On the this moment in the US market (the most "advanced" on the planet), a couple of dozen Ultra HD 4K TVs with a large screen are already on sale or will soon go on sale, but real support for the new, high-speed HDMI 2.0 specification is present only in one of them (Panasonic 65WT600 4K Ultra HD for $6,000 in the US) and two home theater projectors (starting at $25,000 each). Therefore, it will be very interesting to get acquainted with the answers of the main manufacturers to the question about plans to support HDMI 2.0, the possibility of updating / upgrading already released TVs and assessing the need for HDMI 2.0 in TVs, although "premium", but still household class, i.e. for personal use.
We have already reported that HDMI Licensing is releasing a new version of the HDMI 2.0 standard, replacing the previous version of HDMI 1.4 with improved resolution (clarity) and frame rate, but without replacing the existing High Speed HDMI Cable or High Speed HDMI Cable with Ethernet. Most importantly, a significant increase in bandwidth up to 18 Gbps (that's the total, unformatted - raw - bandwidth, and for the payload, the bandwidth will be reduced by 20%, as for all previous HDMI specifications) to support new features, for example resolution (clarity) of 4K video at 50/60 Hz (2160p), which is four times higher than the previous value (1080p/60), as well as the addition of 32 audio (audio) channels, automatic dynamic synchronization of the dubbing sound track (dynamic auto lip-sync ) and new CEC control command extensions.
However, a TV with HDMI 1.4 inputs will not be able to run HDMI 2.0 video source at higher definition/frame rate settings. In other words, virtually all modern 4K UHD TVs are not compatible with the ultimate 4K UHD/HDMI 2.0 performance. Modern TV models HDMI ports 1.4a and UHD clarity from Samsung, LG, Toshiba, and Sony support UHD or 2160p (3840x2160), but only at frame rates of 24 fps or less. This is sufficient for watching movies, but not enough for the already existing experimental 2160p TV broadcasts at 50 or 60 frames per second. To visualize the figures under discussion, you can simply multiply the number of pixels vertically and horizontally for UHD / 2160p: 3840 x 2160 = 8,294,400 pixels or 8.3 megapixels, i.e. equal to the level of a soap camera (about 8 megapixels) or two times less than the resolution of the main camera modern smartphone(approximately 15 megapixels).
To address the inconsistency between current TV models and the current standard, some companies are claiming a firmware upgrade that will supposedly convert HDMI 1.4 inputs to HDMI 2.0 inputs. Other manufacturers are honest about the need to replace equipment. To clarify the situation, let's compare the answers of the most famous manufacturers of Ultra HD 4K TVs to the question about plans to support HDMI 2.0.
LG company.
Technology support for Ultra HD is constantly evolving and LG leads the industry in native H.265 support in our new models. Of course, only one Ultra HD TV on the market today supports HDMI 2.0, as work on this specification has just been completed. We can't give an exact date, but future Ultra HD TVs (from LG and probably other companies) will get this opportunity for further development. In the interim, we assure buyers who believe in the new technology and purchase LG's first generation Ultra HD TVs that we will find a technical solution to deliver 4K content at 60Hz in the future." – John Taylor, VP of Public events and communications (Vice President Public Affairs and Communications).
John Teyler, when asked about HDMI 2.0, knowingly talked about the H.265 codec, which was recently approved by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU, International Telecommunication Union, ITU) instead of the previous version of H.264. The new codec has another name: HEVC (High Efficiency Video Coding, high-performance video coding) instead of the official ITU-T H.265. Note that H.264 is currently widely used for recording, compressing and distributing high definition (HD) video, and is also one of the codecs supported on Blu-ray discs. However new codec H.265 will obviously become the standard for ultra-high definition UHD with 4K and 8K resolutions. But even for "regular" high definition HD, the file size is reduced by about 39-44% at the same quality as H.264 (by 51-74% according to subjective tests of viewers on several video samples). Of course, there are no miracles in the world, and for reducing the file size (and the bit rate of its transmission over a communication channel), you will have to pay with an increase in the computing power of video signal recovery microcircuits from a compressed form. Fortunately, at CES, Broadcom has already shown the 28nm BCM7445 Brahma chip with a quad-core processor capable of decoding four streams of 1080p30 or processing HEVC at up to 4096×2160 (4K) clarity.
Note that back in the HDMI 1.4 specification, the High-speed option (high-speed transmission) supported 4K x 2K or 4096 x 2160 pixels at 24 Hz (a slight difference from 4K UHD is due to the fact that directly for television / ultra-high definition video a slightly lower resolution of 3840 × 2160 pixels is required.
Samsung company.
High-end Samsung projectors already on sale have an external input block (see figure below) for connection to a TV with a special licensed (proprietary) cable from this company. The main advantage of this technical solution is that it is possible to replace only this input unit (with or without cable) to upgrade the entire apparatus. Technical details and prices are not yet known.
Samsung UHD TVs are the only TVs today with built-in connectivity and capabilities that ensure compatibility with future UHD standards. Through hardware and software upgrades with Samsung's Evolution Kit, our Samsung TVs UHD will support new compression formats, new ways of receiving digital signals, and new methods of protection against unauthorized copying, which will be approved by film companies and television studios" - Dan Schinasi (Dan Schinasi), General Marketing Manager, TV Product Planning, Samsung Electronics Americas (Senior Marketing Manager for TV Product Planning at Samsung Electronics America).
Sharp Company.
Now that the HDMI 2.0 specification has been approved, our engineers are working on implementing it into the chipset, which will be available in spring 2014 and will be implemented in new TV models as soon as possible. With the 70UD1 4K UHD 70-inch TV we are launching, we have seen the right way to play 4K 60fps (frames per second) content that may be available in the future. For a transitional period, our 70UD1 model, without any modifications, accepts any 4K content at up to 30fps through any of the four built-in HDMI inputs, and also allows you to upscale 1080p content to 4K pixel resolution through our licensed Revelation Upscaler unit to improve any reproduced signal. Similarly, we are also working on implementing support for the new H.265 encoding technology in future models and are working hard to provide a playback channel in already released products.
