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| Knowledge Base - HDMI (source from HDMI.org) | |
Knowledge BaseThe HDMI Licensing Knowledge Base is a library of current information about the HDMI standard. Select an appropriate category from the pull down below, or, you may use your own search terms to obtain results. If your question involves a specific product, please contact the manufacturer directly. The HDMI Knowledge Base does not contain information about specific products. Most Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What is the difference between HDMI 1.3 and
HDMI 1.3a, or 1.3b?
For consumers, there is no difference between HDMI version 1.3 and 1.3a or 1.3b. These minor revisions to the specification typically relate to manufacturing or testing issues and do not impact features or functionality. In addition, HDMI Licensing, LLC is actively working with manufacturers to reduce confusion for consumers by de-emphasizing version numbers and focusing instead on product features and functionality. For Adopters, the latest HDMI Specification is v1.3a and the latest HDMI Compliance Test Specification (CTS) is 1.3c. Return to topQ. Does HDMI support Closed Captioning?
Close Captioning
The evolution from analog to digital TV has added some complexity to Close Captioning (CC). With one standard way of broadcasting/transmitting, decoding and displaying content NTSC or PAL, depending on region, analog TV made enabling CC fairly easy across CE devices since the TV was able to do all the CC decoding. With the advent of digital TV and the introduction of digital HDTV services (cable, satellite, etc.) the responsibility of decoding CC has been taken away from the TVs and put into the various Set Top Boxes (STB) that are required for the majority of the digital HDTV services. Additionally, these STBs now have different ways of enabling CC making it complicated and creating confusion for consumers. All set-top boxes are required to support CC, however the implementation of CC can vary from one product to another. Enabling CC on a specific set-top box can be simple, or more difficult, depending on the implementation. HDMI, LLC recommends contacting your TV service provider (cable, satellite, etc.) for the correct way to switch on its CC feature as a first step to resolve this issue. The second step is to contact the manufacturers directly for the correct way to enable the CC feature within your product. HDMI and Close Captioning All HDMI specifications support Close Captioning (CC) and enable the rendering of CC signals between CE devices. HDMI carries and delivers all the rendered data, in its entirety (including CC), produced from the source device to the display device. HDMI, LLC is working with all CE vendors and service providers (cable, satellite, etc.) to make them aware of this issue. In addition, we are also encouraging these vendors and service providers to take steps that will address this CC problem which will deliver a more user friendly way for consumers to activate the CC feature. Return to topQ. What is HDMI?
HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) is the first and only industry-supported, uncompressed, all-digital audio/video interface. By delivering crystal-clear, all-digital audio and video via a single cable, HDMI dramatically simplifies cabling and helps provide consumers with the highest-quality home theater experience. HDMI provides an interface between any audio/video source, such as a set-top box, DVD player, or A/V receiver and an audio and/or video monitor, such as a digital television (DTV), over a single cable. HDMI supports standard, enhanced, or high-definition video, plus multi-channel digital audio on a single cable. It transmits all ATSC HDTV standards and supports 8-channel, 192kHz, uncompressed digital audio and all currently-available compressed formats (such as Dolby Digital and DTS), HDMI 1.3 adds additional support for new lossless digital audio formats Dolby® TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio™ with bandwidth to spare to accommodate future enhancements and requirements.
Return to top Q. Who supports HDMI?
The HDMI Founders include leading consumer electronics manufacturers Hitachi, Panasonic Corporation, Philips, Sony, Thomson (RCA), Toshiba, and Silicon Image. In addition, HDMI has the support of major motion picture producers Fox, Universal, Warner Bros. and Disney, and system operators DirecTV, EchoStar (Dish Network) as well as CableLabs. Return to topQ. What are the advantages of HDMI over existing
analog video interfaces such as composite, S-Video and component video?
Quality: Because HDMI is a digital interface, it provides the best quality of the video since there are no lossy analog to digital conversions as are required for all analog connections (such as component or S-video). The difference is especially noticeable at higher resolutions such as 1080p. Digital video will be sharper than component, and eliminates the softness and ghosting found with component. Small, high contrast details such as text bring this difference out the most. Ease-of-use: HDMI combines video and multi-channel audio into a single cable, eliminating the cost, complexity, and confusion of multiple cables currently used in A/V systems. This is particularly beneficial when equipment is being upgraded or added. Intelligence: HDMI supports two-way communication between the video source (such as a DVD player) and the DTV, enabling new functionality such as automatic configuration and one-touch play. By using HDMI, devices automatically deliver the most effective format (e.g 480p vs 720p, 16:9 vs 4:3) for the display that it is connected to - eliminating the need for the consumer to scroll through all the format options to guess what looks best. HD Content-Ready: HDMI devices supporting HDCP have the comfort of knowing they will have access to premium HD content now and in the future. HD-DVD and Blu-ray have delayed the activation of the image constraint token (a.k.a. content protection flag) with today’s HD movies to help minimize potential issues caused by the transition, but are expected to activate this in a few years, meaning future HD movies will then not be viewable at HD resolutions over unprotected interfaces such as analog component. Return to topQ. What functionality was added to each version
of HDMI?
The following provides an overview of major functionality added to each version of HDMI: HDMI 1.1:
HDMI 1.2:
HDMI 1.2a:
HDMI 1.3:
Q. Are all of the new HDMI versions backward compatible
with previous versions?
Yes, all HDMI versions are fully backward compatible with all previous versions. Return to topQ. What’s new in the HDMI 1.3 Specification?
Return to top Q. What testing is required?
Prior to mass producing or distributing any Licensed Product or component that claims compliance with the HDMI Specification (or allowing someone else to do such activities), each Adopter must test a representative sample for HDMI compliance. First, the Adopter must self test as specified in the then-current HDMI Compliance Test Specification. The HDMI Compliance Test Specification provides a suite of testing procedures, and establishes certain minimum requirements specifying how each HDMI Adopter should test Licensed Products for conformance to the HDMI Specification. Such compliance testing is limited to evaluation of a product's compliance with the HDMI Specification and is not designed to test the overall performance of any Licensed Product. Second, each Adopter must submit the first product of each Licensed Product type (i.e. source, sink, repeater, or cable) to an HDMI Authorized Testing Center (ATC) for testing. Once an Adopter product of each type has passed testing, it is not required to submit to the ATC subsequent products of that type. However, Adopters must still self-test the products for compliance to the HDMI test specification. For example, once an Adopter's television has passed ATC testing, it is not required to submit another television or other display for ATC testing. However, to help ensure HDMI interoperability, we encourage Adopters to use the ATCs. Return to topQ. Is HDMI backward compatible with DVI (Digital
Visual Interface)?
Yes, HDMI is fully backward compatible with DVI compliant devices. HDMI DTVs will display video received from existing DVI-equipped products, and DVI-equipped TVs will display video from HDMI sources. However, some older PCs with DVI are designed only to support computer monitors, not televisions. Consumers buying a PC with DVI should make sure that it specifically includes support for television formats and not just computer monitors. Also, consumers may want to confirm that the DVI interface supports High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection (HDCP), as content that requires HDCP copy protection will require that both the HDMI and DVI devices support HDCP to properly view the video content. Return to topQ. Does HDMI accommodate long cable lengths?
Yes. HDMI technology has been designed to use standard copper cable construction at long lengths. In order to allow cable manufacturers to improve their products through the use of new technologies, HDMI specifies the required performance of a cable but does not specify a maximum cable length. We have seen cables pass "Standard Cable" HDMI compliance testing at lengths of up to a maximum of 10 meters without the use of a repeater. It is not only the cable that factors into how long a cable can successfully carry an HDMI signal, the receiver chip inside the TV or projector also plays a major factor. Receiver chips that include a feature called "cable equalization" are able to compensate for weaker signals thereby extending the potential length of any cable that is used with that device. With any long run of an HDMI cable, quality manufactured cables can play a significant role in successfully running HDMI over such longer distances. Return to topQ. How do I run HDMI cables longer than 10 meters?
There are many HDMI Adopters working on HDMI solutions that extend a cable’s effective distance from the typical 10 meter range to much longer lengths. These companies manufacture a variety of solutions that include active cables (active electronics built into cables that boost and extend the cable’s signal), repeaters, amplifiers as well as CAT5/6 and fiber solutions. Return to topQ. How can I tell if a cable is an HDMI certified
cable?
All HDMI products are required to be certified by the manufacturer as part of the HDMI Compliance Test Specification. However, there may be instances where cables bearing the HDMI logo are available but have not been properly tested. HDMI Licensing, LLC actively investigates these instances to ensure that the HDMI trademark is properly used in the market. We recommend that consumers buy their cables from a reputable source and a company that is trusted. Return to topQ. What is the difference between a “Standard”
HDMI cable and a “High-Speed” HDMI cable?
Recently, HDMI Licensing, LLC announced that cables would be tested as Standard or High-Speed cables.
Q. Where can I find a copy of the Trademark and
Logo Usage Guidelines?
The HDMI Trademark and Logo Usage Guidelines are posted on the HDMI website (http://www.hdmi.org) and can be found in the Manufacturer section. Return to topQ. Can I upgrade my existing HDMI version (1.X
to v1.3)?
Currently, there are no provisions for doing such an upgrade. Because of the new enhanced feature set, any such conversion would require hardware and firmware upgrades. If there are such conversions, it would come from the manufacturer. Please check with them directly. Return to topQ. How can I tell the differences in each version
of the HDMI specification?
Download a copy of the most recent specification of HDMI. At the beginning of the document, there is a section called "Revision History." In this section, you can view all of the the changes for each revision of the Specification. Return to topQ. Where can I get more information on becoming
a HDMI Adopter?
On the home page of the www.hdmi.org website is a link to "Becoming an Adopter." Click on that link, and all the information you need, including the Adopter agreements and on-line registration, can be found there. Return to topQ. What is the difference between DVI and HDMI?
HDMI is DVI with the addition of:
Return to top Q. How will HDMI change the way we interface with
our entertainment systems?
The most tangible and immediate way that HDMI changes the way we interface with our components is in the set-up. One cable replaces up to 11 analog cables, highly simplifying the setting up of a home theater as well as supporting the aesthetics of new component design with cable simplification. Next, when the consumer turns on the HDMI-connected system, the video is of higher quality since the signal has been neither compressed nor converted from digital to analog and back. Lastly, because of the two-way communication capabilities of HDMI, components that are connected via HDMI constantly talk to each other in the background, exchanging key profile information so that content is sent in the best format without the user having to scroll through set-up menus. The HDMI specification also includes the option for manufacturers to include CEC functionality (Consumer Electronics Control), a set of commands that utilizes HDMI’s two- way communication to allow for single remote control of any CEC-enabled devices connected with HDMI. For example, CEC includes one-touch play, so that one touch of play on the DVD will trigger the necessary commands over HDMI for the entire system to power on and auto-configure itself to respond to the command. CEC has a variety of common commands as part of its command set, and manufacturers who implement CEC must do so in a way that ensures that these common command sets interoperate amongst all devices, regardless of manufacturer. CEC is an optional feature, however, so consumer interested in this functionality must look for CEC in the product feature list. Also, it is important to know that some manufacturers are creating their own proprietary names for their implementation of the CEC command set. Return to topQ. What are the HDMI-related questions consumers
should ask when shopping for a new CE or PC device?
