What is HDMI?

What is HDMI? That is the question. HDMI stands for “High-Definition Multimedia Interface” Yeah ok that still doesn’t tell me anything I hear you say. Right? Ok I will do my best to explain it in plain English.

HDMI is an audio/video connector interface (cable) which transmits uncompressed and compressed (formats such as Dolby Digital and DTS), encrypted digital streams (high quality digital audio and video).

HDMI 1.0 first came on the scene way back in the year 2002. Hey that is a long time ago in technology year’s right? Anyway it was first used with high end digital still camera’s and professional HDTV camcorders. Forward to the year 2007 and we have now upgraded to HDMI 1.3 which can be used to connect various pieces of digital equipment such as a PC, set top box, a video game console, AV receiver, Blu- Ray DVD to a compatible digital audio device or some type of monitor of your choice such as a Digital Television. It is definitely an upgrade from its predecessors such coaxial cable, S video and component video just to name a few.

HDMI delivers crystal-clear, all-digital audio and video with the use of a single cable, it really does simplify your cabling needs and helps provide you the consumer with the highest-quality home theater experience.

Pros

Lets HDTV’s and other displays go from millions of colors to billions of colors.
Gets rid of on-screen color banding, for smooth tonal transitions and subtle changes between colors.
Enables increased contrast ratio
Can represent many times more shades of gray between black and white
Lets HDTV’s display colors more accurately.
Additional support for new lossless compressed digital audio like Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD with band width to spare to accommodate future enhancements and requirements.

Cons

One criticism of HDMI is that the connectors are not as robust as previous connectors and most devices with HDMI capability are using a surface mount connection rather than hole or reinforced connectors, making them more susceptible to damage from exterior forces. Tripping over a cable plugged into an HDMI port can easily cause damage to that port.
Installers have commented on its lack of any locking or securing mechanism built-into its connectors. This could result in the connector coming loose and making it more prone to physical or electrical damage.
There has also been some problems although very few with closed captioning.

Which HDMI do I Need

This is a very common question.

There are 3 types of connectors available each of them intended for different markets

Type A Connector has 19 pins with bandwidths that will support most modes and more.
Type B has 29 pins which lets it carry an expanded video channel so it can be used with high resolution displays in the near future. However Type B is not in general use right now.
Type C is a smaller connector used for portable devices. It is smaller than Type A but it has the same 19 pin configuration. Adapter cables from Type A to Type C are available.

So really at the end of the day a Type A connector should be sufficient for your home theater set up. Of course it depends on the equipment choices that you make but at the end of the day HDMI is an evolving standard and changes to meet the needs of the market. It has capacity to spare, and can incorporate new technology advancements and capabilities long into the foreseeable future.

Maxman Out.

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