| HomePlug AV sends HD video at 200Mbps over power lines |
Aug. 25, 2005
 The HomePlug Powerline Alliance this month finalized a specification for distributing high-bandwidth digital multimedia throughout the home at 200Mbps via AC power lines. Known as "HomePlug AV," the new spec aims to enable simultaneous high definition (HD) and standard definition (SD) video distribution, "whole-house audio," VoIP traffic management, data networking, and more.
HomePlug AV and its predecessor, HomePlug 1.0, use the power lines already installed in a home as a path to transmit digital data between devices. This means, says the alliance, that high definition video stored on a HomePlug AV-capable PC can be viewed on any similarly equipped television anywhere in the home without running new wires.
The release of the HomePlug AV spec comes nearly three years after the effort was initiated, and is the result of a "rigorous process" that included setting market requirements, selecting and testing competitive technologies, and managing intellectual property issues relating to the licensing of the technology, the group says. "We need to recognize the extraordinary level of cooperation that went into the realization of this technology," said Oleg Logvinov, president of the alliance and CEO of Arkados, an alliance member and contributor to HomePlug AV.
Meanwhile, at this week's Intel Developers Conference, HomePlug AV contributor Intellon is demonstrating silicon that supports both HomePlug 1.0 and the new HomePlug AV specification. In the Intellon demonstration, commercially available adapters using the company's newly announced HomePlug 1.0 with Turbo controller are delivering SD quality video from an IPTV set top box (STB), across the powerline, to a video display, according to the company. Additionally, the company is showcasing its new HomePlug AV controller chip that handles 200 Mbps data throughput, it says.
Intellon also announced today that it has received $24.5 million in new equity financing. The investment was led by BCE Capital, which is affiliated with Bell Canada, Canada's largest communications company. BCE Capital, Goldman, Sachs & Co., Intel Capital, and Motorola Ventures joined existing investors Comcast Interactive Capital, Duchossois TECnology Partners, EnerTech Capital, Fidelity Ventures, Hydro-Québec CapiTech, Liberty Associated Partners, LP, Philips Venture Capital Fund, TL Ventures, and UMC Capital Corporation in the financing round.
Also today, the HomePlug Alliance announced that Intel, Linksys, and Motorola have joined the Alliance as sponsors and Board members, and that Intel's Matt Theall has been elected as president of the Alliance. It also announced the formation of three key initiatives: - HomePlug 1.0 + AV (in-home connectivity, including digital home and consumer electronics applications)
- HomePlug BPL (to-the-home, Broadband-over-Powerline applications)
- HomePlug Home Automation (command-and-control applications)
Further details on HomePlug AV will be revealed at next month's HomePlug Powerline Technology Conference, sponsored by the alliance.
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