R2D2 Upgrades to HDMI and Xbox 360

By Erik Hyrkas
From http://walyou.com/

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Major League Mods has just unleashed every Star Wars geek’s wet dream, for lack of a better description.

A life-size model of R2D2 bears a striking resemblance to the projector/dvd-player/sound system made by Nikko, as seen here. The difference is that Major League Mods appears to have spliced the internals of an Xbox 360 of all things, with a similar product. That’s right; you can now play Star Wars Battlefront III with R2 projecting on your wall.

It’s hard to believe, but no 360 ports appear to have been sacrificed in this George Lucas/Microsoft-effigy. The HDMI and RCA ports are in back along with power input, two USBs up front with the power button, and, of course, R2’s glowing eye is right where is should be.

R2 also lights up, but does not appear to move on its own. We’re not exactly sure if it makes sounds, but the well-known high-pitched chirps are definitely evident in the video. Check it out yourself below.

While we cannot confirm or deny the validity of this Mod, the splash screen of Xbox 360’s menu does appear on the wall in this video, and the ports do appear to be that of the Xbox as well. If you’d like to learn more, we suggest you contact Mark Bongo, the owner of Major League Mods and custom-modification guru who brought this gamer droid to life. You can also check out his Free eBooks to learn how to do this mod yourself. May the force be with you.

In love with the little bleeping R2D2? Bleep your way to a R2D2 specs poster or a cool R2D2 steampunk project.

iPad 2 shows off its HDTV gaming prowess

Posts by Kelly
From http://www.intomobile.com/

With the launch of the iPad 2, Apple unveiled a new Digital AV adapter that takes content from your tablet device and lets you send it to your HDTV via HDMI. The dongle is compatible both the iPad and the iPad 2, but its functionality is boosted by Imagination Technologies’ PowerVR SGX 543MP2 GPU on Apple’s second generation tablet device. While the original Apple iPad lets you stream videos and photos from your tablet to your HDTV, the iPad 2 lets you mirror content. Mirroring lets you send anything displayed on your tablet over to your HDTV. Mirrored content can include presentations, documents, photos and even games.
The folks over at TouchGen took a closer look at this mirroring functionality and were impressed with its capability. Games optimized for the second generation Apple iPad, like Infinity Blade and Real Racing 2, were ported to a 50-inch HDTV with surprising clarity and speed. They claim it is console quality and people would not know the game was coming from an Apple tablet instead of an Xbox 360 or PS 3. The only drawback is the 4:3 ratio of the tablet output that is letter-boxed on the large screen TV.
Thanks to some video work from TouchGen, you can check out these games in action below. With the souped up graphics and dual-core processor of this latest tablet offering, is Apple narrowing the gap between mobile gaming and console gaming?

[Via TouchGen]

WHDI Kits Explored: Asus WiCast, brite-View HDelight

by Dave Altavilla in Graphics/Sound
from: http://hothardware.com/

Home Theater PC buffs rejoice, wireless HDMI technologies have finally come of age. Though there are two camps firmly entrenched in the market (Intel's WiDi and WHDI), the bottom line is lag-free full HD 1080p HDMI wireless video/audio transmission is now a reality. No longer does that HTPC need to be shoehorned into the confines of your entertainment center. And that desktop replacement notebook you have perched on the coffee table just got a major display upgrade, seamlessly connected to your HDTV; look Ma, no wires. Stay with us as we take you through a tour of two WHDI standard-based wireless HDMI transmitter kits--the Asus WiCast and the briteView HDelight. Big screen gaming nirvana and multitude of media center goodness takes center stage at HotHardware.

Both of these WHDI-based kits utilize the same family of Amimon WHDI transmitter and receiver chipsets. The technology is capable of full 1080p HD video and Dolby Digital surround sound audio transmissions over distances of up to 30 feet with less than a millisecond of latency. This new technology is, in a word, "amazing" actually.

Asus WiCast and brite-View HDelight Specifications Amimon Power WHDI Standard-Based Technology

Video: Up to 1080p at 60Hz, <1>Audio: Up to 8 channels
Wireless HDMI Technology: WHDI
Transmission Distance: 5 to 10 meters (line of sight), can function not line-of-sight
Operation Frequency: 5.15 ~ 5.85 GHz
Data Rate: 3G bps
Power Supply Transmitter: DC 5V, 2A adapter or USB power
Receiver: DC 5V, 2A adapter
Interface: Transmitter: 1 x HDMI input
Receiver: 1 x HDMI output

• Air-bridge your PC and HDTV in uncompressed 1080p HD quality
• Support up to 1080p @ 60Hz HD quality resolution
• Less than 1ms latency making it ideal for PC and online gaming, HD video and Blu-ray
• Wireless transmission protected by HDCP Revision 2.0
• Auto Set-up, Plug & Play
• HDMI 1.3 supported

Diagram showing an integrated transmitter implementation of the WHDI standard...

