The HDBaseT Alliance announces the release of its 1.0 certification program, as well as the release of the first HDBaseT certified product.

The program provides alliance members with a formal framework ensuring interoperability for current and future products with an approved baseline HDBaseT functionality.

The first HDBaset certified product is Gefen's HDMI 1.3 over CAT5 Extender. Gefen already has a number of products supporting HDBaseT technology.

This week also sees another first for the HDBaseT Alliance-- the opening of its first recognised test facility, located in Israel.

Go HDBaseT Alliance Announces 1.0 Certification Program

Aavara launches the PE3D4K100A, a HDBaseT-based HDMI extender system the company says installers can easily retrofit within any existing network.

HDBaseT technology allows it to send HDMI further-- at 1080p 3D with 7.1 channel audio, together with IR control, RS232 and 100Mbps LAN through up to 100m of single Cat5e/6/7 cable.

The receiver receives power over Cat5 cable, and comes with a 3 port hub for LAN extention. The sender/receiver package is DVI 1.0 and HDCP compliant and is ideal for all sorts of installs, from home theatre protectors to multi-room HD AV and internet sharing, as well as other commercial applications.

Go Aavara HDMI Over Cat5 Extender System

Computex 2011 hosts RedMere's announcing its PRA1701, a high speed self-powered HDMI module boosting cables to deliver up to 18Gbps of connectivity.

The module's 18Gbps data rate divides into 3 data channels at 6Gbps each, thus delivering 3DHD and interactive entertainment data while future proofing against increasing multimedia data rates.

It embeds into HDMI cable connectors-- allowing the cable itself to become up to 60% thinner than traditional HDMI cables, according to RedMere. This lightness can thus make it ideal for portable devices such as tablets and smartphones.

Go RedMere Announces New 18Gbps Booster Module for HDMI Cables

Gefen launches Toolbox, a HD scaler allowing the scaling of 1 HDMI input to one HDMI output-- with up to 1080p HD and Deep Colour.

The unit bypasses the display's internal scaler, thus improving image quality, with video manually scaleable up and down in all resolutions.

It can also downscale video, which Gefen says makes it ideal for the distribution of a single HD signal to multiple displays not supporting the same maximum resolution in the HDMI distribution system-- while still having maximum resolution on any higher resolution displays.

It also works with DVI signals using the appropriate adapters.

Offering RS-232 control, the ToolBox is field-upgradeable and comes in wall-mountable format.

Go Gefen ToolBox Sacaler

Atlona launches its AT-DVI4-100SR DVI extender kit, saying it extends uncompressed 48-bit video to up to 350' (at up to 4Kx2K resolutions) over single Cat 5/6/7 cable.

It carries HDBaseT technology and offers bi-directional RS-232, IR and Ethernet pass-through-- simplifying installations for integrators.

Ethernet pass-through eliminates the need for an additional dedicated cable for displays with on-board applications (such as Pandora and Netflix), while bi-directional IR and RS-232 support are ideal for use with control and autiomation solutions.

It is also fully HDCP and EDID compliant.

Go Atlona

Iogear show the industry’s first “portable” USB to HD Adapter, the GUC2025H, designed to connect additional HD displays to a desktop or laptop computer using a USB 2.0 cable. With an USB-to-HDMI Adapter in place, laptop users will be able to have up to three displays showing content; the laptop screen, a second display via the built-in VGA port and a third from the USB port courtesy of Iogear’s new adapter.

The GUC2025H complements convergence since it provides a hard-wired streaming solution to get any standard or HD content from a PC to the TV with only a single HDMI cable connection. YouTube, Hulu and other computer content can be streamed to the TV interference-free with ease.

Go Iogear GUC2025H