Skip to Content

Are you prepared for Wrath of the Lich King? WoW Insider has you covered!
AOL Tech

Posts with tag hdmi

Inspiretech launches inexpensive HDMI cables and adapters

by Darren Murph, posted Oct 7th 2008 at 5:50PM


After one of our most recent Ask Engadget HD questions aired, we quickly found that you folks heavily preferred the cost and quality of cables at Monoprice. We can't say that those set in their ways are apt to switch over anytime soon, but Inspiretech is clearly aiming at the same crowd with its sleek, inexpensive new HDMI cables. The company has launched a number of HDMI 1.3 interconnects including a 3-footer for $3.99, a 6-footer for $5.99 and a 6.5-foot HDMI-to-Mini HDMI cable for $12.99. Sure beats some of those other companies quite handily.

Samsung implements InstaPort HDMI port switching on next-gen HDTVs

by Darren Murph, posted Oct 5th 2008 at 3:21AM


We heard about Silicon Image's InstaPort fast HDMI switching tech back in July, and now it seems we're finally seeing implementation. Samsung has emerged as the first manufacturer to buy in, with its next-generation HDTVs to include the sub-second HDMI port switching functionality. Also, we're told that nine of the top ten TV makers are currently testing the product, which means they should be ready to roll by next year. Unfortunately, we're not clued in on what exact models will include the port / input processors, so here's hoping this means "all" Samsung sets.

[Via Digital Science]

Ask Engadget HD: What's the best HDMI splitter on the market?

by Darren Murph, posted Oct 1st 2008 at 12:00PM Featured Story


Now that you know which cable(s) you're going to use, how's about giving Daniel a bit of advice on splitting up the signal?

"What is the best HDMI splitter on the market? I want to split my signal to a 42-inch LCD TV (about 9-feet away from the source) and a projector (through a 50-foot HDMI cable). Considering the distances needing to be covered, would a powered splitter be better than a passive one?"

We'll go ahead and assume Daniel's looking for one that can pass a 1080p signal without degradation, so recommending that Dollar Tree box you saw probably isn't the best thing to do. On the real, feel free to shout out any positive / negative experiences you've had with extenders and switches -- hopefully one of 'em will fit the bill here.

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.

Gefen's Digital Audio Decoder splits out the audio from your HDMI stream

by Steven Kim, posted Oct 1st 2008 at 12:25AM

Gefen logoLet's say the state of your HDMI setup is a divided along video and audio sides, with your audio equipment lacking enough HDMI connections (if you have any at all). In its never-ending drive to cover every conceivable signal switching/splitting/converting/extending need, Gefen has a Digital Audio Decoder little black box just for you -- it lets you send in one HDMI audio+video signal, and spits out audio on HDMI and analog connections out back, along with a HDMI video passthrough. If the thought of trusting your audio decoding to Gefen is too much to bear, might we suggest you just try enjoying a movie or two before putting up all your audiophile-approved but HDMI-less gear up on eBay?

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.

Ask Engadget HD: Which cable / interconnect brand should I rely on?

by Darren Murph, posted Sep 24th 2008 at 12:00PM Featured Story


We've heard this question so many times that we've taken for granted the answer, but given the recent increase in competition in the cable market, we figured we'd pass along Josiah's question on the matter:

"I'm not going to pay hundreds of dollars for those cables sold in Best Buy and Circuit City, but I want the best possible audio and video quality. I've got a pretty basic setup, and I just need a few HDMI cables, a set of component cables and a few optical audio cables. Where would I go to get the best for my money? Is there a particular brand I should look for? What has worked out for your readers?"

Unload your experiences with cables -- however expensive (or cheap) -- below, and be sure to elaborate on which brand / store / etc. you found to be the best for the price. Oh, and make no mention of Furutech, we're trying to keep the cost-per-cable under a grand.

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.

HDMI founders to finally rally around single CEC standard

by Darren Murph, posted Sep 21st 2008 at 9:08PM


Back in March, we called for HDMI members to put aside their differences and unify around a single HDMI-CEC standard. According to Steve Venuti, president of HDMI Licensing, LLC, that movement is about to begin. While speaking to CE Pro at CEDIA, the bigwig confessed that the HDMI founders (Hitachi, Panasonic, Philips, Silicon Image, Sony, Thomson and Toshiba) have finally agreed to team up on a "unified CEC plan." If executed, the result would mean that HDMI-CEC-enabled VIERA plasmas could be controlled in unison with HDMI-CEC-enabled Sony receivers, and the whole VIERA Link / BRAVIA Sync / Anynet+ / AQUOS Link garbage could finally be disposed of. Mr. Venuti also claimed that there would "probably be an announcement at CES 2009," so we'll be keeping an ear out in around 100 days.

[Image courtesy of AVReview, thanks Lindsay]

AV Toolbox delivers HDMI switch, scaler and signal splitter

by Darren Murph, posted Sep 21st 2008 at 5:02AM


AV Toolbox may not be the first name that comes to mind when lookin' some new HDMI equipment, but the outfit has just rolled out a trifecta of reasonably priced, no-nonsense gear that may be just the fit for your switching, scaling and / or splitting needs. First up is the AVT-6041 HDMI Version 1.3 Routing Switcher, which enables easy switching between four HDMI sources, with or without HDCP protection. The AVT-6071 Multi-format Routing Switcher takes in a variety of analog sources (or HDMI sources) and upconverts 'em to HDMI standards (or thereabout). Finally, the AVT-6114 HDMI Version 1.3 Signal Splitter can distribute up to four HDMI / PC signals to four other displays, and it supports resolutions all the way up to UXGA. All three can be had right now for $129, $349 and $239 in order of mention.

