Multimedia in a Wi-Fi Network

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The convergence of wireless networking and multimedia seems a natural. There are a growing number of products employing 802.11 technologies to move music and video, and to present slideshows and other types of presentations hitting the market. For example, at the 2003 Consumer Electronics Show, wireless multimedia was the killer application—in fact there were six flavors of wireless video alone. But Wi-Fi enabled devices for both music and video were bountiful. Even the heavy hitters like HP, Motorola, Sony, and Toshiba offer Wi-Fi-enabled products that link televisions, DVD players, and other similar gadgets with Wi-Fi networks.

• HP's Digital Media Receiver uses Wi-Fi to bring music and pictures stored on a networked PC to your television or stereo.

• Motorola demonstrated a device it calls "Simplefi" that can link a network PC with a stereo system wirelessly.

• Sony's 802.11a-based RoomLink network streams video or music, or sends photos to a television from a Vaio PC over a standard 802.1 la network. However, it uses the GigaPocket proprietary digital rights management software. That's not Sony's only foray into the Wi-Fi world—in late 2002, BroadQ announced the release of software that can convert a Sony PlayStation sporting a Wi-Fi PC card into a media center adapter for television.

• Toshiba drew quite a crowd at the 2003 CES with its 802.11b-based wireless large-screen TV.

Powering many of the consumer gadgets is software from SimpleDevices, a company with high hopes for Wi-Fi and home entertainment. "Wi-Fi is critical to the adoption of connected devices in the home," says Hanford Choy, vice president of engineering at SimpleDevices. As more people adopt Wi-Fi, Choy says, wireless multimedia moves within reach of the average consumer.

Then there is the Wi-Fi product from ReQuest Multimedia. In April 2003, this industry leader in digital music servers launched its ARQPocket Music Browser software for PocketPC. According to Nick Carter, executive VP at ReQuest, "ARQPocket sets a new standard for user interface simplicity. Wireless networks and off the shelf PDA's offer a low-cost alternative for advanced 2-way control of AudioReQuest." ARQPocket is written in Virtual Basic for Windows CE devices such as PocketPC PDAs from companies such as DELL, Toshiba, Viewsonic, and many other manufacturers. Simply add an 802.11 NIC and access point to any Ethernet network for integration with any AudioReQuest Nitro, Fusion, Triton, or Tera Music Servers.

"Network technology is transforming the way people live, and enjoy music," says Jeff Hoover, owner of Audio Advisors and CEDIA President. "ReQuest has once again raised the bar for the industry. AudioReQuest is a great example of how Electronic Lifestyle systems remove the barriers between people and their media," adds Hoover.

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