The Gadget for your Home Entertainment

Wireless HDMI seems to be coming more compact and it is now able to fit itself in your living room. Now-a-days, everyone pretty much have the same opinion that HDMI is the most bitter-sweet invention to hit the consumer AV electronics industry in some time. In some cases that is through the use of cable adaptation, while others are looking to send HDMI through the ether.

The first thing you should consider that, wireless HDMI is not cheap because the prices ranged from $800 to $1500. Obviously you can easily spend that much on an esoteric HDMI “high-speed” cable. As it’s the first generation of these product, so we can certainly expect those prices to drop over time. And now the big question arises that, how well does it work. For the answer, let’s look at some review of the products,

Gefen
Gefen provides two different wireless solutions, one using TZero Technologies’ UWBor Ultra Wideband and another using your standard 802.11. The Gefen HDMI extender uses the UWB tech, operates on the 4-6 GHz frequency, and works well up to 10 meters. According to the press release, it is good for up to 1080/24p, though the technical engineers claimed 1080i. It also supports 5.1 multi-channel audio, has 2 HDMI inputs, a component video input and analogue audio inputs. The component and analogue audio inputs are up-converted to HDMI.

Belkin
This wireless solution has three HDMI inputs, two components with analogue audio, 1 combination with analogue audio, and one S-video input. Belkin supports resolutions up to 1080/24p. It also operates on 5GHz. It is IR controlled and will play nice with universal remotes.

Sony
Sony’s solution was a little different in that it worked only with Sony’s’ products. The Sony Bravia Link works with their newest Bravia displays where the receiver was internal and also worked with boasts 1080i. The Sony’s solution comes with four 4 HDMI inputs and a component input and comes with 5 IR emitters. Emitter mainly is via of the remote which is RF and it making sort of a combo universal solution/wireless HDMI thingies.

IOGear
It’s not technically an HDMI solution but it is a Wireless USB to VGA Kit from IOGear will stream up to 720p from your PC to a VGA monitor. The transmitter plugs will go in to your USB port and sends it to a receiver up to 30 feet away. However, your display will have to support a VGA input and there is no provision for audio but it is pretty cool, especially for business or classroom use. It works with XP and Vista and requires a USB 2.0 port.

The wireless HDMi devices can be expensive but look in the bright side; you are getting high quality picture and at the same time there are no extra cable lying around your living room. Before buying any type of the HDMI solutions, don’t forget to check your televisions and other multimedia appliances manual. Make sure to install the device properly and if you face any kind of problem, never hesitate to contact the experts.