We live in an ever changing world of electronics -- which is the way we like it -- but sometimes we try to hold on to the past. It's not that we don't like progress or change, but it's just that we feel that for us to throw out all of our old stuff and replace it with new stuff, that the new stuff had better be an improvement. Recently we started playing with Vudu again, and one thing we realized we missed in our review was the fact that HDMI is required for HD viewing. We find this new trend to kill component video a real drag, but wonder is it time to let go? We know that custom integrators don't like HDMI, but other than that, are we the only ones holding on to the ability to use existing custom cables that don't fall out on their own?

Now here's an adapter we can all love: the HDfury2. Put simply, this kit enables owners of pre-2005 displays to enjoy 1080p content via HDMI. Those "older" sets and projectors lacked the ability to comprehend HDCP, and this minuscule device packs a built-in deciphering converter that pumps out Blu-ray content at beautiful 1080p over component / VGA. There's also an audio combo jack that channels analog and digital optical formats, and yes, it plays nice with both PAL and NTSC. Check the read link for all the fine print, and get ready to hand over $249 when it (hopefully) ships next month.

[Thanks, Daniel]

Since launching in 2002, the High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) has become the de facto standard for high-def connectivity on Blu-ray players, HDTVs and pretty much any other set-top-box capable of outputting 720p or greater content. Six years in, the spec still has its fair share of issues, and Steve Venuti, President of HDMI Licensing, was recently kind enough to sit down and speak about them. Somewhat surprisingly, Steve mentioned that the biggest issue he hears about from installers is the inability to "lock" into gadgets. Granted, there are some third-party solutions to this problem, but the fact remains that the vast majority of HDMI cables won't have any sort of locking mechanism. The interview continues on down the paths of "handshake" problems related to HDCP authentication, protocol confusion (HDMI 1.3a/b/c) and the future of HDMI. If that sounds like just the thing you're interested in reading up on, you know where to find it.

It's nearly that time of year again folks -- the hunt for the playoffs begins, school gets back in session and Gefen goes absolutely berserk. It's already gearing up for this year's CEDIA Expo in Denver by revealing details about an 8x4 HDMI Matrix -- which "allows up to eight high-definition video sources to be accessed at any time from any one of four HDMI displays" -- and a self-explanatory 4x4 Component Audio over CAT5 Matrix. Furthermore, the outfit is introducing the 1:2 and 1:4 Component Audio over CAT-5 Distribution Amplifiers, which "enable audio / video systems using the component format to split and deliver two or four identical signals." Pricing remains up in the air, but all that should be cleared up here in just a few weeks.

Read - HDMI Matrixes, etc.
Read - Distribution amplifiers

Here lately, it's been the more prosumer / professional-focused brands kicking out the extenders and switches, but IOGEAR is returning to the fold by introducing two CAT5e / 6 MiniExtender Kits and a pair of HDMI switches to boot. As for the extenders, you'll find one for HDMI ($279.95) and one for DVI-D ($69.95); the former provides "an additional 100 feet between a 1080p display unit and media source or an extra 200 feet for 1080i display units," while the latter "extends a DVI PC source 100 feet away from a single link DVI-D display with resolution of 1920 x 1080 at 60Hz." Closing things out are the 3-Port HDMI Automatic Switch ($89.95) and the 4-Port HDMI Switch with Remote ($89.95), both of which are fairly self-explanatory. The whole lot is available as we speak.

Oh sure, Sharp's doing the whole OLED thing because of societal pressures, but it's no secret where its passion lies. The outfit best known for its AQUOS brand has just introduced a trio of newcomers aimed at those looking for an "entry-level" HDTV: the 42-inch LC-42SB45U, 46-inch LC-46SB54U and the 52-inch LC-52SB55U. Each of the LCD HDTVs boast a 1,920 x 1,080 resolution panel, glossy piano-black finish, a pair of component jacks, a dedicated PC input and built-in NTSC / ATSC / ClearQAM tuners to boot. As for HDMI sockets, you'll find four on the big fellow, two on the 46-incher and three on the "little guy." The pain? Try $2,299.99 for the LC-52SB55U (available now), $1,699.99 for the LC-46SB54U (also ready to snatch right away) and $1,399.99 for the September-bound LC-42SB45U.

What is this, the unofficial week for dishing out HDMI equipment? Shortly after seeing an HDMI repeater and distribution amplifier from two separate companies comes Extron Electronics to tempt your wallet once more. The RGB-HDMI 300 conveniently converts incoming analog component video and RGBHV signals to HDMI, and while it won't accept Discover, it will play nice with HDTV resolutions up to 1,920 x 1,200. You can also select from a number of HDMI output rates including 1080p60, and the slim profile makes it easy to hide on the backside of a flat-panel. No mention of a price, but we're guessing it'll be somewhere between "costly" and "for real?".

