Monsterous Adoption of Wireless Video

Monster -- long known as the leader in cables for high-end a/v and computing applications -- is going wireless with a new generation of products targeting the HDTV market.  They've committed to developing a range of solutions using ultra wideband including a product that integrates Wireless for HDMI, conditioned power and mounting hardware all in one consumer-installable package.  Pretty cool. 

The new Monster-branded products will come about as the result of a partnership inked with Tzero.  Monster's entry into the market further demonstrates the growing opportunity ahead for WiMedia-standards-based wireless video.  Consumers are continuing to balk at high installation costs for the HDTVs.  According to the Head Monster, Noel Lee, “HDTV prices are coming down, but hidden installation costs and hassles continue to shock consumers."  Wireless for HDMI solves the problem.  Expect to see solutions from Monster on the market in Fall 2007.  Read the full press release here.

Comments

[Rick Merritt]

Good luck guys! You are pioneers with all the glory and terror that carries with it.

I know your engineers have been working overtime to make the basic technology work. Here's hoping you can deliver on this big market promise, too. The digital home needs more cool stuff...but not another HDMI interoperability fiasco, please!

[Joel]

What I understood of the technology (UWB) is that the bandwidth is limited to 480Mbps whereas the video stream from a set-top box to a TV is 1.5Gbps. Therefore you need to compress the video stream.
If you compress the video, you loose some quality and can introduce some latency, jitter, and so on. I was wondering if UWB is the right technology to replace cables in a HDTV environment?

[Joel]

An add-on:

Monster always spoke about how good cables have to be to guaranty the quality of a signal. So I am surprise that they decided to go with a technology that requires compression. It's like using a very low quality cable. Is there a change in Monster's strategy?

[Matt Keowen]

It's true, to handle HD video today -- and in the future -- compression is a necessary part of the solution. And there are ways to deliver visually lossly video using a variety of codecs. Those that would lead you to believe that HD content can be delivered wirelessly and without compression are kidding themselves.

[Matt Keowen]

Two other points.

First, every bit of HD content comes into the home compressed regardless of whether its on DVD, satellite or cable. Given that, the concern about compression over a wireless link seems unfounded.

Second, Monster chose UWB because it meets their high standards, and because it will dramatically simplify the installation of HDTVs. Monster is a very innovative company and this is consistent with their strategy and approach.