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HDMI 1.4 officially detailed: Ethernet / Audio Return channels, 3D, 4K x 2K support

by Darren Murph posted May 28th 2009 at 11:21AM


We already heard that HDMI 1.4 was just around the bend, and now HDMI Licensing has come forward with all of the official details surrounding the specification. Unfortunately for AV enthusiasts, it seems as if we're taking two steps forward and three back, and we get this sinking feeling that HDMI 1.5 will be here before we know it. At any rate, the main additions to the format are an Ethernet channel, audio return channel, 3D over HDMI, 4K x 2K resolution support, a micro HDMI connector (around half the size of the existing HDMI Mini plug) and an automotive connection system. All fine and good, right? Sure, until you get to the part about having to choose between five different HDMI 1.4 cables, something that the suits at Monster just had to have a hand in. For a detailed look at what you'll need to study up on before buying your next HDMI cable, clinch your fists and hit the read link.

HDMI 1.4 brings internet sharing, dreadful tiers of quality

by Darren Murph posted May 14th 2009 at 9:43AM


Okay, so there's good news and bad news. Given that we just love to tease, we'll start you off with the positives. HDMI 1.4 was just revealed, bringing with it an HDMI Ethernet Channel (HEC) that enables data transfers of up to 100 Mbps between supported connected devices. Put simply, this could allow a "broadband-connected television using its HEC-enabled HDMI port to provide internet connection sharing with another HEC-enabled device such as a game console or DVR." Furthermore, the spec's Audio Return Channel (ARC) enables broadcast audio to be easily streamed back to an external amplifier, and the Automatic Content Enhancement (ACE) provides support for "future 3D video standards, increased resolution support (up to 4,096 x 2,160 pixels at up to 30Hz), and content recognition that promises to automatically optimize the TV's picture settings based on content type."

The bad news? HEC will only work with new HDMI 1.4 spec cables, and those will be graded into two separate levels of performance: low- and high-data rate. We needn't describe to you what kind of ball Monster Cable is going to have with that one, but even outside of that, we're baffled by the decision to add one more complexity to a cable that should seriously be doing everything in its power to not be overshadowed by DisplayPort. At any rate, we're told that Silicon Image is hoping to ship chip samples to manufacturers in Q2 2009, while HDMI 1.4-enabled products could arrive as early as next year. We aren't holding our breath, but we'll gladly eat crow if need be.

Netgear's MoCA coax-ethernet adapter kit now available, explained with bizarre cartoon

by Ross Miller posted Apr 22nd 2009 at 4:43AM

Netgear's coaxial-hijacking adapter kit MCAB1001 MoCA is now available. The pair of devices, which turns your cable outlets into a home networking solution with transfer speeds up to 270 Mbps, is retailing on the company's online shop for a penny under $190, and if you'd like to watch an infomercial on how it works, chock full of oddly-chosen metaphors and trippy visuals, we've got the perfect read link for you just below.

Read - Product page
Read - "MoCA in a Nutshell" video

Gefen's 8x4 CAT-5 HDMI Matrix is probably overkill for you

by Darren Murph posted Mar 20th 2009 at 8:35AM


Be warned -- unless you seriously need eight HDMI sources hooked up to a single matrix switch in order to activate four at a time on an array of panels, you should probably skip right over this one. If we just rung your bell, however, read on. Gefen's latest HDMI distribution box is definitely catering to the high-end / commercial market by being entirely rack-mountable and supporting up to eight HDMI inputs and four outputs. High-def signals can be transmitted over CAT5 cabling, and there's even an RS-232 port for additional control capabilities. As for distances, you can expect 1080i material to travel up to 300 feet without degradation, while 1080p content will flow 150 feet. The only problem? The $4,499 price tag. Full release is after the break.

