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IOGEAR's Wireless 3D Digital Kit streams the third-dimension in 1080p, ships soon for $380
It's like the company's CES-launched GW3DKIT, but with a dash of "HD," a spit shine and a realistic shipping date. IOGEAR's GW3DHDKIT has just been revealed to 3D-lovin' content watchers the world over, with the Wireless 3D Digital Kit consisting of a transmitter and receiver with connections that enable it to stream standard, HD or 3D resolution content from one or two HDMI-enabled devices. We're told that it doesn't require a line-of-sight placement to deliver uncompressed 1080p, and 3D / 5.1 material can also be slung from up to 100 feet away. To add a second room, one HDTV can connect directly to the transmitter's loop-through (local) port, while a second HDTV simultaneously receives content via the wireless receiver; there's even an Infrared (IR) pass-through that allows user control over source devices that are hidden away in a different location. It'll ship before the year's end for a total of $379.95, but we'd probably wait for a couple of reviews before tossing in an order -- we've seen wireless HD let us down before, and that's a lot of change to throw on something that's still unproven.
WiGig hits version 1.1, adds wireless HDMI to its arsenal to celebrate
To this point, not much has come of this whole WiGig thing, but the coalition is marching forward and expanding the standard's capabilities with the introduction of version 1.1. The latest specification makes several tweaks to the 60GHz wireless protocol, but the big news is that the Wireless Gigabit Alliance has signed up with HDMI Licensing, LLC -- adding the ubiquitous video jack to its arsenal, which already includes cable-free DisplayPort. WiGig display adapters are still expected to hit the market by the end of the year but, for now, our dream of input agnostic wireless HD video streaming is just that -- a dream. So don't start tying up your old newspapers with those HDMI cables just yet.
D-Link MainStage WiDi 2.0 adapter puts your laptop on the TV, is less dangerous than it sounds
It was only a matter of time before D-Link entered the WiDi fray. Even though Intel is pushing manufacturers to pack the wireless display tech into practically every laptop (and even a few tablets), options for actually getting that feed on your TV have been scarce. The decidedly nondescript MainStage adapter gives you at least one more choice and, since it boasts WiDi 2.0, you can beam 1080p video and 5.1 surround sound to your home theater from up to 33 feet away -- all while you continue to browse and chat on the small screen. You can find them now in all the usual places (Newegg, Best Buy, Amazon, etc...) for $129.99, but our neighbors to the north in Canada will have to wait till July to get their hockey-loving mittens on one. Check out the PR after the break.
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.
Hisense unveils new consumer WHDI accessories, cable haters rejoice
Hisense is still betting on the WHDI horse for wireless HD. The standard's standard-bearer AMIMON announced its chips would be powering a new line of accessories from the Chinese manufacturer at the Global Sources Electronics & Components World Expo (GSECWE?), including a transmitter for laptops (above), a case for iPhones, and a receiver for TVs (both below). Obviously beaming a round Super Mega Worm to your big-screen is enticing, but we're sure you're most excited by the ability to stream Hulu from your laptop to your TV while reclining on the couch. And if you've got a 3D set, fret not, WHDI can push polarized pixels thanks to support for HDMI 1.4a. Sadly, info on pricing and availability is nonexistent, but we wouldn't expect to find these in your local Best Buy. Yet.
Alienware M14x manuals leak out, confirm the gaming notebook once and for all
Just yesterday Dell's leaky website poured out details about the upcoming Alienware M11x R3 gaming notebook, and it didn't take long for its larger brother to follow suit -- today, we've got the full user and factory service manuals for Alienware's M14x, confirming a number of juicy rumors. Unfortunately, there's no mention of a Full HD 1080p LCD screen for the 14-inch visitor from another planet, but there will apparently be both 1366 x 768 and 1600 x 900 options on tap, both driven by NVIDIA's GeForce GT555M switchable Optimus graphics with up to 3GB of dedicated memory. Of course, you'll also find Intel's latest Core i5 and i7 Sandy Bridge CPUs and up to 8GB of RAM, Gigabit Ethernet, SATA 6Gbps and optional 3G / 4G connectivity, optional WirelessHD, a two megapixel webcam, and even a 8-cell, 63Whr battery to make portable gaming vaguely possible. Hit up our source link to see how Dell put this machine together -- and how you can tear it apart -- while we wait for the company to finally make the smokin' hot notebook official, and let us know how just badly our wallets will feel after it rips their innards out.
