Cancel that next-day air shipment from Panasonic Japan, those in need of cables today that are compatible with the 4K and 3D displays of tomorrow can get NXG Technologies Black Pearl Series HDMI cable. Not installing cables inside a wall or under a floor? You can probably wait for more reasonably priced (or not so reasonable, if that’s what you prefer) alternatives. At around $44.95 for 1m up to $380 for a 20m cable, these available-to-dealers-only connectors promise (despite lacking certification, promised once testing is completed) to future proof custom home theater installations for beyond-1080p resolution, HDMI Ethernet Channel, Audio Return Channel and other HDMI 1.4-only features that should start rolling out in HDTVs, receivers and other equipment early next year.
Archive for August 6th, 2009
Awhile ago I said all HDMI cable are basically created equal, regardless of price. That’s about to change.
HDMI , the body responsible for licensing the High-Definition Multimedia Interface specification (widely known as HDMI) announced Wednesday the features that will be incorporated in the upcoming HDMI 1.4 specification.
Among other advancements, the latest HDMI specification will offer networking capabilities with Ethernet connectivity and will add an Audio Return Channel to enable upstream audio connections via the HDMI cable.
According to HDMI Licensing, the detailed HDMI specification 1.4 will be available for download on its Web site no later than June 30. For now, you can read more about the new version here.
Personally, I’m most interested in the networking capability, which is said to cap at 100Mbps; not as fast as Gigabit Ethernet but still plenty fast for virtually any IP application.
It’s safe to say that in the very near future, you’ll be able to conveniently surf the Internet, as well as check e-mail and instant messaging with your TV. It also means your entertainment corner will be less cluttered, as this spares you from the need for a separate Ethernet cable, currently a must if you have a setup that allows for Internet access from your TV.
There’s a downside, however: the new standard will require a new HDMI cable. Existing HDMI cables, including the Monster Cables that you paid hundreds of dollars for, will not be compatible with the new standard as they are designed to deliver sound and graphics only.
Even if the existing cable could handle the new standard, in many cases you will still need to get a new cable as HDMI 1.4 also comes with a new connector called Micro HDMI, which is about 50 percent smaller than the current connector. This new connector will be used in portable devices and support resolution up to 1080p.
New devices that support HDMI 1.4 are expected to be available by the end of the year.
Samsung’s upcoming DLNA media streamer, the WMG150, has been caught doing its thing on camera. A palm-sized box with HDMI connectivity and integrated WiFi, the WMG150 hooks up to a TV or display and can be used to show video, photos and audio from a wirelessly-connected cellphone or laptop.
According to the video, the WMG150 can play back DivX and Xvid content together with PowerPoint and PDF files. It’ll handle up to 720p HD video streaming, with full control from the phone or notebook itself.
What we don’t know yet – aside from what connectivity there might be as well as HDMI – is how much it will cost and when Samsung might release it. Bluetooth adapters for showing content from a cellphone have been done before, but the flexibility (and higher transfer speeds) of WiFi could make the WMG150 a winner if the price is right
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High-definition television in the United Kingdom is currently at an early stage of adoption. The first broadcasts began in 2006 and the number of channels has grown to 32 as of late 2008.
Most channels in the United Kingdom remain broadcast, and largely viewed, in standard-definition but most major broadcasters have begun or are soon beginning their initial forays into high-definition television. Similarly, the vast majority of viewing still takes place in standard-definition though penetration of high-definition displays and receivers is increasing.
High definition broadcasts are currently available over digital satellite, both subscription and free-to-air, as well as digital cable. Limited trials of over-the-air high-definition television broadcasts have been undertaken and there are plans for permanent broadcasts following digital switchover.
Current status
High-definition broadcasts are available on free-to-air digital satellite, the Sky+ HD satellite service and Virgin Media (cable) with BBC, ITV and Channel 4 channels available under contracts that expire in 2008. A new service, called Freesat launched on 6 May 2008, initially carrying the BBC HD channel. ITV have been trialling part-time HD broadcasts via the red-button service, ITV HD at first exclusively available on Freesat, although the service can now be manually tuned in on certain other satellite receivers including the Sky+ HD box. Channel 4 broadcasts selected programmes in HD via Sky HD and it is anticipated that they will eventually also broadcast over Freesat.
