Intel Demos Wireless Display 2.1 with 1080P and New Content Options

Josh SmithApril 28, 2011

Intel recently showed off an update to Intel Wireless Display 2.0 at an event in New York. The new Intel Wireless Display 2.1 update is expected to arrive in May and bring support for 1080P, 5.1 surround, deliver protected content and will be able ot purchase and stream Full HD movies with a new service.

Intel Wireless Display 2.0 was first announced at CES 2011 and is already in a number of notebooks like the soon to be available Toshiba Satellite E305 Blue Label notebook. These Intel WiDi 2.0 notebooks will get the upgrade to Intel Wireless Display 2.1 next month which will enable the new features.

Intel Wireless Display 2.1 New Features:

1080P support – Fulll HD 1080P support has been available since Wireless Display 2.0 arrived on the market, but it is a significant increase from the previous limit of 720P.
Surround Sound – The new WiDi 2.1 service allows you to stream in 5.1 surround so that you don’t have to make a sacrifice in sound quality while streaming.
Protected Content Playback – Perhaps one of the nicest upgrades is the ability to play content from DVDs and Blu-Ray discs so that you can enjoy more 1080P HD content.
Full HD Content Rentals and Purchases – Intel is partnering with Best Buy and others to deliver 1080P rentals and purchases which you can stream right to the big screen.
Reduced Lag – The new Intel WiDi streaming has less lag than WiDi 1.0. Intel says it has decreased from 600ms to 150-170ms for a nicer experience. Still not something you’ll likely want to game on, but a welcome improvement.

If you have a laptop with Intel Wireless Display 2.0, like the Toshiba Satellite E305, Sony VAIO Blue Label notebook, Dell 2nd Gen Core i powered Inspiron 14", 15" and 17" notebooks; you will be able to upgrade to Wireless Display 2.1.

In order to use Intel Wireless Display 2.0 and 2.1, you will need a Wireless Display 2.0 adapter which retails for around $100. The Blue Label notebooks which will be available at Best Buy soon will include an adapter for the price.

Overall this looks really cool and we are hoping to get one of the new adapters in soon to test with the Toshiba Satellite E305-S1990 which we have in for review.