Several questions are key to evaluating HDMI on a CE component.
Q. As more and more devices converge, is HDMI
an interface that can accommodate convergence between the PC and CE?
Absolutely. HDMI was developed using the same technology as DVI (Digital Visual Interface), the digital connection standard for the PC environment. So, HDMI is fully compatible with all DVI-enabled PCs (since HDMI offers both audio and video over one cable, and DVI carried only video, DVI-HDMI connectivity requires a separate audio cable). HDMI enables PCs to deliver premium media content including high definition movies and multi-channel audio formats. HDMI is the only interface enabling connections to both HDTVs and digital PC monitors implementing the DVI and HDMI standards – fully compatible with the hundreds of millions of DVI displays already in the market. Return to topQ. Can I use HDMI to connect one from to another
using wall plates?
You can connect from one room to another using wall plate connections. However, the quality of the wall plate can affect the transmission. Be sure to select an HDMI-compliant wall plate that fits your specific installation requirements. Return to topQ. Does HDMI support Closed Captioning?
Close Captioning
The evolution from analog to digital TV has added some complexity to Close Captioning (CC). With one standard way of broadcasting/transmitting, decoding and displaying content NTSC or PAL, depending on region, analog TV made enabling CC fairly easy across CE devices since the TV was able to do all the CC decoding. With the advent of digital TV and the introduction of digital HDTV services (cable, satellite, etc.) the responsibility of decoding CC has been taken away from the TVs and put into the various Set Top Boxes (STB) that are required for the majority of the digital HDTV services. Additionally, these STBs now have different ways of enabling CC making it complicated and creating confusion for consumers. All set-top boxes are required to support CC, however the implementation of CC can vary from one product to another. Enabling CC on a specific set-top box can be simple, or more difficult, depending on the implementation. HDMI, LLC recommends contacting your TV service provider (cable, satellite, etc.) for the correct way to switch on its CC feature as a first step to resolve this issue. The second step is to contact the manufacturers directly for the correct way to enable the CC feature within your product. HDMI and Close Captioning All HDMI specifications support Close Captioning (CC) and enable the rendering of CC signals between CE devices. HDMI carries and delivers all the rendered data, in its entirety (including CC), produced from the source device to the display device. HDMI, LLC is working with all CE vendors and service providers (cable, satellite, etc.) to make them aware of this issue. In addition, we are also encouraging these vendors and service providers to take steps that will address this CC problem which will deliver a more user friendly way for consumers to activate the CC feature. Return to topQ. What is the difference between HDMI 1.3 and HDMI 1.3a, or
1.3b?
For consumers, there is no difference between HDMI version 1.3 and 1.3a or 1.3b. These minor revisions to the specification typically relate to manufacturing or testing issues and do not impact features or functionality. In addition, HDMI Licensing, LLC is actively working with manufacturers to reduce confusion for consumers by de-emphasizing version numbers and focusing instead on product features and functionality. For Adopters, the latest HDMI Specification is v1.3a and the latest HDMI Compliance Test Specification (CTS) is 1.3c. Return to topQ. Is there support in the HDMI interface for closed caption
information?
Closed captioning is available as long as the source supports and renders it. Return to topQ. What is the difference between Active HDMI and Passive HDMI?
There is no active or passive HDMI in the test specification. These terms apply to cables. Active cables have built-in electronics to enable long cable runs, and typically these cables require a power supply. These cables use active electronics to help push the signal farther than typical passive cables. Return to topQ. What is HDMI?
HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) is the first and only industry-supported, uncompressed, all-digital audio/video interface. By delivering crystal-clear, all-digital audio and video via a single cable, HDMI dramatically simplifies cabling and helps provide consumers with the highest-quality home theater experience. HDMI provides an interface between any audio/video source, such as a set-top box, DVD player, or A/V receiver and an audio and/or video monitor, such as a digital television (DTV), over a single cable. HDMI supports standard, enhanced, or high-definition video, plus multi-channel digital audio on a single cable. It transmits all ATSC HDTV standards and supports 8-channel, 192kHz, uncompressed digital audio and all currently-available compressed formats (such as Dolby Digital and DTS), HDMI 1.3 adds additional support for new lossless digital audio formats Dolby® TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio™ with bandwidth to spare to accommodate future enhancements and requirements.
Return to top Q. Who supports HDMI?
The HDMI Founders include leading consumer electronics manufacturers Hitachi, Panasonic Corporation, Philips, Sony, Thomson (RCA), Toshiba, and Silicon Image. In addition, HDMI has the support of major motion picture producers Fox, Universal, Warner Bros. and Disney, and system operators DirecTV, EchoStar (Dish Network) as well as CableLabs. Return to topQ. What are the advantages of HDMI over existing analog video
interfaces such as composite, S-Video and component video?
Quality: Because HDMI is a digital interface, it provides the best quality of the video since there are no lossy analog to digital conversions as are required for all analog connections (such as component or S-video). The difference is especially noticeable at higher resolutions such as 1080p. Digital video will be sharper than component, and eliminates the softness and ghosting found with component. Small, high contrast details such as text bring this difference out the most. Ease-of-use: HDMI combines video and multi-channel audio into a single cable, eliminating the cost, complexity, and confusion of multiple cables currently used in A/V systems. This is particularly beneficial when equipment is being upgraded or added. Intelligence: HDMI supports two-way communication between the video source (such as a DVD player) and the DTV, enabling new functionality such as automatic configuration and one-touch play. By using HDMI, devices automatically deliver the most effective format (e.g 480p vs 720p, 16:9 vs 4:3) for the display that it is connected to - eliminating the need for the consumer to scroll through all the format options to guess what looks best. HD Content-Ready: HDMI devices supporting HDCP have the comfort of knowing they will have access to premium HD content now and in the future. HD-DVD and Blu-ray have delayed the activation of the image constraint token (a.k.a. content protection flag) with today’s HD movies to help minimize potential issues caused by the transition, but are expected to activate this in a few years, meaning future HD movies will then not be viewable at HD resolutions over unprotected interfaces such as analog component. Return to topQ. What is the advantage of using HDMI over existing audio
interfaces such as analog RCA connectors and digital SPDIF (coax and optical
connectors)?
Quality: HDMI maintains the audio in its pure digital form all the way to the amplifier. Analog audio connections are more prone to losses depending on the cabling and other electronics of the audio rendering device. Compared to SPDIF connections, HDMI has significantly more bandwidth, allowing it to support the latest lossless audio formats such as Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HS Master Audio. These formats can not be supported over SPDIF connections due to their very high data rate requirements that exceed the capabilities of SPDIF. Please also see section on HDMI 1.3 for further details on Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio formats. Ease of Use: HDMI combines video and multi-channel audio into a single cable, eliminating the cost, complexity, and confusion of multiple cables currently used in A/V systems. This is particularly beneficial when equipment is being upgraded or added. Intelligence: HDMI supports two-way communication between the audio source (such as a DVD player) and the audio rendering device (such as an A/V receiver), enabling new functionality such as automatic configuration and one-touch play. By using HDMI, devices automatically deliver the most effective format (e.g Dolby Digital vs. 2 channel PCM) for the A/V receiver that it is connected to - eliminating the need for the consumer to scroll through all the audio format options to guess what is best and properly supported. Return to topQ. What is the life expectancy of HDMI?
HDMI is an evolving standard and changes to meet the needs of the market. HDMI has capacity to spare, and can incorporate new technology advancements and capabilities long into the foreseeable future. Return to topQ. How can a consumer identify which HDMI products support
a specific feature, such as DVD Audio or Deep Color?
The key for consumers to remember is that HDMI has consistently enabled a variety of the most innovative new technologies (whether they be DVD Audio, SACD, 1080p/60, etc.). However, in many cases, it is up to each manufacturer to choose which features to implement in any given product. The manufacturer can thus use its knowledge of the market to choose the mix of features that makes sense for its customers. So, customers must choose devices that have the features that they want (instead of focusing on which version of HDMI is implemented by the device.). Consumers interested in confirming whether a particular consumer electronics product supports DVD-Audio or any other feature over HDMI are urged to review users’ manuals and product reviews and check with manufacturers directly. Return to topQ. How do I get extra ports to plug in all of my devices if
I only have 1 HDMI plug on my TV?
You might consider getting a switcher system with multiple plugs. Check out Gefen www.gefen.com Return to topQ. How can I find devices with HDMI v1.3 features?
The best way is to contact the Manufacturer directly. If you have a brand preference, please contact them directly. They will have information regarding availability and the feature set. Return to topQ. How will HDMI change the way we interface with our entertainment
systems?
The most tangible and immediate way that HDMI changes the way we interface with our components is in the set-up. One cable replaces up to 11 analog cables, highly simplifying the setting up of a home theater as well as supporting the aesthetics of new component design with cable simplification. Next, when the consumer turns on the HDMI-connected system, the video is of higher quality since the signal has been neither compressed nor converted from digital to analog and back. Lastly, because of the two-way communication capabilities of HDMI, components that are connected via HDMI constantly talk to each other in the background, exchanging key profile information so that content is sent in the best format without the user having to scroll through set-up menus. The HDMI specification also includes the option for manufacturers to include CEC functionality (Consumer Electronics Control), a set of commands that utilizes HDMI’s two- way communication to allow for single remote control of any CEC-enabled devices connected with HDMI. For example, CEC includes one-touch play, so that one touch of play on the DVD will trigger the necessary commands over HDMI for the entire system to power on and auto-configure itself to respond to the command. CEC has a variety of common commands as part of its command set, and manufacturers who implement CEC must do so in a way that ensures that these common command sets interoperate amongst all devices, regardless of manufacturer. CEC is an optional feature, however, so consumer interested in this functionality must look for CEC in the product feature list. Also, it is important to know that some manufacturers are creating their own proprietary names for their implementation of the CEC command set. Return to topQ. What are the HDMI-related questions consumers should ask
when shopping for a new CE or PC device?
Several questions are key to evaluating HDMI on a CE component.
Q. As more and more devices converge, is HDMI an interface
that can accommodate convergence between the PC and CE?
Absolutely. HDMI was developed using the same technology as DVI (Digital Visual Interface), the digital connection standard for the PC environment. So, HDMI is fully compatible with all DVI-enabled PCs (since HDMI offers both audio and video over one cable, and DVI carried only video, DVI-HDMI connectivity requires a separate audio cable). HDMI enables PCs to deliver premium media content including high definition movies and multi-channel audio formats. HDMI is the only interface enabling connections to both HDTVs and digital PC monitors implementing the DVI and HDMI standards – fully compatible with the hundreds of millions of DVI displays already in the market. Return to topQ. Are we seeing any adoption of HDMI in the PC space?
