7/29/2019 HDMI 1

1/8

(High-Definition Multimedia Interface) is an interface standard used foraudiovisual equipment such as high-definition television and home theatersystems. With 19 wires wrapped in a single cable that resembles a USB wire,HDMIHDMIHDMI is able to carry a bandwidth of 5 Gbps (gigabits per second).This is more than twice the bandwidth needed to transmit multi-channel audio

and video, future-proofing HDMIHDMIHDMI for some time to come. This andseveral other factors make HDMIHDMIHDMI much more desirable than itspredecessors, component video, S-Video and composite video.

HDMIHDMIHDMI is an uncompressed, all-digital signal, while theaforementioned interfaces are all analog. With an analog interface, a clean digitalsource is translated into less precise analog, sent to the television, thenconverted back to a digital signal to display on screen. At each translation, thedigital signal loses integrity, resulting in some distortion of picture quality.HDMIHDMIHDMI preserves the source signal, eliminating analog conversion todeliver the sharpest, richest picture possible.

Previous video interfaces required separate audio cables, with the vast majorityof people using standard RCA L/R analog audio jacks. HDMI, with its abundantbandwidth and speed, carries not only video but also up to eight digital audiochannels for uncompromised surround-sound. It replaces the tangle of wiresbehind the system with a single cable, greatly simplifying the entire setupprocess of the home theater system while delivering top tier performance.

Though standard HDMI or "Type A" has 19 wires, "Type B" will have 29 wires.The latter is targeted for the motion picture industry and other professionalapplications. Both varieties are "Intelligent HDMI," referring to the built-in

capability for HDMI-enabled components to talk to each other via the interface.Auxiliary information can provide all-in-one remote functionality and otherinteroperable features not possible in previous interface technologies.

HDMI supports standard video formats, enhanced video and high-definition. It isalso backwards compatible with DVI (Digital Video Interface). High-end graphicscards featuring a DVI port can connect to a HDMI interface via a DVI/HDMIcable. This is simply a cable with a DVI connector on one end and a HDMIconnector on the other. As a rule, HDMI cables should not run longer than 15feet (5 meters), or degradation of the signal could occur.

As of 2005, many high-end television sets were sold with at least one HDMIinterface. Some experts advise that two HDMI interfaces will provide moreflexibility, and for those who want to connect a game console, three might servebetter. Multiple interfaces will become common on digital TVs as the industryincorporates HDMI interfaces into more peripheral components.

http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-a-home-theater.htmhttp://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-component-video.htmhttp://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-s-video.htmhttp://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-composite-video.htmhttp://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-component-video.htmhttp://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-s-video.htmhttp://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-composite-video.htmhttp://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-a-home-theater.htm

7/29/2019 HDMI 1

2/8

What is HDMI?

HDMI is the global standard for connecting high-definition Consumer Electronics

and PC products. Its the uncompressed, all-digital interface that delivers both

dazzling quality and unmatched ease of use.

HDMI technology provides the highest possible signal to meet the needs of

todays and tomorrows HD entertainment systems. With a single cable, it

transmits:

digital video

multi-channel surround sound

advanced control data

More than 800 manufacturers have adopted the HDMI standard, including some

of the worlds most trusted brands.

229 million HDMI-enabled devices shipped in 2008. 300 million are more

projected in 2009.

Market research from In-Stat projects over a billion HDMI devices in the

market by 2010, when every new digital TV will feature at least one HDMI

port

HDMI connectivity is already standard on a wide range of products:

HDTVs

Blu-ray Disc players

multimedia PCs

gaming systems

digital camcorders, and more.

With HDMI connectivity, you get it all. The convenience of a one-cable solution,

plus the power and performance of a high-speed digital link. Now and in the

future, its the best way to connect HD.

The HDMI Advantage

When you connect with HDMI technology, youre getting the utmost in simplicity,

performance, and system intelligence.

7/29/2019 HDMI 1

3/8

Simplicity

HDMI transmits all types of audio and video through a single digital link,

eliminating "cable clutter" by replacing as many as eleven older cables

HDMI makes it ultra-easy to install or upgrade to an all-digital home

entertainment system.

HDMI makes it simple to hook up other devices to your home theater

system. PCs, gaming consoles, and video cameras can all be connected

with the same one-plug convenience.

All HDMI versions are backward-compatible with previous versions.

Performance

All-digital. No conversion or compression needed

Enormous bandwidth capacity up to 10.2 gigabits per second, more

than twice the bandwidth needed to transmit a 1080p signal, such as the

output from a Blu-ray Disc player.

o Better looking movies

o Faster gaming

o Richer audio

Ready for future emerging technologies

o Higher resolutions, like 1440p or Quad HD

o Faster refresh rates, like 120Hz

o Deep Color, taking the HDTV palette from millions to trillions ofcolors.

