IBM wireless chipset for video transfers 100x faster

IBM is looking to change the way you watch video. The company today is announcing
microprocessor chipsets that can wirelessly transmit high-definition video between computers, televisions and handheld devices in the time it takes to push the Play button.

IBM will do this by teaming with MediaTek to launch a joint initiative to develop these ultra fast chipsets that will let users rid their homes and offices of the cumbersome wires needed to connect their HD-TVs to set top boxes and or other devices. The companies will be developing millimeter wave (mmWave) radio technology -- the highest frequency portion of the radio spectrum -- 60 gigahertz rather than 2.4 gigahertz -- and digital chipsets that enable at least 100 times higher data rates than current Wi-Fi standards, IBM said in a release. For example, users could upload a 10 gigabyte file in five seconds with the new technology versus 10 minutes using current Wi-Fi technology. mmWave wireless technology can be widely used at home and office for applications such as multimedia content downloads or uncompressed HDTV streaming from your DVD player. Users could wirelessly download and synchronize iPod-like devices with music and videos in seconds.

The companies will integrate IBM's new mmWave radio chips, antenna, and package technology with MediaTek's digital baseband and video processing chips.

IBM joins an increasingly crowded market aiming to speed networked video. Advanced Micro Devices, Intel, Texas Instruments also have plans for wireless chip packages targeting video applications.