HDMI 1.3a, the current HDMI specification, can control two interconnected devices using the CEC function, but cannot handle a multi-device home network.
The newest HDMI 1.4 standard, however, offers enhanced networking functionality. A single HDMI cable can now handle Ethernet data as well, thanks to the new HDMI Ethernet Channel (HEC) function, and this makes it possible to share content among multiple devices.
The peak data rate for the HEC function is 100Mbps. If content needs to be swapped between devices using the HEC function, it is implemented via LiquidHD (developed by Silicon Image), Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA), etc. This approach assumes that the HD video data has been high-efficiency coded, however.
DiiVA is also working to keep the cost of introduction low. As mentioned above, inexpensive Category 6 cabling, already used for Ethernet, can be used. The price difference increases with the length of the installation. A comparison of a 3-meter cable, for example, shows that an HDMI cable is about Yen1,000 to Yen2,000, while a Category 6 cable is only a few hundred yen. The price difference rises sharply from five meters.
Some potential problem areas have also been cited for DiiVA, however. First, while the cables themselves are general-purpose items, the connectors are a special design. This will boost the cost above common Category 6 cables using standard RJ-45 connectors.
The supply of DiiVA transceiver ICs is limited to only Synerchip, which could make price competition difficult and prevent component prices from dropping. The firm is thinking about making the intellectual property (IP) core available to other semiconductor manufacturers, but does not appear to have actually done so yet.
A number of IC manufacturers are offering HDMI transceiver ICs, with the result that prices are continuing to drop.
Many of the major AV equipment manufacturers are integrating HDMI transceiver circuits into system ICs, pushing HDMI component costs lower every year. Some AV equipment manufacturers market compliant ICs. Panasonic, in fact, began sample-shipping a transceiver IC compliant with HDMI 1.4 at the end of June 2009. And the more progress HDMI makes in the market, the harder it will be for DiiVA to establish a cost advantage.
Other industry sources point out that DiiVA could make measurement instrumentation more expensive. The higher data rate, they explain, demands more expensive oscilloscopes with wider bandwidth. A source at Tektronix Japan Ltd explains, "With HDMI most oscilloscopes used have an 8GHz bandwidth, but you'd need 12.5GHz with DiiVA."
Sidebox: HD Video Streams over Ethernet
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