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Ericsson demos 500Mbps vectorized VDSL2, HD streams get way excited

by Darren Murph posted Mar 17th 2009 at 2:42PM


If you were jazzed about Comcast's recent announcement that its DOCSIS 3.0 technology was spreading even further across America, you should probably have a seat before reading the rest of this. Ericsson, who is generally known for its work in pushing mobile broadband speeds past the limit, has just demonstrated a VDSL2-based technology achieving data transfer rates of more than 0.5Gbps. Yeah, 500Mbps. The so-called "vectorized" VDSL2 tech can even offer up these speeds on existing copper lines, and for what it's worth, the demo utilized six bonded lines. We know, the only question here is "when?" Ericsson asserts that the standards for VDSL2 and line bonding are available today, but the standardization of vectoring "is ongoing and is expected by the end of 2009." Gimme, gimme.

[Via Total Telecom, image courtesy of VideoJug]

USB 3.0 demonstrations dazzle: uncompressed 1080p transfer proves simple

by Darren Murph posted Nov 19th 2008 at 5:47PM


You've been adequately teased with what all USB 3.0 (or SuperSpeed USB, as we tend to refer to it) can do, but a gaggle of companies took the chance in San Jose, California to really demonstrate just how quick the protocol is. Most notable was the demo by Synopsys, which prototyped an HDTV video transmission system based on USB 3.0 and showed to wide-mouthed onlookers that an uncompressed 1080p feed at 30 frames-per-second could be whisked along at around 450Mbps. Sure, USB 3.0 has wireless HD to watch out for, but given that said technology is currently on track for an August 2298 release, it could really do some tethered damage in the meanwhile.

Comcast gets serious about DOCSIS 3.0 rollouts

by Darren Murph posted Oct 22nd 2008 at 4:56PM


Alright Minneapolis, you've had your fun. Now it's time for another swath of Comcast markets to indulge in the lavish joys that only DOCSIS 3.0 can provide. For those unaware, the aforesaid technology enables 50Mbps internet to be delivered over the cable company's infrastructure, which brings it up to speed (ahem) with offerings by fiber-based carriers Verizon and AT&T. In the next few weeks, the DOCSIS 3.0-based "Extreme 50" option will bring 50Mbps down / 5Mbps up to subscribers in parts of New England, Philadelphia and New Jersey. Better still, the company announced its intentions to bring the $139.95 per month service to ten other big markets where it will reach "about 10 million homes and businesses in the next few months." Oh, and if that's just too much intarwebz for you to handle, an "Ultra" 22Mbps downstream service will be available for $62.95 per month.

[Via Reuters, image courtesy of TheRedWoodMotel]

Fuji, NTT testing non-compressed HDTV video transmission at Olympics

by Darren Murph posted Aug 12th 2008 at 4:09PM

Wireless HD is having a tough time catching on in the consumer market, but that doesn't mean that things are as dreary in the commercial realm. Fuji Television Network and NTT Corp. are testing out "non-compressed HDTV video transmission using a wireless technology based on the 120GHz milliwave band in live feeds from the Beijing Olympic Games." By utilizing the technology, the duo has demonstrated "simultaneous, wireless transmission of multiple HDTV video channels without delay," essentially enabling camera toting employees to capture footage from more places by being able to walk around untethered. Being able to record spontaneous outbursts from jubilant victors no matter where they are at the Games? Score.

Macnica demonstrates UWB-over-coax HD transmissions

by Darren Murph posted May 17th 2008 at 9:58PM


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.

IDX offers up CAM-WAVE HD wireless transmission camera

by Darren Murph posted May 12th 2008 at 2:18AM

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]

Note to networks: don't botch the Super Bowl broadcast

by Darren Murph posted Feb 5th 2008 at 8:56PM


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]
Read - Television reception leaves many Super Bowl viewers in the dark
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OWLink's HD Digital Light Link solves your wiring conundrum

by Darren Murph posted Nov 14th 2007 at 3:53PM

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.

Sinclair and Cox reach retransmission agreement

by Darren Murph posted Jun 9th 2007 at 11:12AM

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.




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