Panasonic Reveals Wireless High Definition Audio-Visual Connectivity

(Business News & Technology News, 8 Jan 2008)

Panasonic has developed what is claimed to be the world's first wireless High Definition (HD) Audio/Video transmission system based on the WirelessHD standard, in partnership with SiBEAM Inc. of the United States. The system enables HD video transmission in uncompressed format between a television and other AV equipment like a Blu-ray Disc player without quality deterioration. Panasonic is currently exhibiting this system at the 2008 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) being held from January 7 to 10, 2008 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Unlike conventional wireless transmission technologies, this system uses a 60GHz-band millimeter wave radio to provide robust transmission connectivity, since uncompressed HD video requires a large bandwidth. The WirelessHD system consists of a Plasma television with a receiver and a movable rack housing video sources with a transmitter such as a Blu-ray Disc player and HD digital camcorder. Without the clutter of connecting cables, users can enjoy greater freedom in positioning and design of their home theater. For example, a user can hang an HD Plasma on their wall while keeping their Blu-ray Disc player apart from the Plasma, without worrying about running cables or other wires between the products.

SiBEAM's beam steering technology enables this system to maintain stable connectivity when there is an obstacle, such as a person, between the wireless transmitter and receiver. When the system detects an obstacle interrupting the beam, it immediately finds another path to maintain a stable link and provide uninterrupted signal transmission. Therefore, users can enjoy their wireless High Definition Plasma viewing without having to worry about signal interference just as with conventional cable-connected systems.

Panasonic's newly announced VIERA Link feature, an audio/video operation that uses a single remote to operate an entire home entertainment system connected via High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) cable, is available with this system.

Click here for more information on Panasonic

Click here for more information on the WirelessHD Consortium and Standard