A new audio/video cable technology is being developed by Sony Pictures Entertainment, Samsung, LG, and Valens Semiconductor to replace HDMI as soon as next year. Known as HDBaseT, the new cable tech will be able to carry audio and video signals as well as power over standard Cat 5e/6 Ethernet cables.
So here’s the tradeoff: while HDMI is currently the cable to use for high-def audio and video equipment, it’s limited to carrying uncompressed audio and video, expensive, and offers a limited cable length. HDBaseT? It’s pretty cheap (since it’s basically your standard Ethernet cable and RJ45 connectors), can go up to 100 meters, and can pretty much do what HDMI does.
Huh. Just when it seems like every device from speakers and set top boxes to netbooks and smartphones feature an HDMI port, they’re thinking of changing it? Why not. It’s not the sleekest cable around, but the cost of network cables (that you can always crimp yourself to fit any length you want within a hundred meters) should make up for it.