Sony company.
Sony is preparing to support the HDMI 2.0 specification in our line of 4K Ultra HD TVs through simple update firmware that will be available online by the end of this year" - Mike Lucas, Senior VP of Sony Electronics "Home Entertainment & Sound."
The brevity of this answer is a little out of proportion to the complexity of the question. Sony is the first to announce the ability to upgrade already sold 4K TVs to HDMI 2.0 with a simple download from the Internet. But will it be full HDMI 2.0 support and how is that possible? technical problems no, because HDMI 2.0 signals are electrically compatible with HDMI 1.4, just like HDMI 2.0 connectors are mechanically compatible with HDMI 1.4. The only question is HDMI 2.0 support in the input (port) chips of the TV / projector. If for the new 55- and 65-inch models from Sony it is quite possible to assume that the this moment support for HDMI 2.0 in the input chips of the HDMI ports, or hope for computing power these chips enough to process the HDMI 2.0 video stream, then for older models (for example, for the VPL-VW1000ES projector or 84-inch UHD TV), having a high-speed HDMI chip is very problematic and the only upgrade method will be to replace the entire input board (which is rumored by HDTVTEST.CO.UK will cost "in the range of a thousand, not hundreds of pounds" in the UK).
TCL (as a bright representative of budget products).
TCL will show HDMI 2.0 at this year's CES. Our 2014 4K TV models will also have HDMI 2.0 support.
Toshiba Company.
Toshiba's press statement about the new 4K models talks about an issue with HDMI 2.0. It quotes Scott Ramirez, Vice President of Marketing and Product Development, Visual Products Sector, Business Unit information systems Toshiba America, a division of digital products (President of Product Marketing and Development, Visual Products, Toshiba America Information Systems Inc., Digital Products Division), so you will have to use quotes in quotes in the translation, which is not very welcome in Russian.
While current products ship with HDMI 1.4 level capabilities, Toshiba will additionally provide a free firmware upgrade to HDMI 2.0 level from December 2013 to support 4K 60fps content. "Toshiba leads the industry in 4K Ultra HD technology," Romirez said. were able to appreciate the amazing picture quality at 60fps for 4K content.
Panasonic Company.
Panasonic said a long time ago that the company's first 4K TV would have HDMI 2.0 support, released that model, and hasn't released anything else on the subject.
Conclusion.
So, Sony and Toshiba are talking about the availability of a free firmware update in the future; Samsung decided to implement a licensed cable adapter; Sharp and LG have not yet decided on technical solution, TCL is planning HDMI 2.0 in new models, and Panasonic already has HDMI 2.0 support.
The question remains about the actual content (content) 4K for televisions on broadcast channels. Is it possible to view in 2160p/60 clarity next year? Probably not. And in 2015? Quite possible. In any case, marketing claims about television and television receivers with 4K clarity are not yet supported by generally accepted and widely used standards, so early buyers of 4K devices risk not getting the full capabilities of the then “full” version of 4K in the near future. Perhaps the average consumer would be better off opting for a clear transition from HDMI 1.4 to 2.0, without the hidden risks of upgrades and upgrades.
Sourced from CNET.COM, HDGURU.COM and HDTVTEST.CO.UK
Thanks to modern technologies we have many useful and convenient products for various needs: from cooking to comfortable cleaning of the room. Television equipment does not stand aside either, which began to be equipped with the HDMI standard, which has already become familiar today. And it's only been gaining popularity lately. About what such a cable is and what versions of HDMI exist today, and will be discussed in this article.
What is HDMI?
Old analog TVs have long been a thing of the past, although some still have them and work properly. Now, in stores, modern and beautiful digital panels of various sizes and formats flaunt all the time. Actually, the HDMI standard was created just for such TVs that give out more quality image as opposed to an analog signal.
Such a connector is not only common among home theaters and game consoles, it is also more common in Blu-ray players, laptops and even computers. This interface is deciphered as what can be translated as follows - a high-definition multimedia interface.
But in addition to the video signal, any version of the HDMI cable is capable of transmitting audio data, and also of high quality, which is an invaluable advantage over analog cables. And now it is already difficult to find any multimedia device without an HDMI interface. And in modern TVs there are at least 2 such connectors.
Significant advantage of HDMI
How are these cables different from other analogues and why are they so popular? The answer is simple - video on such a cable can be transmitted to high resolution 1080p (Full High Definition). And at the present time it is the highest quality format, and therefore widespread.
Perhaps some of us still remember the S-Video interface and the composite cable, because relatively recently we used them to enjoy our favorite films, series and concerts. And the quality of the picture we were quite satisfied with. The emergence of a new standard and different versions of HDMI meant a serious step into the future in comparison with the analogues listed.
Without any doubt, new technology provides a better picture, although most people do not see the difference between digital and analog images. Only now if the video is initially not very good quality or even quite bad, it is more pleasant to watch it through the already old interfaces.
As for the audio signal transmission, it is also of high quality. Thanks to the HDMI interface, up to 8 channels of 24-bit 192 kHz audio can be transmitted. This allows you to fully enjoy formats such as Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio. Identical sound can only be obtained using as many as 8 analog cables! It is unlikely that any music lover will want to mess with wires that get tangled and interfere all the time.
Varieties of HDMI
Due to the wide range of these cable products, many people have a reasonable question about how to find out the version of the HDMI cable. To answer it, it is worth considering exactly what types have already been created. We owe the emergence of a new high-definition standard to HDMI Licensing LLC. In turn, it was formed thanks to the efforts of several companies:
- Sony;
- Panasonic;
- Philips;
- Thompson (now Technicolor);
- Hitachi;
- Toshiba;
- Silicon Image.
The HDMI interface was created to replace the already outdated one that many still remember. And he coped with the task very well.
In essence, HDMI is a cluster of 19 wires assembled into one braid, which has several insulating layers inside. Minimum throughput is 4.9 Gbps (version 1.0). The transmission of a digital signal is not accompanied by its compression, which is the reason for its high quality.
