HDMI® Guide

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HDMI Definition & meaning

The Evolution of HDMI

I’m confused how does all of the above apply to me, and what version of HDMI cable do I need?

What Cable Do I Need? Its Simple Really!

High Definition(HD) is the latest in a long line of major improvements in television technology, giving very clear, crisp pictures with vivid colours and HD provides a massive improvement in picture resolution, creating more vibrant images and an impressive viewing experience.

HDMI® (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) is a compact audio/video interface for transmitting uncompressed digital data. It represents a digital alternative to analogue standards such as coaxial cable, composite video, S-Video, SCART, component video and VGA. HDMI connects digital audio/video sources such as set-top boxes, Blu-ray Disc players, PCs, video game consoles, and AV receivers to compatible digital audio devices such as computer monitors, projectors and digital televisions.

HDMI allows the transmission of all video signal types (including high-definition signals up to full 1080p) - plus up to 8 channels of uncompressed digital audio (such as Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio).

The Evolution of HDMI...

From the inception of HDMI, a number of improvements have been made and can be charted in the following versions;

HDMI 1.0:

This initial version was released in December 2002, and supported data transfers up to 4.9 Gb per second. This enabled the playback of standard Blu-ray disc video and audio at full resolution.

HDMI 1.1:

The updated version was released in May 2004, and allowed added support for DVD Audio signal increased bandwidth to 10.2 Gb per second. This improvement allowed the streaming of high definition Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio, to external AV receivers for decoding. This version also allowed the transmission of DVD Audio signal. Additional (rarely used) functionality such as Deep Colour and auto lip-sync, was also enabled within the release of this version.

HDMI 1.2:

Released in August 2005, HDMI 1.2 allowed support for Super Audio CD’s (Upto 8 Channels.), allowed HDMI connectivity for PC sources, in turn allowing PC sources to use native RGB colour-space while retaining the option to support the YCbCr CE colour space.

Another key development within HDMI 1.2, was the allowing later displays to support low voltage sources.

HDMI 1.2a:

Updated in December 2005, 1.2a fully specified Consumer Electronic Control (CEC) features, command sets, and CEC compliance test.

HDMI 1.3:

Released in June 2006, HDMI 1.3 took HDMI specification to a new level. This version improved virtually every aspect of HDMI and set a new standard that most manufacturers adopted and strives to achieve.

Increased higher speed: Although all previous versions of HDMI have had more than enough bandwidth to support all current HDTV formats, including full, uncompressed 1080p signals, HDMI 1.3 increases its single-link bandwidth to 340 MHz (10.2 Gbps) to support the demands of future HD display devices, such as higher resolutions, Deep Colour and high frame rates. In addition, built into the HDMI 1.3 specification is the technical foundations that will let future versions of HDMI reach significantly higher speeds.

Deep Colour: HDMI 1.3 supports 10-bit, 12-bit and 16-bit (RGB or YCbCr) colour depths, up from the 8-bit depths in previous versions of the HDMI specification, for stunning rendering of over one billion colours in unprecedented detail. Broader colour space: HDMI 1.3 adds support for “x.v.Color™” (which is the consumer name describing the IEC 61966-2-4 xvYCC colour standard), which removes current colour space limitations and enables the display of any colour viewable by the human eye.

New mini connector: With small portable devices such as HD camcorders and still cameras demanding seamless connectivity to HDTVs, HDMI 1.3 offers a new, smaller form factor connector option.

Lip Sync: Because consumer electronics devices are using increasingly complex digital signal processing to enhance the clarity and detail of the content, synchronization of video and audio in user devices has become a greater challenge and could potentially require complex end-user adjustments. HDMI 1.3 incorporates automatic audio synching capabilities that allow devices to perform this synchronization automatically with total accuracy.

New HD lossless audio formats: In addition to HDMI’s current ability to support high-bandwidth uncompressed digital audio and all currently-available compressed formats (such as Dolby® Digital and DTS®), HDMI 1.3 adds additional support for new lossless compressed digital audio formats Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio™.

HDMI 1.3a, 1.3b and 1.3c:

There were some very minor revisions to the specification of 1.3, but these revisions typically related to manufacturing or testing issues and did not impact features or functionality. In addition, HDMI Licensing, LLC was actively working with manufacturers to reduce confusion for consumers by de-emphasizing version numbers and focusing instead on product features and functionality.

It should be noted that the very first 1.3 compliant device to be released to the market was the Sony Playstation 3....The technological improvements of HDMI up to this point can be attributed to the gaming industry.

HDMI 1.4:

Released in late 2009, HDMI 1.4 oversaw significant improvements to the technology, including integrated data connectivity and support for 3D. The 4 main points surrounding the specification of HDMI1.4 are listed below;

Integrated Ethernet channel

The new version of HDMI adds a bi-directional IP data channel to allow devices to send and receive data at full Ethernet speeds (i.e. up to 100Mbps). This basically eliminates the need for a separate Ethernet cable and enables web-capable devices (with HDMI 1.4 connectors) to share their internet connection with other HDMI gadgets. For example, an HDMI 1.4-equipped amp could act as the internet hub of a home cinema system, sharing its broadband access with a connected TV or set-top box.