IOGEAR GW3DKIT wireless 3D media kit banishes your components to the closet
We went hands-on with IOGEAR's wireless HD system last year at CES, and now we've managed to do the same with a prototype of the boutique brand's new GW3DKIT 3D wireless streamer. The kit consists of a 3D transmitter and receiver that each feature four HDMI inputs as well as one component, composite, VGA, and USB input. Each box also features one HDMI and USB output. Together the system is designed to stream full 1080p 60Hz HD video / 5.1 audio along with 3D content over WiFi (802.11n) from as far as 100 feet away with supposedly little latency or wireless interference. IOGEAR says to expect the system sometime in Q1 of 2011, and no official pricing is available yet, but we've been told it would be around $499 by IOGEAR's CES booth staff. If everything performs as advertised, it sounds like a great solution for you home theater minimalists out there who prefer components out of sight. We'll reserve official judgment though until we can go eyes-on with some extended tested. For more information, be sure to check out the full PR after the break.
Poll: Is anyone thinking about Wireless HDMI?
It's been a few years since the first wave of wireless replacements for HDMI cables hit the market, but even with several companies and standards making a push, we're not seeing huge leaps forward in the technology or its availability. Of course, companies like Netgear are jumping in with their latest twist on the theme in the form of 3DHD, Intel is pushing WiDi while WHDI, WirelessHD and countless others are still floating around out there. So we're asking you, are you already on the wireless HD bandwagon or if not, are you even considering the technology at all?%Poll-55740%
WiGig's 60GHz WiFi prototypes slated for 2011, real products for 2012
The second half of 2010 is nearly behind us, and we're afraid we're not seeing a whole lot of 60GHz modems on store shelves. So, when will WiGig's 1.5Gbps wireless transfer speeds forever shape our content-consuming lifestyles? The inside word is 2012. TrustedReviews sat down with VESA chairman Bruce Montag -- who also happens to be on the WiGig board -- and was told that the wireless DisplayPort products made possible by the recent WiGig / VESA partnership are due in "the first half of 2012." You won't necessarily need to wait that long to read about how they're going to make mothers of young, video gaming children jump for joy -- should all go according to plan, we'll be treated to glimpses of the first prototypes early next year.
WiGig and VESA team up, promise wireless DisplayPort gear
Tired of going at it alone, eh WiGig? The aforesaid Alliance has just teamed up with yet another organization -- a mere six months after doing likewise with the Wi-Fi Alliance. For those unaware, WiGig's 60GHz multi-gigabit technology has already begun to penetrate the higher-end AV market, particularly in devices that shoot 1080p from source-to-display sans cabling. But as we've seen, the adoption rate there isn't anything to write home about, and it seems as if the entity is branching out in an effort to broaden its potential profit portfolio. The newest partnership is with VESA, and the most important aspect of it (from a consumer standpoint, anyway) is summed up here: the two will be working to create a certification program for wireless DisplayPort products. The goal, as you may imagine, is to create a new spate of products that'll connect PCs and handhelds to monitors, projectors and HDTVs, all without wires and with gobs of bandwidth. Sadly, no time table is being revealed just yet, but we'll be cautiously expecting a few prototypes at CES. Right, dudes?
