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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

Atlona teams with Wisair for wireless USB to HDMI adapter

by Darren Murph posted Apr 15th 2009 at 6:06PM


Wait a second -- isn't wireless USB, um, deceased? Regardless of what pundits and the industry at large have said (via words, actions, or otherwise), Wisair is absolutely refusing to give up the dream. To that end, the firm has teamed with peripheral mainstay Atlona in order to develop and produce a wireless USB to HDMI adapter. Much like the wired AT-HDPiX, the May-bound AT-HDAiR enables users to connect any USB-enabled computer to any HDTV or projector via VGA or HDMI. The difference? This one works sans extra cabling. The range here is 30 feet, though you can only expect footage to stream through at up to 720p (or 1,440 x 1,200). At least the price tag is just $199, which sure beats some of the obviously more capable options with WHDI chips within.

Atlona's AT-LINE-PRO3 video scaler goes to 11

by Steven Kim posted Apr 3rd 2009 at 4:48AM

Atlona Technologies AT-LINE-PRO3 scaler switcherBringing things in line with last year's AT-LINE-EX 10-input video scaler, Atlona Technologies has one-upped itself with the 11-input AT-LINE-PRO3. Really more of an update to the measly five inputs on the AT-LINE-PRO2, the new model brings the "PRO" series more in line with the "EX" one. The back of the unit is encrusted with inputs: 2 composite, 2 component, 1 VGA, 1 DVI-I, 4 HDMI and even a lonely S-Video, each of which can be scaled up to 1080p and sent to the pair of mirrored HDMI outputs. Definitely a piece of gear with a more commercial kind of appeal, but it's always better to have more inputs than you need as opposed to fewer, right? Ships this month for $699.

Gefen announces 4x2 and 2x4 Switchers for HDMI v1.3

by Darren Murph posted Mar 29th 2009 at 11:16PM


Gefen's roll of new switchers continues today with two new ones: the 4x2 Switcher for HDMI v1.3 and the 2x4 Switcher for HDMI v1.3. The former, as the title insinuates, enables users to connect four HDMI v1.3-enabled devices to two HDTVs or projectors, while the latter is aimed at integrators wanting to display the same high-def video and audio on four HDTVs or projectors at the same time. Each one also comes bundled with HDMI cables and is fully CEC pass-through / HDCP compliant. As for pricing, you're looking at $549 for the 4x2 and $699 for the 2x4, and they'll both ship out next month.

Read - 4x2 Switcher for HDMI v1.3
Read - 2x4 Switcher for HDMI v1.3.

Monster "HDMI Difference" scam still kickin' in Fry's Electronics

by Darren Murph posted Mar 23rd 2009 at 11:31AM


Man, this is just sad. Over a year after the internet was set ablaze with rage after seeing Monster's HDMI cable scam, we've just been notified that the tactic is still being used in at least one Fry's Electronics store. For those unaware, the rig works as such: two TVs are set beside each other along with a sign that says "See the Monster HDMI Difference." Trouble is, the "Monster set" (on the right) is connected to its source via an HDMI cable, while the "non-Monster set" (on the left) is connected via composite cable. As in, the lamest looking signal next to using an RF modulator. So, is anyone with any amount of power paying attention to this? We get the feeling "false advertising" is a real understatement of the situation.

[Thanks, Jeff]

Just how important is HDMI 1.3?

by Darren Murph posted Mar 22nd 2009 at 12:54AM


Over the years, we've had all sorts of discussions surrounding HDMI, particular the latest and (supposedly) greatest version, v1.3. Aside from the fact that you'll need v1.3 in order to take full advantage of the hippest audio formats and such, why even care about what version you're using? The lovable geeks over at HomeTheaterMag broke it all down real nice like, explaining the benefits of HDMI 1.3 as well as what the prior versions of HDMI can / cannot do. There's far too much detail to cover in this space, but we'd highly recommend you checking out the read link if you're even remotely interested in learning something that any home theater junkie should know. In other words, don't miss out.