Support for dual-stream 1080p 3D

HDMI 1.4 defines several 3D formats for HDMI-enabled devices, including 'frame alternative', 'line alternative' and 'field alternative' methods, 'Side by side' methods (full and half) and '2D plus depth' methods. The new specification is also capable of handling dual-stream 3D resolutions up to 1080p. Having already made an impact on the big screen, 3D TV is arguably the 'next big thing' in home entertainment. Sky has recently announced its intention to launch a 3D channel, while 3D gaming experiments have already been conducted on the PC and PS3.

Extremely high HD resolutions

Specifically, HDMI 1.4 provides support for 4K x 2K resolutions, which is effectively four times the pixel-perfection of a current 1080p device. This allows HDMI 1.4 to handle digital video in the same resolution as current digital cinema systems. Formats supported by HDMI 1.4 include: 3840 x 2160 pixels at 24Hz, 25Hz and 30Hz; and 4096 x 2160 pixels at 24Hz.

There's a new Audio Return Channel...

According to HDMI.org, "in cases where a TV features an internal content source, such as a built-in tuner or DVD player, the Audio Return Channel allows the TV to send audio data upstream to the A/V receiver via the HDMI cable, eliminating the need for an extra cable."

Specifically, HDMI 1.4 includes support for sYCC601, Adobe RGB, and Adobe YCC601 to enable colours to be more accurately reproduced when viewing digital photos on your digital telly

I’m confused how does all of the above apply to me, and what version of HDMI cable do I need?

With the release of the HDMI 1.4 specification, there are now five HDMI cable types to choose from, each designed to meet a particular performance standard. Here is an overview of the HDMI cable types, their capabilities, and how to tell them apart. To help clarify cable types further, all HDMI cable products are now required to be labelled by cable type. Look for these labels when choosing the HDMI cable that is best for your needs.

Standard HDMI Cable

The Standard HDMI cable is designed to handle most home applications, and is tested to reliably transmit 1080i or 720p video – the HD resolutions that are commonly associated with cable and satellite television, digital broadcast HD, and up-scaling DVD players.

Standard HDMI Cable with Ethernet

This cable type offers the same baseline performance as the Standard HDMI Cable shown above (720p or 1080i video resolution), plus an additional, dedicated data channel, known as the HDMI Ethernet Channel, for device networking. HDMI Ethernet Channel functionality is only available if both linked devices are HDMI Ethernet Channel-enabled.

Standard HDMI Cable with Ethernet

Designed for internal cabling of vehicles equipped with on board HD video systems. Tested to a more robust performance standard, and capable of withstanding the unique stresses of the motoring environment such as vibration and temperature extremes.

High Speed HDMI Cable

High Speed HDMI cable is designed and tested to handle video resolutions of 1080p and beyond, including advanced display technologies such as 4K, 3D, and Deep Colour. If you are using any of these technologies, or if you are connecting your 1080p display to a 1080p content source, such as a Blu-ray Disc player, this is the recommended cable. Click Here to see our range of Cables.

High Speed HDMI With Ethernet

This cable type offers the same baseline performance as the High Speed HDMI Cable shown above (1080p video resolution and beyond), plus an additional, dedicated data channel, known as the HDMI Ethernet Channel, for device networking. HDMI Ethernet Channel functionality is only available if both linked devices are HDMI Ethernet Channel-enabled.Click Here to see our range of Cables.

What Cable Do I Need? Its Simple Really!

HDMI Standard Cables are capable of producing 1080i and 720p video resolutions. Only very basic, inexpensive HDMI cables are HDMI Standard. You will not find any of these cables on our website, as this type of cable does not support the maximum resolution capable for LCD’s/Plasma’s on the market today.

HDMI Standard Cable with Ethernet is again capable of producing 1080i and 720p video resolutions. As with HDMI Standard Cables, you will not find any of these cables on our website, as this type of cable, although has the added Ethernet capability the maximum resolution capable for LCD’s/Plasma’s on the market today.

HDMI Standard Automotive Cables are capable of producing 1080i and 720p video resolutions. This type of cable is fitted with a different HDMI plug, designed and tested to provide a more robust performance standard, and capable of withstanding more stress of the motoring environment such as vibration and temperature extremes. This cable is generally used for mobile applications. This type of cable is not widely sold, however they are available upon request.Click Here to see our range of Cables.

HDMI High Speed Cables are capable of producing 2D & 3D 1080p video resolutions. This type of cable is also capable of producing higher deep colour resolutions. HDMI high speed cables are now deemed to be the norm when it comes to purchasing HDMI cables for the display devices and source devices currently on the market today. All of our HDMI cables are HDMI High Speed, as a minimum specification.Click Here to see our range of Cables.

HDMI High Speed with Ethernet cables are the same as High Speed HDMI cables, however they carry a networking facility, if the item is being connected, will at a later date, require networking data. Look for the High Speed with Ethernet logo, on our cables.Click Here to see our range of Cables.

For any more information on HDMI please visit HDMI.org