In 2007, the market started to see HDMI in many PC and PC-related devices. Major display manufacturers (like Samsung, BenQ, Viewsonic) have started to market PC displays with HDMI. Every major graphics card manufacturer (nVIDIA, ATI/AMD, Intel) has HDMI-enabled graphics cards on the market, as major PC manufacturers, including Samsung, Sony, HP, Dell and others have PCs on the market that have HDMI outputs.
Q. What's the difference between the Adopter Agreement and
the Test Equipment Maker Agreement, and which one should I sign?
The Adopter Agreement is offered for those parties that desire to make and sell HDMI-based products such as DVD players, set-top boxes, TVs, semiconductors, cables and connectors, etc. The Test Equipment Maker Agreement is offered for those parties that desire to make and sell test equipment such as oscilloscopes, wave form generators and other measurement tools designed to assist manufacturers in using the Compliance Test Specification to test their HDMI products for compliance with the HDMI Specification. Return to topQ. How do I obtain a license to the HDMI Specification?
HDMI is licensed under reasonable and non-discriminatory terms. The Adopter Agreement or Test Equipment Maker Agreement detailing the licensing terms is available in Becoming An Adopter in the Manufacturer area of this site. Please follow the instructions for downloading and submitting the appropriate agreement along with your payment in order to obtain a license to the Specification. Return to topQ. Can I review the HDMI Specification before deciding to pay
for a license?
Yes. Before downloading the specification, you will need to fill out a short form. Please visit the Manufacturer area of this site to download the HDMI Specification. Return to topQ. What are the fees for HDMI?
Annual Fee: HDMI is available for a reasonable royalty rate as follows:
Products Subject to Royalty: Please see Attachment B of the Adopter Agreement for royalty and annual fee details. Return to topQ. Where can I get more information on becoming a HDMI Adopter?
On the home page of the www.hdmi.org website is a link to "Becoming an Adopter." Click on that link, and all the information you need, including the Adopter agreements and on-line registration, can be found there. Return to topQ. How can I access the HDMI Adopter extranet?
You can go through the main HDMI website - www.hdmi.org - where there is a sign in button located in the upper right hand corner. Or, you can go to the following website: http://hdmistore.hdadopter.com/OA_HTML/SIH_ibeCZzpHome.jsp?site=HDMI&auth=signin Return to topQ. What are the fees - annual and royalties - for a high-volume
HDMI Adopter agreement.
$10k/year fee + variable per-unit royalty Royalty is device-based and not dependent on number of ports, chips or connectors
Return to top Q. What are the fees - annual and royalties - for a low-volume
HDMI Adopter agreement.
$5k/year fee + flat $1/unit administration fee + variable per unit royalty Designed to lower up-front barrier to entry cost for customers until higher volumes. Royalty is device-based and not dependent on number of ports, chips or connectors
Q. Aren’t the HDMI and HDCP agreements coupled together so
I can work with one organization?
They are not. This is largely due to liability for content protection robustness. No one standards body to date has elected to guarantee security for content-protection enabled devices since this is very implementation-specific. Return to topQ. Why do I need HDMI ATC compliance?
The HDMI License Agreement requires that shipping sinks, sources, repeaters and cables be tested for compliance in the interest of providing a consistent end-user customer experience with HDMI. The first product of each category (sink, source, repeater, cable) from a given company is required to be tested by an HDMI ATC (Authorized Test Center). Return to topQ. What testing is involved in the HDMI ATC?
An HDMI ATC tests HDMI products to the requirements described in the HDMI CTS (Compliance Test Specification). The CTS is defined and managed by the HDMI LLC. Return to topQ. How do I schedule ATC testing?
Please go to www.simplayhd.com. There is a section dedicated to ATC testing. Follow the easy to use steps to begin your scheduling process. Return to topQ. Do I need a different cable for a TVs that have the higher
120MHz refresh rate?
You do not need a different cable. The increased refresh rate is happening inside the TV so the cable itself is not required to carry additional bandwidth in this case. Return to topQ. Can I use HDMI to connect one from to another using wall
plates?
You can connect from one room to another using wall plate connections. However, the quality of the wall plate can affect the transmission. Be sure to select an HDMI-compliant wall plate that fits your specific installation requirements. Return to topQ. What is the difference between Active HDMI and Passive HDMI?
There is no active or passive HDMI in the test specification. These terms apply to cables. Active cables have built-in electronics to enable long cable runs, and typically these cables require a power supply. These cables use active electronics to help push the signal farther than typical passive cables. Return to topQ. Is there support in the HDMI interface for closed caption
information?
Closed captioning is available as long as the source supports and rend Return to topQ. What is HDMI?
HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) is the first and only industry-supported, uncompressed, all-digital audio/video interface. By delivering crystal-clear, all-digital audio and video via a single cable, HDMI dramatically simplifies cabling and helps provide consumers with the highest-quality home theater experience. HDMI provides an interface between any audio/video source, such as a set-top box, DVD player, or A/V receiver and an audio and/or video monitor, such as a digital television (DTV), over a single cable. HDMI supports standard, enhanced, or high-definition video, plus multi-channel digital audio on a single cable. It transmits all ATSC HDTV standards and supports 8-channel, 192kHz, uncompressed digital audio and all currently-available compressed formats (such as Dolby Digital and DTS), HDMI 1.3 adds additional support for new lossless digital audio formats Dolby® TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio™ with bandwidth to spare to accommodate future enhancements and requirements.
Return to top Q. How can a consumer identify which HDMI products support
a specific feature, such as DVD Audio or Deep Color?
The key for consumers to remember is that HDMI has consistently enabled a variety of the most innovative new technologies (whether they be DVD Audio, SACD, 1080p/60, etc.). However, in many cases, it is up to each manufacturer to choose which features to implement in any given product. The manufacturer can thus use its knowledge of the market to choose the mix of features that makes sense for its customers. So, customers must choose devices that have the features that they want (instead of focusing on which version of HDMI is implemented by the device.). Consumers interested in confirming whether a particular consumer electronics product supports DVD-Audio or any other feature over HDMI are urged to review users’ manuals and product reviews and check with manufacturers directly. Return to topQ. What’s new in the HDMI 1.3 Specification?
Return to top Q. Do I need v1.3 HDMI to hear the new Dolby TrueHD and DTS
Master HD audio content on HD-DVD or Blu-ray players?
No. The Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Digital Plus, and DTS-HD Master Audio can be decoded by the playback device into multi-channel Pulse Code Modulation (PCM) digital audio streams, which is an audio format standard that can be sent over any version of HDMI. In fact, all versions of HDMI can support up to 8 channels of PCM audio at 192kHz, 24 bits per sample. To do this, consumers should ensure that their playback device (such as HD-DVD or Blu-ray player) is capable of decoding these new lossless Dolby & DTS audio formats into the PCM format on the HDMI output, and that the audio device (such as an A/V receiver) is capable of receiving multi-channel PCM audio over the HDMI inputs. Consult your user manual/product specification sheet to determine whether your device supports such PCM capabilities (we believe that nearly all HD-DVD and Blu-ray players will, but users should confirm this). Devices that support HDMI v1.3 and higher may also offer the option to transport the high definition audio formats as a compressed, encoded stream over HDMI so that the decoding function can be performed by the A/V receiver (whereas the above transport method has the playback device performing the decoding). Return to topQ. What is the difference in quality between listening to Dolby
TrueHD/DTS-HD over HDMI, SPDIF (i.e. coax or optical), or analog from
the player to the A/V receiver?
HDMI provides the highest quality as it enables the full, lossless audio data of Dolby TrueHD to be transferred digitally to the AV receiver, and enables the A/V receiver to apply its full digital audio processing capabilities (such as bass management, or sound field processing effects) to further enhance the audio quality. SPDIF does not have the ability to support the data rates required by Dolby TrueHD, and thus will not support it. Analog will be lower quality than HDMI due to two reasons: 1) the nature of analog transmission is lossy and will degrade while transported over the cables, 2) many A/V receivers will not apply any digital audio processing to the analog inputs, and in such cases analog signals will be sent directly to the amplifier without the benefit of such processing. Return to topQ. What is the difference between decoding Dolby TrueHD/DTS-HD
in the player (i.e. sending over HDMI as decoded PCM) vs. decoding in
the A/V receiver (i.e. sending over HDMI as encoded Dolby TrueHD/DTS-HD
bitstream)?
There is no inherent difference in quality between Dolby TrueHD/DTS-HD being sent over HDMI as decoded PCM vs. encoded bit stream. All Dolby TrueHD/DTS-HD decoders (whether in the player or the A/V receiver) must be certified to meet stringent quality requirements. However, consumers should make sure that their receivers support the number of incoming PCM channels delivered by their source device (e.g. DVD). Return to topQ. What products or applications will take advantage of new
HDMI 1.3 capabilities?
According to announcements by manufacturers, new high-definition DVD formats (HD-DVD and Blu-ray) and game machines (including the Sony PLAYSTATION® 3) will make use of capabilities added in HDMI 1.3. Digital televisions will be able to present images that are closer to real life than previously has been possible. These will include LCD TVs, plasma displays and rear projection microdisplays. The PS3 was the first source product to provide such high quality imagery to these displays. A wide array of new products featuring the most advanced HDMI 1.3-enabled connectivity such as x.v.Color, Deep Color and the finest high bit-rate audio have come to market from major players including Denon, Mitsubishi, Onkyo, Panasonic, Pioneer, Samsung, Sharp, Sony, Toshiba and Yamaha, with more products expected to be introduced for the 2007 holiday season. Return to topQ. What is meant by the term “Deep Color” and why is it important?
Deep Color lets HDTVs and other displays go from millions of colors to billions of colors allowing consumers to enjoy unprecedented vividness and accuracy of color on their displays. Deep Color eliminates on-screen color banding, for smooth tonal transitions and subtle gradations between colors. It enables increased contrast ratio, and can represent many times more shades of gray between black and white. Return to topQ. What is “x.v. Color?” or “xvYCC”?
HDMI 1.3 adopts use of the IEC 61966-2-4 color standard, commonly called xvYCC (shorthand for Extended YCC Colorimetry for Video Applications), branded “x.v.Color™”. This new standard can support 1.8 times as many colors as existing HDTV signals. x.v.Color lets HDTVs display colors more accurately, enabling displays with more natural, vivid colors. Return to topQ. What is the difference between “Deep Color” and “x.v.Color?”
or “xvYCC”?
