[opendtv] Alliance hopes to simplify HDTV networks
- From: "Manfredi, Albert E" <albert.e.manfredi@xxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <opendtv@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Thu, 15 Dec 2005 16:07:03 -0500
This time the push is IEEE 1394 rather than DVI and
HDMI, but my suspicion is that it's still more about
DRM than anything else.
I'm not sure whether what they describe can be
simpler than what is there today, but what it would
do is make each appliance more codec-interdependent
than these appliances are today. Which makes it a
lot easier to introduce block obsolescence.
You don't send uncompressed video over IEEE 1394.
Bert
---------------------------------
Alliance hopes to simplify HDTV networks
Spencer Chin
(12/14/2005 2:21 PM EST)
<http://www.eetimes.com/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=3D175002590>
NEW YORK, N.Y. - A diverse group of electronics companies
and media companies have formed an alliance to create design
guidelines for high-definition audio/video networks that
will speed the creation of easier to use high-definition
products.
Called the High Definition Audio-Video Network Alliance, the
group initially comprises Charter Communications, JVC,
Mitsubishi Digital Electronics America Inc., NBC Universal,
Samsung, and Sun Microsystems. Most of the founding
companies were represented at a press conference here
Wednesday (Dec. 14) announcing formation of the alliance.
In addition to the founding members, ARM, Freescale
Semiconductor, and Pulse-Link have joined as contributing
members.
HANA hopes to create design guidelines that would enable TVs,
digital recorders, and storage devices to connect via a
single IEEE 1394 cable, replacing the maze of wires and
cables connecting current-generation electronics.
"HANA is about enabling the whole home to experience digital
TV," said Darren Feher, executive vice president and chief
technology officer of NBC.
Heemin Kwon, president of HANA and executive vice president
and general manager of the Digital Solution Center for
Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd., said the single-wire 1394
connection would be capable of transmitting multiple
high-definition data streams. He added the connection is hot
pluggable, allowing devices can be connected and
disconnected without having to power down.
Another key element of the HANA concept would be use of a
single remote control for all devices, replacing the
multiple controls often used currently. A browser like-menu
would appear on the TV screen to show all functions,
simplifying the user interface.
The HANA architecture incorporates Digital Rights Management
to ensure that high-definition content flows seamlessly
across a wide range of consumer devices and protect
copyrighted content.
Implementation of HANA is still at least a year away. By
Jan. 2007, enhanced HDTVs, network interface units,
audiovisual hard drives, and personal video recorders
supporting HANA are slated to emerge, said Kevin Morrow,
director of business development for Samsung's Digital
Solution Center. Next-generation DVDs, game consoles, and
other devices will follow later that year.
With the mandate for high-definition TV broadcasts drawing
nearer, the alliance's formation appears timely. But as
with other industry alliances, HANA faces challenges
gaining momentum in a market where a number of standards
and industry groups are trying to shape the face of
next-generation consumer electronics.
HANA's proponents believe the cross-spectrum of companies
represented-content providers, consumer electronics
suppliers, and information technology companies-increase
the likelihood of the alliance gaining members and
developing standards likely to gain mass adoption.
All material on this site Copyright 2005 CMP Media LLC.
All rights reserved.
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