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Intel brings protected DVD, BD playback to WiDi
Wirelessly stream content - if you have the right kit
Intel has tweaked its WiDi 2.0 software to support the playback of DRM-protected content - DVDs and Blu-rays, essentially - as promised four months ago.
WiDi 2.0 was launched back in early January, at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES). Updated for Intel's second-generation Core i platform - aka Sandy Bridge - WiDi 2.0 was touted for its 1080p playback, support for Dolby 5.1 surround sound and said BD/DVD content streaming.
This week Intel blogged that a fresh WiDi 2.0 patch, 2.1.38.0, for Windows 7 32- and 64-bit, brings that last feature to the show. You'll also need to update your Intel integrated graphics drivers too.
WiDi streams content destined to appear on a machine's monitor over an 802.11n Wi-Fi link instead. The stream is picked up by a set-top box connected to your HD TV.
Good stuff, but you need to have a Core i CPU and an Intel-branded wireless adaptor if you want it all to work. Adaptors are available from Belkin and Netgear, though so far only in the US. ®