HDBaseT 2.0 Specification Released

It shouldn’t come as a surprise that I find HDBaseT an incredibly interesting technology. What’s not to love about simplified distribution of audio, video, Ethernet and control over a single cable? OK, there is one thing – price. HDBaseT is expensive, so it only ends up in the high-end components. Fortunately this is something that they are aware of and are hoping to fix with HDBaseT 2.0 which should lower switch cost and also adds support for USB 2.0.

Of course we can’t get too excited until actual products hit the shelves, but there’s no reason not to celebrate a cool technology getting cooler. Full PR after the click.

BEAVERTON, Ore. – August 13, 2013 – The HDBaseT Alliance today releases the specifications for HDBaseT 2.0, making the latest version of the HDBaseT technology available to manufacturers of professional AV and consumer electronics products. The new HDBaseT HomePlay feature set, based on the HDBaseT 5Play capabilities, will make it simpler and more cost-effective for consumers to turn their entire homes into multimedia entertainment centers.

“Over the last three years, HDBaseT has become the digital connectivity standard for professional AV installations, and we have leveraged our experience working with the pros to ensure that HDBaseT 2.0 will enable consumers to enjoy the same benefits and user experience: highest video quality, reliability and multi-room support all over a single inexpensive cable,” said Micha Risling, marketing chair of the HDBaseT Alliance. “HomePlay, as defined in the new HDBaseT 2.0 specification, features an elegant, affordable plug-and-play solution that will allow the average consumer to experience the same multimedia benefits of HDBaseT that the professionals have become accustomed to.”

HomePlay: the Evolution of Connected Home Entertainment

HDBaseT 2.0 represents the evolution of both multimedia entertainment and Ethernet technology.

“The HDBaseT 2.0 specification defines the required adaptations across all seven layers of the Open system Interconnection (OSI) model to support time-sensitive, high throughput video/audio and other time sensitive applications,” said Eyran Lyda, HDBaseT Technical Committee chairperson. “The HomePlay switch is designed to provide all required services for the multimedia home.”

While HDBaseT 1.0 only addresses the Physical and Data Link layers, HDBaseT 2.0 adds networking, switching and control point capabilities. HDBaseT 2.0 also defines point-to-multi point connectivity, providing multi-stream support. HDBaseT 1.0 defined a point-to-point connectivity standard.

Spec 2.0 also adds inherent support for USB 2.0, and other native interfaces which enable manufacturers to remove multiple interfaces and conversion components required for HDBaseT 1.0 products. The result is a smaller and a simpler-to- implement switch, which means vendors can produce HDBaseT switches with a consumer-friendly price tag.

“The key to making HDBaseT more cost effective for consumers and professionals is making the HDBaseT-enabled components more affordable, and the new features HDBaseT 2.0 offers will help manufacturers do just that,” added Risling.

HDBaseT 1.0 was defined to support the transmission of the 5Play feature set (video, audio, Ethernet, power and controls) and Spec 2.0 establishes the specification that will allow HDBaseT – HomePlay switches to control and distribute multimedia across consumers’ homes.

For more information on HDBaseT 2.0, please visit www.hdbaset.org.

About the HDBaseT Alliance

Founded by LG Electronics, Samsung Electronics, Sony Pictures and Valens Semiconductor, the HDBaseT Alliance is comprised of leading cross-industry companies formed to promote and standardize HDBaseT(tm) technology. The cornerstone of HDBaseT technology is 5Play(tm), a feature set that converges uncompressed full HD digital video, audio, 100BaseT Ethernet, power over cable and various control signals through a single LAN cable.

Members supporting HDBaseT technology play a pivotal role in defining the future of multimedia transmission and data communication in the consumer electronics and content provider industries. For additional information on HDBaseT Alliance and membership benefits, visit www.HDBaseT.org.