Sanyo, Magis Team For Wireless TV
By Staff -- TWICE, 1/9/2003
SAN DIEGO— Sanyo and Magis Networks announced plans to demonstrate a prototype Sanyo wireless television system using the 5GHz band at CES.
Magis supplies chipsets for the system — called Air5 — to enable multiple devices to run on broadband wireless networks in homes and offices. Sanyo has an investment stake in Magis.
Magis said Air5 chipsets will enable wireless connections between devices on a network that supports multiple, simultaneous streams of high-quality video, audio and TCP/IP data at ranges up to 250 feet, and throughput up to 40 Mbps.
The system will maintain the original quality and security of the source material, the company said.
Applications for Air5 chipsets include set-tops, gateways, satellite receivers, routers, televisions (HDTV, plasma, and standard), PCs, laptops, cable modems, digital camcorders and cordless phones.
Sanyo said it's prototype wireless television system, incorporating a Magis Air5 chipset, and featuring a Sanyo designed television access point and remote terminal, will have its first U.S. demonstration at CES. The system will transmit and receive video at up to 30 Mbps.
"Magis' Air5 chipsets enable Sanyo to deliver a high-quality wireless television experience to consumers, while also bringing mobility to Sanyo's television systems," said Masamichi Kawakami, Sanyo Electric Semiconductor Co. chief technology officer. "This is an enormous benefit to the consumer who will soon be able to watch our Sanyo portable television anywhere in the home without concern for power or cable connections."
Clarence Bruckner, Magis Networks CEO added, "Magis believes that video and entertainment applications will be a strong driver for the wireless home networking market, and Sanyo is leading the way with its wireless television system."
Other Magis investors include: AOL Time Warner, Hitachi, Motorola, and Panasonic, as well as venture funds Vulcan Inc., Bay Partners, Crescendo Ventures, WK Technology Fund, China Industrial Development Bank and Elwin Partners.
