The rapid growth of high-definition home entertainment systems has made the connections between an increasing number of sources and displays more difficult. High Definition Multimedia Interface cables support a limited distance, and content protection restrictions preclude most of the traditional interconnect solutions. Several approaches have been proposed, but Analog Devices’ HD Anywhere networked entertainment solution is the only one that works with any source, over any common transport. It enables connections to wall-mounted displays without cables, ceiling mounted projectors without putting wires through the walls, and televisions in other parts of the house without running any new wires.

HD Anywhere is based on ADI’s Wavescale compression; the same JPEG2000-based technology used in digital cinema and broadcast television systems. Wavescale technology provides unique advantages in video quality, transmission robustness, scalability, low latency, and instantaneous data rate adjustment. The HD Anywhere system compresses video in real time, encrypts the stream, and provides it to a UWB, WiFi, powerline, phone line, or COAX modem – all without visual interruptions. The receiver decrypts and decompresses the stream and produces an HDMI output, ready to be connected to any HD display. It can accept video and audio in any common format, including standard definition composite and component, and HD content in analog component or an uncompressed digital form. This addresses evolving entertainment systems which incorporate a mix of HD and legacy components.

The HD Anywhere reference design includes schematics, PCB layouts, and firmware for a complete system design. It can be configured to support resolutions up to 1080i or, with additional hardware, 1080p video. It can be easily modified to add or delete input and output ports to meet specific cost and functionality targets. One end of the link can be embedded into a video source or display, adding interconnects flexibility to the device while minimizing overall cost.

Leveraging ADI’s broad line of video and audio products in its portfolio, the HD Anywhere platform offers the flexibility to configure a system meeting particular cost and feature objectives with components tailored to work together seamlessly. The HD Anywhere networked entertainment reference design is available to qualified customers from Analog Devices.