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MHL 3.0 does 4K video output, 10W charging and data transfer over a single cable (video)
You may have already followed the announcement of Sony's Xperia Z2 and Xperia Z2 Tablet last week, but did you know that they are also the first mobile devices to feature MHL 3.0? For those who haven't caught up, this standard allows 4K video output -- over a bandwidth of 6 Gbps -- from a micro-USB port, while giving back up to 10W of power to keep your phone or tablet juiced up. Better yet, you also get a dedicated 75 Mbps channel for data transfer, as opposed to just 1 Mbps in earlier versions, which is only enough for HID input (like keyboard, touchscreen, mouse and even gesture control). It's still snail pace compared to the likes of USB 3.0 and Thunderbolt, but at least you can now transfer files to and from your mobile device over the same cable. Besides, it's possible to achieve a higher transfer rate of up to 600 Mbps using special connectors, such as USB 3.0's 10-pin configuration. At MWC last week, Silicon Image demoed MHL 3.0 -- powered by its SiI8620 transmitter chip -- working between an Xperia Z2 and a Sony 4K TV, with the bonus capability of navigating through the phone using the TV's remote. The company also showed off file transfer between a USB drive and a Snapdragon 800 development board over MHL 3.0, though products (likely monitors, set-top boxes and docks) that support this feature won't be out until later this year. For now, you can check out our demo video after the break.
Silicon Image UltraGig 6400 WirelessHD, hands-on (video)
Silicon Image is hoping that you'll want to play HD from your handheld device on a big screen without taking the more convoluted WiFi route using DLNA, Airplay and the like. As such, the company took its WirelessHD 1080p60 tech currently seen in bulkier gadgets like laptops and shrunk it to mobile size as the UltraGig 6400 wireless transmitter. It's now created a reference design for the tech in the form of the tiny chip shown highlighted in the image above, which it would like manufacturers to integrate in their handsets or tablets. To show how it works, they jury-rigged the chip into a smartphone and set up a receiver on an HD panel, so naturally we wanted to take an Android game for a spin on the big screen. The signal stayed solid thanks to the chip's focused antenna array and 30-foot claimed range, while distracting latency seemed to be minimal -- in line with the company's 5ms assertion. Silicon Image is still talking to manufacturer's to see who might like to integrate the tech into their devices, but until then, you can experience it vicariously in the video after the break.
Silicon Image reveals UltraGig 6400 wireless HDMI output for next-gen phones and tablets
Up 'til now, the WirelessHD standard has been best suited to large, thirsty devices like laptops, AV adapters and projectors. If we wanted video output from a battery-powered weakling of a mobile device, then we'd either be looking at a WiFi-based option like AirPlay, DLNA or Miracast, which can sacrifice bandwidth and latency, or at a wired connection like MHL, which effectively means tethering ourselves to the TV. However, Silicon Image claims it's come up with a new WirelessHD transmitter, the UltraGig 6400, which allows for gaming and full 1080p60 video and yet is easily light-footed enough to fit into a smartphone or tablet. The company's optimistic photoshop above shows off the compactness of the module relative to the type of flagship phone it'd one day like to be part of: the silicon itself is 10mm x 7mm in area, or a fifth the size of the older WirelessHD Gen3. Just as importantly, the 60GHz transmitter consumes less power than a smartphone's own local display (around 500mW, with a 30-foot line-of-sight range), has a mere 5ms latency to allow for interactivity, and shouldn't add more than $10 to the cost of manufacture. Of course, we'd have to add a little more to that sum in order to purchase the mains-connected HDMI receiver box -- but in return we'd get to enjoy all our mobile vices at something much closer to life-size.
Silicon Image pushes new MHL 2.0 chips for phones and HDTVs with 1080p60 video, faster charging
After taking a few years to get off of the ground, MHL (Mobile High-Definition Link) technology is now found in many modern phones as well as HDTVs from LG, Toshiba and Samsung. Now, Silicon Image has announced its second generation of chips to go in those devices with enhanced features. MHL if you'll recall, lets mobile devices connect to HDTVs via HDMI, while passing power and control signals along with the video. According to Silicon Image its new chips, the SiI8240 MHL transmitter (for phones, tablets, cameras and laptops) and SiI9617 MHL Bridge (for HDTVs, monitors and projectors) and dual-mode IP core (like the one in Samsung's Galaxy S II) upgrade the previous generation's capabilities with the ability to pass 1080p video at 60Hz (up from 30Hz) and charge up to twice as fast. There's a few more details in the press releases after the break, if you're wondering whether or not your phone / HDTV is down with MHL then check the specs or hit the Wikipedia link below.
