Posted Mon Aug 19, 2013 at 11:00 AM PDT by Steven Cohen
The previously costly plug-and-play home theater technology has been revised with the average consumer in mind.
The HDBaseT Alliance recently revealed the specs for HDBaseT 2.0. The technology allows for the transmission of video, audio, power, control, and Ethernet over a single, inexpensive Cat5e/6 LAN cable, greatly simplifying the usual multiple cable setups used with most home theater gear. The new spec also adds support for USB 2.0.
HDBaseT 1.0 technology can currently be found in several expensive home theater components and it's frequently used in professional AV installations, but the tech's mass market appeal has been limited by cost. In contrast, the 2.0 "HomePlay" spec has been designed with consumers in mind, and the company has reduced costs enabling HDBaseT 2.0 implementation in mainstream products. In addition, affordable HDBaseT switchers could also become available, allowing the transmission of HDMI connected devices throughout a household's preexisting Ethernet network.
Specific manufacturers and components using the technology have not been announced yet.
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