We've got to say, Tributaries' T12 power strip was way more intriguing than this thing, but regardless of your excitement level, you may still need a distribution amplifier to send a single HDMI signal out in four different directions. The HDA140 is a 1-in, 4-out amp which pipes one HDMI signal to four zones up to 100-feet away; as expected, the unit is fully HDMI 1.3 / HDCP compliant and supports 1440p, Deep Color, Dolby TrueHD, DTS-HD Master Audio and refresh rates up to 120Hz. It's available now for $450.

It's not the first HDMI repeater you've seen, and it most definitely won't be the last. Impact Acoustics is pumping out its own tiny box in order to extend that HDMI signal of yours another 130-feet (or 200-feet if using two). Nothing too special going on with this one, just the obligatory HDMI 1.3, Deep Color, Dolby TrueHD, DTS-HD Master Audio and 1080p support. If this is just the thing you've been looking for to run HDMI to your garage / sun room / etc., you can claim your own for a penny under $200.

Vizio made some waves recently with the introduction of two bargain-priced plasmas, but it could garner attention from a whole new sect of individuals next month. Reportedly, the outfit is gearing up to launch "its first monitor tailored for dedicated PC users" in late August, the 26-inch widescreen VMM monitor. We are told that it'll boast HDMI inputs, reduced brightness and higher resolution "than typical IT displays," but aside from that (and the $449 price tag), the rest remains a mystery. Also of note, the company is expected to debut an "eco-friendly" line of TVs this October, which are said to "operate with 35- to 45-percent less power than traditional LCD TVs of comparable size." Way to keep us on the edge of our seats, Vizio.

[Via Electronista]

ATEN has just announced a new pair of HDMI splitters, the VS182 (2-port) and VS184 (4-port). Both units are fully compatible with HDMI 1.3b and HDCP 1.1 specifications, and each box can send one source of HD video up to 20-meters to two / four displays at the same time. You can also count on Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio signals being piped out along with imagery, and those looking to do huge, huge things will love to hear that the splitters "are an extremely scalable solution with the capability to send signals to up to 64 displays when installed in a cascade." Both devices are ready to be purchased as we speak for £69.90 ($139) / £119.90 ($239).

If slinging HDMI signals over Ethernet sounds appealing to you, look no further than Octava's newest box. The HDMI over Ethernet extender enables users to transmit 1080p HDMI signals up to 150-feet over Ethernet (300-feet for 1080i), and while CAT6 is recommended, CAT5 should do the trick in a pinch. Of note, two Ethernet cables are necessary in order to carry audio / video as well as HDCP data, and both the receiver and transmitter are bundled with dedicated power supplies to ensure maximum performance. Expect the kit to ship next week for $199.

Alright, so you're stocked up on locking HDMI cables, but what are you to do about those real tight situations where a traditional HDMI cable end simply sticks out too far? Panasonic to the rescue. As the pre-IFA news continues to trickle out, Panny has introduced a new HDMI cable with a swiveling head, one that can point up or down in order to work nicely in wall-mounted TV applications and the like. We are told to expect a 1.5- and 3-meter version this September, although pricing has yet to be revealed.

[Via HDTV-Space, thanks Marcus]

We've all dreamed of wire clutter-free home theaters for years (admit it), and Belkin is about to make things a lot easier with the FlyWire. The new wireless transmitter and receiver can send 1080p video over a 5GHz band. Belkin promises little to no interference and no latency even for you gamers. As for connections, we're looking at three HDMI ins, two component ins, one composite, and one HDMI out. Remote control is done via IR, which should be welcome news to those of you with universal remotes. FlyWire will come in two packages: The FlyWire AV69003 at $999.99 is meant for a whole-home solution with an IR backchannel for multi-room control, while the FlyWire R1 AV69000 at $699.99 is meant for a single room without the IR backchannel. Not exactly cheap, but a heck of a lot cheaper than those custom wireless installs, and a lot more pretty than ripping a hole in your wall for cables. FlyWire should hit store in October.

Always wanted to install a little computer into your home theater but none of the available options are cutting it, what with all the giant media files and HD displays you're rolling? Enter Acer's Aspire X1200, which for $450 includes on-board NVIDIA GeForce 8200 graphics, an AMD Athlon X2 2850e processor, and HDMI port. Acer promises full 7.1-channel audio support as well as the guts to work with H.264, VC1, and MPEG2 and the spunk to output 1080P. The whole shebang comes in a rack-friendly 10.6 x 4.0 x 14.4-inch enclosure. Of course, prices scale up to $699 based on your needs -- the latter coming with a 22-inch display -- but the base price will get you a 320GB SATA II drive and the start of what could be a sweet little home theater PC.