Continue reading Gefen's 8x4 CAT-5 HDMI Matrix is probably overkill for you

Black Box doles out new media distribution over Ethernet device

by Darren Murph posted Mar 4th 2009 at 3:33AM


Another day, another way to distribute your media over tried-and-true Ethernet. Black Box Corporation has just announced its very own content-over-Ethernet box, which is hailed as a video and audio over Ethernet (VAoE) media distribution system. The device can utilize CAT5, CAT5e and CAT6 cabling to transmit high-definition video and audio to one or more displays up to 300 feet away; if you're hoping to reach farther, just throw in a standard network switch. We're told that it can support resolutions as high as 1080p, and it even acts a true gigabit Ethernet switch by supporting IP cameras, NAS components and other devices through its trio of 10/100/1000Mbps ports. There's nary a mention of price, but we get the feeling it won't be affordable.

Intellon ships 26 million HomePlug-based Powerline ICs -- who's buying?

by Darren Murph posted Feb 11th 2009 at 12:18AM


Intellon, the outfit responsible for providing HomePlug-compatible integrated circuits for all manners of applications, is pretty jovial today. Just this month, it surpassed the 26 million mark in terms of IC shipments, which have apparently gone to manufacturers of home networking, networked entertainment, Ethernet-over-Coax (EoC) and smart grid equipment. While all that may be fine and dandy, we're wondering just how many people outside of Intellon (and its tightest group of friends) actually care. To date, HomePlug is still struggling for recognition outside of the hardcore custom install market, and with wireless technologies gaining traction each day, we're left to wonder if HomePlug even has a shot at a second (or are we at third now?) life. Anywho, don't let us halt the party, but Intellon might want to divert some of that celebration cash to marketing.

[Image courtesy of PCW]

Netgear's Coax-Ethernet Adapter up for pre-order

by Darren Murph posted Jan 29th 2009 at 8:53AM


Netgear quietly introduced us to its MCAB1001 MoCA Coax-Ethernet adapter (among other things) at CES this year, but the curiously useful device has just now set itself up for pre-ordering. Put simply, this is the device to get for those who both loathe wireless (and all those inexplicable dropouts) and can't pony up the courage / fundage / willpower to wire their home with Ethernet. By enabling users to extend Ethernet signals over existing in-wall coax cabling, you can easily pass along web content, Blu-ray / DVD material or practically any other digital signal over the coax network that's (hopefully) already established within your domicile's walls. Yeah, $229.99 is a bit pricey, but go price out a house full of Ethernet and then reevaluate.

[Thanks, Matt]

VUDU certifies MoCA Ethernet-to-coax bridge for HD streaming

by Darren Murph posted Jan 10th 2009 at 10:36AM


Hard to say how much of an impact this will have -- after all, VUDU's already expressed its love for wire-free applications -- but the aforesaid movie set-top-box company has certified MoCA as a wired home networking solution for HD streaming. We get the impression that users looking to pipe VUDU content through their existing in-wall coaxial network can just pickup a MoCA Ethernet-to-Coax bridge, but as always, YMMV.

THIEL adds HDMI and wireless to its zoet multiroom audio system

by Steven Kim posted Jan 9th 2009 at 12:09PM

THIEL zoet systemThe press release doesn't get too specific about details, but THIEL is already lining up upgrades to its IP-based, multiroom zoet audio system. Sometime in 2009 after the April launch of the zoet db1 system, expect to see HDMI (8 inputs, 2 outputs) and wireless connectivity making way onto the options sheet. Don't let these future upgrades keep you from picking up the first version, though, as they will be retrofittable to early adopters (for a fee, of course). Unfortunately, we can only guess what the upgrade pricing might be. This system is based around powered versions of THIEL's SCS4 (the SCS4D), so we'll make two guesses -- it will sound good, but it won't be cheap. Full press release after the break.

Continue reading THIEL adds HDMI and wireless to its zoet multiroom audio system

Valens HDBaseT tech carries HD video, audio and internet over Ethernet

by Darren Murph posted Dec 15th 2008 at 11:47AM


Merely a day after we heard that the ITU had ratified G.hn as the new global standard for HDTV home networking, along comes Valens Semiconductor to keep the whole HD-over-Ethernet conversation going. Hailed as the first system to send and receive uncompressed HD video, audio and internet simultaneously over a single Ethernet cable, its HDBaseT technology will be showing off to the world at CES 2009. Reportedly, it's working towards "creating HDBaseT as the new digital connectivity standard for HD multimedia distribution," but we don't suspect that will be an easy road to traverse. Both the VS100SK (receiver) and VS100SR (transmitter) ICs are scheduled to be commercially available in 2H 2009, and we're even led to believe that they could be integrated within Blu-ray players, set-top-boxes, HDTVs and projectors. Full release and diagram is after the break.