Deep Color increases the number of available colors within the boundaries defined by the RGB or YCbCr color space, while x.v.Color expands the available range (limits) to allow the display of colors beyond the RGB or YCbCr color spaces to include the entire spectrum of colors that the human eyes can recognize. Return to topQ. When will products with HDMI 1.3 capabilities be available
to the public?
They are available now. Check with individual manufacturers for details. Return to topQ. How will consumers know which products have the latest implementation
of HDMI 1.3?
Consumers should not look for a particular version of HDMI, but rather for the functionality that they want the device to support (Deep Color, specific audio formats, etc.). Alternatively, consumers can look for support for these features called out in the manufacturer’s product information. Return to topQ. Why is Lip Sync important?
In a DTV, typically the video processing takes more time than the audio. As a result, lip sync can become an issue where it is noticeable to the viewer, creating an effect similar to that of a badly-dubbed movie. HDMI 1.3 provides a method whereby the audio processing times in devices can be automatically adjusted to remove lip sync errors. Return to topQ. What types of video does HDMI support?
HDMI has the capacity to support existing high-definition video formats (720p, 1080i, and 1080p/60). It also has the flexibility to support enhanced definition formats such as 480p, as well as standard definition formats such as NTSC or PAL. Version 1.3 of the HDMI specification has increased bandwidth capability to offer even higher resolutions (1440p) and increased video quality to existing HD resolutions (for example, 1080p with increased color depth, or Deep Color). Return to topQ. What version of HDMI does a consumer need to view 1080p
content?
HDMI has always supported 1080p resolution, starting from version 1.0 in 2002. However, as with many functions that HDMI enables (such as DVD-Audio and SACD), it is up to the manufacturer to choose whether to implement 1080p in the device. Some TV and device manufacturers have chosen not to implement 1080p in their products because 1080p content has not been widely available, and because changing the internal electronics of the device to support 1080p would increase cost. Viewing 1080p resolution requires at minimum that the HDTV have a display supporting the 1080p pixel resolution. Today, many HDTVs use display technologies (such as PDP, LCD, and microdisplay screens) designed for 720p pixel resolution. In the past, some 1080p HDTVs supported only 720p or 1080i on the HDMI input, then perform video processing to up-convert the 720p/1080i signal to 1080p. This is now changing, as 1080p content is becoming increasingly available, and HDTVs fully supporting 1080p in the display and HDMI electronics became more popular in the market in early 2006. True 1080p HDTVs are currently offered in the market by a variety of TV manufacturers. Return to topQ. Do you need a new version of HDMI to play Blu-ray and HD-DVD
content in high definition?
All versions of the HDMI specification support the ability to watch HD-DVD / Blu-ray content in high definition up to 1080p resolution. However, there may be non-HDMI reasons that prevent some devices from accessing content in high definition, including lack of HDCP support. Return to topQ. Are HDMI 1.0, 1.1 and 1.2 compatible with the next generation
videogame consoles implementing 1080p and HDMI’s new Deep Color capability?
The HDMI specification has supported 1080p content since version 1.0, and each new revision of the HDMI specification is fully backward compatible with previous revisions. In June 2006, the HDMI Founders announced HDMI 1.3 and new capabilities to support Deep Color (up to 16-bit color RGB color) and new lossless audio formats (such as Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio). PCs and video game consoles in particular are expected to be capable of delivering content that takes advantage of HDMI's latest capabilities. When such sources are interfaced to older HDMI HDTVs, the source should automatically select the highest quality video and audio performance supported by the HDTV. Return to topQ. What is HDMI’s new Deep Color capability?
The new Deep Color capability lets manufacturers build devices allowing consumers to enjoy billions of colors with incredible visual clarity and detail. HDMI 1.3 supports 10-bit, 12-bit and 16-bit RGB color depths and color space, an upgrade from the 8-bit maximum resolution in previous versions of the HDMI Specification. Return to topQ. Does HDMI support Dolby 5.1 audio and high-resolution audio
formats?
Yes. From the start, HDMI was defined to carry 8-channels, of 192kHz, 24-bit uncompressed audio, which exceeds all current consumer media formats. In addition, HDMI can carry any flavor of compressed audio format such as Dolby or DTS. (Such compressed formats are the only multi-channel or high-resolution audio formats that can be carried across the older S/PDIF or AES/EBU interfaces.) Additionally, most existing HDMI sources can output any compressed stream, and the newer sources can output uncompressed 6-channel, 96kHz audio from a DVD-Audio disk. There are A/V receivers on the market that can accept and process the 6- or 8-channel audio from HDMI. Return to topQ. Does HDMI support Dolby Digital, DTS, and high-resolution
audio formats?
Yes. From the start, HDMI was defined to carry 8-channels of 192kHz, 24-bit uncompressed audio, which exceeds all current consumer media formats. In addition, HDMI can carry any currently available flavor of compressed audio format such as Dolby (including Dolby Digital EX 7.1, Dolby Digital Plus 7.1, Dolby TrueHD) or DTS (including DTS-ES 6.1 and DTS-HD Master Audio). Such compressed formats are the only multi-channel or high-resolution audio formats that can be carried across the older S/PDIF or AES/EBU interfaces. HDMI 1.3 adds additional support for new lossless digital surround audio formats Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio. Additionally, most existing HDMI sources can output any compressed stream, and the newer sources can output uncompressed 6-channel, 96kHz audio from a DVD-Audio disk. There are A/V receivers on the market that can accept and process the 6- or 8-channel audio over HDMI. Return to topQ. Does HDMI support SACD?
HDMI has supported One Bit Audio format, such as SuperAudio CD's DSD (Direct Stream Digital), since version 1.2 (released in August, 2005). Customers interested in this feature should make sure that their device supports SACD. Return to topQ. What is TMDS and where can I learn about it?
TMDS stands for Transition Minimized Differential Signaling. This is the under-pinning protocol for both DVI and HDMI technologies. You can find out more about what TMDS is and how it works at www.siliconimage.com. Return to topQ. What is CEC?
CEC is Consumer Electronics Control. This is a single-conductor wire-or bus technology that is an optional feature in the HDMI v1.1 specification. The CEC is meant to carry IR/remote and/or control commands between HDMI devices that are interconnected. In theory, this allows for the “one remote” concept. CEC is not currently required for HDMI compliance. However, the ATC does test for proper CEC connectivity and electrical characteristics of the CEC net based on the capabilities of the device in question. Return to topQ. How will HDMI change the way we interface with our entertainment
systems?
The most tangible and immediate way that HDMI changes the way we interface with our components is in the set-up. One cable replaces up to 11 analog cables, highly simplifying the setting up of a home theater as well as supporting the aesthetics of new component design with cable simplification. Next, when the consumer turns on the HDMI-connected system, the video is of higher quality since the signal has been neither compressed nor converted from digital to analog and back. Lastly, because of the two-way communication capabilities of HDMI, components that are connected via HDMI constantly talk to each other in the background, exchanging key profile information so that content is sent in the best format without the user having to scroll through set-up menus. The HDMI specification also includes the option for manufacturers to include CEC functionality (Consumer Electronics Control), a set of commands that utilizes HDMI’s two- way communication to allow for single remote control of any CEC-enabled devices connected with HDMI. For example, CEC includes one-touch play, so that one touch of play on the DVD will trigger the necessary commands over HDMI for the entire system to power on and auto-configure itself to respond to the command. CEC has a variety of common commands as part of its command set, and manufacturers who implement CEC must do so in a way that ensures that these common command sets interoperate amongst all devices, regardless of manufacturer. CEC is an optional feature, however, so consumer interested in this functionality must look for CEC in the product feature list. Also, it is important to know that some manufacturers are creating their own proprietary names for their implementation of the CEC command set. Return to topQ. What are the HDMI-related questions consumers should ask
when shopping for a new CE or PC device?
Several questions are key to evaluating HDMI on a CE component.
Q. As more and more devices converge, is HDMI an interface
that can accommodate convergence between the PC and CE?
Absolutely. HDMI was developed using the same technology as DVI (Digital Visual Interface), the digital connection standard for the PC environment. So, HDMI is fully compatible with all DVI-enabled PCs (since HDMI offers both audio and video over one cable, and DVI carried only video, DVI-HDMI connectivity requires a separate audio cable). HDMI enables PCs to deliver premium media content including high definition movies and multi-channel audio formats. HDMI is the only interface enabling connections to both HDTVs and digital PC monitors implementing the DVI and HDMI standards – fully compatible with the hundreds of millions of DVI displays already in the market. Return to topQ. What can a PC with HDMI do that cannot be done with DVI?
HDMI offers both audio and video over one single cable making set-up and cabling much simpler. With this convergence interface, HDMI offers a simple way for PCs to connect to a TV. Return to topQ. Do I need a separate audio cable if my if my HDMI output
is a physical DVI (DVI to HDMI adapter) port is not a true HDMI port?
Digital
Visual Interface (DVI) is a video interface standard designed to maximize
the visual quality of digital display devices such as flat panel LCD computer
displays and digital projectors. Because DVI is a video-only standard, a
graphics card with DVI port, even one with a DVI-HDMI adapter sends uncompressed
digital video data to a display but does not send audio.Return
to topQ. Do I need a different cable for a TVs that have the higher
120MHz refresh rate?
You do not need a different cable. The increased refresh rate is happening inside the TV so the cable itself is not required to carry additional bandwidth in this case. Return to topQ. Does HDMI support Closed Captioning?
Close Captioning
The evolution from analog to digital TV has added some complexity to Close Captioning (CC). With one standard way of broadcasting/transmitting, decoding and displaying content NTSC or PAL, depending on region, analog TV made enabling CC fairly easy across CE devices since the TV was able to do all the CC decoding. With the advent of digital TV and the introduction of digital HDTV services (cable, satellite, etc.) the responsibility of decoding CC has been taken away from the TVs and put into the various Set Top Boxes (STB) that are required for the majority of the digital HDTV services. Additionally, these STBs now have different ways of enabling CC making it complicated and creating confusion for consumers. All set-top boxes are required to support CC, however the implementation of CC can vary from one product to another. Enabling CC on a specific set-top box can be simple, or more difficult, depending on the implementation. HDMI, LLC recommends contacting your TV service provider (cable, satellite, etc.) for the correct way to switch on its CC feature as a first step to resolve this issue. The second step is to contact the manufacturers directly for the correct way to enable the CC feature within your product. HDMI and Close Captioning All HDMI specifications support Close Captioning (CC) and enable the rendering of CC signals between CE devices. HDMI carries and delivers all the rendered data, in its entirety (including CC), produced from the source device to the display device. HDMI, LLC is working with all CE vendors and service providers (cable, satellite, etc.) to make them aware of this issue. In addition, we are also encouraging these vendors and service providers to take steps that will address this CC problem which will deliver a more user friendly way for consumers to activate the CC feature. Return to topQ. What are the advantages of HDMI over existing analog video
interfaces such as composite, S-Video and component video?