Amimon WHDI Transmitter and Receiver Pair Chipset


Asus WiCast WHDI Wireless Transmitter Kit - Click for full resolution images


brite-View HDelight WHDI Transmitter Kit - Click for full resolution images

We're giving both of these kits a solid HotHardware rating with our Editor's Choice award. Yes, they performed that well. Performance with both products was identical for all intents and purposes with only a small size advantage going to the Asus WiCast. Currently we see prices ranging from $189.99 to $199.99 for the Asus WiCast and the HDelight from brite-View is listing for $169.99. If you're in the market, you can decide which system makes most sense to you.

The WiCast is slightly smaller and minimalistic, something that could be important in your usage environment. But then again, currently you can save up to $20 going with the brite-View product. Either way, you really can't go wrong and we're more than comfortable giving these two products our full EC rating. True, the fact of the matter is, the technology is best implemented fully integrated on the transmitting device side. However, a kit like this provides users with the flexibility of connecting virtually any standard HDMI output from any device and also make use of it on multiple devices you may have kicking around. Wireless HDMI technology has finally come of age, thanks to Amimon and the folks at Asus and brite-View. And we'd have to say it's .

HDMI could soon be replaced by new cable technology

by Lin Edwards

Enlarge

(PhysOrg.com) -- A new audio/video cable techology is being developed that might spell the end of HDMI cables, which are currently used to connect a wide range of audio and video devices. The new technology is known as HDBaseT and carries audio and video signals and power on standard Cat 5e/6 Ethernet cables.

The new technology

has been developed over the last six months by four technology companies: Sony Pictures Entertainment, Samsung, LG, and Valens Semiconductor, which together form the HDBaseT Alliance. The group hopes the new technology and products conforming to it will begin to be shipped later this year and predict its use will become widespread during next year and beyond.

The HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface) cable was introduced in 2003 and has been gaining popularity, especially with the rise of Blu-ray and the adoption of high definition television, so much so that almost all televisions now ship with HDMI technology.

HDMI has advantages over other types of audio/video cables but also has disadvantages such as switching delays and cable length limitations, both of which are addressed by HDBaseT. HDMI only carries uncompressed audio and video signals. Wireless technologies such as WiGig, WHDI and Wireless HD offer alternative options, but they cannot transfer power to devices as HDBaseT can.

HDBaseT is a network-based standard called “5Play^TM” that enables a single cable to carry high definition video, audio, up to 100 watts of power, 100BaseT Ethernet, and control signals simultaneously. The cables, which are inexpensive Cat5e/6 type rather than expensive HDMI, can be up to 100 meters in length. The HDMI ports are replaced by standard RJ-45 connectors. The HDBaseT specification supports the latest HD video, 3D, and high resolution 2K x 4K (4096 by 2160).

Enlarge

Technology Comparison Table

Chairman of the Alliance, Ariel Sobelman, said the new technology is “poised to become the unrivaled next-generation home networking transport to meet the ever-changing trends in the digital media market.”

More information: http://www.hdbaset.org/

© 2010 PhysOrg.com

Intel WiDi Wireless Display Technology - HOT

by Dave Altavilla 

From: http://hothardware.com/

At this year's CES show in Vegas there have been more than a couple of relatively exciting announcements and of course Intel was intent on joining the party.  Today we got to spend some quality time behind closed doors with the folks in Intel's Mobile group learning a bit about some of the new features that will be coming to their Core i5 and Core i3 Mobile platforms in the weeks ahead.  We heard some fairly inspiring things about the technology back in the November time frame at a cozy bistro in New York city but today we were able to see it in action and it was impressive to say the least.

Intel's new WiDi (Wireless Display Interface) technology will start to be bundled with various Core i5 and Core i3 notebooks later this month and it promises to address the Home Theater and Multimedia PC markets with a solution that will enable wireless connectivity of your notebook over HDMI to an HDTV. Using standard 802.11n wireless technologies for transmission of data, Intel describes the product as "a solution that requires a laptop PC based on select 2010 Intel Core processors, Intel HD Graphics, and Intel Centrino wireless with Intel MyWiFi Technology enabled. The laptop needs to have Intel Wireless Display software installed and also an adapter featuring Intel Wireless Display is required to receive the signals from the PC that display them on the TV. This adapter is connected to the TV via either HDMI or standard AV cables."

