hplanet Posted March 9, 2006 Posted March 9, 2006 Introduction HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) is a new kind of digital audio and video connector that promises to replace all connectors currently used by DVD players, TV sets and video monitors. The idea is to use a single cable instead of several cables when connecting your DVD player to your TV set, for example. This new connection standard was developed by Hitachi, Matsushita (Panasonic/National/Technics), Philips, Silicon Image, Sony, Thomson (RCA) and Toshiba. The greatest advantage brought by this standard is the use of digital connection for both audio and video, bringing the best quality possible. Nowadays digital audio connection is done thru a single cable, but it is very rate to see devices like DVD players using digital video connection (the most popular video connections are S-Video and Component Video, both analog). The digital video connector that exists today is called DVI. You can learn more about video connection types available today by reading our Video Connectors tutorial. There are three basic differences between HDMI and DVI. First, HDMI supports higher resolutions than DVI, including resolutions not commercially released yet (in theory it supports double the highest resolution available today in HDTV sets); second, DVI only connects video, audio connection must be done separately, while HDMI connects both audio and video; third, HDMI connector is far smaller than DVI’s. It is interesting to notice that HDMI is compatible with DVI. It is possible to connect a device that uses DVI to another that uses HDMI, thru a cable with a HDMI connector at one end and a DVI connector at the other. Another important difference is that DVI standard was developed to be used by PCs, while HDMI was developed to be used by consumer electronics products, such as DVD players and videoprojectors. HDMI also implements a copy-protection mechanism called HDCP (High-Bandwidth Digital Copy Protection), which was developed by Intel. You can learn more about it at http://www.digital-cp.com.
hplanet Posted March 9, 2006 Author Posted March 9, 2006 Taken from: http://www.hdmi.org/manufacturer/faq.asp What is HDMI? HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) is the first and only industry-supported, uncompressed, all-digital audio/video interface. HDMI provides an interface between any audio/video source, such as a set-top box, DVD player, or A/V receiver and an audio and/or video monitor, such as a digital television (DTV), over a single cable. HDMI supports standard, enhanced, or high-definition video, plus multi-channel digital audio on a single cable. It transmits all ATSC HDTV standards and supports 8-channel digital audio, with bandwidth to spare to accommodate future enhancements and requirements. Who supports HDMI? The HDMI Founders include leading consumer electronics manufacturers Hitachi , Matsushita Electric Industrial (Panasonic), Philips, Sony, Thomson (RCA), Toshiba, and Silicon Image. Digital Content Protection, LLC (a subsidiary of Intel) is providing High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection (HDCP) for HDMI. In addition, HDMI has the support of major motion picture producers Fox, Universal, Warner Bros. and Disney, and system operators DirecTV, EchoStar (Dish Network) as well as CableLabs. What companies are making HDMI-enabled products? Please refer to the list of HDMI Adopters and Test Equipment Makers. How do consumers benefit from HDMI? The new HDMI digital interconnect provides: * Superior, uncompressed digital video and audio quality * A simple, single cable and user-friendly connector that replaces the maze of cabling behind the entertainment center * Integrated remote control * A popular interface enabling the transmission of high-definition content. HDMI opens the floodgate of digital content from major motion picture producers Please take note current Version is HDMI Version 1.2 Last UpDated on 9 March 2006
hplanet Posted March 9, 2006 Author Posted March 9, 2006 Taken From: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HDMI The High-Definition Multi-media Interface (HDMI) is an industry-supported, uncompressed, all-digital audio/video interface. HDMI provides an interface between any compatible digital audio/video source, such as a set-top box, DVD player, and A/V receiver and a compatible digital audio and/or video monitor, such as a digital television (DTV). HDMI supports standard, enhanced, or high-definition video, plus multi-channel digital audio on a single cable. It is independent of the various DTV standards such as ATSC, DVB(-T,-S,-C), as these are encapsulations of the MPEG data streams, which are passed off to a decoder, and output as uncompressed video data, which can be high-definition. This video data is then encoded into TMDS for transmission digitally over HDMI. HDMI also includes support for 8-channel uncompressed digital audio. Beginning with version 1.2, HDMI now supports up to 8 channels of one-bit audio. One-bit audio is what is used on Super Audio CDs.
hplanet Posted April 22, 2006 Author Posted April 22, 2006 http://www.guidetohometheater.com/news/020506hdmi/ HDMI specs have indeed continued to evolve. According to the HDMI Licensing LLC, version 1.2a was complete just before CES, and version 1.3 is anticipated to be locked down in the first half of this year. Despite speculation in some corners that only the most recent versions of the HDMI spec support 1080p, HDMI Licensing 's Leslie Chard informed me that all versions of the HDMI spec support 1080p video at 60Hz. It is up to the manufacturers of displays and other HDMI compliant devices to include support for 1080p throughout the architecture of the piece- the HDMI receivers, video decoders, video D-A converters, and all the video processing involved must support 1080p throughout. Given that 1080p sources aren't yet on the market, many display manufacturers seemingly have chosen not to absorb the expense in developing 1080p architectures throughout their displays.
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