Wireless HDMI formats will support 3D

Ever since we got our hands on the first 3D TVs, I've been wondering how this new feature would affect the acceptance of the various "wireless HDMI" formats, which can beam high-def signals from a Blu-ray player or cable/satellite settop box to a TV.

The question has been whether the various wireless HD formats, such as WHDI (Wireless Home Digital Interface) and WiHD (WirelessHD), have the bandwidth to send the dual high-def video streams required for 3D broadcasts.

Apparently the answer is yes, as both organizations have recently announced updated specifications that provide support for 3D broadcasts.

For example, the organization behind WHDI is planning two updates in coming months. The first—version WHDI 1.1, to be released at the end of 2010—will provide support for all 3D formats required by the HDMI 1.4a specification. That update will be followed in the second quarter by WHDI 2.0, which adds support for the next generation of 3D, which includes dual 1080p/60 video streams. (The current HDMI 1.4a 3D spec calls for support of dual 1080p/24 video streams.) In addition to 3D, the 2.0 spec supports so-called "4K" (4,096 x 2,160) resolutions with four times the resolution of current 1080p sets, and adds support for Wi-Fi and lower-power mobile devices.

The WHDI technology, based on 5GHz video-modem technology from a company called Amimon, is backed by companies including Hitachi, LG Electronics, Motorola, Samsung, Sharp and Sony.

As for WirelessHD (WiHD), the consortium behind it says that the newest WirelessHD spec—version 1.1, initially announced at CES—is now available. Like the updated WHDI spec, WirelessHD 1.1 now offers enough bandwidth to support all 3D video formats outlined in the HDMI 1.4a specification, plus 4K resolutions and lossless video streaming from battery-powered portable devices.

WirelessHD, based on 60GHz technology developed by a company called SiBeam, is backed by companies including Broadcom, Intel, LG Electronics, NEC, Panasonic, Philips, Samsung, Sony, and Toshiba.

It's still too early to tell which of these—or other—wireless high-def technologies will become the market leaders. But we look forward to testing the first TVs that can beam full-HD 3D signals from a Blu-ray player or settop box to a TV and see if the reality lives up to the promise.

—James K. Willcox