are seeing ethernet cable run with "balluns" (HDMI ends converted to connect to ethernet cabling) attached, but they don't always work either.
Wireless HDMI is new, but hopefully takes off. I haven't gotten to play with one yet, but I've heard good things about the Gefen and Rocketfish units, although range on them doesn't seem to be very long (again, up to 35 feet). Hopefully they work well, and the tech improves for better distances. Just don't bank on that long HDMI cable always being your best option!
My dad (age 83) just installed a 50' HDMI cable (bought from Optimized Cable) in the walls between two rooms (he went into the attic to drop the cable down from the top plates) and the picture is perfect. What's the big deal about going across the room? It shouldn't take more than 30-50 feet of cable to do that.
anyone know much about the ceton quad pc tuner w/ cable card slot. i thick i can take to remote tv's, but can i change the channel at the remote tv or just at the pc that has the tuner. and how do i get from the tuner to tv w. coail, or network.? i dont have a tv that takes network cable.