Wireless HDTV Technologies Battle for 1M Installations in 2012

(Top News, 19 Jun 2008)

We've got wireless phones, wireless Internet and wireless home networks. Next, coming to a living room or commercial facility near you, is wireless high-definition TV. However, the market is still in its "incubation" stage, with fewer than 100,000 devices expected to ship this year. According to market analyst firm ABI Research, optimistic forecasts point to 2012 as the earliest year for the milestone of one million wireless HDTV installations worldwide.

Meanwhile, a "battle of technologies" is being fought. There are three contending systems, loosely characterized as: 5GHz, 60GHz, and ultra wideband (UWB). According to principal analyst Steve Wilson, 5GHz technology is better understood and more proven, but achieving the required data rates requires new approaches and more complex solutions. He says UWB technology has bandwidth advantages at in-room distances but drops rapidly at greater ranges. On its part, 60GHz allows high data rates, but so far only one company is even close to a viable solution.

Small numbers of 5GHz and UWB devices are currently shipping; while demo products of 60GHz systems are expected early next year. "Over the next two to three years, we're going to see one or two of these wireless HDTV approaches emerge as the primary ones," says Wilson.

Who would want wireless HDTV and why? Wireless will simplify some installations and allow more flexibility in positioning TVs. There are both commercial applications—digital signage, for example—and domestic applications such as wall-mounting a flat-screen HDTV. "The initial sweet spot in the market is where wired installation would be difficult or complicated," says Wilson.

All the wireless HDTV silicon vendors are venture-backed startups and most established wireless vendors are waiting to see how the market evolves. Product manufacturers are moving forward with different strategies: some, like Westinghouse and Belkin are initially targeting commercial and custom installers where there is clear value-add. In contrast, some TV manufacturers such as Sharp and Hitachi are targeting buyers of their latest technology, offering design-oriented, elegant products that come with a wireless connectivity option.

Click here for more information on the report "Wireless Video Cable Replacement Market and Technologies" by ABI Research