The very first version of the HDMI cable was first introduced in 2002, and soon the product was firmly rooted in its niche. However, its development did not stop, and almost every year a new version appeared, and at the time of 2013 there were already 10 of them:
- HDMI 1.0.
- HDMI 1.1.
- HDMI 1.2.
- HDMI 1.2a.
- HDMI 1.3.
- HDMI 1.3b.
- HDMI 2.0.
At the same time, each version has its own differences: as a rule, everything went to increase the throughput and add many useful features.
It is easy for the average consumer to get confused in such a variety, so after the release of HDMI 1.4, HDMI Licensing LLC, with the support of many manufacturers, decided to move away from digital classification. Now everything is much easier:
- 2 regular standards (category 1);
- 2 high-speed interfaces (category 2);
- one specialized protocol for vehicles.
Thus, the whole variety of versions was reduced to 5 standards. It is worth considering them in more detail, and then the differences will manifest themselves in all their glory. More on that below.
HDMI Standard
From the moment it appeared HDMI cable 1.0, a lot of time has passed, and now the usual standard can already be equated with version 1.3. Such cables are suitable for almost all consumer home devices, whether they are DVD players, satellite television receivers, plasma or LCD panels.
The image is transmitted in 1080i or 720p, sometimes 1080p can be supported, but there are no guarantees. This option is suitable in cases where there is no need to transmit high quality image and sound. It is characterized by a bandwidth of 4.9 Gb / s, a clock frequency of 74.25 MHz with a color depth of no more than 24 bits.
Through such a cable, simple signals can be transmitted between simple devices. There can be no talk of high gear here, and accordingly there is no detail here either. Therefore, those for whom it is important to get a high-quality picture from the screen should not choose such a cable.
HDMI with Ethernet
Everything here is the same as that listed above (1080i or 720p resolution, etc.). The only difference is that there is an additional Ethernet channel with a speed of up to 100 Mbps. Of course, this is not yet a full-fledged HDMI 1.4, but it is enough for home use.
The interface will fully function only if both connected devices support this function - that is, equipped with an Ethernet HDMI connector.
In addition to what the cable provides, at the same time it is possible to distribute data received from world wide web, between all connected devices. In addition, there is another additional feature that is not found in a standard cable - Audio Return Channel technology.
Automotive HDMI
It is a new development, which was created specifically for use in vehicles. The cable can work in the most difficult conditions:
- high level of humidity;
- strong vibrations;
- temperature changes.
It can be used to connect on-board computer, which is present in almost any modern car, to various multimedia devices with a micro-HDMI connector. And at the same time, despite all these harsh conditions, the signal will remain of the highest quality. The standard is most common among specialists in the installation of car audio systems, as well as lovers of good car audio.
The cables are equipped with an E-type connector with a special lock, which allows the convector to be better fixed in the socket. As a result, disconnection of devices during their use is excluded.
High Speed HDMI
These are just the cables that allow you to enjoy the pleasant spectacle of what is happening on the screen in all its glory! The list of connected devices is much wider if we compare it with a conventional interface:
- Blu-ray players, including those with 3D function.
- HDD players.
- Satellite television.
- Plasma or LCD TVs.
- Game consoles.
That is, it is practically an HDMI 2.0 cable, since it is possible to transmit an image with a resolution of 1080p or more. That is, formats such as 3D, Deep Color and 4K (4096 × 2160, 24Hz) are supported. The maximum throughput is 10.2 Gbps at 48-bit color depth and 340 MHz clock.
In other words, connection is possible between absolutely any devices. In addition, this interface is compatible with all types of HDMI, only if the A-type connector is used.
However, compared to conventional HDMI distinctive features it doesn't end there. And it's not just about the size of the section and the material twisted pair, but also the quality of their dielectrics, as well as shielding methods.
Ultimately, this results in a cost that is higher than that of standard cables. However, you can enjoy high-quality content only with the help of a slightly more expensive counterpart. Therefore, it is better to overpay a little, but watch full-fledged three-dimensional films, rather than and then think for a long time how to connect an HDMI cable to a TV.
High speed HDMI and Ethernet
Here are the same parameters, only an additional Internet channel with a speed of 100 Mbps has been added. If all connected devices support Ethernet HDMI, then the functionality is fully revealed. This option is the best alternative which is available today. This is a universal HDMI standard that has all the necessary functionality. Such cords are relevant with a backlog for the future.
Connector types
In addition to the listed varieties, HDMI cables can have connectors of excellent size:
- Type A is a standard connector that is widely used among many household devices (TVs, players, projectors, and the like).
- Type B - this HDMI has a wider video channel, its resolution is significantly higher than the 1080p format.
- Type C and D - micro-HDMI and mini-HDMI fall into this category, respectively. With these cords, you can connect tablets, smartphones and cameras.
- Type E - this variety has already been discussed above and belongs to the automotive standard, equipped with a special lock.
All types, with the exception of B, have 19 pins, but he has more of them - 29. In order not to miscalculate exactly which connector is needed for each specific device, it is worth looking into the documentation, which is always included.
Of course, if it is not purchased from the hands in the secondary market. In this case, it is necessary to avoid the use of adapters as far as possible. The fewer intermediaries, the better.
Connecting to old TVs
At the beginning of the article, it was mentioned that some people still have old TVs that still work. And here often a situation arises when it is necessary to connect any device to it. How can this be done, is it possible to use some This question haunts many "antique dealers".
At first glance, it seems that this is impossible to achieve and easier to acquire new tv. However, not every person will find such funds, although flat panels have fallen slightly in price.
In fact, this is a doable task, which is solved by purchasing an HDMI to RCA converter. With it, you can connect to an old TV not only a computer, but also a DVR, a laptop, a modern game console, set-top box, and any other HDMI-enabled device.