Intelligence

HDMI is a "smart" two-way connection that allows devices to

communicate and interact with each other to dramatically improve your

home theater experience.

Devices connected with HDMI have the ability to scan each others

capabilities and automatically configure certain settings. An HDTV

and a DVD player, for instance, can auto-negotiate settings like resolution

and aspect ratio to correctly match the format of the incoming content to

the highest capabilities of the TV.

Consumer Electronics Control (CEC) is another intelligent HDMI feature

set that provides for integrated, "one-touch" commands across multiple

linked components. When enabled by the manufacturer, CEC allows

system-wide behaviors like one-touch play or one-touch record,

7/29/2019 HDMI 1

4/8

where pressing a single button on a remote launches a series of

coordinated commands.

Connecting with HDMISetting up an HDMI-connected system is easy:

Choosing the Right Cable

There are two types of cable to choose from:

Standard Recommended for 1080i or 720p data loads

High Speed Best for heavier 1080p data loads such as Blu-ray Disc movies

or the output from a PS3 gaming console and Deep Color

Switching between Source Devices

There are two ways to switch between devices such as DVD players, set-top

boxes, or gaming consoles:

1. Newer TVs come equipped with two or more HDMI inputs

2. An audio-visual receiver (AVR) with HDMI switching capability can

connect your source devices to the AVR inputs, and then link the AVR to

the TV with a single HDMI cable.

TIP: If you have too many source devices for the available input ports, you can

purchase a stand-alone HDMI switching box.

Connecting your Basic Home Theater

HDMI ports on your equipment are always "female," and the connector plugs on

the cables are always "male."

Make sure your connectors are firmly in place. The cable needs to be fully

engaged to function properly.

TIP: If you have trouble firmly connecting for instance in tight spaces or

vertical configurations ask your dealer about a swivel adapter or "port saver," a

specially designed short HDMI dongle.

Connecting your Advanced Home Theater

Long cable lengths 25 to 100 feet

If you need to send a 1080p signal more than 25 feet, or a 1080i signal more

7/29/2019 HDMI 1

5/8

than 49 feet, active electronics will help clean up and boost an HDMI signal when

its traveling long distances. You can purchase either a stand-alone booster box

or an active cable, where the circuitry is embedded in the connectors

themselves. In both cases, the connection requires a power source.

Long cable lengths 100 feet+

Several specialized technologies have been developed for extremely long cable

lengths. Go to "Running Long Cable Lengths" in the Installer section of this site

for more information.

Running Cable through a wall, attic, or crawlspace

A 7/8" drill hole will accommodate most connectors.

Dont tug or manhandle the cable

Dont twist the connectors Dont staple directly to studs

An HDMI cable needs to be handled gently to ensure its performance.

What Else Can You Connect Using HDMI?

Many models of PCs

gaming consoles,

digital cameras

(look to see if you have a Mini HDMI connector/adapter cable. If not, ask

your dealer) camcorders

Connecting your PC to a HDMI High Definition TV

In the past year or so, computer graphic cards

have begun to sprout HMDI ports allowing you

to connect your PC to a High Definition (HD)

TV via HDMI cables.

I think it was the Sapphire Radeon X1600 Pro

that was announced in March 2006 that was the

first HDMI graphics card on the market.

http://www.hdmi.org/installers/longcablelengths.aspxhttp://www.webtvwire.com/connecting-your-pc-to-a-hdmi-high-definition-tv/http://www.webtvwire.com/connecting-your-pc-to-a-hdmi-high-definition-tv/http://www.ebusinesscables.com/video.htmhttp://www.hdmi.org/installers/longcablelengths.aspxhttp://www.webtvwire.com/connecting-your-pc-to-a-hdmi-high-definition-tv/http://www.webtvwire.com/connecting-your-pc-to-a-hdmi-high-definition-tv/http://www.ebusinesscables.com/video.htm

7/29/2019 HDMI 1

6/8

While this probably does not mean much to anyone now as there is a lack of HD

content available on the internet, we are slowly seeing this begin to change with

more internet TV episodes beginning to stream in HD.

TVTonic, for example, has a library of vodcasts that can be watched on a media

center PC, with many of them being available in HD and perfect for watching on aplasma television.

New Graphics Cards with HDMI

If you have a new graphics card you should hopefully be fitted with a HDMI

output which makes everything very easy. Just a simple HDMI > HDMI cable will

have your PC connected to your HDTV. eBusinessCables has a well-priced

selection of these cables available in its video cable section.

