Asus' wireless HDMI streamer coming next month?

An anonymous tipster provided Engadget with a juicy scoop yesterday regarding the latest attempt to produce a commercially viable wireless HDMI streaming device. Asus is apparently nearly ready to introduce the BR-HD3, a $650 box that can transmit the signal (up to 1080p) from one device to your HDTV. While the BR-HD3 has been in the pipeline for a while, it might be officially released as early as next month.

That single source is a notable limitation, since you won't be able to hook up a Blu-ray player to it if you already have your cable box connected to it. Asus supposedly will release a version with three ports by the middle of next year. There's also no solid information regarding how far the BR-HD3 can transmit the signal.

Wireless HDMI that's affordable is a bit of the Holy Grail that has mostly been offered by TV manufacturers for their sets. Sony has the $499 Bravia Wireless Video Link, which doesn't do 1080p and is designed for its HDTVs, while Panasonic uses the WirelessHD standard for its $5,500 Panasonic Z1 plasma. Gefen offers the Wireless for HDMI Extender, with a range of 100 feet, for $899, a couple of hundred dollars more than Asus will supposedly sell the BR-HD3 for. Belkin generated plenty of buzz with its FlyWire device, but that HDMI streamer was to retail for $1,499 and was killed off earlier this year.