Tech Giants Rally Around Wireless Hi-Def Video Standard

Relief may be close for those frustrated with the A/V wires that lurk behind your entertainment center, snake through your walls, and slither behind your HDTV. A consortium of six leading tech companies, including Hitachi, Sharp, and Sony, have formed the group the Wireless Home Digital Interface (WHDI) which aims to replace A/V wires with a wireless technology that it says can handle delivery of uncompressed HD video (including 1080p)- no wires needed.

The WHDI special interest group (SIG) says it will embed the technology in a host of household components including HDTVs, multimedia projectors, A/V receivers, DVD and Blu-ray players, set-top boxes, game consoles, and PCs. The range for the WHDI standard is on par with Wi-Fi.

The core technology behind WHDI isn't new and been knocked around for over a year. The WHDI group also joins a gaggle of competing wireless HD technologies including Belkin (Flywire), SiBeam (WirelessHD), and Ultra-Wideband (UWB) backed by Intel.

As promising as the technology is the price tag for wireless HD, or ultra-wideband (UWB), has been between $400 and $800 keeping it out of reach for most consumers. Experts say, now with major players competing to deliver an in-home HD wireless solutions the price for this technology could drop to $100 by next year and eventually to $10.

The WHDI technology is based on technology from the Israel-based Amimon which makes the wireless chipset driving the technology. WHDI sends high-definition video signals over the unlicensed 5-Gigahertz band which is impervious to obstacles, and spans several rooms.

The fact so many firms are competing to deliver HD wireless solutions for the home is good news for consumers. It sets the stage for what looks to be a brawl to see who can dominate the future of HD video connectivity. This kind of multi-company competition means seriously competitive pricing. But hopefully it won't mean another format war - can you say HD-DVD and Blu-ray.

(CREDIT - PC World contributor Brennon Slattery filed this blog.)

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