Business News Holding

Category: hdtv

  • Belkin Cancels FlyWire Wireless HDMI Device


    After a series of postponements Belkin has finally said it will not be releasing its FlyWire wireless HDMI accessory.

    According to the company, the decision not to offer the FlyWire for sale has been taken because of the current state of the economy.

    With an expecteds retail price of USD $1,499, Belkin felt it would be "out of line" given the global economic situation.

    The cancellation comes after a number of postponements following the Flywire’s first appearance at CES 2008.

    The initially promising-sounding wireless device streams 1080p HD content from multiple HDMI inputs to HDTV televisions using the 5GHz band.

    The unit is a transmitter/receiver combo – and since the tiny receiver required only AC power and utilized a single HDMI output, it could be stealthily mounted behind wall-mounted flat screens or ceiling mounted projectors.

    The FlyWire’s disappointing no-show suggests that the future for HDMI consumer technology is bleak.

  • Amimon Raises $10 Million on Back of Strong WHDI Performance


    Wireless HD chipmaker Amimon has raised USD $10 million in its latest round of funding.

    The Israeli company’s announcement as demand for HDTVs capable of wirelessly transferring HD video from one device in the home continues to grow.

    Led by Stata Venture Partners the funding round also includes previous backers Argonaut Private Equity, Cedar Fund, Evergreen Venture Partners, Walden Israel and Motorola Ventures.

    The company said it has developed six different chips to date with its prior funding, including a new chip based on the WHDI (Wireless Home Digital Interface) standard.

    Its first-generation product is performing well, both in consumer electronics devices and in medical imaging equipment.

    Customers include Sony, Sharp, Mitsubishi, Gefen, Belkin, Stryker (medical devices), IDX (Pro AV video cameras), Philips, and Hinsense.

    The second-generation WHDI chip set improves on the first in that it can transfer full HD video – defined as video in the 1080p format running at 60 frames per second.

    The previous chip set could only do 1080i video at slower speeds.

    The new chip set is compliant with the Wireless Home Digital Interface (WHDI) industry standard and is expected to ship in customer products in 2010.

    Rival SiBEAM uses a different technology, based on the 60-gigahertz band of the radio spectrum, with higher speeds but shorter ranges.

    Yoav Nissan-Cohen, chairman and CEO of AMIMON, said the company is experiencing "strong acceptance" of the newly introduced 1080p/60Hz chipset.

    "The additional funding will allow Amimon to seize this opportunity to solidify our leadership position," he said.

    "We will use this round of funding to enhance production and expand our worldwide operations to meet growing global demand for our technology in the consumer electronics market as well as the medical and professional video markets."

  • CAST Releases H.264 IP Core for HD Video Compression


    Silicon Intellectual Property (IP) provider CAST has launched a new H.264 encoder core intended for applications that require the transmission of the highest quality video over low bit-rate channels.

    The company claims that the CAST H264-E Encoder Core delivers some of the best looking compressed video available.

    Possible uses include remote medical diagnostics, military targeting, satellite reconnaissance and advanced surveillance systems.

    The core offers this quality for screen sizes from handheld (CIF, 352 x 240 pixels) to full HD (1080p30, 1920 x 1080 at 30 frames per second).

    It fully supports the Baseline Profile, Level 4.1, of the H.264 specification (MPEG-4 Part 10, also known as MPEG-4 AVC, Advanced Video Coding).

    The company said that every design decision in the CAST H264-E development process was made in favor of improving video quality.

    "This uncompromising approach led to excellent output and nearly constant-quality video for even the most demanding compression challenges: high-motion scenes, quick camera panning, rapid scene changes, artificial motion, and frequent zooming," according to a CAST statement.

    "Achieving this video quality with just Baseline Profile support means the CAST H264-E generally requires fewer resources—processing time, chip area, and power consumption—than competing cores that support higher-level profiles."

    The H264-E Encoder Core was developed by long-time CAST partner Alma Technologies in Greece.

    The core is available now, in RTL source code for ASICs or optimized netlists for programmable devices.

