$1000 Belkin Box Promises Wireless HD Video and Audio

Compton (CA) - Cables, lots of cables, are the hallmark of our modern living room, but Belkin has a up-market solution for all your wire woes. The company has announced its FlyWire system which wirelessly transmits HD video and audio anywhere in your home. Operating in the 5 GHz band, the FlyWire has frequency hopping and is robust enough, according to Belkin, to transmit 1080p video "with no latency."

The FlyWire system consists of a transmitter and a receiver that connects to most HD devices. According to Belkin literature, FlyWire can adjust both its frequency and power to overcome interference. Furthermore, the company says the video signal is transmitted without compression and is of the same quality as if it were sent through an HDMI cable. The system is HDCP compatible, something that should make the MPAA and RIAA very happy.

Two models of the FlyWire will be sold. The FlyWire, model AV69003, will retail for $999.99 and has enough power to cover the whole house. A less power FlyWire R1, model AV69000, is considerably cheaper at $699.99, but this version only has enough power for one room.

Given the price, you’d probably have to hate wires A LOT before buying this system. We’re not sure how many people will actually buy such a high priced system. After all, small Blu-Ray players are currently selling for approximately $300. Then you can use the cash you saved to buy a stash of Jessica Alba movies.

Belkin says the FlyWire will be available in late October while the R1 model will be available in the first quarter of 2009.