Often, so-called HDMI to RCA adapters are offered to users on the Internet, but such devices are not suitable for the simple reason that the supplied digital signal needs to be converted to an analog form that older TVs will understand. And passive adapters will not be able to do this, so it is necessary to give preference to converters.
Many similar devices (HDMI "tulip") support 480P, 720P, 1080P, 1080I formats with zoom function. The output signal is 480i (720x480, 60 Hz) and 576i (720x576, 50 Hz), which corresponds to the NTSC and PAL standards, respectively. There is a switch to select the desired color. A USB cable is provided to power the converter.
TV phone
In some cases, it may be necessary to connect the phone to the TV, which is doable. However, there is an opinion that it is enough to purchase a micro-USB-HDMI adapter. But in reality, not everything is so simple. It is possible to connect your phone to a TV, but for this both devices must have MHL support. That is, the TV must have an HDMI / MHL port, which is not relevant for all models.
If everything is so, then it's up to you to buy the right cable. But there is one caveat here: some gadgets, like Samsung, for example, have 11 contacts, while other models have only 5. This also needs to be taken into account, but otherwise it is the same cable, from one end of which there is a micro -USB, and from the other - HDMI. No settings are required, just switch to the desired mode through the signal source menu.
But there is also such a situation: the phone has MHL support, but it is not available on the TV. Here you just can’t do without a special USB-HDMI adapter, although it’s even more of an adapter that allows you to convert the MHL signal into a stream understandable to a TV with regular HDMI. And since this device is active, it definitely needs power, for which any regular charging is suitable. It looks like a box with the right connectors.
It's important to know
There is one important point, regarding the length of the HDMI cable: the longer it is, the thicker the cord should be. For example, for 5 meters it is 7 mm, which is denoted as 28AWG. This is how the wires are calibrated according to the American system. A table of other length values for different HDMI versions is shown in the table below.
Large cable thickness implies the use of larger wires, as well as improved insulation. All this allows you to transmit a signal without loss. And as far as compatibility goes, the new generation versions of HDMI work great with older standards.
All the advantages of transferring digital video content via an HDMI cable are obvious. Perhaps in the near future, such an interface will combine even more functions. In addition, work on a new video resolution does not stop and there is already talk about the 8K format. What will happen next? Wait and see.
Briefly about the main
High-definition multimedia interface (hereinafter: HDMI) cables are used to connect modern TVs with audio / video tuners, external reception tuners cable television, media players, and Blu-ray players. They transmit audio and video signals over the same cable, making it easy to connect. It's not easy to choose the right one. Previous generation cables do not support current features. The latest version of HDMI 2.0 cables supports 4K TV and HDR (high dynamic range) TV. In this article, we will explain the difference between different versions HDMI cables, including the latest version of the cable: HDMI 2.0a. You will also find out which HDMI cable you need for your 4K TV. And finally, we will look at questions about actually connecting HDMI cables, provide solutions and answers.
And now in detail
Digital HDMI interfaces- this is the best way connect high-definition TVs and home theaters equipped with HDMI to high-definition components such as Blu-ray players, PlayStation and Xbox 360 game consoles, satellite HDTV and cable TV receivers. Today, more often than not, HDMI is the only solution for digital HD connectivity. Despite the fact that most TVs are still equipped with a component input, it has practically disappeared on. Equipment manufacturers are phasing out the use of component video output. And now, after many years, disc makers have the option to put a "digital flag" on a Blu-ray disc, which will limit component video resolution to 480i. This is for those who like high definition pictures. - Who doesn't like them? - You will definitely want an HDMI connection on your equipment.
One cable is very convenient, but that's not all.
HDMI has the unique ability to carry both high-definition video and multi-channel audio over a single cable, but it has other great advantages as well.
Picture and sound of the highest quality: HDMI connections store audio and video signals in digital 1s and 0s, eliminating the reduced picture and sound quality caused by digital-to-analog and inverse conversion. HDMI supports video resolutions up to 1800p, which is important for 1080p HD TVs and Blu-ray players. (Only a few TVs can accept 1080p signals through the composite video input, which is a must for gamers, as PS3 and Xbox 360 consoles provide 1080p video output.) And HDMI audio capability supports up to 8 channels of 24bit 192kHz audio of very high quality.
Ability to transmit 3D video: HDMI is the only connection capable of transmitting 3D video signals from components such as a 3D Blu-ray player to your 3D TV.
More than just audio and video: The standard HDMI connector has 18 pins that carry not only audio and video data, but also 2-way control and identification information, even at the lowest voltage. HDMI cables labeled “1.4” or later can also provide an Internet connection between compatible devices.
Copy protection in industrial operation: there seems to be more benefit for studio owners than for consumers, but it directly affects the quantity and quality of what we watch now and in the future. Widespread use of HDMI should satisfy most of Hollywood's demand for strong copy protection to eliminate privacy. HDCP (High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection) is present on almost all HDMI-equipped devices, although it is not officially part of the HDMI specification. Without HDCP, both the quality and quantity of high-definition content delivered to consumers would be severely limited. However, HDCP protection has its downsides. One of its functions is to "authenticate" the connection between two components through a "digital handshake" and problems associated with the process of such a handshake can result in loss or degradation of the image or sound.
Little Tips for Choosing an HDMI Cable
Some components come with an HDMI cable already included, but not all, so it's best to plan on buying one to connect your unit for best image and sound. You won't see a significant difference in picture quality between different HDMI cables. With analog video, you might see varying degrees of image quality on the display, while with digital video, you get a crisp image, or none at all. Although sometimes, we saw “flashes” (sparks) of the image due to insufficient quality HDMI connections.
You still want to choose a high quality HDMI cable because of the length or indoor installation. Cables differ in the material from which they are made, as well as in the method of manufacture. Some are designed by the manufacturer to maintain maximum quality signal throughout the length of the cable. Some users experience interoperability issues when making HDMI connections, but this is almost never caused by the cable itself.
For indoor and commercial use, you will need a UL class CL2 CL3/FT4 cable such as .
