this week introduced a range of connectivity solutions for Apple's Cinema Displays. The new HD-Mate acts as the interface between multiple HDTV sources and an Apple Cinema Display. It supports high definition resolutions up to 1920x1080i and comes equipped with one DVI and two component inputs that connect satellite television systems, camcorders, DVD players and gaming systems such as the Xbox 360. A total of three HD sources can be connected at the same time using the HD-Mate, which allows the user to easily switch between sources using a simple push-button menu on the unit itself. It features intuitive on-screen menu pages, accessible through the menu buttons on the HD-Mate unit, to offer image adjustments to accommodate different view outputs and screen sizes.

In addition, the HD-Mate enables the 20- and 23-inch Apple Cinema Displays to function with full HDTV capability, displaying HD images with uncompromised quality and resolution. A model supporting the 30-inch Cinema Displays is already in development. The HD-Mate is expected to ship later this month for $300.

30-inch Cinema Display extension solutions

The company offers several 30-inch Cinema Display extension solutions that enable the ultra-high definition resolutions of the dual-link DVI-driven displays to be extended with optimum image quality beyond their 15-foot specification limitation. The DVI DL Booster, a tiny box that connects the end of a dual link DVI cable to the display, essentially corrects any signal degradation that occurs over the cable beyond 15-feet before sending the signal through to the display. The device is effective up to 100-feet or 150-feet with an optional power supply. It is available for $200.

The DVI-2000 HD Extender is a sender/receiver transmission system that employs multimode fiber optic cables to connect the sender (computer) to receiver (display) up to 1640-feet in distance with a perfect replication of visuals and no delay. It is available now for $1,400.

For system integrators, the Gefen DVI DL Switcher offers a plug-and-play device for connecting two computers to a single 30-inch Cinema Display. To select a source, users can simply push the button on the Switcher's face front; an optional RMT-2 remote control may be used as well. It support switching for dual-link DVI video, USB 2.0 keyboard/mouse, and audio. The DVI DL is available for $400.

HDTV Extreme cables

Gefen also debuted fiber optics-based DVI cables in various lengths up to 300 feet to accommodate common and unique extension scenarios. Designed tough to withstand frequent handling, the plug and play HDTV Extreme cables require no additional hardware or software to extend HDTV resolutions up to 1080p. The company said that multimode fiber optic components are conveniently bundled into a single cable with single link DVI connectors on both ends. For 30-inch Cinema Display users, Gefen supplies a selection of dual link DVI cables and add-on extension solutions capable of carrying the ultra-high resolutions of the Cinema Displays. The cables range in price from $400 to $2078.