DisplayPort and HDMI square off in uber-thorough comparison

by Darren Murph, posted Sep 19th 2008 at 11:48PM


Overwhelmingly, HDMI is the de facto standard these days for home component connections. For those who've been paying any amount of attention here lately, you'd also know that DisplayPort is lurking, waiting to pounce and grab some of that lucrative market share. An astonishingly detailed report at EDN pits the two digital-display-interface standards against one another in an attempt to discover whether we really, truly need two ways to plug things in. As expected, there are pros and cons for each, and while we wouldn't deem this a bona fide format war just yet, things could get hairy if some manufacturers start to favor one over the other. For the hardcore hardware nerds in the audience, the brilliant writeup in the read link is one that can't be missed. Place your bets at the door, the gloves are about to come off.

Gefen reveals 1:5 Splitter for HDMI over CAT5

by Darren Murph, posted Sep 11th 2008 at 11:47AM


While Gefen tries to decide if it likes UWB or WHDI better, it's getting back to its bread and butter with the 1:5 Splitter for HDMI over CAT5. The rack-mountable unit allows any single HDMI source to be split and delivered to five displays simultaneously and can also extend four displays up to 45-meters over CAT5. At the aforesaid distance, 1080p content can be streamed, but if 1080i is sufficient, you can reach up to 90-meters. Unfortunately, these privileges don't come cheap, though it's available to pre-order this very moment if you've got the $2,249 to burn.

AudioQuest's Series 10 HDMI cable takes 1080p 115-feet with no extender

by Darren Murph, posted Sep 5th 2008 at 11:02PM

Taking your HDMI signals a few hundred feet isn't a problem if you're kosher with dropped a few Benjamins on an extender, but AudioQuest has a better idea -- just make a cable that can take said signals further. The Series 10 HDMI cable is making its grand entrance at CEDIA this year, and thanks to some fancy Advanced Critical Twist Geometry and a proprietary conductor alloy, it can pipe 1080p content up to 35-meters (115-feet) from the source "virtually error-free." Pricing and availability weren't mentioned, but considering how much you'll save by not having to buy an extender, we'd expect these strands to be mighty pricey. Full release after the break.

Continue reading AudioQuest's Series 10 HDMI cable takes 1080p 115-feet with no extender

Sony's high-end SCD-XA5400ES SACD player eyes-on at CEDIA

by Darren Murph, posted Sep 4th 2008 at 11:57PM Featured Story


A $1,500 SACD player? In 2008? Long after the never-very-popular format peaked? Thanks, Sony -- we can only imagine how lopsided the gallery visit-to-purchase ratio will be on this one.

Panasonic brings free-angle HDMI cables to the USA

by Darren Murph, posted Sep 3rd 2008 at 6:57PM


Panny's simplistic, albeit brilliant free-angle HDMI cables generated a lot of buzz when announced earlier this year. Now, Panasonic's doing the smart thing by bringing these suckers to the US of A. Announced alongside its sizable PZ850 plasmas and the PT-AE3000 projector, these HDMI 1.3a-compatible cables are destined to hit shelves (and your home theater setup soon after) in October. As for pricing, you're looking at $59.99 for the 1.5-meter edition and $79.99 for the 3-meter version.

Tributaries' HXMini5 extends 1080p HDMI signals up to 100 meters

by Darren Murph, posted Sep 1st 2008 at 9:53AM


Forget 130-feet -- how's about 100 meters? The new long-range solution from Tributaries (dubbed HXMini5) extends Full HD video (with audio) just over 300-feet with no loss of quality or reliability. The box can sling 1080p/60Hz HDMI signals up to 100-meters and 1080p/120Hz up to 55-meters, and of course, it's fully HDCP compliant. Being compatible with HDMI v1.3 also gives it the ability to understand Dolby Digital / DTS audio transmissions, and the self-calibrating active amplification and equalization enables it to "automatically adapt to cable length and signal rate." Get your HDMI signals to go further for $450.

Sony debuts $1,500 SACD player with HDMI output

by Donald Melanson, posted Aug 27th 2008 at 1:54PM


We have to admit, that headline makes us a little bit giddy, and Sony seems to be betting there's enough folks giddy enough to throw down their credit card to snag its new high-end SACD player, which has just made its debut in Japan. In addition to making a bold statement of non-conformity in your A/V rack, the SCD-XA5400ES is particularly notable for its inclusion of an HDMI output, which nicely complements the usual digital optical, coax, and analog audio options. According to Sony, you can also expect nearly zero distortion from the twin R-core transformer and D/A system, which is independent from the general processing chipset. What's more, unlike many such product announcements, while this one made its debut in Japan, it's already available for pre-order from at least one US retailer (JR.com), although there's no promised release date just yet (it lands in Japan in October).




Weblogs, Inc. Network

AOL News

Other Weblogs Inc. Network blogs you might be interested in:

Joystiq
Download Squad
The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW)
BloggingStocks
Xbox 360 Fanboy
Autoblog
Big Download Blog
Fanhouse NFL Blog