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

Marmitek intros Connect410 and Connect411 HDMI switches

by Darren Murph posted Mar 19th 2009 at 7:38PM

Can't say we've ever had the pleasure of handling a Marmitek device ourselves, but for those scouting a new HDMI switch, said company has a new duo it'd like for you to look at. The Connect410 is a higher-end HDMI switch that can handle four HDMI devices and pipe 'em one at a time to a single HDMI output. It also includes a built-in repeater and equalizer for correcting any signal loss, and the bundled remote ensures that you'll never have to leave the sofa to switch inputs. The Connect411 does everything the aforementioned 410 does, but it adds in a digital audio output for good measure. Each one can be procured right now across the pond for €89.95 ($121) / €149.95 ($201), respectively.

Gefen's latest DVI extenders take things two whole kilometers

by Darren Murph posted Mar 12th 2009 at 9:40PM


And to think -- we were gettin' all hot and bothered over the extension of signals to 1,000 feet. Gefen's latest DVI extenders aim to take things far longer than 99.5 percent of Earthlings will ever need, as both the DVI-3500HD and DVI-2500HD (dual-link DVI) can take DVI, USB, RS-232 and analog audio up to 6,600 feet (two whole kilometers) without any dropouts or distortion. Of course, you'll need four fiber optic cables to make it all come together, not to mention $2,679 / $1,599 (respectively) to bring those capabilities home. But hey, you can pipe the big game to your pal's house without actually having to step foot in his less-than-inviting abode.

Neothings LightSpider takes HDMI signals 300 feet over fiber

by Darren Murph posted Mar 10th 2009 at 2:18AM


Gefen has already taken the wind out of Neothings' sails somewhat with its HDMI v1.3 Fiber Extender, but if you're not quite ready to drop the coin required to take HDMI signals 1,000 feet over fiber optics, this here device may be the perfect solution. Dubbed LightSpider, this bridge can take HDMI, RS-232 and analog audio around 300 feet on a single fiber cable utilizing OWLink's Digital Light Interface technology. The company is quick to point out that the unit's integrated support for HDCP is a big win for those passing along protected material, though it won't go so far as to provide a price. Reportedly, the company will be on hand at EHX Spring to showcase it to HD junkies and home theater installers, after which we fully expect to hear more details on how to actually procure this thing.

Gefen ships pricey HDMI v1.3 Fiber Extender

by Darren Murph posted Mar 4th 2009 at 8:21AM


As if Gefen didn't have enough solutions for extending your HDMI signals, along comes yet another that's more expensive and more sophisticated than any of the others. The all new HDMI v1.3 Fiber Extender enables users to pass along HDMI 1.3 signals up to 330 meters (around 1,000 feet) without even a hint of signal delay or electromagnetic interference disturbances such as cut-outs and pixilation. The secret? Rather than using Ethernet or copper wiring, this box transmits the content over a single fiber optic cable, utilizing six lasers to serialize the HDMI 1.3 signal and pass along 1080p high-def video and audio to displays far, far away. 'Tis a shame this helpful little bugger is priced at $1,499 -- kind of puts it out of reach for the vast majority of those that could use it. Full release is after the break.

Continue reading Gefen ships pricey HDMI v1.3 Fiber Extender

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.

S-Video disappearing from AV receivers, few seem to notice

by Darren Murph posted Feb 25th 2009 at 7:38AM


Not like it's any shock to see a legacy port slowly fade away as new technologies come along, but really, it's kind of amazing that S-Video has hung around as long as it has. So far as we can tell, the format has been in existence since at least 1987, and no matter the adoption rate, 22 years in the consumer electronics industry is a milestone to be proud of. CNET has a new piece up that points out just how many AV receivers are dropping S-Video connectors entirely, with Yamaha's new RX-V family among the latest to bid the port a fond farewell. Our question to you is this: do you mind? When's the last time you actually used an S-Video socket over component, HDMI, DVI, VGA or DisplayPort? We're guessing most of you won't even be able to recall.




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