Quality: Because HDMI is a digital interface, it provides the best quality of the video since there are no lossy analog to digital conversions as are required for all analog connections (such as component or S-video). The difference is especially noticeable at higher resolutions such as 1080p. Digital video will be sharper than component, and eliminates the softness and ghosting found with component. Small, high contrast details such as text bring this difference out the most. Ease-of-use: HDMI combines video and multi-channel audio into a single cable, eliminating the cost, complexity, and confusion of multiple cables currently used in A/V systems. This is particularly beneficial when equipment is being upgraded or added. Intelligence: HDMI supports two-way communication between the video source (such as a DVD player) and the DTV, enabling new functionality such as automatic configuration and one-touch play. By using HDMI, devices automatically deliver the most effective format (e.g 480p vs 720p, 16:9 vs 4:3) for the display that it is connected to - eliminating the need for the consumer to scroll through all the format options to guess what looks best. HD Content-Ready: HDMI devices supporting HDCP have the comfort of knowing they will have access to premium HD content now and in the future. HD-DVD and Blu-ray have delayed the activation of the image constraint token (a.k.a. content protection flag) with today’s HD movies to help minimize potential issues caused by the transition, but are expected to activate this in a few years, meaning future HD movies will then not be viewable at HD resolutions over unprotected interfaces such as analog component. Return to topQ. What types of video does HDMI support?
HDMI has the capacity to support existing high-definition video formats (720p, 1080i, and 1080p/60). It also has the flexibility to support enhanced definition formats such as 480p, as well as standard definition formats such as NTSC or PAL. Version 1.3 of the HDMI specification has increased bandwidth capability to offer even higher resolutions (1440p) and increased video quality to existing HD resolutions (for example, 1080p with increased color depth, or Deep Color). Return to topQ. What version of HDMI does a consumer need to view 1080p
content?
HDMI has always supported 1080p resolution, starting from version 1.0 in 2002. However, as with many functions that HDMI enables (such as DVD-Audio and SACD), it is up to the manufacturer to choose whether to implement 1080p in the device. Some TV and device manufacturers have chosen not to implement 1080p in their products because 1080p content has not been widely available, and because changing the internal electronics of the device to support 1080p would increase cost. Viewing 1080p resolution requires at minimum that the HDTV have a display supporting the 1080p pixel resolution. Today, many HDTVs use display technologies (such as PDP, LCD, and microdisplay screens) designed for 720p pixel resolution. In the past, some 1080p HDTVs supported only 720p or 1080i on the HDMI input, then perform video processing to up-convert the 720p/1080i signal to 1080p. This is now changing, as 1080p content is becoming increasingly available, and HDTVs fully supporting 1080p in the display and HDMI electronics became more popular in the market in early 2006. True 1080p HDTVs are currently offered in the market by a variety of TV manufacturers. Return to topQ. Do you need a new version of HDMI to play Blu-ray and HD-DVD
content in high definition?
All versions of the HDMI specification support the ability to watch HD-DVD / Blu-ray content in high definition up to 1080p resolution. However, there may be non-HDMI reasons that prevent some devices from accessing content in high definition, including lack of HDCP support. Return to topQ. What is HDMI’s new Deep Color capability?
The new Deep Color capability lets manufacturers build devices allowing consumers to enjoy billions of colors with incredible visual clarity and detail. HDMI 1.3 supports 10-bit, 12-bit and 16-bit RGB color depths and color space, an upgrade from the 8-bit maximum resolution in previous versions of the HDMI Specification. Return to topQ. As more and more devices converge, is HDMI an interface
that can accommodate convergence between the PC and CE?
Absolutely. HDMI was developed using the same technology as DVI (Digital Visual Interface), the digital connection standard for the PC environment. So, HDMI is fully compatible with all DVI-enabled PCs (since HDMI offers both audio and video over one cable, and DVI carried only video, DVI-HDMI connectivity requires a separate audio cable). HDMI enables PCs to deliver premium media content including high definition movies and multi-channel audio formats. HDMI is the only interface enabling connections to both HDTVs and digital PC monitors implementing the DVI and HDMI standards – fully compatible with the hundreds of millions of DVI displays already in the market. Return to topQ. Are there any compromises in using HDMI as a replacement
for DVI?
No only are there no compromises, but HDMI provides much more than DVI. Both HDMI and DVI are able to transmit uncompressed, HD video signals. However, HDMI also transmits audio so that both audio and video signals are transmitted over a single cable. HDMI also offers devices CEC functionality (Consumer Electronics Control), the optional command set that allows users to control devices with a single remote. Return to topQ. What is the cost of upgrading a PC system from DVI to HDMI?
There are several options. The lowest cost would be to add a basic PCI Express HDMI Graphics card for approximately US$100. Higher end graphics cards, however, can offer better performance in certain applications. For example, for around $US400, manufacturers are offering a high-end graphics card with built-in processing power so that as the user watches a movie, for example, he or she can also use the processing power of the computer to do other work. The processor on the graphics card is doing the required processing to play the movie, leaving the PC’s CPU free to perform other applications. As well, some graphics cards have their own audio controller and do not require an external S/PDIF input. If you intend to use your PC to render video on a large TV, make sure your HDMI graphics cards incorporates high-quality video processing. ATI Avivo™ or nVIDIA’s PureVideo™ HD2 technology are two such offerings from these companies. Return to topQ. What can a PC with HDMI do that cannot be done with DVI?
HDMI offers both audio and video over one single cable making set-up and cabling much simpler. With this convergence interface, HDMI offers a simple way for PCs to connect to a TV. Return to topQ. What is the DDC?
DDC stands for Display Data Channel. In a video system, the vast majority of information flow occurs from a source to a sink where the video and/or audio travels. DDC provides a back channel from the sink to the source to indicate events like hot-plug. In addition, it allows the sink to communicate its display output capabilities back to the originating source device. Without this feature, devices like graphics cards or DVD players would have to guess at what video/audio formats a display would like to see. The DDC specification is currently at rev DDC-CI and is available from VESA (www.vesa.org). Return to topQ. What is EDID?
EDID stands for Extended Display Information Data. This is the data contained (usually in a small EEPROM) on each DVI display or HDMI sink. There may be as many as one EDID per DVI or HDMI input. The source device checks the display’s DVI or HDMI port for the presence of an EDID prom and uses the information inside to optimize the output video and/or audio format. The EDID data structure can be for either VESA PC devices or for CEA-861B E-EDID (Enhanced EDID) devices. All sink devices compliant to the DVI or HDMI specification must implement EDID. An EDID PROM is used only in sink devices. An EDID PROM sits on the DDC channel and uses a 2-wire I2C bus (part of the DDC specification from www.vesa.org) to communicate from the sink to the source. The EDID PROM contains information about the sink that it resides in. Its job is to communicate the preferred (or supported) video and audio formats and resolutions to the originating source. As an example, when a DVD player is powered on, it reads the EDID from an attached HDTV. The HDTV will have in its EDID contents that it is a Samsung 17” LCD panel that supports native resolution of 1280x1024 pixels, but can also support 480p, 720p and 1080i video modes. The EDID may also say that the TV is an HDMI device and has 2-speakers. The DVD player would compare this information with what it can put out of its HDMI port, then set itself to send 1080i with 2-channel stereo to the HDTV. Return to topQ. What is the difference between EDID and E-EDID?
EDID was formed as a standard to help PC monitors report their capabilities. E-EDID is an extension of the EDID specification used traditionally by consumer electronic devices to illustrate more advanced features. For example, PC monitors generally do not support audio, so a traditional EDID structure would not account for this, whereas an E-EDID would. The requirements for a consumer electronics device’s E-EDID are available in the CEA- 861B specification (www.ce.org). The requirements for a PC device EDID are available from VESA (www.vesa.org). Return to topQ. Do I need a separate audio cable if my if my HDMI output
is a physical DVI (DVI to HDMI adapter) port is not a true HDMI port?
Digital
Visual Interface (DVI) is a video interface standard designed to maximize
the visual quality of digital display devices such as flat panel LCD computer
displays and digital projectors. Because DVI is a video-only standard, a
graphics card with DVI port, even one with a DVI-HDMI adapter sends uncompressed
digital video data to a display but does not send audio.Return
to topQ. What is the advantage of using HDMI over existing audio
interfaces such as analog RCA connectors and digital SPDIF (coax and optical
connectors)?
Quality: HDMI maintains the audio in its pure digital form all the way to the amplifier. Analog audio connections are more prone to losses depending on the cabling and other electronics of the audio rendering device. Compared to SPDIF connections, HDMI has significantly more bandwidth, allowing it to support the latest lossless audio formats such as Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HS Master Audio. These formats can not be supported over SPDIF connections due to their very high data rate requirements that exceed the capabilities of SPDIF. Please also see section on HDMI 1.3 for further details on Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio formats. Ease of Use: HDMI combines video and multi-channel audio into a single cable, eliminating the cost, complexity, and confusion of multiple cables currently used in A/V systems. This is particularly beneficial when equipment is being upgraded or added. Intelligence: HDMI supports two-way communication between the audio source (such as a DVD player) and the audio rendering device (such as an A/V receiver), enabling new functionality such as automatic configuration and one-touch play. By using HDMI, devices automatically deliver the most effective format (e.g Dolby Digital vs. 2 channel PCM) for the A/V receiver that it is connected to - eliminating the need for the consumer to scroll through all the audio format options to guess what is best and properly supported. Return to topQ. Do I need v1.3 HDMI to hear the new Dolby TrueHD and DTS
Master HD audio content on HD-DVD or Blu-ray players?
No. The Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Digital Plus, and DTS-HD Master Audio can be decoded by the playback device into multi-channel Pulse Code Modulation (PCM) digital audio streams, which is an audio format standard that can be sent over any version of HDMI. In fact, all versions of HDMI can support up to 8 channels of PCM audio at 192kHz, 24 bits per sample. To do this, consumers should ensure that their playback device (such as HD-DVD or Blu-ray player) is capable of decoding these new lossless Dolby & DTS audio formats into the PCM format on the HDMI output, and that the audio device (such as an A/V receiver) is capable of receiving multi-channel PCM audio over the HDMI inputs. Consult your user manual/product specification sheet to determine whether your device supports such PCM capabilities (we believe that nearly all HD-DVD and Blu-ray players will, but users should confirm this). Devices that support HDMI v1.3 and higher may also offer the option to transport the high definition audio formats as a compressed, encoded stream over HDMI so that the decoding function can be performed by the A/V receiver (whereas the above transport method has the playback device performing the decoding). Return to topQ. What is the difference in quality between listening to Dolby
TrueHD/DTS-HD over HDMI, SPDIF (i.e. coax or optical), or analog from
the player to the A/V receiver?
