Monster Partners With Sigma For Wireless Foray
By Lisa Johnston -- TWICE, 6/16/2008
NEW YORK — Monster announced a partnership with Sigma Designs during last week's Digital Downtown event, here.
Monster said it is partnering with Sigma Designs, a manufacturer of digital media processing system-on-chip solutions.
The Monster Wireless Digital Express HD system will be the first result of the partnership. The system will use Sigma's Wireless HDAV technology for high-definition A/V cable replacement and its ultrawideband (UWB)-over-coax technology. This is designed to give users a "wireless and no new wires" solution for previewing HD content throughout the home.
The companies will collaborate on advanced wireless solutions for HDMI home entertainment distribution.
Monster's foray into wireless was initially announced at the International CES/Hometech 2008 event, held last month in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates (see TWICE, June 2, p. 12).
In addition to letting users stream HD video content with full 1080p resolution between their HDTV displays, DVD and Blu-ray Disc players, and/or set-top boxes within a room or to an adjacent room, the Wireless Digital Express HD system will allow room-to-room HD entertainment streaming, transmitting A/V contents up to 330 feet over a home's existing coaxial cables, according to Monster.
At the press conference, Lee called Sigma "the leader in high-definition picture quality." He added, "These guys have the horsepower … to make the silicone we need for the devices."
Sigma's Wireless HD A/V solution will ultimately enable users to mount their HDTVs on walls without the need for multiple HDMI and A/V cables spread throughout the room or hanging across the walls, according to Monster, while still providing HD signal quality.
The line of Wireless Digital Express HD products are scheduled for October release. Pricing was not available.
The second announcement made by Monster at the Digital Downtown event was the introduction of the Outlets To Go 3 USB powerstrip.
Designed for travelers, the powerstrip features a dual-side design that has three AC outlets and a USB port. It includes a lighted FlatProfile Plug and FlatWrap "super-flexible" power cord, as well as a blue LED indicator circuit breaker.
It will retail for a suggested $29.99.
