What is HDMI?
Published by Sierra Monica B., on Sep 23 2008, in the categories: Reviews
How to recognize HDMI cables? Well, HDMI cables have 19-pin connectors and look like in this image, where you can see the differences between it and the other cables used today for video.
Coax or RF cables are for digital and analog video/audio, Composite Video supports analog video same as the S-Video, while the Component Video is that cable with 3 Red-Green-Blue connectors for both analog and digital video signals. DVI is the most advanced cable after HDMI, and supports only High-Definition digital video signals, requiring additional audio connectivity like all the other cables mentioned.
HDMI instead, brings all together via a single cable, and its connector’s pins have different functions such as carrying Transition Minimized Differential Signaling data channels for DVI and HDMI high-speed digital data, enabling signals synchronization, sending command and control data between connected devices, enabling communication of Extended Display Identification Channel information between the 2 connected devices, carrying low-voltage power supply, and monitoring power up/down and plug/unplug events.
Even if there are different versions available, there is the same type of cable. They feature different bandwidth increase levels and additional capabilities. For example, HDMI 1.0 released in 2002 has a bandwidth of 4.9Gbit/sec, with 3.96 Gbit/sec for video and 8-channel audio. HDMI 1.1 appeared in 2004 with additional support for DVD Audio, while one year later, HDMI 1.2 brought support for Super Audio CDs, HDMI Type A connector for PC sources, support for native sRGB color, and support for loq-voltage sources. In the same year, HDMI 1.2a came with Customer Electronic Control features. In 2006, HDMI 1.3 enabled bandwidth up to 10.2 Gbit/sec with 340 MHz, added Deep Color support, Audio video sync capability, support for Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio streams, and the Type C mini connector for portable devices. 2 years ago, HDMI 1.3a adjusted some features, same as with HDMI 1.3b.
Another aspect is the cable length. All types of cables used for audio, video and networking can be installed up to a recommended length such as 100 meters, to avoid signal loss. Additional devices, such as repeaters, are meant to amplify the information on the cables after that length limit and currently the best solution is, of course, optical fiber, which can be used without amplifiers on a distance of much over 500 meters.
In the case of HDMI the maximum cable length depends on construction and materials it is made of. With this occasion we’ll also find the answer to the question “which HDMI cable is better and why?†because we will see that there are 2 types of HDMI cables introduced by the HDMI 1.3 standard. Category 1 supports 1080i/720p with 74.5 MHz, and Category 2 was tested at 4600p with 340 MHz, so yes, you could say the second type is better because it enables High Definition imaging on higher-resolution displays like Wide Quad eXtended Graphics Array of 2560×1600 pixels and with a 16:10 aspect ratio. If you have smaller monitors, then you don’t need to go for it, but rather choose the HDMI Category 1 cable type for a widescreen aspect ratio of 16:9, 1920 pixels horizontal resolution, and 1920 × 1080 frame resolution of up to 2.07 million pixels.
About their length, let’s say that if a Category 1 cable is made of materials like 24 AWG conductors it can reach 15 meters, and when extenders are used, cables can exceed 100 meters if based on fiber optics technology.
Today, devices with HDMI support include television panels, computer graphic cards, mainboards, the PlayStation 3 gaming console, Blu-ray players, high-end multimedia projectors, and some portable media players. All are available at higher prices compared to non-HD systems, but the image quality they enable is amazing and totally different than what you were used with before.
(Sources: Philips; Wikipedia)
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49 pingback(s) on “What is HDMI?”
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51 Comments on “What is HDMI?”
What is HDMI said on 09/23/2008:
[...] web4lackey wrote an interesting post today onHere’s a quick excerptIt’s the best and an affordable solution for connecting your HD-enabled devices such as HD DVD player or Blu-ray player, to your High Definition TV, because this type of cables can be found at low prices of around $10. … [...]
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Sony AW High Definition Laptops said on 09/28/2008:
[...] content while on the go. You can use the laptop also for connecting it to a HD TV via the HDMI connectivity, watch Blu-ray movies at 16:9 aspect ratio, browse 2 websites in full size at the [...]
