Apple, Intel others working on UDI spec
Posted by Dennis Sellers 
Dec 21, 2005 at 8:10am
Apple is working with Intel and companies to create a better link for connecting computers to high-definition televisions and other consumer devices, according to the Wall Street Journal (free registration is required).
The spec is known as UDI (unified display interface). The need for an improved interface standard, addressing the unique requirements of non-CRT display technologies, is currently one of the major obstacles preventing the wider acceptance of such products as replacements for the traditional CRT-based monitor, according to B. Myers of HP in a paper written for the Society of Information Display.
The goal is to replace VGA, a nondigital technology. Instead HDMI, for high-definition multimedia interface, would be used.
hmurchison Says:
PR Blather. What does this connector do that HDMI doesn’t? The specs won’t be finalized until 2H 2006 which means no product until early 2007 if they finalize on time.
““We’re talking about a PC with a single connector that can hook up high-definition TVs,” said Joe Lee, director of product marketing, PC/Display Products at Silicon Image (Sunnyvale, Calif.), which helped develop the interface.”
You mean like HDMI?
“In an interview with EE Times, Lee said that the differences between the proposed UDI spec and HDMI spec are minor”
Well then what are those differences? Because I’m not seeing any right now.
““LCD monitors could drop substantially in price, as you can rip out much of the electronics such as analog-to-digital conversion circuitry,” Lee said.
“
Don’t count on it. If that was the case the DVI only LCD would be cheaper than VGA/DVI LCD
“allow use of a small, lower cost connector with optional locking retention.
“
The locking retention should not be optional. HDMI was poorly designed and falls out in certain devices.
Posted on December 21, 2005
Dan Says:
Apple joined the UDI group, just to bother hmurchison.
Posted on December 21, 2005
hmurchison Says:
After further review i’m liking UDI a bit more.
Current HDMI supports 5Gbps bandwidth. UDI is supposed to support 16Gbps in the 1st version and scale from there.
Not too shabby. I’m hearing that the cables will be thinner as well. Hopefully the spec is full featured and ready by next years end so that we can start seeing products in 2007 supporting it.
Posted on December 21, 2005
Mcloki Says:
This just adds fuel to the fire of the torch I’ve been holding for an Apple HDTV set. Throw the brains of a mini behind the hopeully SED HDTV display and put some room where I can hang extra storage HD’s off the back and Voila. Home server. Nice way to hide a home server in the living room. Bluetooth phone access and we’re done.
Posted on December 21, 2005
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Dennis Sellers
Dennis has been a newspaper editor/reporter (seven years) and teacher (seven years). He has over 4,000 magazine, newspaper and online articles to his credit. He has also covered the Mac and tech industries for over a decade for such online publications as MacCentral, MacMinute and now MacsimumNews.
Neo Says:
Here’s a better source to check out: http://www.eetimes.com/showArticle.jhtml;jsessionid=WEJLKMB2BTADEQSNDBGCKHSCJUMEKJVN?articleID=175007096
Being that it’s all about HDTV makes this development important. The UDI spec’s timing of Q2 2006 is in sync with Apple’s expected launch of an iMac with Inte in June. Count on this spec to be implemented!
In addition, the EETimes article reveals that UDI will replace S-Video on laptops to enhance HDTV. According to the SIG, this will mean lower, not higher, prices for LCD’s. UDI will also be backward compatible with displays having the Digital Video Interface (DVI).
The UDI digital display interface will be compatible with high-definition TV signals.
Posted on December 21, 2005