Wireless hi-definition TV, while still in its “incubation” phase, could reach 1 million installations by 2012, according to a new report from ABI Research.
The market is fractured by three competing markets loosely grouped as 5 GHz, 60 GHz and ultra wideband. Fewer than 100,000 wireless HDTV devices are expected to ship this year, including small numbers of 5 GHz and UWB devices, said the firm.
Demo products of 60 GHz devices are expected next year.
“Five GHz technology is better understood and more proven,” said principal analyst Steve Wilson, “But achieving the required data rates requires new approaches and more complex solutions. UWB technology has bandwidth advantages at in-room distances but drops rapidly at greater ranges. 60 GHz allows high data rates, but so far only one company is even close to a viable solution.”
Initially, the market will be driven by demand where wired installations are difficult or impossible, said Wilson.
Wireless HD TV could take off, ABI notes
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