October 20th, 2009
Asus' wireless HDMI streamer coming next month?
An anonymous tipster provided Engadget with a juicy scoop yesterday regarding the latest attempt to produce a commercially viable wireless HDMI streaming device. Asus is apparently nearly ready to introduce the BR-HD3, a $650 box that can transmit the signal (up to 1080p) from one device to your HDTV. While the BR-HD3 has been in the pipeline for a while, it might be officially released as early as next month.
That single source is a notable limitation, since you won’t be able to hook up a Blu-ray player to it if you already have your cable box connected to it. Asus supposedly will release a version with three ports by the middle of next year. There’s also no solid information regarding how far the BR-HD3 can transmit the signal.
Wireless HDMI that’s affordable is a bit of the Holy Grail that has mostly been offered by TV manufacturers for their sets. Sony has the $499 Bravia Wireless Video Link, which doesn’t do 1080p and is designed for its HDTVs, while Panasonic uses the WirelessHD standard for its $5,500 Panasonic Z1 plasma. Gefen offers the Wireless for HDMI Extender, with a range of 100 feet, for $899, a couple of hundred dollars more than Asus will supposedly sell the BR-HD3 for. Belkin generated plenty of buzz with its FlyWire device, but that HDMI streamer was to retail for $1,499 and was killed off earlier this year.
Sean Portnoy spent several years as an editor at Computer Shopper magazine, most recently serving as online executive editor. See his full profile and disclosure of his industry affiliations.
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