The HDBaseT Alliance has announced that its new “home networking” technology standard has been finalised and is ready for release to the world. The 1.0 specification, which can transmit HD video, audio, power and Ethernet using standard Cat5e/6 cables, now has its sights set on replacing HDMI as the ultimate way to connect the digital home. The Alliance provides a comparison chart (PDF) detailing performance against common interconnects.

5Play feature-set

HDBaseT is capable of providing 10.2Gbps of uncompressed audio and video, which is enough to carry a full 1080p video signal and HD audio while providing a network connection of up to 100Mbps. Support for 3D video is also included in the specification. In addition, the Alliance is keen to emphasise that the standard is scalable, providing a maximum of 20Gbps of bandwidth, meaning support for super-high-resolution 4K-by-2K video and Gigabit Ethernet will be possible. On top of this, the standard, finalised a few days ago, is capable of providing up to 100W of power and USB support, too. This could allow for a single cable that provides power, video, audio, and a network connection to a connected device.

Common cables

The Alliance’s decision to use RJ-45 connections and existing Cat5e/6 cables with no modification should mean that the standard is simple, familiar and relatively cheap for consumers. Of course, this also provides for maximum cable runs of 100m between devices. This could mean devices such as Blu-ray players or games consoles can easily be connected to every TV and monitor in a house, resulting in a truly connected home.

Incumbent HDMI is already well-established but HDBaseT, with the backing of industry heavyweights Sony Pictures, LG and Samsung, could be the connection of the future. We should start seeing the format appearing in devices later this year, with adoption increasing through 2011.