14 DAY TRIAL // Intel just announced that it has updated its proprietary Wireless Display 2.0 (WiDi 2.0) technology to offer wireless streaming playback of protected content, both from DVD and Blu-ray discs as well as from copy protected online video services.
“Intel Wireless Display 2.0 (WiDi 2.0) has just been updated to deliver wireless streaming playback of protected content, including Intel Insider, DVD, and Blu-Ray movies.
“If you have a system based on 2nd Generation Intel Core processor, just update Wireless Display, and your HD Graphics drivers, and enjoy,” reads a post by Dave Salvator, senior communications manager at Intel.
Until now, users who wanted to wirelessly stream copy protected content from their laptops to other devices had to rely on kits produced by third party manufacturers, even though their laptops came with WiDi 2.0.
The second version of the Wireless Display technology was introduced at the same time with the company's Sandy Bridge processors and is available in most laptops based on the Huron River platform that feature Intel network cards.
Compared to the first iteration of this technology, WiDi 2.0 is able to stream content at Full HD resolutions (1080p) with support for Dolby 5.1 surround sound.
However, this latest addition makes the technology even more impressive and it could become one of the main selling points of the Intel-powered notebooks, especially if the Santa Clara company improves WiDi's latency issues.
To take advantage of WiDi 2.0, the notebooks have to be paired with a wireless transmitter which is sold separately. A similar device (for receiving the content) is also required for the HDTV or projector that is connected to the laptop.
Intel calls these devices media extenders and, until now, these are manufactured by both D-Link and Netgear, but others are expected to join the party later this year.