Premium Cable Certification Program HDMI
High-quality, high-speed HDMI cables tested to deliver rich 4K/Ultra-HD content quality
The HDMI Premium™ Cable Certification Program includes additional and advanced cable testing, as well as an authentication and verification program for high-speed HDMI cables. Cables are tested to support the full 18 Gb/s bandwidth of the HDMI 2.0b specification using an EMI test to verify the cable's ability to minimize interference from wireless signals.
The program is designed to give end users the confidence to purchase new HDMI cables for their 4K/UltraHD products, which may include features such as 4K @ 60Hz, BT.2020 and HDR. Members of the Premium Certification Program can advertise their ATC-tested High Speed HDMI Cables as Premium High Speed HDMI Cables or Premium High Speed HDMI Cables with Ethernet by using a unique anti-counterfeiting mark on their products.
Members
Registered members of the Premium HDMI Cable Certification Program are called "HDMI Adopters" (HDMI Followers), and they are the only ones eligible to participate in the program. These Members may be branded on the market or supplied by manufacturers who enter the market with their own brand names. When scanning the Premium HDMI Cable Certification Label, the results will show the brand name that should appear on the package. Photo of a cable package certified by the Premium HDMI Cable Certification Program.
Full list HDMI Cable Certification Program members is available at hdmi.org
Trust the labeled cable
Certification ensures cables are genuine and certified throughout the supply chain. Each individual cable package will include a Premium HDMI Cable Certification Label. Each label is unique for each individual package.
Each HDMI Cable Certification Program label is unique to each individual package. The HDMI smartphone app provides quick check authenticity.
This is the only HDMI cable test program:
- Administered by the HDMI Specification Agent
- Requires every length of every model line to test
- Requires each cable to be tested by an official authorized HDMI test center.
- Regularly checks cables for continuous compliance testing throughout the life of the product
- Requires a proprietary anti-counterfeiting label on every product
- Uses patented mobile app for mobile level 2 scanning, available for Android and Apple, as well as in the top 10 Chinese mobile app stores.
Development/evolution of the standard
HDMI is a universal connector for home digital equipment. The standard continues to evolve to meet the needs of high quality home theater equipment. Conversely, all versions of HDMI are compatible with previous versions, as well as with DVI through an adapter (however, DVI connection is only for video, not audio). Part of HDMI's built-in intelligence allows you to automatically forward high quality video and audio formats that are supported simultaneously. In other words, if you connect two devices, one with HDMI 1.3 and the other with 1.4, the system will be limited to 1.3. While you'll often see the HDMI version listed on the hardware specs, it's best to ignore it. You don't have to concentrate on a list of features to get specific details of the individual capabilities of audio and video components. By itself, the hardware version of HDMI does not mean that all the latest features will be included; it does not guarantee the existence of a particular set of characteristics. The reason for this is that the features listed for each HDMI version are optional, not required. Each manufacturer has the right to decide for himself what HDMI characteristics to equip this equipment with.
Do I need to worry about compatibility between HDMI versions?
Only if you are working with components equipped with latest version HDMI - now it's 2.0a - and want to take advantage of certain new features from the new specification. However, each new version of HDMI is compatible with older versions, so components equipped with the old and new HDMI versions can work together. That is, if you use a 1.2 cable on a 1.4 set, or a 1.4 cable on a 1.1 set, you'll get great high-definition picture and sound.
So what is the difference between the HDMI versions? Take a look at our summary of the evolution of HDMI below:
HDMI 1.0 A: The original specification supported a single-channel digital audio/video connection with a bandwidth of 165 MHz and a maximum bit rate of 4.9 Gbps (sufficient for 1080p video). Only two-channel audio. Released in December 2002.
HDMI 1.1: Added multi-channel audio support for DVD-Audio (up to 5.1 channels). Released in May 2004.
HDMI 1.2: Added support for multi-channel single-bit audio formats such as SACD (Super Audio CD). Enabled support for HDMI connectors on personal computers. Required displays with HDMI 1.2 or later to support future low voltage devices. Released in August 2005.
HDMI 1.2a: Fully defined electronic control (CEC) functions and commands for functions remote control. Longer cable lengths must be submitted by manufacturers for additional testing to meet specification. In order for a device to pass 1.2a testing, all of its HDMI connectors must be reviewed and approved by HDMI Licensing, LLC. Released in December 2005.
HDMI 1.3: increased bandwidth up to 340 MHz and maximum bit rate up to 10.2 Gbps (mainly for 3D video). Adopted Deep Color standard, which supports 10-bit, 12-bit and 16-bit color. Over one billion possible colors - previous versions were limited to 8-bit. (Note: Because color information is based on the three primary colors - red, green, and blue - you sometimes see 1.3x improved color depth, described as 30-bit, 36-bit, and 48-bit.) Added support for Extended Color Space Standard colors xvYCC (also known as xvColor), which supports 1.8 times more colors than existing HDTV signals. (Commercial video content does not currently use Deep Color or x.v.Color.) Added the ability to output new lossless compressed digital audio formats (Dolby® TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio™) for decoding by a compatible A/V receiver. Built-in automatic "lip sync" control for perfect audio/video synchronization (sometimes there is a problem when the audio is sent to the receiver or surround processor, and the video signal is delivered directly to the display). A new mini connector has also been released for use with smaller devices such as digital cameras and camcorders. Released in June 2006.
The 1.3 spec was updated to 1.3a and then 1.3b. However, for consumers, there is no difference between versions 1.3, 1.3a, or 1.3b. These are minor changes that address production and testing issues and do not affect features or functionality.
Considering buying a 4K TV? Any quality HDMI cable labeled "high-speed" should be able to carry 4K video signals. (pictured above)
HDMI 1.4: Ethernet capability added. If you have one HDMI 1.4 device connected to your home network, it can share that connection with other Internet-ready HDMI 1.4 devices using an HDMI 1.4 cable. Note. As of 9/16, we are not aware of any components that support Ethernet over HDMI. Also included is the ability to send audio from your TV tuner back to your home theater receiver. HDMI inputs with this ARC (Audio Return Channel) feature are ideal for people who receive their high-definition programs over the air with an antenna and want to be able to enjoy surround sound through those TV shows. Released in May 2009.
