Wireless HDMI
What Is HDMI Wireless?
HDMI, or High Definition Multimedia Interface is the most popular digital audio/video signal in existence today. Virtually all HDTVs now include an HDMI input, and virtually all high definition video sources (like DVRs, DVD players, Blu-Ray players, set-top boxes, PS3, etc) also include the interface.
One of the biggest hassles for people that have decided to bring their home theater system into the age of wall-mounted HDTV screens is that they are forced to make giant holes in their walls so they can hide the cables. Wireless HDMI is one way to avoid this whole situation.
Gefen's GTV-WHDMI
Price Tag: $899
Seen For: $675
This latest rendition of HDMI Wireless from Gefen is leaps and bounds ahead of their previous model, the EXT-WHDMI. Unlike that first model (which claims to be the first ever wireless HDMI solution), this model can travel through walls easily at around 30 feet in our office, and around 100-115 feet with line-of-site which was quite impressive.
One value-add proposition that the GTV-WHDMI offers that we haven't seen offered in other units is something called Broadcast Mode. It allows you to pair one sender unit with up to 5 receivers, acting kind of like a wireless splitter, showing the same audio/video in all 5 locations. The only limitation to this awesome feature is that it does not pass HDCP in broadcast mode. In normal mode, this unit can support 1080i at 60 fps, and 1080p at 30 fps.
AITech's Pro AV Wireless HDMI
Price Tag: $1,399.95
Seen for: $899.95
We tested this model, and let me say, it worked fantastically. This HDMI Wireless model probably boasted the longest wireless range, whether you're talking through walls or not (they claim 30 meters), but this was the only feature that stood out. You'll have to decide if the extra 10-20 feet is worth the extra several hundred dollars. It can do 1080p at either 24 fps or 30 fps (PAL/NTSC formats).
Zinwell's Brite-View BV-2500
Price Tag: $599
Seen for: $399
This would be the model I'd recommend to friends. It performs equally well as the Gefen unit I described above, but it's priced much more reasonably. It doesn't have broadcast mode, but if you don't need that feature, and most of us don't, then get this model. It delivers 1080p video at 30 FPS, what more could you want? Here's a good video if you want to see it in action.
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