Continue reading Valens HDBaseT tech carries HD video, audio and internet over Ethernet

GefenTV Ethernet over Powerline Extender does what it says

by Darren Murph posted Dec 13th 2008 at 11:41AM


Pretty easy, right? Gefen's new $199 GefenTV Ethernet over PLC Extender takes regular ole Ethernet and passes information through your home's pre-installed power lines in order to nix those plans of running 200-foot strands of CAT5 down the middle of your foyer. The device enables up to four Ethernet connections to be extended over power lines, and everything can be sent without quality loss (and at up to 200Mbps) as long as the sender is within 1,000-feet of the receiver. Put down the Ethernet spool, and slowly back away.

Teq AV/IT's HDCP-friendly TPH372 extends HDMI over CAT6

by Darren Murph posted Sep 28th 2008 at 2:55PM


It has been quite some time since we heard from Teq AV/IT, but for folks looking to extend HDCP-laden signals over HDMI, it's latest box couldn't have arrived soon enough. The TPH372 is completely HDCP 1.3 and DCC compatible and can pass along 1080p content over a single CAT6 cable up to 130-feet. If you're down with 1080i or 720p, you can make those runs 170- or 200-feet, respectively. Expect it to start shipping October 1st for $395.

Intel wants every HD STB to be network enabled

by Ben Drawbaugh posted Aug 4th 2008 at 2:07PM

Intel logoEver since personal computers have been capable of displaying full motion video -- almost ten years now -- we've wanted the same great content we have access to our TV, on our PC. Intel has been on board with us since day one -- for obvious reasons -- and was a big reason why the FCC currently requires cables companies to provide us with a HD STB with a functional 1394 port (upon request). But as we all know, 1394 isn't all the rage these days and thanks to all the DRM -- and the lack of 5C support on PCs -- going through the trouble of requiring your provider to comply with the mandate, just isn't worth it to access the same channels you can already get with a clear QAM tuner. So for the reasons mentioned above, Intel has petitioned the FCC to replace the 1394 requirement with a IP one. While we agree that IP is more widespread than 1394, we aren't so sure about the DRM that would be used to protect the content; DTCP-IP. So while we want HD on our PC as much as the next, if the FCC doesn't also require CableLabs to license DTCP-IP to computer software and hardware manufactures alike, we really don't see how this change would help.

Octava unveils HDMI over Ethernet extender

by Darren Murph posted Jul 13th 2008 at 8:34PM


If slinging HDMI signals over Ethernet sounds appealing to you, look no further than Octava's newest box. The HDMI over Ethernet extender enables users to transmit 1080p HDMI signals up to 150-feet over Ethernet (300-feet for 1080i), and while CAT6 is recommended, CAT5 should do the trick in a pinch. Of note, two Ethernet cables are necessary in order to carry audio / video as well as HDCP data, and both the receiver and transmitter are bundled with dedicated power supplies to ensure maximum performance. Expect the kit to ship next week for $199.

D-Link introduces DXN-221 Coax Ethernet Adapter Kit

by Darren Murph posted May 28th 2008 at 9:56AM

D-Link's no stranger to HD streaming, and the outfit is proving that it's still got game by announcing the Coax Ethernet Adapter Kit. The Multimedia over Coax Alliance (MoCA)-certified package consists of two DXN-220 adapters, each of which boast coaxial F-type connectors and an Ethernet port meant to give internet / network access to various rooms without worry over wireless connections flaking out on you. As you can tell, this one was designed to expand home networks without requiring any additional wiring (if you're pre-wired for cable, that is), and being that it operates in the 800MHz to 1,500MHz range, there won't be any interference with cable TV transmissions or the like. The DXN-221 kit -- which includes a pair of the aforementioned adapters -- will be available in Q3 for $199.99, while individual adapters can be purchased for $109.99 apiece.




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