The TV's standard HDMI inputs accept video and audio signals from sources such as a Blu-ray player. If your TV has an HDMI input with ARC (Audio Return Channel), it can also pass audio from the TV's built-in tuner and web apps back to an ARC-compatible A/V receiver or soundbar via a single HDMI cable. Thus, you do not need to connect a separate optical audio cable for sound.
HDMI 2.0: Increased maximum bitrate to 18Gbps to support new formats such as 4K (3840 x 2160 pixels) HD video at up to 60fps. (Spec 1.4 also supports 4K video, but only up to 30 fps.) HDMI 2.0 also supports up to 32 audio channels, as well as dynamic auto lip sync and new extensions to the CEC control set. Released in September 2013.
HDMI2.0a: Added support for HDR (High Dynamic Range) video image. HDR delivers improved image quality by providing greater detail in both dark and bright parts of an image. HDR information is encoded as additional metadata in HDR content such as 4K streaming video from Netflix® or Ultra HD Blu-ray discs. HDMI 2.0a allows devices to send and receive this metadata. Released in April 2015.
HDMI 2.1: Higher video resolutions and faster refresh rates, including 8K60Hz and 4K120Hz for immersive viewing and smooth detail in fast movements. Resolutions up to 10K are also supported for commercial AV systems as well as industrial and specialty applications.
Dynamic HDR support ensures that every moment of video is displayed at its ideal depth, detail, brightness, contrast and wider color gamut - on a scene-by-scene or even frame-by-frame basis.
*for 2019
Do I need a special "4K compatible" HDMI cable?
Depending on how good and how old your HDMI cables are, it may be necessary to upgrade your "4K compatible" cables. Normally, HDMI cables use all their data transfer capacity to the maximum, and for processing 4K/60Hz video signals, HDMI 2.0 performance has increased to the maximum capability from 10.2Gbps to 18Gbps. Current HDMI cables labeled "high speed" are capable of handling an increased range of 4K signals up to 8 meters in length. If you need a longer cable, we recommend an "active" type of HDMI cable such as or
HDMI connection questions, solutions and answers.
Different versions of HDMI can lead to some interoperability issues, for example you will generally not be able to get HDMI 1.4 performance when using equipment and cables that are not 1.4 versions.
Also, some problems may arise due to the fault of the manufacturer, who has insufficiently or incorrectly performed the manufacturing technology. The incompatibility issue can also be encountered with HDCP digital copy protection code handshake and HDMI-connected components, especially when connected via an HDMI-equipped AV receiver in a home theater. If such problems are found, the HDMI Standards Group will contact the manufacturer and ask for a solution. In some cases, a product may be subject to a recall.
In addition to the initiating "handshake", there are other reasons for incompatibility between components. At the beginning of the article, I mentioned that HDMI supports two-way communication between the video source and the TV. Part of such digital communication called EDID (Extended Display Identification Data), this data reveals the capabilities of the TV to the component source. The EDID information usually contains the manufacturer's name, product type, screen resolution, color depth. Thanks to EDID, two devices not only communicate with each other, but also know with whom they communicate. All this gives the possibility of auto-configuration, which simplifies the setup process.
With all this in mind, here are some of the most frequently asked HDMI connection questions from our customers, as well as possible solutions and answers:
HDMI operation over long distances
We get a lot of calls about the performance of long HDMI cables in home and industrial audio/video systems. One of the newest and best solutions- This is a high-speed technology. These high-tech cables deliver superb picture and sound quality, including 4K and 3D content, at distances up to 300 meters, far beyond conventional copper cables. High speed cables work by converting HDMI electrical data into optical cables inside HDMI fiber optic connectors. The signals are converted back to an HDMI electrical data stream at the connection to your TV or projector. Since the cable is fiber, no signal loss occurs even over long distances, and it does not react to interference from other devices, wireless devices and computers.
Obtaining HDMI 1.4 Specifications
No Audio Return Channel (ARC) from TV to AV receiver
Check if both the TV and the home theater AV receiver are equipped with HDMI 1.4 components and that they both support Audio Return Channel (ARC). It may surprise you, but most televisions with HDMI inputs 1.4 only support audio return channel on one of these inputs. Next, make sure you are using an HDMI 1.3 or 1.4 cable. (Slightly confusing, hardware version 1.3 and below does not support the new HDMI 1.4 features; however, HDMI 1.3 cables do support some of them, namely Audio Return Channel.)
HDMI and 3D TV
When I turn on the 3D Blu-ray player to watch a movie, the TV display goes blank.
The problem seems to be that one of the components on your system does not support 3D video. For example, if you try to watch a movie through a 3D Blu-ray player on a TV that doesn't display 3D, the TV doesn't know what to do with the signal and its display goes blank.
The same can happen if you are trying to send a video signal through a 3D Blu-ray player to a home theater AV receiver that does not support 3D. The AV receiver is unable to transmit 3D video to your TV and the screen will be blank.
When you insert a Blu-ray disc, many 3D Blu-ray players require you to choose between 2D and 3D. If you select 3D, the player switches to 3D mode, you have very little time to confirm your choice. If you don't confirm, the player assumes you can't see the image and reverts back to 2D.
When I try to watch a regular 2D movie, my 3D TV screen goes blank.
If your TV is set to 3D video only, it will not receive a normal 2D signal. Enter the TV display menu, select “AUTO” (or something similar), which will instruct the TV display to accept incoming 2D or 3D signals, not just 3D.
Common HDMI Handshake Issues
No sound and picture when using HDMI from DVD player to TV
Some video components are shipped from the factory with the HDMI output setting turned off. You can turn it on through the settings menu, or in some cases by pressing the HDMI button on the front panel or on the remote.