One thing to watch out for is overscan which is a black area surrounding theviewing area, which you usually dont see on a PC, but can often show up on a

HDTV due to resolution incompatibilities.

Older Graphics Cards DVI or VGA Output

Unfortunately if you are working with an older PC graphics card you may only

have a DVI output, or even worse just a VGA output.

DVI

With a DVI output on your graphics card you will need a DVI > HDMI adaptercable. Unfortunately eBusinessCables doesnt seem to stock any DVI to HDMIadapter cables.

VGA

If you have a VGA output then you have the following situation, its either

impossible or quite expensive and in this situation you are better off buying a new

graphics card altogether.

Note: eBusinessCables.compaid WebTVWire to be discussed in this post - allopinions are honest and were not influenced by the payment.

HD- the technology behind Graphics

Everyday we are used to seeing the graphics on our television screens and on our

computer screens. These days a new term has been coined to define the available

http://www.webtvwire.com/connecting-your-pc-to-a-hdmi-high-definition-tv/http://www.webtvhub.com/tvtonic-review-see-how-easy-it-is-to-watch-videocasts/http://www.webtvwire.com/are-hd-plasma-tvs-slowing-down-the-evolution-of-internet-tv/http://www.ebusinesscables.com/cgi-bin/VirtualCatalog3/CatalogMgr.pl?cartID=b-9126&template=Htx/display.htx&SearchField=partnumber&SearchFor=240-903&printhead=1http://www.ebusinesscables.com/video.htmhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Overscanhttp://www.webtvwire.com/connecting-your-pc-to-a-hdmi-high-definition-tv/http://www.ebusinesscables.com/http://www.ebusinesscables.com/http://www.webtvwire.com/connecting-your-pc-to-a-hdmi-high-definition-tv/http://www.webtvhub.com/tvtonic-review-see-how-easy-it-is-to-watch-videocasts/http://www.webtvwire.com/are-hd-plasma-tvs-slowing-down-the-evolution-of-internet-tv/http://www.ebusinesscables.com/cgi-bin/VirtualCatalog3/CatalogMgr.pl?cartID=b-9126&template=Htx/display.htx&SearchField=partnumber&SearchFor=240-903&printhead=1http://www.ebusinesscables.com/video.htmhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Overscanhttp://www.webtvwire.com/connecting-your-pc-to-a-hdmi-high-definition-tv/http://www.ebusinesscables.com/

7/29/2019 HDMI 1

7/8

resolution of image. It is High Definition.

Television manufacturers are carrying advertisements proudly announcing that

the television screens are high definition ones. But what is High definition? Is it a

single technology or some complex technological term? Let us try to explain this.High Definition refers to a family of video characteristics. Any screen claiming

to be HD may posses only one of the characteristics from the family of

characteristics.

High definition refers to set of technologies that support a resolution normally

more than the conventionally available technologies. HD is infact a digital

television broadcasting system with significantly higher resolutions than

normally available.

In the initial days of introduction of this technology, an HD signal was that

which consisted of 720 horizontal lines from top to bottom and 1280 verticallines from left to right of the screen. HD nowadays encompasses a resolution of

1080 vertical lines and 1920 horizontal lines.

The more is the number of lines, more is the details of an image that can be seen.

Another way of defining HD is by video frame rate. Present day HD includes

frame rates of 23.98,24,29.97,30,59.94 and 60 frames per second. The frame rate

chosen depends upon the video standard used.

In addition to this another important point is the connections for HD device.

Every high definition capable product has a set of connectivity options whichenable it to be connected to other devices for use. These devices include varietyof plugs, cables that confirm to a particular HD standard. The normally available

connectivity options include VGA port which is one of the most suitable

standards for displaying high definition video signals.

The DVI or Digital video interface provides an all digital connection whichreduces he noise associated with the signal received in VGA connections.

Another connectivity option is High Definition Multimedia interface which is a

true digital interface and supports a wide band width upto 10.2 gigabits per

second ad can carry upto eight channels of audio on same cable.

Now what should one look for when going in to purchase HD product? First

point is to ensure what is the pixel size availability. Then we need to check in

what connectivity options are available. Testing the HD product with the

available connectivity options and viewing the results is also recommended. Itwould also be beneficial if the HD product has inbuilt antenna to catch the local

7/29/2019 HDMI 1

8/8

signals available.

The hardware requirements of HD product include a dual core processor, a

HDCP compatible card, optical drives, HD compatible display devices, software

to support the HD product, suitable gaming consoles etc.

Actually this technology helps in better viewing but with one condition that all

the devices in line with HD product support the HD technology than only we canget the real quality pictures. It is going to be the clear technology of the future.

Arvind Dhingra