Wireless high definition video standard revealed

13th December, 2009 by adina
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Chip designer Amimon has revealed the specifications of the WHDI – wireless high definition video standard. This is one of at least four other technologies meant to bring wireless high definition video distribution in our homes. It uses 5GHz, Wi-Fi-based technology and will allow sending 1,080-pixel high definition video at 60Hz refresh rates and twelve-bit colour depth through multiple walls and up to 100 feet away. Data rates are said to be fixed at a maximum of 3Gbps when using a 40MHz channel. Support for only 720-pixel was initially promised by Amimon, but meantime the technology has evolved and now supports the HDCP (High-Bandwidth Digital Content Protection) version 2.0. A version of the CEC (Consumer Electronics Control) protocol from HDMI is also included, which allows users to send video content to multiple rooms.

The chips produced by Amimon include two-chip receivers and transmitters using a 90nm CMOS baseband and a silicon germanium radio, everything consuming up to 3W of power. Members of the consortium can access the technology for a $2,000 per year fee if they sign up during this year. The WHDI Consortium intends to create an interoperability test suite and certification laboratory in the autumn of next year. The first products using the standard should be available the same time.

Competitors use the Wireless Gigabit Alliance and the WirelessHD standard, but the latter does not have HDCP 2.0 support. Many TV makers, such as Sharp and Sony, are already committed to follow the WHDI standard. Others, like LG, Motorola, Hitachi and Samsung also take part to the consortium.


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