No sound when using HDTV HDMI input
Most TVs lack built-in Dolby Digital decoded audio and DTS surround, and can only play 2-channel audio. But many HDMI-equipped video components come from the factory set to forward multi-channel audio. Usually changing the component's audio setting to "2ch (PCM)" will solve the problem.
No picture when connecting cable box to HDTV
This is usually the cable assembly's fault, as some cable vendors may not upgrade customers' equipment with a new one. software and cable boxes that are fully compatible with HDMI-equipped TVs and AV receivers. Buyers should report problems to local cable suppliers. Thus, when HDMI connection issues arise, one effective solution is to use component video connections and coaxial digital audio connections.
No subtitles on display when using HDMI connections
Unfortunately, the HDMI specification does not include the need to perform subtitle data transmission. Therefore, if you connect a component such as an HD cable or satellite receiver, or a DVD/Blu-ray player to your HDTV via HDMI, you will not see subtitles. If you want to see subtitles from your cable or satellite box, use the component's video connection and you'll get both subtitles and a high-definition picture.
An indirect problem may also be that most DVDs and Blu-ray discs are simply not encoded with HDMI compatible subtitles. In fact, a growing number of content providers are using some form of captioning called "Subtitles for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing" to help people with hearing disabilities. Even if not all discs are subtitled, usually all DVD and Blu-ray players are able to decode subtitles if they are.
No multi-channel audio when connecting an A/V AV receiver to a video source and HDTV.
We've already mentioned HDMI's two-way intelligence tying components together, but sometimes this adds up to a system connectivity issue. Typically, the display shows the video and audio capabilities of the video source. Virtually all televisions are limited to 2-channel audio playback*.
Since most A/V receivers use a "duplicate" type of HDMI switch, the AV receiver simply passes 2-channel information to the source, unlike the capabilities of a multi-channel receiver. Thus, the player only sends 2-channel audio to the AV receiver, not high-quality surround sound.
One easy solution might be to just use a separate optical or coaxial cable for the audio. Unfortunately, most HDMI-equipped components are designed to disable digital audio outputs when using the HDMI output. We've found that some models do this and some don't (even those made by the same brand), and going forward, we hope to see more models that disable digital audio outputs.
Another issue with HDMI audio related to the AV receiver: Some older HDMI-equipped AV receivers are not designed to carry audio over HDMI connections, they only pass through video. To receive multi-channel audio from these AV receivers, you need to connect an optical or coaxial digital cable from your video source to the receiver. Few entry-level AV receivers still have this limitation, you just need to be aware of it.
Trademarks Premium HDMI Cable Certification Program, Premium High Speed HDMI Cable, Premium High Speed HDMI Cable with Ethernet, the Premium HDMI Cable label, and the Premium HDMI Cable logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of HDMI Licensing Administrator, Inc.
* As of 2019.
Not too long ago, the HDMI Forum, the organization responsible for this ubiquitous audio/video connection, announced version 2.0. Then HDMI 2.0a, HDMI 2.0b and most recently HDMI 2.1.
So what does this mean for us?
At one level, the HDMI versions shouldn't matter. In fact, many manufacturers do not list the HDMI version used on their TVs, video players, and other devices. You are generally confident that the new 4K HDR TV you buy will work with the new 4-channel HDR video player and deliver the best quality signals available to each. You can also safely use cheap HDMI cables (for now).
However, when trying to connect equipment that is not new, the HDMI version can make a big difference. This is because older HDMI devices cannot transmit the latest video formats, namely 4K and HDR, or the highest quality versions of each. If you're worried about this, you should check the HDMI version of the device you're buying.
What is behind the version numbers.
If you buy any product with HDMI in 2017, you should make sure it has at least HDMI 2.0. This will give you 4K resolution and at least 60 frames per second. More importantly, this version gets HDCP 2.2, a copy protection protocol, so you can actually watch 4K content sent from an external device (like Roku or a 4K Blu-ray player).What's more, every part of your AV network requires HDMI 2.0/HDCP 2.2 to function. So if you have an HDMI 2.0 4K player and an HDMI 2.0 TV, but an older HDMI 1.4 soundbar or AV receiver... you're out of luck.
Version 2.0a was a minor update, adding support for high dynamic range (HDR).
Most of the "b" is a port from versions "a" and "_" to version 2.0 with some refinements, most notably Hybrid Log Gamma (HLG). This is another way to deliver HDR content, next step.
For now, don't worry about it. So far, there is no support for HLG anywhere. The only reason 2.0b is worth mentioning is that this version is used on 2017 TVs instead of HDMI 2.1. This brings us to...
Long jump in 2.1.
HDMI 2.1 is an upcoming update and is a significant leap forward in video transmission technology. It takes everything from 2.0b and adds insane things like 10K resolution at a whopping 120Hz, far beyond any TV that can do now or be able to do in the near future. HDMI 2.1 is like buying an industrial backhoe when you think you'll ever plant a rose bush. It's doubtful that you'll see many products implementing the full 2.1 specification this year, but perhaps next year they will.This huge jump requires new cables, but only if you want to deliver higher resolutions and frame rates. These new cables are part of the new specification. Cables are marked "48G" in their markings, they are a much larger "pipe" for passing such a data stream.
Here is a table comparing the possibilities of the formats.
Comparison of HDMI versions.
| HDMI Version | Maximum Resolution | Maximum frame rate 4K | HDCP 2.2 | HDR | WCG | Hybrid Log Gamma | Dynamic metadata |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.4 | 4K | 30Hz | Not | Not | Not | Not | Not |
| 2.0 | 4K | 60Hz | Yes | Not | Not | Not | Not |
| 2.0a | 4K | 60Hz | Yes | Yes | Yes | Not | Not |
| 2.0b | 4K | 60Hz | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Not |
| 2.1 | 10K | 120Hz | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
No new cables...maybe.
But the good news is that you don't actually need new cables for HDMI 2.1 (or 2.0a or b) provided two conditions are met:- You are only using "regular" resolutions such as 4K/60 or less (i.e. virtually all content and TVs).
