A wireless future?

[satans worm]

After a conversation with a friend at the weekend, was wondering why we still have a need for HDMI/ aerial leads etc, why dont we use a 'dongle' or other such devise to wirelessly receive and send all signals?
Or is this already available?

[Mr_Yogi]

Well wireless HDMI is about to be released later this year, I believe Sony amongst others have TV's ready. The problem up until now has been the bandwidth required to transmit a full 1080p signal is HUGE.

If fact (or so I've heard) the first wireless HDMI products will not send 1080p signals, only 1080i.

[FlossyThePig]

I have read about a system that aims to combine network over mains with telephone and video (in the latest issue of Personal Computer World). It is not compatible with the current network over mains.

Therefore, if it works, you only need a mains cable into the TV, STB, etc. Telephone still uses standard phone cable.

[Plotloss]

Panasonic showed a set at CES that had an off panel media box that communicated wirelessly with the display.

[satans worm]

mmm, interesting, maybe i'll hold off spending GBP100 + on a 10meter HDMI cable then

[MkGriff]

Are we really saying that from a media centre PC, through an 802.11n set-up, that we cannot transfer data quickly enough to support 1080p?

Does anyone know what speeds are required?

The mains solution above - was that in reference to a new version of X10?

[Mr_Yogi]

Current Wireless N has nowhere near the bandwidth required, remember HDMI is uncompressed.

Something to the order of 4GBits/s for 1080p60 compared with Wireless N's 300Mbits/s (ish?)

[JustinP1]

Mr_Yogi said:

Current Wireless N has nowhere near the bandwidth required, remember HDMI is uncompressed.

Something to the order of 4GBits/s for 1080p60 compared with Wireless N's 300Mbits/s (ish?)

Yeah we are still miles away.

Secondly isn't it just looking to technology for an expensive and imperfect way of solving a problem that doesn't really exist?

I am happy using cables at the moment.

Until wireless technology gets good enough to stream my Sky HD all over the house then it is a bit of a moot point. Due to the power regulations allowed for wireless, we are still a long way off that too.

[satans worm]

JustinP1 said:

Mr_Yogi said:

Current Wireless N has nowhere near the bandwidth required, remember HDMI is uncompressed.

Something to the order of 4GBits/s for 1080p60 compared with Wireless N's 300Mbits/s (ish?)

Yeah we are still miles away.

Secondly isn't it just looking to technology for an expensive and imperfect way of solving a problem that doesn't really exist?

I am happy using cables at the moment.

Until wireless technology gets good enough to stream my Sky HD all over the house then it is a bit of a moot point. Due to the power regulations allowed for wireless, we are still a long way off that too.

The problem with cables is that they are unsightly, sure their are some solutions but none are great. This is especialy true when you may want to move the TV to another part of the room (or the source material player) Not to mention it would be nice to wirelessly stream to any tv in the house rather than have to be hooked to a cable.

Oh well, maybe I'll buy that 10m cable after all

Edited by satans worm on Tuesday 3rd February 15:26

[JustinP1]

satans worm said:

JustinP1 said:

Mr_Yogi said:

Current Wireless N has nowhere near the bandwidth required, remember HDMI is uncompressed.

Something to the order of 4GBits/s for 1080p60 compared with Wireless N's 300Mbits/s (ish?)

Yeah we are still miles away.

Secondly isn't it just looking to technology for an expensive and imperfect way of solving a problem that doesn't really exist?

I am happy using cables at the moment.

Until wireless technology gets good enough to stream my Sky HD all over the house then it is a bit of a moot point. Due to the power regulations allowed for wireless, we are still a long way off that too.

The problem with cables is that they are unsightly, sure their are some solutions but none are great. This is especialy true when you may want to move the TV to another part of the room (or the source material player) Not to mention it would be nice to wirelessly stream to any tv in the house rather than have to be hooked to a cable.

Oh well, maybe I'll buy that 10m cable after all

Edited by satans worm on Tuesday 3rd February 15:26

That only makes real sense when we can stream 240V wirelessly too.

Until then, one more cable solves a whole lot of problems such as transmission strengths, interference, a universal standard etc. It took them most of a decade just to agree upon HDMI!