Short-range Radio for HD Video Distribution: Technologies and Markets

Even during one of the worst global recessions in the history, technologies and markets for the wireless HD video distribution (HDVD ) inside of a home continue to attract attention of R&D and the industry.

• It is a very lucrative area, with a potential customers size in many hundred of millions
• The majority of cable, satellite and telephone companies offer HD video
• Wired connections are becoming more and more complicated and inefficient due to proliferation home theaters with multiple HD-ready devices, such as TV sets, video projectors, various players and other
• Progress in the IC, packaging and other technologies allows constructing relatively inexpensive high-quality HDVD radios.

This report addresses multiple radio technologies that are developing to serve the HD video distribution market for short-range wireless transmission. It also compares these technologies features and market properties. The main goal is to show the dynamics of the marketplace and properties of various technologies that support this very active market.

• WirelessHD: 60 GHz technology developed by SiBeam, now with many partners. Standard produced by the WirelessHD Alliance.
• WPAN-IEEE 802.15.3c
• WHDI (Wireless Home Digital Interface): 5 GHz technology developed by Amimon. Standard produced by WHDI Special Interest Group (SIG), which consist of several leading companies in the CE and communications industries.
• A UWB-based technology developed by Sigma Designs
• WiGig- a recently established group, which was founded by leading manufacturers in CE and communications.
• IEEE 802.11n
• ECMA-387
• Very High Throughput Group-IEEE 802.11ad.

Most of these technologies were designed to carry uncompressed video signals. The most developed technology is IEEE802.11n with already established industry and price efficiency; though this technology was not designed for multi-gigabits transmission required for uncompressed HD video distribution. Authors believes that the number of competing technologies may increase, with 802.11n prevailing before uncompressed wireless HD video distribution technologies mature. International efforts (ECMA and ISO) may lead to the establishing an international standard.

Considerable research was performed using the Internet. Information from various Web sites was studied and analyzed; evaluation of publicly available marketing and technical publications was also conducted. Telephone conversations and interviews were held with industry analysts, technical experts and executives. In addition to these interviews and primary research, secondary sources were used to develop a more complete mosaic of the market landscape, including industry and trade publications, conferences and seminars.

The overriding objective throughout the work has been to provide valid and relevant information. This has led to a continual review and update of the information content.

This report provides the HDVD short-range radio technology and market analysis and assessments. These materials are useful for service providers, vendors, network operators and managers, Enterprise IT staff, investors and end users seeking to gain a deeper understanding of HDVD radio opportunities and barriers in the market growth.

The end users can gain thorough understanding of product' s market and capabilities as well as the economics of using these technologies products to improve cost efficiency.