- Your current cables are fully compliant with the high speed specifications laid out years ago.
The second part is harder to define. If you bought an HDMI cable a few years ago, no matter the price, it's possible that it will handle 4K resolutions. This also may not be. The only way to say something is to try it. If you are not receiving an image or the image is clipped, your cable may not be able to handle the resolution and/or frame rate. If it is true,
you will probably need a new cable (although it shouldn't be expensive).
What version do I need?
As mentioned earlier, everything you buy now needs to be at least HDMI 2.0, and frankly, it would be surprising if you find a new cable that doesn't meet 2.0 at the moment. Most manufacturers won't list the letters "a" or "b", although if a manufacturer says it supports HDR, the version is probably at least 2.0a and possibly 2.0b.The question arises: is it possible to update the TV through a firmware update to become "a", "b" or ".1"? Answer: maybe yes, maybe not. HDMI Forum - The people behind the HDMI standards are understandably reluctant to discuss what manufacturers can do. However, we can understand a few things.
Most HDR compatible devices will probably be released from the factory with 2.0a. Since HDR is something that requires some serious hardware, there's no point in adding the ability to read HDR data on a non-HDR TV. So the only products that might require 2.0a but don't ship with it are slightly older (about 2 years old) devices. Theoretically, you can add it? In some cases, probably yes. Companies don't like to update old devices with new features because they want to sell more of their products.
A change from 2.0a to 2.0b is much more likely as these are minor changes. As mentioned, this is not a change you need to worry about right now.
Going from anything to 2.1 is highly unlikely. The problem lies with the chips inside the TV itself, which must be able to process a lot more data. Remember that even if your TV can only display 4K/60, and to comply with "HDMI 2.1", HDMI chips must be able to handle 10K/120. It would be like Toyota putting racing tires on your Camry right from the factory. This is one of the reasons why 2017 devices may have 2.0b but none of them will have 2.1. Another reason is that the final specification for 2.1 is not yet complete (as of today).
Will your next TV have HDMI 2.1? Maybe next year. 2019? Probably. For now, don't worry about that. And of course, all versions are backwards compatible, so you can connect an HDMI 1.4 Blu-ray player to an HDMI 2.0b TV and you shouldn't have any problems doing so.
"Shouldn't" is the key phrase when it comes to HDMI.
HDMI Forum, which is a non-commercial resource that reviews HDMI specifications, recently announced the release of version 2.0. A new version The interface has a number of changes, the most significant of which is support for video at a higher frame rate than was possible with the current 1.4 specification.
In this regard, questions arise: how will this affect the future of television, and in general - is it worth buying new devices with HDMI 2.0 support?
Good old HDMI 1.4
Let's start with the current version of HDMI 1.4, which has the following parameters: support for video with a resolution of 4096 × 2160 pixels at 24 frames per second or 3820 × 2160 pixels at 30 frames per second. If you have recently bought any device equipped with an HDMI port, then most likely it is version 1.4. HDMI 1.4, in addition to all the previous characteristics, has support for 3D images and Audio Return Channel technology.
HDMI 2.0 for 4K Ultra HD TV
With the TV industry gradually and steadily moving towards ultra-high definition (4K) television, it has become clear that better connectivity and more bandwidth will be required to enable high-definition and frame-rate video transmission.
And then comes the HDMI 2.0 version, which supports the "4K" (2160p) standard at frame rates up to 60fps. This allows ultra-high definition video to be streamed seamlessly using 3D technology, not to mention high frame rate 2D. We are talking primarily about home video and computer games, since almost all films are shot at a frame rate of 24fps, and this innovation is not so important for watching them.
Bandwidth HDMI 2.0
The biggest change in HDMI 2.0 is the increase in the size of the "pipe" that carries information from the source to the display, allowing for higher frame rates at higher resolution video. It also makes it possible to stream videos at a lower resolution.
For example, HDMI 2.0 supports multiple video streams, so you can watch two Full HD videos on the same device at the same time. Seems incredible? But companies such as Samsung and LG have already developed versions of such displays, for example, multiview. Now you can watch your favorite TV show while your spouse is playing Call of Duty 9, for example.
Also, the version supports video with an aspect ratio of 21:9, which is interesting in theory, but so far of little use in practice. Only a few of these displays have been produced so far.
Software update
It is currently somewhat unclear whether it will be possible to update HDMI 1.4 version products (such as Ultra HD TVs) by simply downloading firmware updates. Sony has announced that its products can be updated in this way.
However, the HDMI.org project reported that this feature will not be extended to all products:
There is currently a provision to update the specification version from 1.x to 2.0. Hardware changes and/or firmware upgrades will be required to get the new extended feature set. If there is such a possibility, the manufacturer will inform you about it.
Since the specifications and throughput are provided by the HDMI chips installed inside the products, the fact that the new series of chips turned out to be larger in size than the current ones can be quite a serious problem. So it's understandable why HDMI is being eliminated from the upgrade process for now. While it is not claimed that this is generally impossible, links are simply given to manufacturers of equipment.
Pleased with the fact that, according to the manufacturer, no need to buy a new cable:
HDMI 2.0 version does not require new cables or ports. The current High Speed cables will be able to handle the increased bandwidth."
Despite this statement, failures may occur in some cases because the cables are not fully adapted to transmit signals from high speed. But even in this case, you do not have to buy an expensive cable, just try another suitable one.
Most likely, equipment with HDMI 2.0 version will appear on the market only in 2014, since the implementation of any development is a complex, multi-stage process. Although Panasonic is already promising to launch TVs with HDMI 2.0 soon.
Undoubtedly, HDMI 2.0 is a great innovation that will elevate the culture of video viewing to a new level. But you don't have to worry about that until it's available to purchase off-the-shelf products with HDMI 2.0. Even then, your current HDMI 1.4 TV should perform just as well as any new 2.0 TV.
But, if in a few years you get a TV that supports 4K technology and want to watch 2160/60p video from your Blu-ray player on it, then you will need to upgrade your receiver to HDMI 2.0.