HDMI provides the highest quality as it enables the full, lossless audio data of Dolby TrueHD to be transferred digitally to the AV receiver, and enables the A/V receiver to apply its full digital audio processing capabilities (such as bass management, or sound field processing effects) to further enhance the audio quality. SPDIF does not have the ability to support the data rates required by Dolby TrueHD, and thus will not support it. Analog will be lower quality than HDMI due to two reasons: 1) the nature of analog transmission is lossy and will degrade while transported over the cables, 2) many A/V receivers will not apply any digital audio processing to the analog inputs, and in such cases analog signals will be sent directly to the amplifier without the benefit of such processing. Return to topQ. What is the difference between decoding Dolby TrueHD/DTS-HD
in the player (i.e. sending over HDMI as decoded PCM) vs. decoding in
the A/V receiver (i.e. sending over HDMI as encoded Dolby TrueHD/DTS-HD
bitstream)?
There is no inherent difference in quality between Dolby TrueHD/DTS-HD being sent over HDMI as decoded PCM vs. encoded bit stream. All Dolby TrueHD/DTS-HD decoders (whether in the player or the A/V receiver) must be certified to meet stringent quality requirements. However, consumers should make sure that their receivers support the number of incoming PCM channels delivered by their source device (e.g. DVD). Return to topQ. Why is Lip Sync important?
In a DTV, typically the video processing takes more time than the audio. As a result, lip sync can become an issue where it is noticeable to the viewer, creating an effect similar to that of a badly-dubbed movie. HDMI 1.3 provides a method whereby the audio processing times in devices can be automatically adjusted to remove lip sync errors. Return to topQ. Does HDMI support Dolby 5.1 audio and high-resolution audio
formats?
Yes. From the start, HDMI was defined to carry 8-channels, of 192kHz, 24-bit uncompressed audio, which exceeds all current consumer media formats. In addition, HDMI can carry any flavor of compressed audio format such as Dolby or DTS. (Such compressed formats are the only multi-channel or high-resolution audio formats that can be carried across the older S/PDIF or AES/EBU interfaces.) Additionally, most existing HDMI sources can output any compressed stream, and the newer sources can output uncompressed 6-channel, 96kHz audio from a DVD-Audio disk. There are A/V receivers on the market that can accept and process the 6- or 8-channel audio from HDMI. Return to topQ. Does HDMI support Dolby Digital, DTS, and high-resolution
audio formats?
Yes. From the start, HDMI was defined to carry 8-channels of 192kHz, 24-bit uncompressed audio, which exceeds all current consumer media formats. In addition, HDMI can carry any currently available flavor of compressed audio format such as Dolby (including Dolby Digital EX 7.1, Dolby Digital Plus 7.1, Dolby TrueHD) or DTS (including DTS-ES 6.1 and DTS-HD Master Audio). Such compressed formats are the only multi-channel or high-resolution audio formats that can be carried across the older S/PDIF or AES/EBU interfaces. HDMI 1.3 adds additional support for new lossless digital surround audio formats Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio. Additionally, most existing HDMI sources can output any compressed stream, and the newer sources can output uncompressed 6-channel, 96kHz audio from a DVD-Audio disk. There are A/V receivers on the market that can accept and process the 6- or 8-channel audio over HDMI. Return to topQ. Does HDMI support SACD?
HDMI has supported One Bit Audio format, such as SuperAudio CD's DSD (Direct Stream Digital), since version 1.2 (released in August, 2005). Customers interested in this feature should make sure that their device supports SACD. Return to topQ. As more and more devices converge, is HDMI an interface
that can accommodate convergence between the PC and CE?
Absolutely. HDMI was developed using the same technology as DVI (Digital Visual Interface), the digital connection standard for the PC environment. So, HDMI is fully compatible with all DVI-enabled PCs (since HDMI offers both audio and video over one cable, and DVI carried only video, DVI-HDMI connectivity requires a separate audio cable). HDMI enables PCs to deliver premium media content including high definition movies and multi-channel audio formats. HDMI is the only interface enabling connections to both HDTVs and digital PC monitors implementing the DVI and HDMI standards – fully compatible with the hundreds of millions of DVI displays already in the market. Return to topQ. What is the DDC?
DDC stands for Display Data Channel. In a video system, the vast majority of information flow occurs from a source to a sink where the video and/or audio travels. DDC provides a back channel from the sink to the source to indicate events like hot-plug. In addition, it allows the sink to communicate its display output capabilities back to the originating source device. Without this feature, devices like graphics cards or DVD players would have to guess at what video/audio formats a display would like to see. The DDC specification is currently at rev DDC-CI and is available from VESA (www.vesa.org). Return to topQ. What is EDID?
EDID stands for Extended Display Information Data. This is the data contained (usually in a small EEPROM) on each DVI display or HDMI sink. There may be as many as one EDID per DVI or HDMI input. The source device checks the display’s DVI or HDMI port for the presence of an EDID prom and uses the information inside to optimize the output video and/or audio format. The EDID data structure can be for either VESA PC devices or for CEA-861B E-EDID (Enhanced EDID) devices. All sink devices compliant to the DVI or HDMI specification must implement EDID. An EDID PROM is used only in sink devices. An EDID PROM sits on the DDC channel and uses a 2-wire I2C bus (part of the DDC specification from www.vesa.org) to communicate from the sink to the source. The EDID PROM contains information about the sink that it resides in. Its job is to communicate the preferred (or supported) video and audio formats and resolutions to the originating source. As an example, when a DVD player is powered on, it reads the EDID from an attached HDTV. The HDTV will have in its EDID contents that it is a Samsung 17” LCD panel that supports native resolution of 1280x1024 pixels, but can also support 480p, 720p and 1080i video modes. The EDID may also say that the TV is an HDMI device and has 2-speakers. The DVD player would compare this information with what it can put out of its HDMI port, then set itself to send 1080i with 2-channel stereo to the HDTV. Return to topQ. What is the difference between EDID and E-EDID?
EDID was formed as a standard to help PC monitors report their capabilities. E-EDID is an extension of the EDID specification used traditionally by consumer electronic devices to illustrate more advanced features. For example, PC monitors generally do not support audio, so a traditional EDID structure would not account for this, whereas an E-EDID would. The requirements for a consumer electronics device’s E-EDID are available in the CEA- 861B specification (www.ce.org). The requirements for a PC device EDID are available from VESA (www.vesa.org). Return to topQ. Can I use HDMI to connect one from to another using wall
plates?
You can connect from one room to another using wall plate connections. However, the quality of the wall plate can affect the transmission. Be sure to select an HDMI-compliant wall plate that fits your specific installation requirements. Return to topQ. What is the difference between Active HDMI and Passive HDMI?
There is no active or passive HDMI in the test specification. These terms apply to cables. Active cables have built-in electronics to enable long cable runs, and typically these cables require a power supply. These cables use active electronics to help push the signal farther than typical passive cables. Return to topQ. What are the advantages of HDMI over existing analog video
interfaces such as composite, S-Video and component video?
Quality: Because HDMI is a digital interface, it provides the best quality of the video since there are no lossy analog to digital conversions as are required for all analog connections (such as component or S-video). The difference is especially noticeable at higher resolutions such as 1080p. Digital video will be sharper than component, and eliminates the softness and ghosting found with component. Small, high contrast details such as text bring this difference out the most. Ease-of-use: HDMI combines video and multi-channel audio into a single cable, eliminating the cost, complexity, and confusion of multiple cables currently used in A/V systems. This is particularly beneficial when equipment is being upgraded or added. Intelligence: HDMI supports two-way communication between the video source (such as a DVD player) and the DTV, enabling new functionality such as automatic configuration and one-touch play. By using HDMI, devices automatically deliver the most effective format (e.g 480p vs 720p, 16:9 vs 4:3) for the display that it is connected to - eliminating the need for the consumer to scroll through all the format options to guess what looks best. HD Content-Ready: HDMI devices supporting HDCP have the comfort of knowing they will have access to premium HD content now and in the future. HD-DVD and Blu-ray have delayed the activation of the image constraint token (a.k.a. content protection flag) with today’s HD movies to help minimize potential issues caused by the transition, but are expected to activate this in a few years, meaning future HD movies will then not be viewable at HD resolutions over unprotected interfaces such as analog component. Return to topQ. What is the advantage of using HDMI over existing audio
interfaces such as analog RCA connectors and digital SPDIF (coax and optical
connectors)?
Quality: HDMI maintains the audio in its pure digital form all the way to the amplifier. Analog audio connections are more prone to losses depending on the cabling and other electronics of the audio rendering device. Compared to SPDIF connections, HDMI has significantly more bandwidth, allowing it to support the latest lossless audio formats such as Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HS Master Audio. These formats can not be supported over SPDIF connections due to their very high data rate requirements that exceed the capabilities of SPDIF. Please also see section on HDMI 1.3 for further details on Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio formats. Ease of Use: HDMI combines video and multi-channel audio into a single cable, eliminating the cost, complexity, and confusion of multiple cables currently used in A/V systems. This is particularly beneficial when equipment is being upgraded or added. Intelligence: HDMI supports two-way communication between the audio source (such as a DVD player) and the audio rendering device (such as an A/V receiver), enabling new functionality such as automatic configuration and one-touch play. By using HDMI, devices automatically deliver the most effective format (e.g Dolby Digital vs. 2 channel PCM) for the A/V receiver that it is connected to - eliminating the need for the consumer to scroll through all the audio format options to guess what is best and properly supported. Return to topQ. Does HDMI accommodate long cable lengths?
Yes. HDMI technology has been designed to use standard copper cable construction at long lengths. In order to allow cable manufacturers to improve their products through the use of new technologies, HDMI specifies the required performance of a cable but does not specify a maximum cable length. We have seen cables pass "Standard Cable" HDMI compliance testing at lengths of up to a maximum of 10 meters without the use of a repeater. It is not only the cable that factors into how long a cable can successfully carry an HDMI signal, the receiver chip inside the TV or projector also plays a major factor. Receiver chips that include a feature called "cable equalization" are able to compensate for weaker signals thereby extending the potential length of any cable that is used with that device. With any long run of an HDMI cable, quality manufactured cables can play a significant role in successfully running HDMI over such longer distances. Return to topQ. How do I run HDMI cables longer than 10 meters?
There are many HDMI Adopters working on HDMI solutions that extend a cable’s effective distance from the typical 10 meter range to much longer lengths. These companies manufacture a variety of solutions that include active cables (active electronics built into cables that boost and extend the cable’s signal), repeaters, amplifiers as well as CAT5/6 and fiber solutions. Return to topQ. My HDMI cable sometimes falls out of the HDMI connector.
Is anything being done to address this problem?
