The China Video Industry Association (CVIA) announced its support of the DIVA Consortium’s efforts to create a new interface for next-generation interactive digital television and consumer electronics (CE) networking. The DIVA protocol was demonstrated working over a single CAT6 cable, with only eight wires (four differential pairs), during the China Digital Living Forum & Showcase 2008.
DIVA’s interface technology promises to combine uncompressed high-definition video, multi-channel audio, and high-bandwidth, bi-directional data transfer over one cable. Once connected with DIVA, CE devices will be networked locally so they can be easily set up and controlled from any TV on the DIVA network—passing video, audio, and bulk data between devices.
DIVA technology enables an 8B/10B encoded forward channel for transporting uncompressed video at up to 13.5 Gbits/s, which is capable of handling video transmissions well beyond 1080p resolution with deep color and high refresh rates. In addition, DIVA enables a high-speed, bi-directional hybrid data channel that can operate at up to 2.25 Gbits/s, and can be divided into sub-channels that transport audio, command, and bulk data. The protocol for the hybrid channel can be bridged to other wired and wireless interfaces, allowing DIVA interface products to easily connect to a home network that is comprised of a variety of devices.
“We are excited that DIVA enables interactive digital TV and networking among CE devices in future digital homes,” said Weimin Bai, secretary general of the CVIA. “Combining uncompressed and compressed AV interfaces and home networking with a secure, personal domain-based content-protection technology will allow Chinese CE makers to take the lead in developing products for a fully connected interactive digital home. We are especially pleased that this next-generation interface technology is originating in China and looking forward to becoming a successful global standard worldwide.”