The BBC HD channel is available without subscription on digital satellite, and may be received by anybody with suitable equipment — a high-definition satellite receiver and a satellite dish. Many satellite viewers currently opt for a full Sky subscription which provides extra channels.
Broadcasters
BBC
The BBC initially operated BBC HD on a trial basis on Sky Digital & the Telewest cable (later Virgin Media) platform. Following full approval by the BBC Trust, the service is expanding its hours and aims to become a full-time service.
ITV
The ITV Network started broadcasting a trial service on digital cable television as well as on the Digital Terrestrial Television trial in London during the 2006 Football World Cup. The service ceased after this period, but a new HD service began to be made available with the launch of Freesat, on 7 June 2008, where selected programmes are offered in HD format, and accessed by the red button on Freesat receivers. ITV intended to spend £10m during 2008 on supporting ITV HD. Currently, there are no plans to launch via Sky.
Channel 4
Channel 4 launched its HD service on digital satellite in December 2007. The channel is encrypted, but is available with a free-to-view viewing card. There is some speculation that the channel may go free-to-air alongside BBC HD when its current contract with BSkyB expires.
Five
Five does not yet operate any HD service, but has been awarded a licence for HD transmissions on Freeview from 2010. The content is expected to be a simulcast of its main channel, with own productions and US acquisitions in HD.
Sky
British Sky Broadcasting began HD transmissions of several channels in May 2006.
Platforms
Terrestrial
As yet, there have been no full-time terrestrial HD transmissions other than two low-power trials in London. Although the spectrum used to broadcast digital television is currently too limited to allow HD transmission, the industry expect that new transmission and compression formats will allow full-time HD channels as early as late 2009.
Satellite: Sky HD
Sky+ HD has been carrying HD channels since May 2006. The platform now has a mixture of 33 free and subscription channels broadcasting in HD.
Satellite: Freesat
Freesat launched on 6 May 2008. It provides a subscription-free alternative to Sky and includes support for HD (BBC HD & ITV HD are available to receive with the Freesat HD box).
Freesat is a not-for-profit company formed by the BBC and ITV, marketing itself as being completely free from subscription charges or contracts, although viewers of course are obliged to purchase a suitable satellite receiver and have a satellite dish installed if they do not already have one. Freesat receivers are available in both standard definition and high definition cable versions. HD channels are available only when the satellite receiver is capable of supporting it.
Cable: V+
Virgin Media cable carries the BBC HD channel and on demand content from several broadcasters as part of its V+ service.
IPTV: BT Vision
BT Vision, a hybrid digital terrestrial and IPTV service, carries pay-per-view high-definition programmes, which the viewer downloads to the BT Vision set-top-box then watches when the download is complete. The HD service launched in February 2009.
One of the compromises frequent travelers have to make is the limited screen size that comes with an ultraportable or thin-and-light laptop. This is a difficult transition, especially if one is used to large 20-inch-plus screen real estate in the office or home. Fortunately, USB monitors provide an easy way of extending the display without bringing in a separate power supply.
Mimo’s new 710-S 7-inch USB monitor ups the portability ante by coming in a clamshell form factor. This protects the screen when the unit is not in use. The 800×480-pixel resolution isn’t great, but works well as a secondary monitor for instant messaging and e-mailing. The screen can be rotated to portrait mode as well. Its 350cd/m2 brightness level and 400:1 contrast ratio make it suitable for use in most indoor environments.
DisplayPort may still have some ways to go before it’s widely accepted as the next HDMI, but with more and more outfits now pumping out panels with these very sockets, we reckon that wide market recognition is nigh. Take NEC’s MultiSync EA231WMi for example, which boasts a 23-inch LCD, four-way swivel stand, a two-step ECO mode for showing Ma Earth some love, a three-step ambient light sensor for automatically adjusting brightness and DisplayPort / VGA / DVI connectivity. Further specs include an integrated four-port USB 2.0 hub, built-in carry handle, down-firing speakers, a headphone socket, native 1,920 x 1,080 resolution, 270 nits of brightness, a 1,000:1 contrast ratio and a 3-year warranty to keep your mind at ease. Catch it later this month for $379, but good luck scoring that bodacious frog wallpaper.