HP's Wireless TV Connect transmitter and receiver hit FCC
What a pair these two will make! HP's Wireless HDMI TV adapter -- both the transmitter and receiver, which we toyed with earlier this month -- have hit the FCC's database under two separate filings. The HM517 receiver and HM516 transmitter work in the 4.9THz to 5.9GHz unlicensed band and boasts a maximum video stream of 1080p 60Hz (but supports resolution upwards of 1600 x 1200) and up to 8PCM audio channels, S/PDIF DTS, Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Digital Plus, and AC-3 (5.1 channel) -- all HDCP 1.0 compliant. According to the paperwork, the couple can't be more than 5 to 10 meters apart at any time. We've got a file on 'em... in the gallery below. %Gallery-101918%
HP Wireless TV Connect streams 1080p video, hits Intel WiDi where it hurts
We have to say it's a bit odd for HP to be announcing its own wireless streaming peripheral -- it seems like something more up IOGEAR or Belkin's alley -- but the $199 Wireless TV Connect is exactly what we've been waiting for in some respects. Sure, the box that you have to connect to your laptop via HDMI and USB for power is a bit on the large side, but it's capable of streaming 1080p content, including Blu-ray movies or protected content, to your TV and there's absolutely no lag when controlling the desktop on the big screen. We're not exactly sure what technology HP's using here -- we're thinking WHDI, though the company wouldn't confirm -- but the two box set can be used with any laptop on the market that has an HDMI port. Take that Intel WiDi! This is one we're absolutely planning to test out, but in the meantime check out the pics below. %Gallery-100746%
Amimon demos prototype wireless 3D HD transmission system
Amimon -- remember those guys? The company responsible for transmitting 1080p video over a 5GHz band went (nearly) radio silent after making a few announcements at CES this year, but now it's hitting back with a new prototype system designed to support the bandwagon that James Cameron and company are driving forward. The new setup is capable of wirelessly transmitting 3D HD video using WHDI (5GHz), with the demo showing that 1080p 3D video could be beamed with a frame rate of 24fps without any major hiccups. For now, the system consists of a board for transmitting the signals and a board for receiving, with the both of 'em equipped with Amimon's digital baseband chip and RF transceiver. We're told that a shipping product is just a logo away, but we've no clue whether or not the first devices will be kits for outfitting existing televisions or new HDTVs with wireless 3D HD support baked right in.
WHDI roadmap includes 3D update this year, 4K, Wi-Fi & mobile tie-ins in 2011
Don't get too used to WHDI 1.0 (we know you've been stocking up on equipment in secret) the second version of the standard is planned and it adds a familiar list of features, including a very Panasonic 152-inch friendly 4,096x2,1060 resolution. Probably more relevant are plans for WHDI / Wi-Fi integration and same channel co-existence, and mobile device integration. Before WHDI 2.0 hits the streets in Q2 2011, a spec bump including the same 3D formats required by HDMI 1.4a will arriving by the end of the year. Will this be the one wireless HD standard to rule them all? We'll wait and see.
Brite-View HDelight brings WHDI to laptops and netbooks
We've been following WHDI's story for quite awhile now, and Brite-View looks like it will be one of the first to bring the wireless HD technology to laptops with its HDelight. The setup is pretty self explanatory -- you've got a larger-than-we'd-like box that hooks up to your laptop via HDMI and then a even larger box that attaches to a monitor or HDTV. The Brite-View guys had a demo running at the Netbook Summit, and we found ourselves quite impressed -- thanks to the second-generation 5GHz WHDI chip, there's no noticeable latency when streaming 1080p video from the laptop to the larger display. According to Brite-View, the delightful product (sorry, we had to) will ship this summer for some amount under $150. Not a bad deal, but even if the quality is better than Intel's WiDi, you really can't beat the convenience of having the technology built-in to your laptop -- though, WHDI's CEO promises a similar solution by the end of the year. Jump on past the break for a quick video of the HDelight in action (and the full presser, too). %Gallery-93756%
Ask Engadget HD: Is there a good wireless HDMI option yet?