Netgear has stepped out early with a receiver product dubbed Push2TV and their block diagram below lays out the solution for you here...

Netgear partnered with Intel to develop the Push2TV WiDi Receiver

What was rather refreshing about this announcement was how close the product was to retail roll-out.  It's in fact shipping in a matter of weeks, bundled with select Sony, Toshiba and Dell laptops.  Here we have Intel's Josh Newman demonstrating Intel WiDi technology for us.  Take a look, it's definitely worth a few extra bits of your bandwidth...

Here are a few close-ups of the Sony and Toshiba notebooks we saw today demonstrating Intel WiDi.  Both machines strike a stylish balance of portability and performance; Sony's machine taking ultra-thin design cues while Toshiba's machines was bit with a little more glitz perhaps, depending on your perspective.

Sony's Sleek VAIO Notebook Based On Core i5 Technology with WiDi On Board


Toshiba's New Core i5, Backlit and Cool with Core i5 and On-Board Intel WiDi Tech

We've seen more than a few sites at this year's 2010 CES but often times we're left flat with all of the pre-announcements before the show, leaving not as many new things to see live at the show and stealing some thunder from what otherwise would perhaps pique our collective geek interest.  We'd have to say that Intel's Wireless Display Technology demo definitely impressed us more than just about anything we've seen thus far, though we're not quite done yet, if you can believe that. 

Regardless, we're looking forward to the day that we can test Intel's new Wireless Display Technology on our own.  We'll be sure to keep you posted as we get product in hand.  In the mean time, we'd like to thank Intel for making the trip to Vegas a little more worth while.  

Wireworld's Platinum Starlight HDMI cable is only $1,000, better than your HDMI cable

By Paul Miller
From: http://www.engadget.com/

You idiot. Where did you buy those cables? Walmart? You probably think you're getting the whole 1080p, don't you! Boy, you couldn't be more wrong. What the big box doesn't want you to know, with their cheap-ass $150 cables is that there are, um, waves and some, uh... electromagnetic spectrats. And they eat your pixels! Yeah, that's right! Pixel-eating EM spectrats! Not even making this stuff up. How much did you spend on that TV? $1,000? You did buy that $1,800 power cable from Furutech, right? Well, don't you think you should spend at least that much on the all-important cables that are going to funnel the dynamic 1080p transmissions from your Blu-ray player to your TV? Here, try this Platinum Starlight HDMI cable from Wireworld. It has a patent-pending DNA Helix conductor design formed by the gods themselves out of 24 solid silver conductors. Hell, $1,000 is probably a bargain for one of these one meter cables. Your eyes are worth it, after all. You're welcome.

Atlona's Wireless USB To HDMI/VGA Adapter Cuts The Cord On Video Transmissions

by Shawn Oliver
from: http://hothardware.com/

Atlona has been making accessories and adapters for years, but by and large it has remained a pretty low-key name. The new wireless USB to HDMI or VGA adapter, however, looks to really put the company on the map. It's easily one of the most useful adapters we've seen in quite some time, enabling users to send both video and audio signals from a USB-enabled computer to an HDMI/VGA-equipped display without any wires. Just think--you can send the movie on your laptop to your wall-mounted HDTV without any wires in-between. Not a bad setup, huh?

Earlier in the year, Atlona unveiled an adapter by the same name, but one major problem was called out almost immediately: it didn't support audio. Basically, that adapter was great for audio-free presentations alone, but users looking to use this in an entertainment system needed sound. Atlona's latest does indeed include support for audio. Basically, users simply plug one dongle into the USB port, and one into the VGA/HDMI port on the HDTV. Install the drivers on Windows XP, Windows Vista or Windows 7, fire up the video and let things roll over-the-air.

The device sends signals via the UWB protocol, and it's capable of extending any computer wirelessly from the display at lengths up to 30ft with HDTV resolutions up to 720p or PC and VESA resolutions at 1440x1050. Both HDMI and VGA output connections are active at the same time, therefore HDAiR receiver could be used to power up 2 displays at the same time with identical content. It's available today for $219.

Atlona Technologies officially releases the new wireless USB to HDMI or VGA adapter, now with Audio.

Atlona Technologies officially releases the new wireless USB to HDMI or VGA adapter, the AT-HDAIR, now with Audio.