  • ASUS Enters HDTV Monitor Market


    ASUS has announced a range of HDTV monitors that it says offers the best in desktop monitor and LCD TV technology.

    The TV Monitor T1 Series comes in 22- (22T1E), 24- (24T1E) and 27-inch (27T1E) sizes and offers a Full HD (1,920 x 1,080) panel, a 20,000:1 contrast ratio, 300 nits of brightness, five millisecond response time, built-in TV tuners (for the UK market) and a pair of seven-watt speakers.

    The monitors come with VGA, HDMI (x2), component, composite, S-Video and a 3.5 millimeter headphone jack.

    There is no detail on pricing yet.

  • Sony Launches Flagship HD Handycam


    Sony has announced two new flash memory-based high definition camcorders – the HDR-CX520V and the HDR-CX500V.

    Both cameras capture full 1920 x 1080 resolution video and up to 12 megapixel photos on internal flash memory.

    They offer support for up to 25 hours of HD video on the 64GB model.

    Among the features of both cameras are the ability to output 60p video – automatically converting convert to 60 frames per second on compatible HDTV sets.

    The camcorder’s Optical SteadyShot with Active Mode now comes with three way Shake Canceling.

    This reduces camera/hand shake in three different directions – the vertical and horizontal shake is corrected by optical image stabilization system while the lateral roll shake is now corrected by electronic image stabilization.

    There’s also the BIONZ imaging processor which now adds a Face Touch function. With Face Touch, users simply select a person to be prioritized by the camcorder simply by touching a detected face on the screen.

    Once a face is selected, the camcorder prioritizes and optimizes focus, skin color, and brightness for that selected individual.

    Other features include:

    • Back illuminated "Exmor R" CMOS sensor with twice the sensitivity of current front-illuminated CMOS sensor at F2.0
    • Built-in GPS antenna and NAVTEQ digital maps can geo-tag your videos and photos
    • Supports optional DVDirect Express DVD writer
    • Built-in zoom microphone with Dolby Digital 5.1 channel surround sound
    • Instant power-on feature when the LCD is opened
    • User interface comes with new operation bar for scroll searching of all menu items and a customizable shortcut menu
    • Highlight Scenario which saves up to 8 highlight scenes for viewing again later on
    • Record content onto optional Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo HX media

    The HDR-CX500V and HDR-CX520V will be available in September for approximately USD $1100 and $1300 respectively.

    The HDR-CX500V comes with 32B of internal flash memory while the HDR-CX520V comes with 64GB of internal flash memory.

  • Bristol Interactive Offers TV With PC – Not PC With TV


    Being able to Skype or IM with your favorite app from your HDTV would be pretty useful.

    Well, Bristol Interactive has developed a digital TV with an in-built Atom-powered netbook that would appear to allow users to do just that.

    While there are plenty of PCs on the market with TV tuners – the UK-based television manufacturer is producing 22" and 32" TVs with a gig of memory, a 160GB hard drive, four USB ports, and an Ethernet port.

    The as-yet unnamed devices work as normal TVs, but hit one button and the screen flips across to Windows XP and full netbook mode.

    Screen resolution is 1680 x 1050 pixels – certainly a lot more than you get on a netbook.

    The sets also come with a wireless keyboard with integrated track (mouse).

    Paul Fellows, CEO, of UK-based Bristol Interactive, said the two models are regular TVs but have the convenience of an ultra-compact PC built inside.

    He said they instantly switch between TV mode and PC mode, with no wait for the PC to boot up or log out.

    The TV, which operates independently of Windows, is always instantly available at the touch of a remote control button.

    Fellows said the TVs don’t have Wi-Fi – because of the reliability issues and the potential for support costs.

    Bristol expects to launch the system in October, with 22" models being sold for under GBP £500.

  • Home Networking Over Coax & Phone Wiring to Double in Two Years


    Demand for web video on TVs and whole-home DVR capability is driving demand for coax and phoneline networking, according to In-Stat.

    This is making it an increasingly important solution for home network connectivity, particularly for service provider provisioned networks.