Silicon Image buys up SiBeam, what's next for WirelessHD?
Despite years of tech demos, promises and new specs, wireless HDMI products have failed to set the world on fire, and now WirelessHD backer SiBeam has been acquired by HDMI chipmaker Silicon Image. The $25.5 million deal is expected to close in the second quarter and both parties seem to be interested in pushing the 60GHz WiHD standard forward. We'll see if Silicon Image's hardware prowess can get WirelessHD in more boxes and displays, but the most likely outcome is that we'll still be plugging in the same old wires this time next year.
Mobile High-Definition Link supergroup upgrades to Consortium status
The Nokia / Samsung / Toshiba / Sony / Silicon Image team hoping to bring a standard to the world of high definition outputs on mobiles just got a bit official-er, shifting from the old working group title to the newly formed MHL (Mobile High-Definition Link) Consortium. If you haven't been paying attention over the last couple of years (we understand, we've been caught up in the Twilight series too -- Bella's life is so complex) Silicon Image has been pushing a 5-pin alternative to pared down HDMI jacks that are capable of outputting 1080p to connected displays while also providing power to the mobile device over a single cable. A 1.0 draft of the spec is due in the first half of the year, but an early peek is available now for $100. Since we're not CE companies looking to implement the jack or build cables and docks we'll pass but you might be interested in perusing the FAQ on the site if you're still not sure why we need yet another type of connector to feed HD from our pocketable devices to the big screen.
OCZ's Colossus desktop SSD gets reviewed: oh yeah, it's fast
It's been a long time coming, hasn't it? OCZ Technology's Colossus is the outfit's first in the desktop SSD space, and with capacities scaling as high at 1TB, it's certainly tempting for performance junkies who just can't pry themselves away from their tower. The benchmark-minded kids over at PC Perspective were able to get a drive in with final firmware a few weeks back, and they've pushed out a full review just prior to these things hitting retail en masse. Needless to say, all the numbers in the world won't make this any cheaper, but for those willing to spend at least $3.24 per gigabyte on internal storage, there's hardly a better option out right now. Reviewers found that read and write speeds seriously pushed the SATA 3Gb/sec limit, and the latter were "faster than on any SATA device tested to date." Sadly, the lack of TRIM support and the inability for end-users to upgrade the firmware put somewhat of a damper on things, but if neither one of those tidbits bother you, pulling the trigger just might be the right thing to do.
Nokia, Samsung, Toshiba and Sony align on Mobile High-Definition Link
Say it with us now: "Yippee!" Why such joviality? We'll tell you why. Nokia, Samsung, Toshiba, Sony and Silicon Image have all teamed up to create yet another new connector, with this one hoping to forever harmonize the strained relationship between mobile phones / PMPs and high-def displays. The so-called Mobile High-Definition Interface Working Group is seeking to create a new "industry standard" for connecting handsets and other portable consumer electronics to HDTVs and displays, though we're still wondering why exactly we need a replacement for HDMI, DisplayLink and the forthcoming Light Peak so soon. As with most of these things, details about the actual product(s) are slim, but trust us, they're working on it. And they're working hard.
Tech-On! examines DiiVA's (slim) opportunities in an HDMI world
Like us, you may be wondering if anything can take on HDMI in the digital connector space. Tech-On! has gone a bit more in depth on China's new DiiVA standard to examine what it has going for it, and whether there is a way for it to survive in the marketplace. So far most of its support has come from Chinese manufacturers, but LG, Panasonic, Samsung and Sharp are all apparently part of the DiiVA promotion group, with compatible equipment expected to be on display at CES 2010. Mix in the defection of an executive from Silicon Image who worked on spreading HDMI to DiiVA backer Synerchip, and it seems like the spec -- based on CAT-6 cabling and offering enhanced networking functions -- might actually stand a chance.