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Sony AW High Definition Laptops | E-Techblog.Info said on 09/28/2008:
[...] content while on the go. You can use the laptop also for connecting it to a HD TV via the HDMI connectivity, watch Blu-ray movies at 16:9 aspect ratio, browse 2 websites in full size at the [...]
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What is HDTV said on 09/30/2008:
[...] categories: Reviews Maybe you had the chance to read our previous article explaining what is HDMI. Now we’ll make a step forward in finding out more about this new type of television panel that [...]
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MediaTechNews.com » Sony AW High Definition Laptops said on 10/14/2008:
[...] content while on the go. You can use the laptop also for connecting it to a HD TV via the HDMI connectivity, watch Blu-ray movies at 16:9 aspect ratio, browse 2 websites in full size at the [...]
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Fujitsu LifeBook Colored Laptop Computers with the New High Speed Wireless Internet Support said on 10/21/2008:
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MediaTechNews.com » Fujitsu LifeBook Colored Laptop Computers with the New High Speed Wireless Internet Support said on 10/23/2008:
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Cool Laptops Available in Turkey said on 10/28/2008:
[...] system, which enhance the mobile entertainment experience for every user. Among components we find HDMI port for connectivity with external TVs or monitors in order to watch High Definition content, a [...]
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New BenQ Stylish Laptops with HD Audio Sound Cards said on 10/30/2008:
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MediaTechNews.com » Cool Laptops Available in Turkey said on 10/31/2008:
[...] for every user. Among components we find HDMI port for connectivity with external TVs or monitors in order to [...]
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MediaTechNews.com » New BenQ Stylish Laptops with HD Audio Sound Cards said on 10/31/2008:
[...] wireless draft N support, a built-in 2MP QEye webcam, and HDMI output connector. In addition, the laptop features a durable [...]
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Asus B80A HDMI Output Laptop said on 11/03/2008:
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MediaTechNews.com » Asus B80A HDMI Output Laptop said on 11/03/2008:
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Fujitsu LifeBook N7010 Dual Screen Laptop said on 11/10/2008:
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Best Rated TV Models with HD Support Under 800 Dollars said on 11/13/2008:
[...] value for money. The Bravia KDL-20S3000 is a High Definition-ready display, meaning it provides HDMI input for connectivity to other compatible systems such as PS3 gaming consoles and Blu-ray Discs. [...]
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Samsung Launched New Lightweight Laptop Computers said on 11/15/2008:
[...] LAN, Bluetooth, modem, three USB ports, ExpressCard slot, a 7-in1 media card reader, VGA out and HDMI connectivity for high-definition content displayed on an external screen such as compatible TV. [...]
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Pavilion X16 1040us The New HP Laptop Designed for Entertainment said on 11/17/2008:
[...] is dropped accidentally. This way you can be sure you won’t lose any information. Using the HDMI port the laptop can be connected to an external TV featuring High Definition, so that the video and [...]
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MediaTechNews.com » Fujitsu LifeBook N7010 Dual Screen Laptop said on 11/19/2008:
[...] also Blu-ray ROM optical drive for High Definition content, HDMI connectivity for compatible TVs, an ATI Radeon HD 3470 graphics card with [...]
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New Amilo Model with External Laptop Graphics Card said on 11/28/2008:
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MediaTechNews.com » New Amilo Model with External Laptop Graphics Card said on 11/29/2008:
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Zero Wire Connects Wireless Devices and High Definition Television said on 12/06/2008:
[...] technology to offer 480Mbps transfer rates of 1080p60 video with 7.1 surround sound, via 20-meter HDMI connections. “Wireless HDMI over UWB will be a critical technology for the Japanese consumer [...]
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AT HDPiX USB to HDMI Adapter said on 12/10/2008:
[...] Technologies, a company that manufactures audio/video accessories. The new model is a USB to HDMI adapter and was called AT-HDPiX. It practically adds a HDMI port to computers, including Macs, and [...]
