New Silicon Image ViaPort technology enhances DTV connectivity

2011 International CES, SUNNYVALE, USA: Silicon Image, a leader in advanced, interoperable HD connectivity solutions for consumer electronics, announced its innovative ViaPort technology for DTV connectivity, improving DTV performance, usability, and consumer satisfaction in home theater applications.

Silicon Image ViaPort technology adds an HDMI output with integrated HDCP repeater support to the DTV, allowing the user to add an HDMI sound bar or Audio Video Receiver (AVR) downstream from the DTV in a simplified manner.

The resulting HDMI output from the DTV to the external audio device enables the highest-quality surround sound, full Consumer Electronics Control (CEC) functionality, and access to the latest DTV technology features delivered through Silicon Image port processors.

Connecting current-generation DTVs to external audio equipment presents a number of usability and performance issues for the typical home theater user due to an existing topology that places the AVR between source devices, such as Blu-ray Disc players, and the DTV.

Depending on the configuration, consumers may experience excessively complicated system set-up and use, degraded audio and video performance, or both. In addition, many top-line TV features such as MHL (Mobile High-Definition Link) connectivity and HDMI Specification Version 1.4 innovations such as 4k display resolution, 3D, Audio Return Channel, and HDMI Ethernet Channel, may be unusable with an older AVR.

Meanwhile, AVRs and sound bars remain a valuable part of the home entertainment system, providing the high quality audio that DTVs are now too thin to effectively provide.

As an additional advantage, Silicon Image ViaPort technology enables better and more consistent merchandising of DTVs in a retail environment. Multiple DTVs can be daisy-chained to each other, all connected to a single source device, such as a Blu-ray player. This eliminates the need for signal splitters and distribution boxes, and ensures identical presentation of digital content across all of the daisy-chained DTVs. Up to eight devices can be connected in this way when HDCP-protected content is displayed, or many more devices in a non-HDCP environment.

"Silicon Image ViaPort technology underscores our continued commitment to deliver ground-breaking innovations for DTV and home theater applications,” said Alex Chervet, senior director of product marketing at Silicon Image Inc.

"Silicon Image ViaPort technology returns the TV to its logical position as the center of home entertainment and ensures that, regardless of the placement, configuration, or HDMI capabilities of external audio equipment, best-quality audio and top-tier DTV features are delivered consistently, both in the home and in retail display environments.”

Starting in early 2011, Silicon Image ViaPort technology will be incorporated into the company’s industry-proven line-up of HDMI port processors, which are platforms for innovation that add the latest connectivity and performance features to DTVs.

Silicon Image ViaPort technology will be demonstrated January 6-8, 2011 at the 2011 International CES (Consumer Electronics Show) in Las Vegas, USA.