Not that Macnica is the first to offer up a method for transmitting HD / HDMI over coaxial cabling, but it has taken the time in Tokyo to showcase a new system that relies on a Sigma Designs UWB transmission chipset (dubbed Windeo). The display saw high-definition content passed 100 meters over coaxial cable without noticeable degradation, and booth attendees at ESEC 2008 stated that the effective throughput was close to 120Mbps. We're still quite aways from this stuff being commonplace in the home, but with Pulse~LINK and Tzero battling it out in the courtroom over patent issues, we suppose someone has to pick up the slack.

Typically, IDX sticks to making battery systems and portable chargers, but recently, it decided to broaden its portfolio with the CAM-WAVE HD. Essentially, this device is meant to piggyback on cameras (think news crews, sporting events, etc.) and can transmit uncompressed HD signals up to 150-feet (line-of-sight) / 100-feet (through walls). What separates this man from the boys is its ability to beam out full-bandwidth uncompressed HD-SDI and SD-SDI images over short distances with practically no latency, as there's no internal compression slowing things down. Also of note, it's designed to operate in the 5.1 - 5.8GHz frequencies (meaning no unique FCC license is required) and it'll even send those high-def transmissions with encryption to keep snoopers at bay. 'Course, such a swank setup demands a stiff premium, and you'll be looking at a $6,000 bill should you pick up the system in Q3.

[Via FreshDV, thanks Uncle]

When a program nets some 97.5 million viewers, the last thing you want as a broadcaster is trouble with your transmission. Nevertheless, reports are already starting to flow in from towns in which their local FOX affiliate or cable provider somehow bungled what's likely to go down as the biggest night in US sports for 2008. One report out of Kinston, North Carolina, noted that multiple disruptions during kickoff and most of the third quarter had customers at a local restaurant "cursing at the television." As for a particular family near Springfield, Missouri, it's actually considering "canceling the cable service" after SuddenLink's mishandling of the game forced them to watch it via "rabbit ears." Any of you experience unforeseen outages during Sunday's matchup? If so, are you planning a revolt at your carrier's doorstep, or have cooler heads prevailed?

[Image courtesy of WiredVision]
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Details are extraordinarily light right now, but the little we do know about OWLink's latest content distribution system has certainly got our attention. Known only as the HD Digital Light Link, this system apparently enables users to run their audio (digital / analog), video and control signals down a single fiber optic cable that can easily be tucked under baseboards. The setup is reportedly HDCP-compliant and can carry your information for 1,000-feet without issue, and just in case you were curious, the ultrathin cable can indeed be painted to match surroundings. We're still waiting on a price / release date (and a photograph not totally ruined by a flash), but when we receive any of the three we'll be sure to pass it along.

Seems like the negotiators over at Sinclair are earning their paychecks this year, as the broadcasting group has now settled with Cox Communications on a four-year retransmission consent agreement that "includes high-definition programming." The deal covers cable systems owned by Cox spanning over 1.25 million subscribers in six markets owned by Sinclair. Notably, Sinclair stated that this agreement has allowed the firm to complete "long-term retransmission consent agreements with all major multiple system operators in its markets," but as we've seen from our Mediacom-strapped brethren, they're still watchin' the locals in SD in some areas.