Picking a Wireless A/V Technology: 15 Key Considerations

Consumer electronics professionals generally recommend hard wiring for the best audio, video, voice and data (AVDD) delivery. But sometimes you simply can’t get the wire to all the right places.

Thankfully, today we have many technologies that deliver an excellent AVDD experience with no new wires required, including both wireless and “softwired” (powerline, coax) solutions. They include:

• WirelessHD (WiHD) – SiBeam (acquired by Silicon Image)
• Wireless Home Digital Interface (WHDI) – Amimon
• IEEE 802.11n (WiFi)
• Ultra-wideband (UWB)/WiMedia
• Wireless Gigabit (WiGig)
• Wireless Display (WiDi) – Intel
• Multimedia over Coax Alliance (MoCA) (coax cable)
• HomePlug (powerlines)

So how do you determine which solution is right for you and your clients?

As with most solutions you specify, the best way to determine which product and/or technology is right for any given application … is to first try it yourself. With that in mind, here a few characteristics that you should consider before making a decision about wireless AV:

Latency: The tiniest disconnect between the transmitter and the receiver can be very disruptive, especially when it comes to broadcasting audio to multiple zones. Latency can create an annoying echo effect. In gaming applications, certainly you want the game to respond immediately to the controller.

HDCP/DRM: Make sure that the wireless protocol supports HDCP and/or other copy-protection protocols, or you might not be able to stream a movie from your PC to the big screen, for example. The key wireless video technologies claim to support HDCP, but as with any HDCP-enabled products, some can be more finicky than others. In the same vein, if you want to pass HDMI’s EDID and/or CEC protocols over the network, make sure the technology supports it.

Line of sight: Do you need just a one-room solution or cover the whole house. And for in-room situations, is line-of-sight available or is the gear separated by furniture, people or other obstacles? Be sure to check the small print: line of sight might not be required for shorter distances, but may be necessary for longer distances.

Standards: Is the protocol a “standard” overseen by a formal body such as IEEE? Does it matter? Most standards organizations will say they can guarantee interoperability better than their “non-standard” (ad hoc) counterparts. But in many cases, there are so many iterations and options for a so-called standard, that a certification mark may mean little when it comes to interoperability.

Price: When it comes down to it, price is probably the most important factor for those considering wireless A/V solutions. Few people, however, are likely to evaluate the full cost of ownership of their wireless solutions. For example, someone who might purchase a solution that requires line of sight will have to start over if they decide to re-locate a source or display. And people that invest in a cheaper technology that never catches on … will find themselves stuck with a bunch of worthless “standards-compliant” devices.

For 10 more considerations please download the free white paper How to Pick a Wireless A/V Technology: 15 Key Considerations