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What is HDMI?
HDMI: High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI cable and HDMI official logo)
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What is HDMI?
The initials HDMI stand for High-Definition Multimedia Interface. HDMI is a compact audio/video connector interface that is used for sending out uncompressed digital data. Currently it is the best digital choice to alternative consumer analog standards such as Radio Frequency (RF) coaxial cable, composite video, S-Video, SCART, component video, D-Terminal, and VGA.
What is it used for?
HDMI provides digital audio/video sources such as set-top boxes, Blu-ray Disc players, personal computers, video game consoles, and AV receivers to become compatible with digital audio devices, computer monitors, and digital televisions for a noticeable difference in visual and audio quality.
Is There Only One Type of HDMI?
There are currently three HDMI connector types with Type A and Type B defined since the HDMI 1.0 version and Type C defined since the HDMI 1.3 version.
The Type A connector has 19 pins with bandwidth to support all current SDTV, EDTV, and HDTV modes. The Type A plug's outside dimensions are measured to be 13.9 mm wide by 4.45 mm high. The Type B connector has 29 pins and is measured to be 21.2 mm by 4.45 mm. Type B can carry double the video bandwidth of Typa A for use with very high-resolution future displays.
The Type C mini-connector is intended for portable devices such as camcorders. It is smaller than the Type A connector (10.42 mm by 2.42 mm) but has the same 19 pin configuration. It can be connected to a Type A connector using a Type A-to-Type C connector cable or a converter.
HDMI and Blu-Ray Disc Players
Blu-ray Disc, which was introduced in 2006, offers new high-fi audio features that require HDMI for best results.
Below are two useful charts in determining the specs for the versions of HDMI with use with Blu-Ray Disc Players.
HDMI version |
1.0–1.2a |
1.3+ |
Maximum signal bandwidth (MHz) |
165 |
340 |
Maximum TMDS bandwidth (Gbit/s) |
4.95 |
10.2 |
Maximum video bandwidth (Gbit/s) |
3.96 |
8.16 |
Maximum audio bandwidth (Mbit/s) |
36.86 |
36.86 |
Maximum Color Depth (bit/px) |
24 |
48[A] |
1920×1200p60 |
2560×1600p75 |
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N/A |
2560×1600p60 |
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N/A |
1920x1200p75 |
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N/A |
1920×1200p60 |
HDMI Version |
1.0 |
1.1 |
1.2 |
1.3 |
1.3a |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
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Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
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Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
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Blu-ray Disc video and audio at full resolution[F] |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Consumer Electronic Control (CEC)[G] |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
DVD-Audio support |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Super Audio CD (DSD) support[H] |
No |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
No |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
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No |
No |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
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No |
No |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
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Dolby TrueHD bitstream capable |
No |
No |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
DTS-HD Master Audio bitstream capable |
No |
No |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Updated list of CEC commands[I] |
No |
No |
No |
No |
Yes |
A 36-bit support is mandatory for Deep Color compatible CE devices with 48-bit support being optional.[75]
B Maximum resolution is based on CVT-RB blanking which is a VESA standard for non-CRT based displays.[76] Using
CVT-RB blanking 1920x1200 would have a video bandwidth of 3.69 Gbit/s and 2560x1600 would have a video bandwidth
of 8.12 Gbit/s.
C Using CVT-RB blanking would have a video bandwidth of 8.12 Gbit/s.
D Using CVT-RB blanking would have a video bandwidth of 7.91 Gbit/s.
E Using CVT-RB blanking would have a video bandwidth of 7.39 Gbit/s.
F Even for audio bitstream formats that a given HDMI version cannot transport it may still be possible to decode the bitstream
in the player and transmit the audio as LPCM.
G CEC has been in the HDMI specification since version 1.0 but has only begun to be used in CE products with HDMI version 1.3a.
H Playback of SACD may be possible for older HDMI versions if the signal source (such as the Oppo 970) converts to LPCM.
For those receivers that have only PCM DAC converters and not DSD this means that no additional resolution loss occurs.
I Large number of additions and clarifications for CEC commands. One addition is CEC command allowing for volume control
of an AV receiver.