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MSI VR705 High Performance Laptop for Entertainment said on 12/27/2008:
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New NEC LaVie LL750 HDMI Output Laptop | Cheap Laptops Computers said on 12/27/2008:
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MSI VR705 High Performance Laptop for Entertainment | Cheap Laptops Computers said on 12/28/2008:
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MediaTechNews.com » MSI VR705 High Performance Laptop for Entertainment said on 01/01/2009:
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Asus W90 18 4 inch Large Screen Laptop said on 01/10/2009:
[...] 64-bit operating system with Service Pack 1, 10/100/1000 Mbps Ethernet module, 56k Modem, one HDMI port, 4 USB 2.0 ports, and an 8-in-1 card reader. The price was not yet unveiled. [...]
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Asus W90 18.4″ Large Screen Laptop | Notebook Computers World said on 01/10/2009:
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Asus W90 18.4″ Large Screen Laptop | Cheap Laptops Computers said on 01/11/2009:
[...] 64-bit operating system with Service Pack 1, 10/100/1000 Mbps Ethernet module, 56k Modem, one HDMI port, 4 USB 2.0 ports, and an 8-in-1 card [...]
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New Gateway Laptops Designed for Mobile Entertainment said on 01/12/2009:
[...] option of connecting the laptop to a standard TV panel for larger views in High Definition, via the HDMI 1.3 port. To enhance the overall elegant look, Gateway added the Illuminated Multimedia Touch [...]
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New Gateway Laptops Designed for Mobile Entertainment | Notebook Computers World said on 01/12/2009:
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MediaTechNews.com » Asus W90 18.4″ Large Screen Laptop said on 01/12/2009:
[...] Service Pack 1, 10/100/1000 Mbps Ethernet module, 56k Modem, one HDMI port, 4 USB 2.0 ports, and an 8-in-1 card [...]
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Gefen Wireless HDMI Extender said on 01/12/2009:
[...] two HDMI inputs and one Component. Now the less nice part: the http://www.gefen.com Gefen Wireless HDMI Extender has a purchasing price of [...]
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New Gateway Laptops Designed for Mobile Entertainment | Cheap Laptops Computers said on 01/13/2009:
[...] option of connecting the laptop to a standard TV panel for larger views in High Definition, via the HDMI 1.3 port. To enhance the overall elegant look, Gateway added the Illuminated Multimedia Touch [...]
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HP Pavilion dv3z 13 3 inch Small Notebook Computer said on 01/15/2009:
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HP Pavilion dv3z 13.3″ Small Notebook Computer | Notebook Computers World said on 01/15/2009:
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New Asus Laptop Computers for High Definition Entertainment said on 01/18/2009:
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Panasonic Viera Plasma High Definition TVs Won Best of CES said on 01/19/2009:
[...] enabling High Definition resolution, native contrast ratio of 40,000:1, a Game Mode and Viera Link HDMI control interface. The new Panasonic Viera Plasma TVs have a resolution of up to 1,920 x [...]
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MediaTechNews.com » New Asus Laptop Computers for High Definition Entertainment said on 01/21/2009:
[...] high contrast, high brightness and high color saturation, as well as HDMI ports for connectivity with external [...]
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Zepto Orion A14 HDMI Output Laptop with Integrated Graphics said on 04/22/2009:
[...] to 2.8GHz speeds, TV Tuner, Turbo Memory Card, Wireless LAN cards, built-in microphone, DVD burner, HDMI, SPDIF, and up to 3.8 hours of battery life for normal use. If you pre-order now the Zepto Orion [...]
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New Gateway Laptops Designed with Style for Mobile Entertainment said on 04/22/2009:
[...] provides clear viewability for typing in the dark. Other features of these notebooks include HDMI connectivity for external displays supporting High Definition content, a 5-in-1 card reader, 4 USB [...]
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gucci said on 05/06/2010:
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cathy said on 05/10/2010:
HDMi A type to D type cable help you to enjoy your digital camera,mobile phone,small phone to the HDTV.
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