Wireless HDMI becomes reality for UK TV viewers

Posted by David Walker on Wed 15 Jul 2009

Wireless HDMI TVs to be standard next year, writes David Walker

It isn't quite the end of all TV wires, after all, you do still need a mains cable, but from this week, you can legally buy a HD-ready TV that doesn't require a chunky HDMI cable thanks to the introduction of wireless HDMI.

That's good news for anyone who wants to watch Blu-ray movies on a wall-mounted high-def TV, not so good if you happen to be employed in the HDMI cable industry. We suspect that's not many of you though. 17th July is the Ofcom-authorised date from which you can (theoretically) go and buy a wireless HDMI-ready telly, although finding one might be an issue right now. Saying that, Panasonic (with the Z1) amd LG (with the rather stylish LH9000) have wireless sets ready to go, all of which are likely to be on the shelves before Christmas. While the Sony ZX1 and EX1 are both available to order right now from the Sony Store. Leave it until 2010 and we suspect you'll be hard pushed to find any that don't offer it.

Commenting on the move, What Satellite and Digital TV magazine editor Alex Lane said: 'It's great that Ofcom has moved so fast to clear the bandwidth for ultra wideband devices like wireless HDMI – and it shows regulators don't have to be lumbering behemoths. This is great news for anyone with a wall-mounted TV or a projector at the other end of the room from their HD source – no need to run a 10 meter HDMI cable around your walls.'

Link: Ofcom (via TechRadar)

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