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Home Theater Programming Sources
Off-Air TV
What is HDMI?
HDMI in a Nutshell - What Can HDMI do for Me?
HDMI is one of the myriad of abbreviations facing the home theater enthusiast these days.
HDMI stands for High Density Multimedia Interface. It is a high bandwidth digital audio /
video interface for connecting components together. It was, like its predecessor DVI,
developed by Silicon Image. HDMI was initially released in December of 2002. Currently, in
the majority of cases it is used strictly for video. HDMI sends uncompressed, all digital
video and is normally HDCP (High Density Copy Protection) compliant to prevent
unauthorized copying of high definition content.
HDMI has a bandwidth of 5Gbps and supports HDTV resolutions out to 1080p. The wide
bandwidth and the flexibility of the HDMI specification allow for audio, video and control
signals to be carried over a single cable. This could dramatically simplify your home
theater component's connections in the future when HDMI is implemented on the majority
of devices. Unless your A/V components are fairly far apart, you should have no distance
limitation worries, as HDMI is rated for a distance of up to 15 meters when using standard,
copper cable construction. This can, however be extended by using premium standard
configuration cables, or by converting to CAT-5 or fiber optic HDMI transmission solutions.
On the latest generation of video disc players, HD-DVD and Blu-Ray Disc, the HDMI
interface is the only high definition video output. As a copy protection measure, the
component video outputs are limited to 480p resolution. At some point in the future, a
similar fate awaits HDTV tuners, cable boxes and satellite receivers as content providers
seek to protect their intellectual property.
The implementation of HDCP on different video devices can be a major bone of
contention when attempting to connect them together. In speaking with many
manufacturers, they almost all express frustration over compatibility issues, even though
they are enthusiastic about the ability of HDMI to transport high quality audio and video.
Even though different HDCP compliant, HDMI components should work together and
deliver a flawless high definition picture, sometimes things don't go as smoothly as one
would wish, so be forewarned. When things do go as planned however, you're able to
view a fantastic picture, given the proper source, content and display.
HDMI Specifications
HDMI has already seen several iterations. The most current HDMI specification as of this
writing is HDMI 1.3a, released in November, 2006. HDMI Licensing LLC, the agent tasked
with licensing the High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) specification, released HDMI
1.2a on Jan. 13th, 2006, followed by HDMI 1.3 on June 22, 2006. HDMI 1.2a was an
update for HDMI v.1.2, released on August 5th, 2005. Versions 1.2 & 1.2a have made
numerous improvements to the HDMI specification, notably in the area of the notoriously
flaky connector, and support for additional audio and video formats such as SACD & DVD
Audio.
With the arrival of the 1.2 and 1.2a specifications, HDMI added support for 1-bit audio
formats, paving the way for such components as SACD players. The format will also now
support computer outputs in the RGB color space, instead of component video only, as
was previously the case. Also, the 1.2 specification allows HDMI Type A connector for PC
sources and displays. In addition there is now full support for PC video formats and
resolutions. The HDMI format will now support low voltage, AC coupled devices, such as
PCI Express video cards. The added computer support will go a long way toward
integration of HTPCs into the digital home theater environment.
HDMI 1.3 increases the data transfer rate from 4.95 GBs to 10.2 GBs by increasing clock
speed. Color depths supported increase from 24-bit color up to 48-bit color, dramatically
increasing the number of colors and shades of gray that can be displayed. To further
enhance the image quality for future applications, HDMI 1.3 supports the new xvYCC color
space. Perhaps the most welcome new development is the support for automatic audio /
video synching. The new Sony PS3 will support HDMI 1.3. On the down side, you'll need to
be ready for yet another connector, as HDMI 1.3 uses a new, mini connector.
HDMI 1.3 also supports new digital surround formats, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby Digital
TrueHD and DTS-HD. These new formats offer substantial improvements over their
predecessors, and are compatible with HD-DVD, BluRay Disc and Digital broadcasting. If
your disc player supports earlier versions of HDMI and can decode these high bitrate
audio formats into uncompressed, linear PCM audio, you won't need the 1.3 or 1.3a
version of HDMI. This is only the case if your A/V receiver or surround processor can take
the linear, multi-channel PCM audio over HDMI. Such an ability allows you to get the full
benefit of the higher bitrate surround sound audio without having to have a player or
receiver that has HDMI 1.3. If your display supports the new color space and higher bit
depth color, and you would like to take advantage of it, you will need HDMI 1.3, however.
