HDTV Preview: 1080p, Blu-ray, Media PCs, and HD Wireless

[jmet]

The 2006 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas will provide a tantalizing glimpse of the latest in high-definition displays as well as improvements in the way we receive, record, and stream high-def content. And if we're lucky, some of these desirable technologies may make it into the hands of consumers before CES 2007. Credit & More Info: PC Mag

[fiddlersu]

Returning from the CES show, it is evident that HDMI will continue to be the de-facto standard in home video transmission for 2 reasons: 1) uncompressed digital format ensures the best picture quality and 2) HDMI allows content providers to ensure that their intellectual property is protected through HDCP.

It is clear that more equipment such as Cable/Satellite Set Top boxes, DVD players, HD DVD players, Personal video recorders, video game stations, and computer video cards will adopt HDMI/DVI. However, many early-generation HDTV monitors only had 1 or 2 HDMI input leaving the early adopter no way to easily add HDMI enabled sources. Furthermore many Surround Sound Audio Receivers do not include HDMI switching. External HDMI switching solution was designed to allow end users add HDMI sources and at the same time upgrade their existing Surround Sound Audio Receiver with HDMI switching capabilities. This allows the end user to fully experience the benefits of HDMI.

External HDMI switch solution include 3x1 and 5x1 HDMI switch. The 3x1 HDMI switch allows the user to connect up to 3 HDMI sources and share it with 1 HD monitor or projector. The 5x1 HDMI switch are for “power users” who intend to add in more sources in the future.
HDMI switch should be meticulously engineered for superior impedance matching, minimum skew
and clean transmission. All switches should also beHDCP compatible and are transparent to the HDCP process ensuring compatibility.

[toomanycats]

You would have to have your HDMI device right next to your LCD or DLP projector to use it as digital signals degrade significantly at any distance. I think you can't run HDMI more than 12 feet max with out boosting the signal with an additional amplifier and they are outrageously expensive. Try to find a HDMI cable longer than 6 feet. Component video cables can easily be run 50 feet with no problem. HDCP is a big problem and since it is turned on with the detection of any protection playing you backed up video may be your only alternative unless you can find a player thay will upscale or play the 1080p formats thru the component outputs which is exactly what THE MAN doesn't want.