Atlona Technologies has been known for their innovative product lines as well as constantly paving the way for new and updated technology in the AV world. With the introduction of the HDAiR, a wireless USB to HDMI or VGA converter, earlier this year, Atlona has caused quite a stir among computer users looking to integrate their computers into their HD audio video systems. After its release, users from around the world responded to Atlona's customer survey asking what additional features could make the HDAiR even better. The overall consensus was to add audio support. Atlona has responded by releasing the all new HDAiR with the ability to output audio in both 3.5mm analog, as well as embedded on the HDMI output.

Compatible with both XP, Vista, and Windows 7, this one of a kind device will allow users to connect any USB enabled computer or laptop wirelessly, to any HDTV or projector via VGA or HDMI. This unit wirelessly transmits high resolution signal from a small USB adaptor connected to a computer, to a receiver unit placed next to the display, making it perfect for taking the traditionally personal computing experience and making it a communal experience.
Like the older model AT-HDAiR, this newer model with audio still uses chipsets developed by Wisair to transmit USB protocol over Ultra wide band (UWB) frequencies.

The new AT-HDAiR, is capable of extending any computer wirelessly from the display at lengths up to 30ft with HDTV resolutions up to 720p or PC and VESA resolutions at 1440x1050. Both HDMI and VGA output connections are active at the same time, therefore HDAiR receiver could be used to power up 2 displays at the same time with identical content. The latest addition to this wireless adapter is that is now able to output digital audio through the HDMI as well as a 3.5mm stereo jack. With the addition of audio to this new version, the HDAiR is perfect for viewing continuously popular streaming media from HULU or Youtube, as well as computer based leaning programs such as Rosetta Stone or Lynda online training.

With quick and easy installation, the all new HDAiR with Audio opens up a word of possibilities. For home, business, and educational users providing a cost effective and convenient solution to integrate PC's and laptops into HD audio video systems.

Atlona's all new AT-HDAiR with audio is officially available just in time for the holidays with an MSRP of $219.00.

Get a 6-foot HDMI cable for $3.19 shipped

by Rick Broida

Pay more than a few bucks for an HDMI cable and you're getting ripped off.

(Credit: Amazon)

As regular Cheapskate readers know, HDMI cables are insanely overpriced. Pity the uninformed consumer who walks into, say, Best Buy, and walks out $40 to $90 poorer. Happens all the time.

But it doesn't have to. Help me spread the word: Eforcity (via Amazon) has a 6-foot HDMI cable for just $3.19 shipped. (Actually, the cable's only 21 cents, shipping costs $2.98. That drives me nuts, so I stayed focused on the total price. Which is awesome.)

In case you're not familiar with them, HDMI cables carry digital audio and video signals between your TV and gear like game consoles and Blu-ray players.

Are they all created equal? No, but there's ample scientific and anecdotal evidence that dirt-cheap generic cables perform just as well as their pricey big-name counterparts (cough *Monster* cough). Don't get suckered into buying the latter.

Need more proof? This particular cable has a whopping 1,863 user reviews on Amazon, and the average score is 4.5 stars out of 5. 'Nuff said.

HDMI 1.4 Brings Ethernet, 3D, 4K Support To A/V

by Shawn Oliver

Remember the days when we weren't even sure if Sony's PlayStation 3 would rely on HDMI to output its high-definition content? Seems like an eternity ago, right? Today, HDMI is a home theater mainstay, and a practical guarantee on any piece of new A/V equipment. We're even seeing it pop up on lower-end notebooks these days, which certainly goes to show just how pervasive the format has become.

This week, the HDMI Licensing group announced the next logical step in the protocol, with HDMI 1.4 being revealed. Obviously, this takes over where HDMI 1.3 (the existing specification) left off, and we definitely have mixed feeling on the whole thing. For starters, we're thrilled to see such advancements delivered to HDMI. This new spec promises networking capabilities with Ethernet connectivity, not to mention an Audio Return Channel to enable upstream audio connections via the HDMI cable. Furthermore, it will support 3D over HDMI and 4K x 2K resolution. Finally, it'll support an array of expanded colors and even a microHDMI connector that is approximately 50% smaller than the size of the existing HDMI Mini Connector.

HDMI 1.4 is even tailored to automobiles...if you buy the right cable. You see, for as many things as HDMI 1.4 does right, it gets one thing very wrong. Consumers don't need any more confusion in their lives, especially when it comes to A/V. Instead of having just one cable that does it all (like HDMI 1.3), HDMI 1.4 will arrive in five different versions for varying needs. We appreciate the chance to choose, but in this industry, we can't see this going over well with unseasoned cable buyers.

The specification should be fully available to cable makers and equipment designers by the end of June, and while there's no time line given as to when we'll see HDMI 1.4 certified cords, we'd guess they'll be infiltrating Best Buy within the year. More details on the new features and five cable options are below.