The combination of vertically-oriented connectors and heavy, thick-gauge cables appears to have the potential of causing the connector to fall out. In some cases, it is due to the usage of a cable with a non-compliant, large connector over-molding that prevents proper connector engagement. The HDMI Founders are actively investigating a locking connector option that would be backward compatible with existing Standard (Type A) connectors. We have seen a few connectors that are out of spec (e.g., not the right size, too much over-molding, etc.), which led to compatibility issues and, in some cases, connector damage. However, in December 2005, we implemented a connector certification program to help ensure that all Adopters use compliant connectors. Several manufacturers are now selling “port savers” – short, flexible sections of HDMI cable that easily bend at a right angle for applications where the HDMI cable requires a 90 degree bend directly out of the connector. Without these “port savers,” heavier cables can put undue pressure on the connector and the connectors can dislodge. Return to topQ. Can HDMI cables contribute to devices not working properly
together?
The vast majority of image quality or interoperability issues with HDMI devices are related to the software (firmware) used for device communication and content protection, and have nothing to do with the HDMI cable. In particular, these issues are often caused by the software related to HDCP handshaking, or from devices improperly handling the device capability information read through HDMI (e.g. the device has an incorrect EDID, or an inability to properly read an EDID). It is fairly uncommon for the cable to be the cause of HDMI compatibility problems. In fact, the robustness of the HDMI specification has been verified by the fact that we have not found a compliant HDMI cable that is the root cause of HDMI playback issues with compliant devices. Return to topQ. How can I tell if a cable is an HDMI certified cable?
All HDMI products are required to be certified by the manufacturer as part of the HDMI Compliance Test Specification. However, there may be instances where cables bearing the HDMI logo are available but have not been properly tested. HDMI Licensing, LLC actively investigates these instances to ensure that the HDMI trademark is properly used in the market. We recommend that consumers buy their cables from a reputable source and a company that is trusted. Return to topQ. What is the difference between a “Standard” HDMI cable and
a “High-Speed” HDMI cable?
Recently, HDMI Licensing, LLC announced that cables would be tested as Standard or High-Speed cables.
Q. Will my Standard cable work in High Speed applications?
Although a Standard HDMI cable may not have been tested to support the higher bandwidth requirements of cables rated to support high speeds, existing cables, especially ones of shorter lengths (i.e., less than 2 meters), will generally perform adequately in higher speed situations. The quality of the HDMI receiver chip (in the TV, for example) has a large effect on the ability to cleanly recover and display the HDMI signal. A significant majority, perhaps all, of the HDMI TVs and projectors that support 1080p on the HDMI inputs are designed with quality receiver chips that may cleanly recover the 1080p HDMI signal using a Standard-rated HDMI cable. These receiver chips use technology called “cable equalization” in order to counter the signal reduction (attenuation) caused by a cable. We have seen successful demonstrations of 1080p signal runs on a >50 ft. cable, and a 720p signal run on a >75 ft. cable. However, the only way to guarantee that your cable will perform at higher speeds is to purchase a cable that has been tested at the higher speeds and labeled as “High-Speed.” Return to topQ. What are the technical and branding requirements for cables?
As part of the new Trademark and Logo Usage Guidelines, cables will be labeled as either Standard or High Speed.
While many cables that are branded as Standard cables will work at higher speeds (especially at cable lengths of less than five meters), to guarantee performance, consumers should purchase a cable that is tested and rated for the specific speed required by their system. Return to topQ. What is the current Cat 1, Type A maximum cable length?
15 meters for a AWG22, 12 meters for AWG24, and 10 meters for a AWG26. For Cat 2, the maximum seems to be 5-8 meters (more details later…) Return to topQ. What should I do for long cables length situations
Make sure you run a repeater if your cables length exceeds 10 meters. Return to topQ. Do HDMI cables get hot enough to cause a fire?
No. HDMI cables will not generate heat sufficient enough to cause a fire. Return to topQ. Do I need to buy a v1.3 HDMI cable to play my PS3?
Typically, no. Any Cat 1, Type A cable will work, especially if the cable is under 10 Meters. Return to topQ. How can you tell the difference between a v1.2 and a v1.3
cable
You really can't. There are no technical differences in most Type A, Cat 1 cables. While there are real differences from a technical standpoint between a Type A, Cat 1 cable vs a Type A, Cat 2 cable, cosmetically, and most importantly, most standard 1080p applications do not need the Cat 2 cable. Return to topQ. What is the difference between HDMI 1.3 and HDMI 1.3a, or
1.3b?
For consumers, there is no difference between HDMI version 1.3 and 1.3a or 1.3b. These minor revisions to the specification typically relate to manufacturing or testing issues and do not impact features or functionality. In addition, HDMI Licensing, LLC is actively working with manufacturers to reduce confusion for consumers by de-emphasizing version numbers and focusing instead on product features and functionality. For Adopters, the latest HDMI Specification is v1.3a and the latest HDMI Compliance Test Specification (CTS) is 1.3c. Return to topQ. What is the difference between Active HDMI and Passive HDMI?
There is no active or passive HDMI in the test specification. These terms apply to cables. Active cables have built-in electronics to enable long cable runs, and typically these cables require a power supply. These cables use active electronics to help push the signal farther than typical passive cables. Return to topQ. How can a consumer identify which HDMI products support
a specific feature, such as DVD Audio or Deep Color?
The key for consumers to remember is that HDMI has consistently enabled a variety of the most innovative new technologies (whether they be DVD Audio, SACD, 1080p/60, etc.). However, in many cases, it is up to each manufacturer to choose which features to implement in any given product. The manufacturer can thus use its knowledge of the market to choose the mix of features that makes sense for its customers. So, customers must choose devices that have the features that they want (instead of focusing on which version of HDMI is implemented by the device.). Consumers interested in confirming whether a particular consumer electronics product supports DVD-Audio or any other feature over HDMI are urged to review users’ manuals and product reviews and check with manufacturers directly. Return to topQ. When was the HDMI Specification released?
The initial HDMI 1.0 specification was released in December 2002. Q. What functionality was added to each version of HDMI?
The following provides an overview of major functionality added to each version of HDMI: HDMI 1.1:
HDMI 1.2:
HDMI 1.2a:
HDMI 1.3:
Q. Are all of the new HDMI versions backward compatible with
previous versions?
Yes, all HDMI versions are fully backward compatible with all previous versions. Return to topQ. What’s new in the HDMI 1.3 Specification?
Return to top Q. Do I need v1.3 HDMI to hear the new Dolby TrueHD and DTS
Master HD audio content on HD-DVD or Blu-ray players?
No. The Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Digital Plus, and DTS-HD Master Audio can be decoded by the playback device into multi-channel Pulse Code Modulation (PCM) digital audio streams, which is an audio format standard that can be sent over any version of HDMI. In fact, all versions of HDMI can support up to 8 channels of PCM audio at 192kHz, 24 bits per sample. To do this, consumers should ensure that their playback device (such as HD-DVD or Blu-ray player) is capable of decoding these new lossless Dolby & DTS audio formats into the PCM format on the HDMI output, and that the audio device (such as an A/V receiver) is capable of receiving multi-channel PCM audio over the HDMI inputs. Consult your user manual/product specification sheet to determine whether your device supports such PCM capabilities (we believe that nearly all HD-DVD and Blu-ray players will, but users should confirm this). Devices that support HDMI v1.3 and higher may also offer the option to transport the high definition audio formats as a compressed, encoded stream over HDMI so that the decoding function can be performed by the A/V receiver (whereas the above transport method has the playback device performing the decoding). Return to topQ. What is the difference in quality between listening to Dolby
TrueHD/DTS-HD over HDMI, SPDIF (i.e. coax or optical), or analog from
the player to the A/V receiver?
HDMI provides the highest quality as it enables the full, lossless audio data of Dolby TrueHD to be transferred digitally to the AV receiver, and enables the A/V receiver to apply its full digital audio processing capabilities (such as bass management, or sound field processing effects) to further enhance the audio quality. SPDIF does not have the ability to support the data rates required by Dolby TrueHD, and thus will not support it. Analog will be lower quality than HDMI due to two reasons: 1) the nature of analog transmission is lossy and will degrade while transported over the cables, 2) many A/V receivers will not apply any digital audio processing to the analog inputs, and in such cases analog signals will be sent directly to the amplifier without the benefit of such processing. Return to topQ. What products or applications will take advantage of new
HDMI 1.3 capabilities?
According to announcements by manufacturers, new high-definition DVD formats (HD-DVD and Blu-ray) and game machines (including the Sony PLAYSTATION® 3) will make use of capabilities added in HDMI 1.3. Digital televisions will be able to present images that are closer to real life than previously has been possible. These will include LCD TVs, plasma displays and rear projection microdisplays. The PS3 was the first source product to provide such high quality imagery to these displays. A wide array of new products featuring the most advanced HDMI 1.3-enabled connectivity such as x.v.Color, Deep Color and the finest high bit-rate audio have come to market from major players including Denon, Mitsubishi, Onkyo, Panasonic, Pioneer, Samsung, Sharp, Sony, Toshiba and Yamaha, with more products expected to be introduced for the 2007 holiday season. Return to topQ. When will products with HDMI 1.3 capabilities be available
to the public?
They are available now. Check with individual manufacturers for details. Return to topQ. How will consumers know which products have the latest implementation
of HDMI 1.3?
Consumers should not look for a particular version of HDMI, but rather for the functionality that they want the device to support (Deep Color, specific audio formats, etc.). Alternatively, consumers can look for support for these features called out in the manufacturer’s product information. Return to topQ. Is HDMI 1.3 backward compatible with prior releases of the
HDMI spec and with DVI?
Yes, HDMI is fully backward compatible with all prior releases of the HDMI spec, as well as DVI compliant devices. Return to topQ. Do you need a new version of HDMI to play Blu-ray and HD-DVD
content in high definition?
All versions of the HDMI specification support the ability to watch HD-DVD / Blu-ray content in high definition up to 1080p resolution. However, there may be non-HDMI reasons that prevent some devices from accessing content in high definition, including lack of HDCP support. Return to topQ. Are HDMI 1.0, 1.1 and 1.2 compatible with the next generation
videogame consoles implementing 1080p and HDMI’s new Deep Color capability?
The HDMI specification has supported 1080p content since version 1.0, and each new revision of the HDMI specification is fully backward compatible with previous revisions. In June 2006, the HDMI Founders announced HDMI 1.3 and new capabilities to support Deep Color (up to 16-bit color RGB color) and new lossless audio formats (such as Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio). PCs and video game consoles in particular are expected to be capable of delivering content that takes advantage of HDMI's latest capabilities. When such sources are interfaced to older HDMI HDTVs, the source should automatically select the highest quality video and audio performance supported by the HDTV. Return to topQ. How can I tell the differences in each version of the HDMI
specification?
Download a copy of the most recent specification of HDMI. At the beginning of the document, there is a section called "Revision History." In this section, you can view all of the the changes for each revision of the Specification. Return to topQ. Do I need v1.3 HDMI to hear the new Dolby TrueHD and DTS
Master HD audio content on HD-DVD or Blu-ray players?
