UWB
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Westinghouse & Pulse-Link's Wireless HDMI live @ CES
Pulse-Link and Westinghouse displayed their UWB-equipped wireless HDMI LCD, streaming 1080p goodness from an attached Blu-ray player. The JPEG2000 compression showed no trace of artifacting as the video passed three, shoot, maybe four feet without the aid of such antiquated devices as cables. Due for B2B applications soon, they still hope to make this available for consumers by year-end with a minimal cost premium over wired devices (read: a few hundred dollars), until then just check out these pics and dream of the future.
Gefen, Pulse~LINK team up for HDMI Over Coax Extender
Quite frankly, we're being bombarded with ways to pass HDMI around the house -- and we absolutely love it. This go 'round, we've got Gefen teaming up with Pulse~LINK -- which is also partnering with Westinghouse on a wireless HDTV -- to create the HDMI Over Coax Extender. While details are still scant, the two firms are claiming that the aforementioned device will finally enable consumers to stream HDMI sources over in-house coax, nixing the need to run all new wires throughout your abode. As expected, the duo will be showcasing the technology at CES, and it will reportedly be capable of delivering "high quality, visually lossless video along with multi-channel digital audio" simultaneously. Hopefully we'll get an actual look at the April-bound unit when next week rolls around.
Westinghouse Digital Wireless HDMI HDTV to debut at CES
We didn't have to wait for CES to begin to find out the UWB camp's response to WirelessHD 1.0, Westinghouse and Pulse-Link plan to demo the first "fully-integrated" wireless HDTV Saturday. The Westinghouse Digital Wireless HDMI HDTV should hit the B2B digital signage marketplace in the second quarter, and could see release to consumers by the end of the year. If wired HDMI is just too complicated, Pulse-Link's CWave Wireless HDMI promises 40 foot range with no loss of quality. No word yet on exact price, or what kind of Monster accessories we can expect to enhance our wireless viewing experience, but this seems a lot more tangible than the Philips wireless HDTV technology vaporware from CES '07.
WirelessHD version 1.0 is complete
WirelessHD (WiHD) is back, originally announced in late 2006, the 1.0 spec has been pronounced fit for consumption and will be released later this year. What's changed in the last 14 months? HD dream team Intel, LG, Matsushita (Panasonic), NEC, Samsung, SiBEAM, Sony and Toshiba have added 40 other companies as well as approval from DRM watchdogs MPAA and DTLA for their 60Ghz-based standard. Move over cable vs. satellite, downloads vs. disc and HD DVD vs. Blu-ray, with UWB-equipped HDTVs already on the way, a battle to replace the still-tricky HDMI connection is the new HD battleground for 2008.
Fujitsu, Sigma Designs collaborate on Wireless HDAV
Yeah, we've certainly seen Sigma Designs pick up partners for WiMedia-based UWB HD streaming before, but this go 'round it's managed to solicit the help of Fujitsu. Apparently, the duo is planning to showcase its wireless HDAV technology at CES, which was designed to transport HD content over ultra-wideband and rely on Fujitsu's H.264-compliant codec. The setup can purportedly transmit signals at distances of up to ten meters, and will combine Fujitsu's MB86H51 codec with Sigma Designs' SMP8634 Secure Media Processor decoder and UWB Windeo chipset. Granted, we've witnessed similar songs / dances before, but here's to hoping one of these wireless concoctions actually takes off in 2008.
Thales develops Indoor Positioning System based on UWB
Thales -- the French aerospace company that brought us MILTRAK -- has rolled out yet another impressive development, this time aiding firefighters, cops and armed forces in tracking objects / people while indoors. Its Indoor Positioning System (IPS) is essentially "an indoor form of satellite navigation," and while we've heard of similar, this iteration is based around ultra-wideband. Notably, the company implied that it hoped to bring the technology to police forces and military platoons in the future, and if things go smoothly, consumers could actually see it used in GPS-enabled mobiles in order to provide navigation services in more places. Unfortunately, it seems as though Thales is still working on completing the new system, so we wouldn't get all hopeful for a commercial release anytime soon.
DisplayLink, Alereon intro wireless USB video card reference design
DisplayLink's certainly no stranger to wireless monitors, but it now looks set to push the technology even further along, with it and Alereon trotting out a new reference design for a wireless USB video card (and corresponding monitor adapter). That'll apparently let you use a monitor at a distance of up to three meters, with a throughput of 120-150mbps and lossless compression ensuring that "the image users see is the same that they'd get with a wired monitor," according to Wi-Fi Planet. What's more, you should also be able to use up to six displays at the same time, "theoretically," although DisplayLink admits that gamers likely won't be satisfied. While this is just a reference design, DisplayLink says the final adapter set should run between $150 and $250 when its released in the spring, while monitors with the technology built-in will apparently demand $150 "or more" than a comparable non-wireless model (those are expected in mid-2008).[Via DailyWireless]
Hitachi's Ultra Thin Series LCD HDTVs coming to the U.S. in 2008, sans wireless?
