A number of new technologies were introduced in 2009 for end user product connectivity, we pick our favorites for ones that are sure to generate some serious consumer interest in 2010.

1 – HDMI 1.4

Great breakthroughs have been made this year concerning HDMI technology for 2010.Cunsumers should be excited about all the new features regarding Internet connectivity, higher color definition, better sound and more options when it comes to devices the new HDMI 1.4 standard can support. Previous HDMI standards could only support 1080p video resolutions and a limited amount of audio formats. Added connectivity support includes:

  1. Ethernet channel support: This will enable users to utilize 100Mb/Second transfer rate without the need for additional network cabling.
  2. Audio upstream channel: This will allow a single cable connection for users who have devices that require post audio processing, eliminating the need for additional cables.
  3. 3D over HDMI: Enables typical 3d formats to be standardized while adding duel 1080p streams between capable devices.
  4. 4K x 2K Resolution Support: Probably one of the most exiting features of the new HDMI 1.4, this technology will allow for high definition screen resolutions up to 4 times that of previous HDMI standards. Up to 4096×2160 at 24Hz and 3840×2160 at 24Hz/25Hz/30Hz resolutions will be possible. Earlier HDMI capabilities only have a maximum resolution of 1920×1080.
  5. Expanded Support For Color Spaces: This addition will add crisper images and more defined color when connected to a capable digital camera.
  6. Micro HDMI Connector: Almost half the size of existing mini HDMI connectors, this 19 pin cable will enable connections for capable portable devices with high definition resolutions up to 1080p.
  7. Automotive Connection System: With the vehicle environment becoming more media oriented, this technology will bring high definition capabilities to cars and trucks. Many strides have been made in this area in terms of durability and reliability, as vehicles can experience harsher climates, increased vibration and noise interference.

2 – Display Port

Display port is one of the latest video, audio and data connection standards offered by VESA. The technology is open source and many other connectivity formats are supported, such as Ethernet and USB. Display Port is designed to replace older technologies such as DVI, LVDS and VGA connection types commonly associated with most of the personal computers used today. This new technology will enable consumers to do away with many older connection technologies, making it possible to use one Display Port connection cable to operate a multitude of devices. Some of the key features of Display Port are:

  1. Connecting external devices such as multiple monitors, webcams, USB peripherals, networking devices and audio components, all in one simple cable.
  2. Full HD 3D support: Over 240 frames per second are possible with Display Port 1.2 and up to 4 monitors at full 1080p. For a single monitor, this technology can support resolutions up to 3840 x 2400 at 60Hz.
  3. Support for High Definition audio formats such as Dolby MAT, DTS HD, Blu-Ray, and the DRA standard.

3 – Category 7 Networking Cables

Until now, network cabling technology has undergone very few changes. As with any copper wiring, electrical interference can cause problems with data transmissions over network cabling just the same. Users of these newer networking standards will allow the user to surf the Internet faster and more reliably as well as transfer files among connected computer systems at blazing speeds without any hiccups.

  1. Cat 7: This standard will simply allow for better resistance against such natural and manmade electrical interference to allow for a more stable and reliable connection between networked devices. An increase in data transfer rate is also possible, up to 10 Gigabits per second over a 100 meter span. Previous Cat 6a can achieve this speed; however, with the new standard this high speed connection will be more consistent.
  2. Cat 7a: Similar to Cat 7, the improvements planned for this standard have not been fully implemented. The noticeable differences will include an increase from 600 MHz to 1000 MHz in terms of frequencies that can be utilized for data transmission.

4 – USB 3.0

USB 2.0, while serving users well for over a decade, has shown its age and as the demand for higher data transfer rates have increased, so has a the need for improvement. An increase of speed at almost tenfold is expected with USB 3.0. The new standard should be available on many new computers and other compatible devices sometime in 2010. Not only will the consumer be able to transfer High definition videos and pictures up to 10 times faster than USB 2.0, users will see a dramatic decrease in power consumption among smaller USB 3.0 enabled devices.

  1. USB 3.0 will allow for simultaneous bidirectional data transfers. With the older USB 2.0 specification, it was only possible to read or write information one direction at a time.
  2. Major data protocol changes have been made with USB 3.0. Earlier USB host controllers would constantly check a connected device for an incoming signal. This newer standard changes that by allowing the connected device to instead send a signal to the host device when it is ready to communicate, thereby freeing up resources and saving energy in the process.
  3. USB 3.0 is backwards compatible with preceding technologies, giving the new standard more flexibility.

5 – Wireless HDMI

Wireless technology has become the new data exchange frontier for the new millennium. HDMI is the gold standard when it comes to transmitting and receiving high definition video and audio. Wireless HDMI will allow consumers to transmit 1080p video and HD audio formats without the need for obtrusive cables. Many television and other various multimedia product manufacturers have implemented this new technology with their latest offerings. Although this new wireless standard is fairly new and expensive, it is believed that wireless HDMI will become common place in the near future.

The current downside to wireless HDMI is the limited range of the technology. Range limits have put into place because of the extraordinary frequency range used to transfer the amount of data required for the transmission of high definition data. Stronger signals produced by wireless HDMI devices could possibly interfere with other wireless components in or around the home. Current consumers who have jumped early on the bandwagon have complained about the component noise produced from cooling fans used in certain wireless HDMI devices that are available on the market today.
We hope you enjoyed the read, and wish you a very happy new year.