The HDMI 1.4 specification will offer the following enhanced functionalities:

• HDMI Ethernet Channel

The HDMI 1.4 specification will add a data channel to the HDMI cable and will enable high-speed bi-directional communication. Connected devices that include this feature will be able to send and receive data via 100 Mb/sec Ethernet, making them instantly ready for any IP-based application.

The HDMI Ethernet Channel will allow an Internet-enabled HDMI device to share its Internet connection with other HDMI devices without the need for a separate Ethernet cable. The new feature will also provide the connection platform to allow HDMI-enabled devices to share content between devices.

• Audio Return Channel

The new specification will add an Audio Return Channel that will reduce the number of cables required to deliver audio upstream for processing and playback. In cases where HDTVs are directly receiving audio and video content, this new Audio Return Channel allows the HDTV to send the audio stream to the A/V receiver over the HDMI cable, eliminating the need for an extra cable.

• 3D Over HDMI

The 1.4 version of the specification will define common 3D formats and resolutions for HDMI-enabled devices. The specification will standardize the input/output portion of the home 3D system and will specify up to dual-stream 1080p resolution.

• 4K x 2K Resolution Support

The new specification will enable HDMI devices to support high-definition (HD) resolutions four times beyond the resolution of 1080p. Support for 4K x 2K will allow the HDMI interface to transmit content at the same resolution as many digital theaters. Formats supported include:

• 3840x2160 24Hz/25Hz/30Hz
• 4096x2160 24Hz

• Expanded Support For Color Spaces

HDMI technology now supports color spaces designed specifically for digital still cameras. By supporting sYCC601, Adobe RGB and AdobeYCC601, HDMI-enabled display devices will be capable of reproducing more accurate life-like colors when connected to a digital still camera.

• Micro HDMI Connector

The Micro HDMI Connector is a significantly smaller 19-pin connector that supports up to 1080p resolutions for portable devices. This new connector is approximately 50% smaller than the size of the existing HDMI Mini Connector.

• Automotive Connection System

The Automotive Connection System is a cabling specification designed to be used as the basis for in-vehicle HD content distribution. The HDMI 1.4 specification will provide a solution designed to meet the rigors and environmental issues commonly found in automobiles, such as heat, vibration and noise. Using the Automotive Connection System, automobile manufactures will now have a viable solution for distributing HD content within the car.

Consumers will have a choice of the following HDMI cables:

• Standard HDMI Cable – supports data rates up to 1080i/60;
• High Speed HDMI Cable – supports data rates beyond 1080p, including Deep Color and all 3D formats of the new 1.4 specification;
• Standard HDMI Cable with Ethernet – includes Ethernet connectivity;
• High Speed HDMI Cable with Ethernet – includes Ethernet connectivity;
• Automotive HDMI Cable – allows the connection of external HDMI-enabled devices to an in-vehicle HDMI device.

Mini DisplayPort to HDMI adapter coming soon

Mini DisplayPort to HDMI adapter coming soon

By Zach Spear

Owners of the Mini DisplayPort-equipped line of Apple notebooks who want an easier way to output video to their TV or other HDMI devices will soon have an option.

Discount cable outlet Monoprice.com will sell Mini DisplayPort to HDMI adapters for $14.25 starting March 15th. Two other new adapters, offering to convert the Mini DisplayPort signal for either DVI or VGA, will be available that same day, providing customers with an alternative to Apple's adapters at more than half the cost. The vast majority of today's HDTVs have HDMI inputs, but DisplayPort is a relatively new player on the connection standard scene and connectors between the two are rare, especially for Mac owners.

Apple's new LED Cinema Display (review), MacBook (review) and MacBook Pro (review) introduced last October and last month incorporated Apple's own variation called Mini DisplayPort into the machines, replacing DVI with a much smaller port, but options to connect the new computer models to HDMI devices are extremely limited, if they exist at all. Amazon, for example, doesn't offer any except the larger DisplayPort standard, which Apple notebooks do not use.

Some users have worked around the problem with a Mini DisplayPort to DVI adapter that in turn feeds a DVI to HDMI cable, but that method may be less than ideal for many. It requires the purchase of two adapters and may not be aesthetically satisfying. Video quality may also be a concern in some cases.

The Mac maker sells Mini DisplayPort to VGA ($29) or DVI adapters ($29) through the Apple Store, but nothing for the HDMI standard. The Apple TV can output HDMI, but for users who want their whole desktop on their TVs, Monoprice's adapters go on sale in a little more than a month.