Monster Cable announces a wireless HD combo system
Building upon technology from Sigma Designs Inc., renowned cabling company Monster has announced the upcoming availability of its Wireless Digital Express HD wireless HD and ultra-wideband-over coaxial system.
The system will require two boxes: a transmitter that connects to the media components (DVD, Blu-ray, and set top boxes), and a receiver that connects to the TV's HDMI port.
Both Monster and Sigma say the system is capable of wirelessly streaming full 1080p HD up to 30 feet, and of delivering HD content up to 330 feet over an ordinary coaxial cable. All connected SD signals reportedly get upconverted.
The wireless system is built upon Sigma's Windeo ultra-wideband chipset and three-antenna Intelligent Array Radio (IAR). The receiver component will feature two HDMI inputs, two component inputs, one composite video and S-video with audio, digital coax, optical digital F-connector for coax, three infrared (IR) emitters and a USB port. Input switching on the unit is controlled via IR and the system's software can be upgraded via the USB connection.
Monster's solution is one of the many wireless HD systems that has been announced this year, with companies like Toshiba, Sony, LG, and Intel supporting the WirelessHD consortium, and smaller companies like XstreamHD premiering their own product designs.
Monster expects the Digital Express HD to go on sale in October for $299.95.