Be aware that there a some problems with HDMI that have been made worse with the 1.3
version. The main problem is distance limitations at higher resolutions, primarily 1080p. If
you are using deep color and the xvTCC colorspace, you will be limited to about 8 meters
at 1080p, unless you are using active cables, such as those by VizionWare.
Other problems attributed to HDMI are in reality caused by the HDCP copy protection
employed by content owners. This copy protection scheme is present on most HD video.
Basically it requires that the display and the source agree to display the content, and at a
specified resolution. Many, but definitely not all, of the problems blamed on HDMI are
actuall the fault of HDCP and the handshaking process.
These handshaking problems were widespread, but beginning in 2008 most of the
headaches had been worked out, and HDMI began to really fulfill its potential.
Now you know what HDMI is.
- A single cable, uncompressed, digital audio, video and control interface
- Supports 2-way communication between devices
- 5 Gbps bandwidth
- Support for multiple audio & video formats - up to 1080p video and 8 channels of
192kHz, 24-bit uncompressed digital audio - 15 meter distance limitation over standard cable
- Low cost
- Backward compatible with DVI
- HDCP compliant
- Support for home theater PCs with the latest specifications (1.2,1.2a & 1.3)
HDMI is one of the myriad of abbreviations facing the home theater enthusiast these days.
HDMI stands for High Density Multimedia Interface. It is a high bandwidth digital audio /
video interface for connecting components together. It was, like its predecessor DVI,
developed by Silicon Image. HDMI was initially released in December of 2002. Currently, in
the majority of cases it is used strictly for video. HDMI sends uncompressed, all digital
video and is normally HDCP (High Density Copy Protection) compliant to prevent
unauthorized copying of high definition content.
HDMI has a bandwidth of 5Gbps and supports HDTV resolutions out to 1080p. The wide
bandwidth and the flexibility of the HDMI specification allow for audio, video and control
signals to be carried over a single cable. This could dramatically simplify your home
theater component's connections in the future when HDMI is implemented on the majority
of devices. Unless your A/V components are fairly far apart, you should have no distance
limitation worries, as HDMI is rated for a distance of up to 15 meters when using standard,
copper cable construction. This can, however be extended by using premium standard
configuration cables, or by converting to CAT-5 or fiber optic HDMI transmission solutions.
On the latest generation of video disc players, HD-DVD and Blu-Ray Disc, the HDMI
interface is the only high definition video output. As a copy protection measure, the
component video outputs are limited to 480p resolution. At some point in the future, a
similar fate awaits HDTV tuners, cable boxes and satellite receivers as content providers
seek to protect their intellectual property.
The implementation of HDCP on different video devices can be a major bone of
contention when attempting to connect them together. In speaking with many
manufacturers, they almost all express frustration over compatibility issues, even though
they are enthusiastic about the ability of HDMI to transport high quality audio and video.
Even though different HDCP compliant, HDMI components should work together and
deliver a flawless high definition picture, sometimes things don't go as smoothly as one
would wish, so be forewarned. When things do go as planned however, you're able to
view a fantastic picture, given the proper source, content and display.
HDMI Specifications
HDMI has already seen several iterations. The most current HDMI specification as of this
writing is HDMI 1.3a, released in November, 2006. HDMI Licensing LLC, the agent tasked
with licensing the High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) specification, released HDMI
1.2a on Jan. 13th, 2006, followed by HDMI 1.3 on June 22, 2006. HDMI 1.2a was an
update for HDMI v.1.2, released on August 5th, 2005. Versions 1.2 & 1.2a have made
numerous improvements to the HDMI specification, notably in the area of the notoriously
flaky connector, and support for additional audio and video formats such as SACD & DVD
Audio.