In the yeeeeear two thousand... and ten, are we seriously still restricted to the demands of physical connections to get our HD fix? While wires have gotten it done for most of us so far, there's more than a few looking to make the jump to wireless HDMI solutions but unsure how to take the first step. We'll let Greg tell us about his situation: "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. Got a burning question that you'd love to toss out for Engadget HD (or its readers) to take a look at? Tired of Google's blank stares when you ask for real-world experiences? Hit us up at ask at engadgethd dawt com and keep an eye on this space -- your inquiry could be next.
Hitachi, Panasonic and Toshiba to deliver 60GHz wireless products in 2H 2010
The year's 2010, yet we're still leering at the dusty pile of cables behind our AV equipment and wondering, "O UWB, where art thou?" Well, the folks at Tech-On have got a little update for us: Hitachi, Panasonic and Toshiba are reported to be delivering products donning 60GHz wireless chips -- which sip little juice but churn out 7GHz of colossal bandwidth and 1.5Gbps of data rate -- in the second half of this year. While none of the manufacturers are directly pimping either WirelessHD or WiGig, it appears that Hitachi and Panasonic are siding with WiGig's extra functionalities like media access control (MAC), and the latter even envisions "embedding the functionality into portable gear" for downloading digital content from kiosks. Either way, it's nice to see some progress here -- we don't want things to drag on any longer, do we?
Netgear's Push2TV wireless TV adapter caught nonchalantly hanging out in the wild
Interested in getting prepared for all your Wireless Display (WiDi) needs? Looks like Netgear's Push2TV wireless TV adapter is already on the shelves of at least one Best Buy, right in front of a $99 price tag that matches the press release from before. The back of the box photo, seen after the break, doesn't shed any new light on the device. Unless you're really into (near term) future proofing of your wireless display needs, it might be best to wait for a few more options when it comes to fancy-schmancy new compatible machines. [Thanks, Colin]
IOGEAR wireless HD system and other goodies hands-on
IOGEAR was showcasing a cornucopia of tech goodies at its table at Digital Experience. Front and center was a wireless HD streaming solution that seemed to work well enough. Of course, the two boxes were three feet away from eachother, and there were no walls in the way, so we'll have to reserve judgment until we can get our own hands on a pair. A prototype USB 3.0 PCI Express Card was also on display, as was a solar charging car Bluetooth speakerphone that sticks to windshields and charges as you drive. You can see the somewhat random selection of, uh, gear in the gallery below. Full PR and specs on the new stuff is after the break. %Gallery-81913%
Toshiba introduces ZX900 Series 55-inch and 65-inch Cell TVs for the US
Originally envisioned last year as a 4k x 2k monstrosity, Toshiba's ZX900 Cell TV has been humbled slightly for its market debut. Still, the processing power is what's really on display here, and Toshiba claims that it's packed 143 times the processing power over existing televisions. That processing makes way for Toshiba's Resolution+ upscaling, a 480Hz frame rate (completely ready for 3D), and some home media server capabilities as well. The centerpiece is the Net TV applications, which include Netflix, VUDU, CinemaNow and Pandora, and there's 802.11n WiFi and 1TB of HDD for streaming and storage. There's also mention of video phone capability, but it's unclear if has a built-in webcam (doubtful) or if you've got to bring your own USB number. Unfortunately, the biggest draw of this TV in its Japanese incarnation is its eight tuners, and for whatever reason that special distinction has been removed from this US version. The 55-inch and 65-inch displays use KIRA2 LED-backlit displays with 512 zones of localized dimming, and just in case this was wasn't enough, the sets have built-in Wireless HD and to connect the Cell-packing set-top box to the display wire-free. Of course, once you involve a set-top box you're kind of nullifying some of the magic of building a TV "with a Cell processor," but we'll let it slide. Just this once, Toshiba. Both TVs will be out "later this year" for an undisclosed, sure-to-be-huge price. A press release is after the break.