3D, ARC and Ethernet capable HDMI 1.4 hardware announced, still a long way off
The new HDMI 1.4 spec adds a host of new features (and, most likely, a lot of new ways to get scammed on cable purchases) but for those excitedly anticipating Audio Return Channel, HDMI Ethernet Channel and 3D over HDMI should know Silicon Image has announced its first line of chips supporting them. Destined for HDTVs, receivers, Blu-ray players and the like, the new port processor and transmitter have the extremely specific sample delivery date of "second half of 2009" so while we certainly don't expect to see any actual hardware until well into next year, keep an ear to the ground if you're considering an upgrade before then.
Samsung implements InstaPort HDMI port switching on next-gen HDTVs
We heard about Silicon Image's InstaPort fast HDMI switching tech back in July, and now it seems we're finally seeing implementation. Samsung has emerged as the first manufacturer to buy in, with its next-generation HDTVs to include the sub-second HDMI port switching functionality. Also, we're told that nine of the top ten TV makers are currently testing the product, which means they should be ready to roll by next year. Unfortunately, we're not clued in on what exact models will include the port / input processors, so here's hoping this means "all" Samsung sets.[Via Digital Science]
Silicon Image Si9251 debuts InstaPort fast HDMI switching tech
Silicon Image is back and its latest chips aim to offer improved video quality and innovations in connectivity. The SiI9251 and SiI9261 processors are destined for TVs and receivers, respectively, supporting up to 4 HDMI 1.3 inputs with x.v. color, as well as "InstaPort" technology that claims to enable high speed switching between HDMI jacks. Silicon Image's own Mobile High Definition Link (MHL) tech is in there too, as well as ChromaViv to ensure accurate color calibration. These chips may find themselves buried deep within your next consumer electronics purchase, and will quietly go about their business of HDMI input switching and color correcting (hopefully) without a peep.
Auzen X-Fi HomeTheater 7.1 HDMI sound card does bitstream output from your HTPC
Earlier this month, ASUS introduced the "world's first HDMI 1.3a compliant audio / video enhancement combo card." Who knew numero dos was so close behind? Auzentech has just announced its very own HDMI 1.3-native PCIe audio combo card, which is built around Creative's X-Fi processor and enables PC users to easily output 7.1-channel audio with no downsampling. Essentially, the Auzen X-Fi HomeTheater 7.1 "accepts video from either an internal or external connection, mixes it with digital audio, and outputs the combined video and lossless multichannel audio via a single HDMI 1.3 port." Yep, that means Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio codecs are fully supported. The only digs? For one, pricing remains a mystery, but the real kicker is the September release -- talk about a long wait.
Silicon Image VastLane Mobile 5-pin HDMI standard
A few companies have demoed cellphone chips capable of HD output, but the fact is HDTV inputs weren't designed with mobile power requirements and form factors in mind. Apparently unsatisfied by the mini HDMI connector created as part of HDMI 1.3, Silicon Image went ahead with its own design, reducing HDMI's 19 pins to 5 while still retaining compatibility for full HD and digital audio in a package it calls Mobile High Definition Link (MHL). Cutting out any serial connector or further compression, the first MHL equipped products are the VastLane SiI9220, SiI9222 and SiI9290, which could reach cellphones near you as soon as the third quarter of this year.
Silicon Image readies two new PC-ready HDMI transmitters
Ok, so it's certainly not as flashy as Radiospire's wireless HDMI chipset, but Silicon Image has unveiled its latest pair of VastLane HDMI transmitters that reportedly provide "a single-chip solution for enabling PC manufacturers to drive digital output to PC monitors and HDTVs." Doubling up on the performance realized in the first generation of the product, the SiI1392-3 and SiI1932-3 can supposedly drive "any of the biggest, highest-resolution PC monitors" on the market, specifically mentioning Apple's own 30-inch behemoth. In a presumed attempt to get these sets onto motherboards of the future, the firm is releasing them at the same price point as their predecessors, which would hopefully lead to more "standard PCs" offering HD DVD / Blu-ray playback through HDMI. While specific pricing info wasn't available, Silicon Image has its new duo "available for testing," so it shouldn't be too long before these hit retail boards.
Silicon Image jumps on HDMI 1.3
We've been hearing about the upgraded HDMI 1.3 spec for a little while now, but it looks like Silicon Image announced support for the standard. We can expect up to 48-bit color depth (that's more color tones than any human being can hope to count, let alone tell the difference in), xvYCC color standard support for LED backlit TVs, Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master audio, and increased bandwidth and refresh rates, just in case you all of a sudden decide to start running a Super Hi-Vision 7680 x 4320 TV.
