Wireless HDTV standards cause confusion

During the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) next month, several companies will discuss at least four different wireless high-definition TV standards.

A panel discussion between vendors and representatives of the following formats will take place:  AMIMON, a WHDI supporter; Pulse-LINK, HDMI supporters; SiBEAM, wireless HD supporters; and ProVision, the 802.11n backer.

Out of the four standards, only 802.11n "is the only standard capable of cost-effectively transmitting interactive wireless HD video across all rooms within a home," said Professor Andrew Nix.

Broadcom, Hitachi, Motorola, Samsung, Sharp, and Sony joined the WHDI Special Interest Group (SIG), in the hope of creating and promoting a new 5 GHz platform.

Intel, Panasonic, LG Electronics, NEC, Toshiba, Samsung and Sony also are supporting a 60Hz technology used by Wireless HD.

"SiBEAM has recently completed a new round of fundraising, successfully securing the participation of two major backers, Panasonic and Samsung," ABI Research analyst Steve Wilson said in a statement.  "Broadcom has also joined the consortium.  Meanwhile Mitsubishi has announced its choice of the Amimon chipset.  All these are positive signs from major stakeholders in this incipient market."

The wireless HDTV market is still rather confusing, and analysts hope the panel discussion during CES will help consumers get a better understanding of what will happen in the future.

Despite the advances in technology, very few products are shipping with these new technologies.