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Analog Devices HDMI transmitter integrates CEC controller
This may not seem like much, but from an industry prospective, it has the potential to be huge. Analog Devices has just whipped up the industry's first Deep Color HDMI transmitter "to integrate a CEC (consumer electronic control) controller and buffer for high-definition audio / video devices." The Advantiv ADV7510 keeps all of the essentials on a single chip, removing the need for a separate CEC controller. The end result? A certification process that's much shorter, enabling manufacturers to get Blu-ray players, DVD players, receivers, etc. out to market faster. The best part is that said chip is available as we speak in production quantities, so we fully expect deck makers to hop on this and erase one more excuse from their delay board.
Analog Devices' SoundMax chips bring 5.1 to the TV speaker masses
Claiming that 85% of HDTVs won't be hooked up to external audio equipment, Analog Devices is trying to convince flat panel manufacturers to fit its technology behind the only two speakers many people will ever use. SoundMAX audio processors are built to match plasma and LCD high definition video quality with support for Dolby, SRS and BBE Sound. "Now available", don't be surprised if the ADAV4622, ADAV4601 and ADAV4322 sneak into a flat panel HDTV near you very soon -- if you're the kind of person who needs them, or the kind of person who laughs at folks still listening to audio from their television.
Hitachi's UWB-based TP-WL700H wirelessly transmits HD to Wooo HDTVs
Funny -- just this week we heard Hitachi President Kazuo Furukawa make mention of a forthcoming Wooonet networking scheme for its Wooo HDTVs, and now we're getting a few more details on potentially related peripherals. Analog Devices has just announced that its Advantiv technology is playing a huge role in the TP-WL700H. Said device is an ultra-wideband (UWB) based wireless transmission hub, which is currently available exclusively in Japan and designed to bring high-definition material to Wooo HDTVs sans extra cabling. There's not a peep about the unit ever heading Stateside, but given that everyone and their second cousin once removed is wondering when wireless HD will ever take off here, we'd sure like to see it make the journey.[Image courtesy of Impress]
Asus launches its own wireless HDMI over UWB offerings
Looks like CES 2007 is the place to be for wireless HDMI, as now we've seen offerings from AMIMON, Philips, and Tzero showcasing the ability to stream beautiful 1080p HD sans wires, and now Asus is joining the fold. Apparently basing its self-branded product line on technologies from Tzero and Analog Devices, the admittedly vague press release simply informs us that the company will be fighting tooth and nail in the wireless HDMI over UWB arena, and notes that we'll be seeing "accessory devices and embedded designs that dramatically simplify connections between home audio and video electronic components." Per usual, Asus' box will accept component, composite, S-Video, and HDMI (HDCP-compliant) signals, and the video is then compressed using Analog Devices' ADV202 JPEG2000 video codec, where it's then combined with audio, packetized and encrypted, and transmitted via the Tzero MAC and PHY chip. So until we can mosey on over to see some of this stuff in action, we'll just have to take Asus' word for it, as the company withheld information regarding model numbers, prices, and release dates for the time being.
DTS licenses DTS HD Master Audio technology to ten IC producers
Although Dolby's TrueHD may be a more well-known moniker, it looks like you'll be hearing (quite literally) a lot more of DTS in the coming months. The firm has landed a deal with no less than ten integrated circuit (IC) manufacturers to incorporate its DTS HD Master Audio and / or DTS HD High Resolution Audio technology (not to mention the DTS HD LBR and encoder / transcoder jazz) into forthcoming chips. These microchips -- designed by Analog Devices, Broadcom, Cheertek, LSI, Matsushita, MediaTek, NEC, Renesas, Sigma Designs, and Sunplus Technology -- will contain DTS's high definition audio standards and will eventually find their way into next-generation HD DVD and Blu-ray players, AV receivers, and pre-packaged home theater systems. Additionally, the technology could even slither into the PC and automobile markets. While neither specific end products nor release dates were mentioned, we do know that devices coming out "in 2007" will be sporting the new protocols, and hey, we've got no qualms when it comes to options in audio (or video).
Wireless HDMI over UWB? Heck yes!
Some buzzwords just sound good together. Like robots and flamethrowers -- those two just hit it off right from the start. Now Tzero Technologies and Analog Devices are teaming up for a new standards-based wireless HDMI tech that marries UWB with everybody's favorite home theater plug. Tzero is bringing the UWB to the table, while Analog Devices' is sharing their JPEG2000 video codec. A UWB transmitter compresses all the HDMI data on the way out of a video device and a receiver converts it back to HDMI on the way back into your display. With a range of 30 meters, and no line of sight requirements, all sorts of diabolical home theater configurations become possible. For instance, we can envision a ceiling mounted projector without all the wiring, or a noisy HTPC hidden away without similar hassles. According to Tzero, the first adapters should be out in a couple of weeks, and the price should be "similar to other WiFi devices." We'll be sure to test out the performance before we jump in with two feet, but if the price is right we're liking where this wireless HDMI thing is headed.[Via Cnet]