We won't be waiting long for Hitachi's new thin LCDs, the company announced they will make their U.S. debut in 2008. No details on price, but we can still take a look at the feature list for the 42- and 37-inch Ultra Thin 1080p HDTVs, coming in Q2, along with the 32-inch 720p version due in the first quarter of next year. With Hitachi's latest 120Hz anti-judder technology and image processing stuffed into 1.5-inch thick frames, these screens may not be quite as thin as some of the competition but will hit store shelves far sooner. The bad news is there was no mention of the optional UWB expansion for wirelessly hooking up additional components. We hope Hitachi doesn't expect U.S. customers to go through the hassle of actually plugging things into our HDTVs, or if we at least get an additional HDMI port for the trouble.
Ofcom approves UWB for use in the UK
Though it did take a bit longer than the six months Ofcom's chief technologist, Professor William Webb was hoping for, ultra-wideband has finally been given the green light in the UK. New legislation will mean that "UK users will not need a license to use UWB devices when they hit shelves in the future," and Ofcom's Chief Executive Ed Richards was quoted as saying that "where possible, we want to remove restrictions on the use of spectrum to allow the market to develop new and innovative services, such as UWB, for the benefit of consumers." So there you have it (UK-based) folks, just a few more days (August 13th, to be precise) before UWB usage is fair game on your side of the pond.[Via The Register]
D-Link intros DUB-9240 wireless USB kit
Hot on the heels of several other wireless USB hubs, D-Link is making sure it joins the party with time to spare as it unveils the DUB-9240 kit. The two-piece assemblage consists of the DUB-1210 wireless USB adapter and the DUB-2240 four-port wireless USB hub, and together they enable your machine to connect to USB peripherals sans wires. The unit promises to function within a 30-foot range, and operates on a frequency range of 3.4GHz to 4.5GHz in order to not interfere with any surrounding WiFi signals. Additionally, up to three more DUB-2240s can be connected to the first for a wireless USB overload blowout, and you'll have plenty of time to dream up such a setup while waiting for these to ship in Q4 for $119.99 apiece, or $219.99 for the pair.[Thanks, Allen]
Lenovo's T61p packs UWB and roll cage for the ham-fisted road warrior
Lenovo is prepped to loose their ThinkPad T61p laptop on July 17th with a little surprise: UWB. Hells yes, we're talking 'bout that high-speed, short-throw ultra-wideband data transfer perfect for untethered port replication a la the Portege R400. The 15.4-inch lappie comes slathered in the Santa Rosa chipset and Nvidia Quadro FX 570M graphics all protected by an internal roll cage meant to steady even the drunkest of execs. Prices start at $1,814.[Via WNN]
Alereon's UWB solution handles Bluetooth, WiMedia
In yet another sensational shot heard 'round the wireless world, Alereon is claiming to have developed the "first ultrawideband solution able to meet all regulatory requirements worldwide for applications based on Wireless USB, Bluetooth and WiMedia." The AL5100 RF transceiver comes in as the "only" one of its kind capable of transmitting and receiving all 14 bands of the WiMedia ultrawideband spectrum, and the AL5000 chipset was designed to span frequencies from 3.1- to 10.6GHz in order to provide consumers in Japan and Korea with more channel allocation than competing options. Of course, the firm is pushing the product as an end-all solution to developing wirelessly-enabled products that will operate and pass regulations around the globe, and while it wasn't mentioned when these would go mainstream, sample boards should go out for "evaluation" next quarter.[Via Physorg]
Tzero's WiMedia-based ZeroWire uses UWB for HD streaming
While Tzero has been at the forefront of ultra wideband technology for some time, the firm is upping the stakes even higher with its WiMedia-based TZC7200 ZeroWire chipset. The UWB semiconductor solution was designed to deliver "real-time high-definition video" either wirelessly or over cabling, and can even open new doors for "distributing entertainment content throughout the entire home using existing coax." Reportedly, this device can pipe multiple streams of HD video through your average cable network at the tune of 480Mbps, and it boasts application integration including IP, UDP, TCP/IP, multicast, and unicast. Notably, ZeroWire is "comprised of both a Radio Frequency IC (RFIC) as well as a baseband and media access control system-on-chip," and while the chipset is listed is being available immediately, you'll need to contact Tzero yourself to fetch the pricing details.
