Throughout CEDIA, Lee Distad will be reporting on vendors and products you may not be hearing too much about.

One of the biggest stories at this year's CEDIA Expo is the distribution of HDMI signals, either matrix switching of multiple sources and displays or wireless A to B distribution.

Aurora Multimedia is a much bigger name in commercial AV than residential. In fact, despite being a major name used in large commercial distribution jobs, sales manager Andy Fliss jokes that "in residential, we're barely on the radar. At least for now!"

For HDMI distribution, Aurora Multimedia's HS88-M will switch between 8 HDMI sources to 8 displays, porting 1080p video. Most importantly, it's HDMI v1.3a and is 100 percent HDCP compliant.

For really big residential or medium-sized commercial installations, their EDM-3636M takes their HDMI know how and turns the knob up to 11. Fully custom configurable to handle a mix of 36 sources of HDMI, DVI, SDI or…

Tzero Technologies has clarified Gefen's stance on wireless HD. We inferred that, when Gefen announced its new wireless HD product based on Amimon technology, the company abandoned its similar product based on technology from Tzero.

Not so.

Joe Volat of Tzero says that Gefen and Tzero announced new products today, and they will be demonstrated at the Gefen booth during CEDIA.

"In my experience it's fairly common for a company to use two technologies to hedge bets," says Volat, "even though early reports show the TZero solution outperforming extremely well."

Volat notes that Tzero is looking forward to a chance to directly compare products "and we are confident performance tests and market sales will reflect our advantage."

Tzero says the new Gefen Wireless for HDMI Extender has built-in interference cancellation technology, making it "immune to noise from nearby wireless technologies such…

Tzero, once the darling of the wireless HD movement, has fallen out of favor in the custom installation channel.

Both Gefen and Monster Cable were poised last year to introduce wireless HD distribution products using Tzero's UWB (WiMedia)-based technology. At CEDIA Expo 2008, however, the two companies will show products based on competitive wireless technologies. (9/3 Update: Gefen to sell Tzero product, too.)

The original Tzero-based transceivers from Gefen and Monster would enable the wireless transmission of 1080i video up to 20 meters (60 feet). Tzero now claims it can deliver 1080p content.

Starting in 2006, Gefen showed its Tzero solution at several trade shows. As recently as the January 2008 Consumer Electronics Show (CES), Gefen confirmed its commitment to the UWB provider.

But the company had a change of heart, opting for wireless HD technology from Amimon.

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