In today’s era, technology is advancing at an astonishing pace, affecting not only computers, smartphones, and the internet but also fields like television, audio, and video.
Each year brings forth new standards and technologies for image and sound transmission, promising higher quality, convenience, and security for users.
Wireless and wired technologies for image and sound transmission allow different devices to connect with each other either wirelessly or using cables, enabling users to watch videos, listen to music, play games, or deliver presentations with higher quality, speed, security, and functionality.
In this article, we’ll explore the new standards and technologies for both wireless and wired image and sound transmission that have emerged in 2023.
We’ll discuss how they differ from their predecessors, their pros and cons, and their suitable applications.
Wireless and Wired Standards in 2023
Let’s consider what current and widespread technologies are available to people in 2023:
Wireless video and audio standards in 2023
In 2023, the following innovations have emerged in this field:
Miracast 2.0.
Miracast is a Wi-Fi-based wireless image and sound transmission technology that enables the complete mirroring of one device’s screen onto another. Miracast 2.0 is an enhanced version of this technology, improving image and sound quality, data transmission speed, interference resistance, and compatibility with various devices.
Miracast 2.0 supports resolutions up to 4K (3840×2160 pixels) at 60Hz and 10-bit color depth. Additionally, Miracast 2.0 supports HEVC (H.265) video codecs and Dolby Atmos for audio. Miracast 2.0 operates on the 5GHz frequency, providing higher bandwidth and reduced data transmission latency.
Moreover, Miracast 2.0 employs WPA3 encryption for protection against unauthorized connections. Miracast 2.0 is suitable for high-quality video playback, gaming, or presentations from mobile devices to TVs, projectors, or monitors that support this technology.
Miracast 2.0 technology enables wireless transmission of high-quality image and sound with speed and security between various devices such as smartphones, laptops, televisions, projectors, speakers, and headphones.
Bluetooth 5.2
Bluetooth is a short-range wireless data transmission technology commonly used to connect audio devices like speakers, headphones, microphones, and more. Bluetooth 5.2 is an upgraded version of this technology, enhancing sound quality, data transmission speed, energy efficiency, and compatibility with various devices.
Bluetooth 5.2 supports the new LC3 (Low Complexity Communication Codec) codec, delivering higher audio quality with lower power consumption and increased bandwidth. Additionally, Bluetooth 5.2 introduces LE Audio (Low Energy Audio), allowing audio to be transmitted to multiple devices simultaneously or to a single device with multiple audio streams.
Bluetooth 5.2 also employs AES-CCM encryption for protection against unauthorized connections. Bluetooth 5.2 is suitable for listening to music, podcasts, audiobooks, or making calls from mobile devices on Bluetooth-enabled speakers or headphones.
Bluetooth 5.2 technology enables wireless transmission of high-quality audio with speed and security between various devices such as smartphones, laptops, speakers, and headphones. Additionally, Bluetooth 5.2 allows for simultaneous audio transmission to multiple devices or to one device with multiple audio streams.
These are the primary new technologies available to the general consumer in 2023.
Wired Standards in 2023
HDMI 2.1
HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) is a standard for wired image and sound transmission between different devices. HDMI 2.1 is an upgraded version of this standard, enhancing image and sound quality, data transmission speed, and functionality.
HDMI 2.1 supports resolutions up to 8K (7680×4320 pixels) at 60Hz or up to 4K at 120Hz with 12-bit color depth. Additionally, HDMI 2.1 supports HEVC (H.265), VP9, and AV1 video codecs, as well as Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, and MPEG-H for audio. HDMI 2.1 operates at a bandwidth of up to 48 Gbps, ensuring faster data transmission speeds.
Moreover, HDMI 2.1 introduces several additional features like eARC (enhanced Audio Return Channel), VRR (Variable Refresh Rate), QMS (Quick Media Switching), QFT (Quick Frame Transport) and ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode), which enhance the quality and comfort during video playback or gaming.
HDMI 2.1 is suitable for watching high-quality videos, playing games, or delivering presentations from computers, laptops, tablets to TVs, projectors, or monitors that support this standard.
HDMI 2.1 technology enables high-quality, high-speed, and feature-rich wired transmission of both image and sound between various devices, such as computers, laptops, tablets, televisions, projectors, speakers, and headphones. Additionally, HDMI 2.1 comes with a range of additional features, including adaptive refresh rate and quick media switching, among others.
USB-C 3.2
USB (Universal Serial Bus) is a standard for wired data and power transmission between different devices. USB-C is a type of USB connector and cable that has a symmetrical shape and can be plugged in either way. USB-C 3.2 is an updated version of this standard, improving data transmission speed and energy efficiency.
USB-C 3.2 supports data transfer speeds of up to 20 Gbps, twice as fast as the previous USB-C 3.1 version. Additionally, USB-C 3.2 supports charging power of up to 100 watts, allowing for rapid charging of various devices.
Furthermore, USB-C 3.2 can transmit both image and sound using DisplayPort and HDMI protocols if the devices support these protocols. USB-C 3.2 is suitable for connecting various devices such as computers, laptops, tablets, smartphones, cameras, hard drives, printers, and more using a single cable.
USB-C 3.2 technology enables high-quality, high-speed, and energy-efficient wired transmission of both image and sound between various devices, such as computers, laptops, tablets, smartphones, cameras, hard drives, printers, and others, using a single cable. Additionally, USB-C 3.2 supports charging power of up to 100 watts, allowing for rapid charging of various devices.
Such wired technologies for image and sound transmission are prevalent in the market in 2023.
Pros and Cons of New Wireless and Wired Standards
The new standards and technologies for wireless and wired image and sound transmission in 2023 come with their own set of advantages and disadvantages that should be considered when choosing and using devices. Here are some of them:
Pros of new wireless and wired standards:
- Higher image and sound quality, providing a more realistic and immersive experience during video playback or gaming.
- Faster data transmission speeds, allowing for the transfer of more information in less time and with reduced latency.
- Improved energy efficiency, saving device battery life and reducing power consumption.
- Enhanced security measures, protecting data from unauthorized access or interception.
- Increased compatibility, enabling seamless connections between different devices without issues or additional adapters.
- Added functionality, such as multi-threaded audio, adaptive refresh rates, quick media switching, and more.
Cons of new wireless and wired standards:
- Higher cost, making new devices less accessible to a wider range of users.
- Increased requirements, making new devices less compatible with older or less powerful devices.
- Greater complexity, making new devices less straightforward to use or set up.
These are the main advantages and disadvantages that you should pay attention.
The Latest Wireless and Wired Standards: Final words
In this article, we’ve explored the new standards and technologies for wireless and wired image and sound transmission that have emerged in 2023, discussed how they differ from their predecessors, and highlighted their advantages and disadvantages.
These are the most common technologies available in the majority of devices in 2023. While premium segment innovations of the next generation can already be found in some devices, we will discuss them in upcoming articles.
We hope that this information will help you better understand and select suitable devices for your needs and interests.