Y-E Data's YD-300 WUSB-HUB: Japan's first wireless USB hub
A full six months after announcing it, Y-E Data is ready to ship their YD-300 wireless USB hub. While this hub reportedly packs the same (or at least similar) Multiband OFDM radio from Wisair we've already seen in the Belkin Cable-Free USB hub, we don't see a "Certified Wireless USB" sticker anywhere... so who knows. While they promise up to 480Mbps at distances of up to 10-meters, in practice however, this drops to a paltry 30Mbps (max!) and even that degrades significantly over just a few meters. You can forget HD streaming since there's no support for isochronous data, quality of service, or medium bandwidth reservation to ensure data arrives in time. But hey, it makes a fine ¥39,800 ($338) solution for moving your keyboard a bit further away from the monitor.[Via Impress] Read -- Impress review Read -- product page
WiMedia UWB gets thumbs-up, becomes ISO / IEC-certified
Just recently, we finally heard a bit of good news from the IEEE camp in regard to 802.11n's progress, and now wireless freaks can celebrate a little more as UWB has been officially published as an ISO / IEC international standard. We've already seen a number of related certification programs, prototypes, and even products, but just a few months after edging legality in the UK, it seems the deal is done. WiMedia-based ultra-wideband technology, which is the "approved format for Wireless USB," unsurprisingly enables "short range multimedia file transfers" at data rates up to 480Mbps that operate in the UWB spectrum of 3.1 to 10.6 GHz. So while the brief rivalry was indeed entertaining, we're sorry about your luck, Freescale.[Via ExtremeTech]
Duke researchers envision mind-controlled weaponry
The Blue Devils certainly haven't fared well on the hardwood of late, but a group of engineering minds at Duke University are thinking up ways to get even. While we can't actually confirm the motives, a recent patent filing spells out details of a device that can "use the brain's thoughts to control an array of mechanical and electrical devices, up to and including weapons." Thought-controlled interfaces have long since been available, but these researchers are suggesting that everything from household items like televisions and ovens to "weapons systems" could be used to not only "improve one's quality of life," but could actually produce thoughts that litearlly kill. Interestingly, the verbiage even mentions that the recently-ratified UWB technology could be used to beam commands from your devious brain, and although it's not surprising to find that DARPA has a hand in funding department, we're still not any closer to finding out when our military will switch from triggers to impulses. [Via Wired]
DisplayLink cuts your monitor's cord, utilizes wireless USB
Sure, wireless USB hubs for your mice, keyboards, printers, and other random peripherals are quite handy in removing that rat's nest of wires you're currently dealing with, but now it seems the "wire free PC" is within our grasp. DisplayLink's DL-120 and DL-160 ICs allow "monitor manufacturers, PC OEMs and PC accessory companies to develop products for multi-monitor computing including USB-connected monitors, video-enabled USB laptop docks, and a host of other goodies for the cordless monitor. These USB chips are the "world's first" to offer VGA over a USB 2.0 connection, and there's reportedly no loss in quality or lag incurred when watching films or performing other fast-moving tasks, but that's a claim we'd have to see to truly believe. The DL-120 supports resolutions up to 1,280 x 1,024, while the more robust DL-160 kicks it all the way up to 1,600 x 1,200. Notably, DisplayLink mentions that these chips could not only be used in LCD monitors, but in digiframes as well, potentially giving users the ability to beam new galleries over wireless USB. While both ICs are current "available in production," we've no idea how much the firm plans on charging folks to integrate the wireless goods into their monitors, but at least the countdown to a cable-less PC (and some real-world wireless USB applications) has begun -- now we're just waiting for a few hundred watts to be channeled sans cabling.[Via EverythingUSB]
Hands-on with the Portege R400 and UWB port replicator
The Toshiba Portege R400 is hot enough on its own, right? Well, what if we told you that Tosh is showing off a prototype version of their Vista SideShow friendly, convertible tablet with an Ultra Wide Band (UWB) wireless dock? Damn straight son, wireless transmission to all your peripherals so you never have to plug your DVI monitor, Ethernet, keyboard, mouse, and other USB peripherals into the laptop when you return to the home or office. Just take a seat and you're in -- simple like pie. The Toshiba Wireless Port Replicator (as it's officially dubbed) will be available in the second quarter of 2007. Check the gallery for a few more pics. Hands on with the Portege R400 and UWB port replicator
Taiyo Yuden and Sigma Designs showcase WiMedia-based UWB HD streaming
If you're looking to pick up any UWB device to stream high definition video / audio around your crib anytime soon, chances are it might have a little Taiyo Yuden and Sigma Designs beneath the shell. The two firms are showcasing a WiMedia Alliance-based UWB wireless HD streaming solution here at CES, which highlights "Taiyo Yuden's antenna array on its mini-PCI reference design module with Sigma Designs' Windeo chipset." The unique three-antenna array offered on Yuden's solution supposedly offers up extended range possibilities, and fully supports Sigma's "Intelligent Array Radio" technology. Unfortunately there's no word on any end product uses just yet, nor any expected dates for this newfangled system to hit the mainstream, but with the ginormous pressures being felt around here to get wireless HD streaming out to consumer, we're sure it's pretty high up there on each company's priority list.
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.
