Boston Acoustics subwoofers go wireless

'tis the season for wireless, it seems. Now Boston Acoustics is getting on the cord-cutting bandwagon with three new wireless subwoofers.

The CPS 8Wi, CPS 10Wi, and CPS 12Wi are the newest members of the company's Classic series. They're respectively 200-/8-, 300/10-, and 400/12-watt/inch subwoofers with built-in wireless receivers. Each subwoofer is designed to work with the company's WT 50 wireless transmitter, which boasts a range of up to 50 feet.

Sony developing wireless power for HDTVs

Wireless HDMI is a developing technology that will be able to transmit high-def video directly to a screen without running any cables from the video's source. Unfortunately, it still leaves the issue of actually providing power to the screen; even with wireless HDMI, an HDTV needs to be plugged into a wall socket to actually work. Sony is trying to change that.

Sony has just announced that it has developed a wireless power technology that can transmit 60 watts over a distance of half a meter. The technology uses magnetic resonance to wirelessly transmit electricity with up to 80% efficiency. According to Sony, since both the transmitter and receiver would have the same unique resonance, the transfer would remain consistent, and wouldn't affect objects placed between the two devices. It's still in its early stages, but applications for home theater use seem obvious, when Sony demonstrated the technology using an LCD screen.

CES 2009: THX and Radiient cut the cable with wireless surround kit

Wireless tech has been a big part of this year's CES. Wireless HDMI. Wireless speakers. If you can name a product that uses wires, somebody is working on getting rid of those wires. THX was showing off its Roomcaster technology, a wireless speaker system developed with Radiient Technologies that can pipe up to 7.1-channel audio through the air.

The companies were mostly demonstrating the tech as a potential feature for speakers and other audio devices, highlighting their credit card-sized THX Roomcaster modules. Of course, this means we won't be seeing said devices equipped with Roomcaster show up for sale for several months at least. Fortunately, Radiient is releasing a kit for early adopters to get a taste of the new wireless system.

Acoustic Research Powerline HDMI Reviewed

Who doesn't long for a wireless way to connect your high-tech gear? The Acoustic Research HDP100 tries to answer the calling. It transmits HDMI information through powerlines. So, if you have AC power running to your HDTV, that's all you need. No need for messy, expensive HDMI wires.

The system is compatible with 1080p, 720p, and 480p - notice that 1080i isn't on the list. It consists of two boxes - a receiver and transmitter. It's designed for single room applications, but it can work between rooms with limited success.

But, does it work?

Look Ma! No Wires!

Our friends over at EngadgetHD spotted another mildly interesting product at the CEATEC show in Japan. Hitachi is showing wireless HD camcorder transfer. Obviously a prototype, the camcorder reliably streamed high-definition content to a nearby TV, using DLNA.

As you know, there has been a steady push into wireless HD applications. It's definitely the technology du jour. In some cases, I guess it makes sense. In others, I'm not so sure.

Wireless HD Standard Comes Home

Homeowners, rejoice. Finally, a digital solution standard is in the works to solve your home theater dilemmas. Industry giants are teaming up with AMIMON to create a standard that will bring wireless HD to homes, supposedly by the end of 2008. Let's be happy if it's by 2009. The new standard for Wireless Home Digital Interface (WHDI) is from a special interest group consortium made up of AMIMON, Motorola, Samsung, Sony, and Sharp. It should be noted that Motorola is an investor in AMIMON.

WHDI will enable streaming of uncompressed HD video and video from source to displays, Blu-ray players to receivers, receivers to projectors, or better yet — room to room. No more unsightly wires, no more limits on where you put equipment. Whole house entertainment is a reality.

Belkin FlyWire Wireless HDTV

Belkin is introducing an amazing new product that can improve the appearance of many home theaters. Unsightly wires, or non-optimal placement of components can now be avoided. The Belkin FlyWire is a transmitter, receiver and remote control that wirelessly carries high-definition 1080p throughout a whole household.

This system will work with an array of products, letting you put A/V components in one room, projector on the ceiling, TV in another room, all without running a single A/V cable. OF course, you will need power for the unit.

Waiting For Wireless

What happens when you have the coolest new technology and no one cares? That seems to be what's happening with wireless HDMI. A report by ABI Research says sales for wireless HDMI systems won't hit one million until 2012, calling the market's current state as an "incubation phase." What's wrong with people? Don't they know a good thing when they see it? Or, in this case, don't see it?

Sharp: Thin, Wireless and X-rated!

Think you can’t have a flat-panel TV because you can’t get the wiring from your components to your TV? Is lack of running an HDMI cable keeping your Blu-ray player blue? Today, Sharp announced, “Yes!” or probably more accurately, “Hai!” to wireless HD video transmission. With their forthcoming X-series line-up of LCD sets, Sharp teamed with AMIMON to wirelessly beam 2-million glorious pixels through thin air. 

SiBeam to Power Your Wireless Living Room

WirelessHD may have just gained the lead in the standards war between it, WirelessUSB, and WiFi for the technology that will power our uncompressed high-def video streaming for years to come. SiBeam, a maker of a 60 Ghz fabless chip designed to the WirelessHD standard just received a cash infusion of $40 million, which will help the company get its chips into production, and into consumer electronic devices by the end of 2008.