HDMI: Differences and Advantages, Past and Present

In 2002, the High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) was founded by major electronics manufacturers, including Hitachi, Philips, Sony, Toshiba, Silicon Image, Intel, and others. HDMI is the first uncompressed all-digital interface that carries audio and video signals and is backwards compatible with the video-only digital interface DVI.

HDMI has been manufactured to comply with an evolving set of specifications. The first version was HDMI 1.0, corresponding to the initial release of HDMI in 2002; the most recent version is HDMI 2.0, released in September 2013. Each version has used the same hardware and cable, but has increased the speed or throughput and the types of information that can be sent through them.

HDMI 1.0

• Single-cable digital audio/video connection with a maximum bitrate of 4.9 Gbps
• Supports up to 165 Megapixels/second of video (1080p @ 60 Hz or UXGA) and 8-channel/192kHz/24-bit audio.

HDMI 1.1

• Additional support for DVD Audio content protection

HDMI 1.2 / 1.2a

• Support for Super Audio CDs HDMI Type A connection available for PC sources
• Support for One Bit Audio format, such as Super Audio CD's DSD (Direct Stream Digital)
• PC sources can use native RGB color while retaining the option to support YCbCr color
• Support for low-voltages sources
• Consumer Electronic Control (CEC) features and command sets

HDMI 1.3 / 1.3a

• Single-cable digital audio/video connection increased to 10.2 Gbps
• Increased color support, including 30-bit, 36-bit, and 48-bit color depths (RGB or YCbCr)
• Supports xvYCC color standards
• Supports automatic audio syncing capability
• Supports output of lossless compressed audio, such as Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio streams (audio codec formats used on HD DVDs and Blu-ray Discs) for external decoding by AV receivers
• Availability of a new mini connector for devices such as camcorders

HDMI 1.4 / 1.4a:

• Audio Return Channel (ARC) allows the TV to send audio data upstream to the A/V receiver via the HDMI cable, eliminating the need for an extra cable.
• HDMI Ethernet channel adds a data channel to the HDMI connection, enabling high-speed, bi-directional communication
• Defines common 3D formats and resolutions for HDMI-enabled devices, enabling 3D gaming and other 3D video applications. The specification standardizes the input/output portion of the home 3D system, facilitating 3D resolutions up to dual-stream 1080p.
• Enables HDMI devices to support extremely high HD resolutions to transmit digital content at the same resolution as the state-of-the-art Digital Cinema systems used in many movie theaters.
• Support specifically for digital still cameras, enabling more accurate color rendering when viewing digital photos.
• HDMI micro connector (Type D) supporting up to 1080p resolutions for portable devices such as cell phones, portable media players, and digital cameras.
• Automotive Connection System (Type E) for in-vehicle HD content distribution 

HDMI 2.0

HDMI 2.0 is backwards compatible with all previous versions of the HDMI spec. It significantly increases bandwidth up to 18Gbps and adds key features to support additional and existing market needs that enhance the consumer video and audio experience. These new features are:

• 4K@50/60, (2160p), which is 4 times the clarity of 1080p/60 video resolution
• Up to 32 audio channels for a multi-dimensional immersive audio experience
• Up to 1536kHz audio sample frequency for the highest audio fidelity
• Simultaneous delivery of dual video streams to multiple users on the same screen
• Simultaneous delivery of multi-stream audio to multiple users (up to 4)
• Support for the wide angle theatrical 21:9 video aspect ratio
• Dynamic synchronization of video and audio streams
• CEC extensions provides expanded command and control of consumer electronics devices through a single control point

HDMI 2.0 does not define new cables or new connectors. Current High Speed cables (Category 2 cables) are capable of carrying the increased bandwidth.

Interested in implementing HDMI into your application? Call Symmetry at (310) 536-6190, or contact us online.