Communications and Technology Industry Research

A new study conducted by ABI Research (News - Alert) has revealed that after wireless phones, wireless Internet and wireless home networks, wireless high-definition TV is going to be the hot product. However, the wireless high-definition TV market is still in its infant stage, as less than 100,000 devices are expected to ship this year. The report expects that by the year 2012, a milestone of one million wireless HDTV installations worldwide will be achieved. 

The report says that at the moment, a "battle of technologies" is being fought among three technology systems, which are 5 GHz, 60 GHz, and ultra wideband (UWB). 

Steve Wilson, principal analyst for ABI, said that 5 GHz technology is better understood and more proven, but achieving the required data rates requires new approaches and more complex solutions. Wilson noted that UWB technology has bandwidth advantages at in-room distances but drops rapidly at greater ranges, whereas 60 GHz allows high data rates, but so far only one company is even close to a viable solution. 

The 5 GHz and UWB devices are being shipped in a small quantity currently, whereas in the early phase of next year, demo products of 60 GHz systems will arrive. Wilson added that over the next two to three years, we’re going to see one or two of these wireless HDTV approaches emerge as the primary ones. 

Wireless HDTV sets will be simple to be installed, and more flexible to be relocated. That’s why, the initial sweet spot in the market will be where wired installation would be difficult or complicated, according to Wilson. Wireless HDTV will have both commercial and domestic applications, such as a digital signage, and a wall-mounting flat-screen HDTV. 

Currently, only the venture-backed startups have entered the wireless HDTV silicon market, as most established wireless vendors are still waiting for evolvement of the market. Product manufacturers also are deploying different strategies, as some of them are focusing upon commercial and custom installers, whereas some others like Sharp and Hitachi (News - Alert) are aiming at buyers of their latest technology. 

This report by ABI Research Services, "Wireless Video Cable Replacement Market and Technologies", provides a detailed analysis of these technologies and companies, and also throws light upon how these devices are being adopted in the marketplace. 

ABI Research is a company engaged in market research, and primarily concentrates on analyzing the impact of emerging technologies on global consumer and business markets.