    So much so that In-Stat forecasts that cumulative households with an in-home provider network utilizing coax/phoneline technology in North America will more than double from 2008 to 2010.

    Joyce Putscher, In-Stat analyst, said consumers want web video on their TV and also increasingly want whole-home DVR capability.

    "Networking over coax makes particularly good sense in North America where 90 per cent of homes have pre-existing coax wiring," she said.

    The recent research by In-Stat found the following:

    • In 2010, average PC home network throughput will exceed 150 Mbps in North America, ahead of throughput in Asia/Pacific and European households.
    • Nearly 2/3 of consumer respondents from In-Stat’s survey expressed an interest in watching Internet Video on their TV
    • Two segregated home networks (HN) have been evolving– A service provider-centric network, and a PC-centric network. Each is leveraging different business models and technologies

  • Digital Vision Launches USB Flash Drive DVR


    Digital Vision has launched the first USB flash drive-based digital video recorder (DVR).

    The UK company says its GiGo DV-DTR1 Digital TV recorder allows users to record content and then view it on devices such as laptops.

    Programmes are recorded in MPEG-2 format direct to any storage device plugged in to one of the DVR’s three front-facing USB ports.

    Playback is via the GiGo or via any device that supports MPEG-2 – allowing recorded content to be played on the move.

    Digital Vision said the GiGo box will be available from September for GBP £69.99 initially, although this will probably drop to £59.99.

    Functionalities include:

    • Record and playback digital TV
    • Copy from one device to another
    • Schedule recordings from the EPG onto three separate devices

  • MEDION Unveils Mobile HD Netbook


    MEDION has unveiled its next generation netbook – with an 11.6" HD display and ATI Radeon Xpress 1250 graphics.

    The AKOYA MINI E1312 appears to offer fast performance for its class. Equipped with AMD Sempron processor 210U power saving technology and 160 GB hard disk, the netbook is definitely geared at HD entertainment on the move.

    The TFT widescreen display presents HD resolution with 1366×768 pixels in a cinematic 16:9 format.

    The netbook also includes an HDMI output should users want to watch movies or look at photos on a larger screen.

    MEDION says the E1312’s 160GB S-ATA hard disk can comfortably hold over 30,000 songs or photos.

    It has a 6-cell Li-Ion battery (9-cell battery optional) and an in-flight mode to conveniently shut down all radio communications while on board a plane.

    There is also an integrated 1.3 MP webcam including microphone and Bluetooth 2.1.

    Connectivity options include three USB 2.0 ports, a 3-in-1 multi-format memory card reader, 802.11b/g/draft-n fast wireless networking capability and a 10/100MBit/s Ethernet port for high-speed file transfers.

    Available later this month in the UK and Ireland, it will be priced at GBP £339.99 and comes with a three-year warranty at no extra cost.

  • Mvix Launches "Ultimate" 1080p Home Theater Media Player


    Mvix has announces the worldwide launch of the Mvix Ultio, a hard-disk based media center capable of HD digital media playback with video output as high as 1080p.

    The company claims the device supports the largest array of AV formats and codecs of any media player.

    Ultio supports most 1080p HD video codecs, and formats such as H.264, MKV, Dixv HD, MOV, VC-1, FLV, etc.

    It is also capable of playing unique formats such as AVC-HD (normally used in camcorder footage) or FLAC (the popular, uncompressed audio, craved by audiophiles).

    Mvix Ultio is being launched in two flavors: the regular version (without a HDD) is priced at USD $169, whereas the premium version (bundled with 1TB Hard Drive) will be available at USD $259.

    Mike Mallon, business development manager of Mvix, said the Ultio is internet-ready and pre-equipped with a network port and an optional Wireless-N capability.

    He said it sports a samba server and a UPnP implementation, allowing seamless integration with services like PlayOn or Tversity – for streaming video content from Netflix, Hulu, CBS, Youtube, CNN, ESPN and much more.

    "This is our most comprehensive product to-date and we feel very confident about its market traction," he said.

    The Ultio is available now.