With the arrival of the 1.2 and 1.2a specifications, HDMI added support for 1-bit audio
formats, paving the way for such components as SACD players. The format will also now
support computer outputs in the RGB color space, instead of component video only, as
was previously the case. Also, the 1.2 specification allows HDMI Type A connector for PC
sources and displays. In addition there is now full support for PC video formats and
resolutions. The HDMI format will now support low voltage, AC coupled devices, such as
PCI Express video cards. The added computer support will go a long way toward
integration of HTPCs into the digital home theater environment.
HDMI 1.3 increases the data transfer rate from 4.95 GBs to 10.2 GBs by increasing clock
speed. Color depths supported increase from 24-bit color up to 48-bit color, dramatically
increasing the number of colors and shades of gray that can be displayed. To further
enhance the image quality for future applications, HDMI 1.3 supports the new xvYCC color
space. Perhaps the most welcome new development is the support for automatic audio /
video synching. The new Sony PS3 will support HDMI 1.3. On the down side, you'll need to
be ready for yet another connector, as HDMI 1.3 uses a new, mini connector.
HDMI 1.3 also supports new digital surround formats, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby Digital
TrueHD and DTS-HD. These new formats offer substantial improvements over their
predecessors, and are compatible with HD-DVD, BluRay Disc and Digital broadcasting. If
your disc player supports earlier versions of HDMI and can decode these high bitrate
audio formats into uncompressed, linear PCM audio, you won't need the 1.3 or 1.3a
version of HDMI. This is only the case if your A/V receiver or surround processor can take
the linear, multi-channel PCM audio over HDMI. Such an ability allows you to get the full
benefit of the higher bitrate surround sound audio without having to have a player or
receiver that has HDMI 1.3. If your display supports the new color space and higher bit
depth color, and you would like to take advantage of it, you will need HDMI 1.3, however.
Be aware that there a some problems with HDMI that have been made worse with the 1.3
version. The main problem is distance limitations at higher resolutions, primarily 1080p. If
you are using deep color and the xvTCC colorspace, you will be limited to about 8 meters
at 1080p, unless you are using active cables, such as those by VizionWare.
Other problems attributed to HDMI are in reality caused by the HDCP copy protection
employed by content owners. This copy protection scheme is present on most HD video.
Basically it requires that the display and the source agree to display the content, and at a
specified resolution. Many, but definitely not all, of the problems blamed on HDMI are
actuall the fault of HDCP and the handshaking process.
These handshaking problems were widespread, but beginning in 2008 most of the
headaches had been worked out, and HDMI began to really fulfill its potential.
Now you know what HDMI is.
One of the biggest problems with HDMI connectors is that they
don't lock into place. They have very little resistance against
deflection, such as occurs when your HDMI cables are routed
behind a piece of equipment and they have to make a bend.
The best way around this is to use an HDMI cable that fits well
and isn't prone to popping out of the port in th back of the AV
equipment or display device.
BetterCables has award winning HDMI cables that are designed
correctly, so the cables fit securely and there is little chance of
them coming lose. If you've priced HDMI cables lately, you know
they can be extremely expensive, especially in longer lengths.
BetterCables are also an extraordinary value, with premium
performance out through HDMI 1.3a - 1080p resolutions.
Click here to see them now.
don't lock into place. They have very little resistance against
deflection, such as occurs when your HDMI cables are routed
behind a piece of equipment and they have to make a bend.
The best way around this is to use an HDMI cable that fits well
and isn't prone to popping out of the port in th back of the AV
equipment or display device.
BetterCables has award winning HDMI cables that are designed
correctly, so the cables fit securely and there is little chance of
them coming lose. If you've priced HDMI cables lately, you know
they can be extremely expensive, especially in longer lengths.
BetterCables are also an extraordinary value, with premium
performance out through HDMI 1.3a - 1080p resolutions.
Click here to see them now.
What the HDMI
connector looks like
connector looks like
Copyright 2004-8 1 touch movie.com
Home theater and Automation Guide
All rights reserved.
Home theater and Automation Guide
All rights reserved.
HDMI Explained - How High Definition Video Gets to Your TV
1 Touch Movie.com
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