No. The Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Digital Plus, and DTS-HD Master Audio can be decoded by the playback device into multi-channel Pulse Code Modulation (PCM) digital audio streams, which is an audio format standard that can be sent over any version of HDMI. In fact, all versions of HDMI can support up to 8 channels of PCM audio at 192kHz, 24 bits per sample. To do this, consumers should ensure that their playback device (such as HD-DVD or Blu-ray player) is capable of decoding these new lossless Dolby & DTS audio formats into the PCM format on the HDMI output, and that the audio device (such as an A/V receiver) is capable of receiving multi-channel PCM audio over the HDMI inputs. Consult your user manual/product specification sheet to determine whether your device supports such PCM capabilities (we believe that nearly all HD-DVD and Blu-ray players will, but users should confirm this). Devices that support HDMI v1.3 and higher may also offer the option to transport the high definition audio formats as a compressed, encoded stream over HDMI so that the decoding function can be performed by the A/V receiver (whereas the above transport method has the playback device performing the decoding). Return to topQ. What is the difference in quality between listening to Dolby
TrueHD/DTS-HD over HDMI, SPDIF (i.e. coax or optical), or analog from
the player to the A/V receiver?
HDMI provides the highest quality as it enables the full, lossless audio data of Dolby TrueHD to be transferred digitally to the AV receiver, and enables the A/V receiver to apply its full digital audio processing capabilities (such as bass management, or sound field processing effects) to further enhance the audio quality. SPDIF does not have the ability to support the data rates required by Dolby TrueHD, and thus will not support it. Analog will be lower quality than HDMI due to two reasons: 1) the nature of analog transmission is lossy and will degrade while transported over the cables, 2) many A/V receivers will not apply any digital audio processing to the analog inputs, and in such cases analog signals will be sent directly to the amplifier without the benefit of such processing. Return to topQ. What is the difference between decoding Dolby TrueHD/DTS-HD
in the player (i.e. sending over HDMI as decoded PCM) vs. decoding in
the A/V receiver (i.e. sending over HDMI as encoded Dolby TrueHD/DTS-HD
bitstream)?
There is no inherent difference in quality between Dolby TrueHD/DTS-HD being sent over HDMI as decoded PCM vs. encoded bit stream. All Dolby TrueHD/DTS-HD decoders (whether in the player or the A/V receiver) must be certified to meet stringent quality requirements. However, consumers should make sure that their receivers support the number of incoming PCM channels delivered by their source device (e.g. DVD). Return to topQ. Is HDMI 1.3 backward compatible with prior releases of the
HDMI spec and with DVI?
Yes, HDMI is fully backward compatible with all prior releases of the HDMI spec, as well as DVI compliant devices. Return to topQ. Why is Lip Sync important?
In a DTV, typically the video processing takes more time than the audio. As a result, lip sync can become an issue where it is noticeable to the viewer, creating an effect similar to that of a badly-dubbed movie. HDMI 1.3 provides a method whereby the audio processing times in devices can be automatically adjusted to remove lip sync errors. Return to topQ. Is HDMI backward compatible with DVI (Digital Visual Interface)?
Yes, HDMI is fully backward compatible with DVI compliant devices. HDMI DTVs will display video received from existing DVI-equipped products, and DVI-equipped TVs will display video from HDMI sources. However, some older PCs with DVI are designed only to support computer monitors, not televisions. Consumers buying a PC with DVI should make sure that it specifically includes support for television formats and not just computer monitors. Also, consumers may want to confirm that the DVI interface supports High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection (HDCP), as content that requires HDCP copy protection will require that both the HDMI and DVI devices support HDCP to properly view the video content. Return to topQ. What version of HDMI does a consumer need to view 1080p
content?
HDMI has always supported 1080p resolution, starting from version 1.0 in 2002. However, as with many functions that HDMI enables (such as DVD-Audio and SACD), it is up to the manufacturer to choose whether to implement 1080p in the device. Some TV and device manufacturers have chosen not to implement 1080p in their products because 1080p content has not been widely available, and because changing the internal electronics of the device to support 1080p would increase cost. Viewing 1080p resolution requires at minimum that the HDTV have a display supporting the 1080p pixel resolution. Today, many HDTVs use display technologies (such as PDP, LCD, and microdisplay screens) designed for 720p pixel resolution. In the past, some 1080p HDTVs supported only 720p or 1080i on the HDMI input, then perform video processing to up-convert the 720p/1080i signal to 1080p. This is now changing, as 1080p content is becoming increasingly available, and HDTVs fully supporting 1080p in the display and HDMI electronics became more popular in the market in early 2006. True 1080p HDTVs are currently offered in the market by a variety of TV manufacturers. Return to topQ. Do you need a new version of HDMI to play Blu-ray and HD-DVD
content in high definition?
All versions of the HDMI specification support the ability to watch HD-DVD / Blu-ray content in high definition up to 1080p resolution. However, there may be non-HDMI reasons that prevent some devices from accessing content in high definition, including lack of HDCP support. Return to topQ. Are HDMI 1.0, 1.1 and 1.2 compatible with the next generation
videogame consoles implementing 1080p and HDMI’s new Deep Color capability?
The HDMI specification has supported 1080p content since version 1.0, and each new revision of the HDMI specification is fully backward compatible with previous revisions. In June 2006, the HDMI Founders announced HDMI 1.3 and new capabilities to support Deep Color (up to 16-bit color RGB color) and new lossless audio formats (such as Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio). PCs and video game consoles in particular are expected to be capable of delivering content that takes advantage of HDMI's latest capabilities. When such sources are interfaced to older HDMI HDTVs, the source should automatically select the highest quality video and audio performance supported by the HDTV. Return to topQ. Does HDMI support Dolby 5.1 audio and high-resolution audio
formats?
Yes. From the start, HDMI was defined to carry 8-channels, of 192kHz, 24-bit uncompressed audio, which exceeds all current consumer media formats. In addition, HDMI can carry any flavor of compressed audio format such as Dolby or DTS. (Such compressed formats are the only multi-channel or high-resolution audio formats that can be carried across the older S/PDIF or AES/EBU interfaces.) Additionally, most existing HDMI sources can output any compressed stream, and the newer sources can output uncompressed 6-channel, 96kHz audio from a DVD-Audio disk. There are A/V receivers on the market that can accept and process the 6- or 8-channel audio from HDMI. Return to topQ. Does HDMI support Dolby Digital, DTS, and high-resolution
audio formats?
Yes. From the start, HDMI was defined to carry 8-channels of 192kHz, 24-bit uncompressed audio, which exceeds all current consumer media formats. In addition, HDMI can carry any currently available flavor of compressed audio format such as Dolby (including Dolby Digital EX 7.1, Dolby Digital Plus 7.1, Dolby TrueHD) or DTS (including DTS-ES 6.1 and DTS-HD Master Audio). Such compressed formats are the only multi-channel or high-resolution audio formats that can be carried across the older S/PDIF or AES/EBU interfaces. HDMI 1.3 adds additional support for new lossless digital surround audio formats Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio. Additionally, most existing HDMI sources can output any compressed stream, and the newer sources can output uncompressed 6-channel, 96kHz audio from a DVD-Audio disk. There are A/V receivers on the market that can accept and process the 6- or 8-channel audio over HDMI. Return to topQ. Does HDMI support SACD?
HDMI has supported One Bit Audio format, such as SuperAudio CD's DSD (Direct Stream Digital), since version 1.2 (released in August, 2005). Customers interested in this feature should make sure that their device supports SACD. Return to topQ. What is the most common compatibility problem among devices
with HDMI connections?
The most common compatibility problems have to do with HDCP. Probably the most common failure is the lack of an HDCP repeater function or failure to perform the authentication reliably in all types of usage scenarios. We are increasingly seeing HDCP becoming less and less of a problem as manufacturers iron out the kinks in later generation devices and as cable operators download upgraded firmware to their set-top boxes. In addition, as of November, 2006, the HDMI Founders required all HDMI devices implementing HDCP to undergo a new mandatory compliance testing program of the HDCP functions. This is based on the HDCP Compliance Test Specification. Return to topQ. Some cable TV set-top boxes with HDMI outputs don’t deliver
a picture to displays with HDMI inputs. What is the problem, and is there
a solution?
In some cases, the set-top box software does not activate or support the HDMI port. In other cases, cable TV set-top boxes don’t work correctly when used in conjunction with an A/V receiver (but will typically function correctly when connected directly to a TV or monitor). Investigation of some of these devices reveals that this is caused by an error in the way these set-top box devices implement HDCP. Specifically, some of those boxes do not support "HDCP repeaters" (devices that pass along the signal to another device) such as an A/V receiver or switch. We believe that this may be a problem in the initial versions of these products, and in some cases there is new firmware available that fixes this issue in HDMI (newer versions may already have this fix). We have been actively working with manufacturers to resolve these problems. We suggest that users contact their cable operator and request the new software to address these issues. As noted above, cable operators are increasingly downloading the available firmware upgrades required to fix this error. Return to topQ. If an HDMI accessory device (i.e. switch box, cable booster)
does not have a dedicated power supply, is it still compliant and will
it work?
An HDMI device that has active electronics should have a provision for external power in order to be compliant (e.g. a receptacle to allow the use of a standard power adapter, sometimes called a power “brick”). Here we are drawing a distinction between “active” devices that actually have some powered electronics, and “passive” devices, such as some switches (more on those later). Some active devices, such as actively powered HDMI cables or in-line signal extender boxes, will by default attempt to power their electronics by taking power from the 5V line (+5V power) available on the HDMI connector. The HDMI specification requires all source devices to provide at least 55mA (milliamps) on the 5V line for the purpose of reading the EDID of a display. While 55mA is not enough current to operate most HDMI accessory devices (which typically require about 100 to 150mA), most source devices on the market today provide significantly more current on the 5V line than the HDMI specification requires. As a result, the vast majority of accessory devices can operate when interfaced with a source device that provides more than the required current (i.e. over 100-150mA) on the 5V line. However, manufacturers should provide a provision for their powered HDMI accessory devices to obtain external power, and consumers are encouraged to look for this external power provision when purchasing such products. Looking to the future, not all HDMI devices may provide this much power over the 5V line. For example, as HDMI expands into more and more portable applications (cameras, camcorders, laptops, etc.), power consumption is often much more of an issue, and such devices may not power the 5V line with the > 100mA required by such “active” devices. Again, consumers should consider ensuring that their active HDMI accessory device purchases have a provision for external power for this reason. Return to topQ. Can any passive devices that use no active electronics (such
as a mechanical switch box) be compliant?
Any device which performs processing, amplification, or switching of the HDMI signal should use actively powered electronics to be compliant and perform reliably. As mentioned in the above question, the vast majority of devices can utilize power that is supplied on the 5V line (+5V power) of the HDMI connector to function properly, although we recommend that such devices give the users an optional provision to use an external power adapter. Completely passive, non-powered devices may work in some short-cable length applications, but use them at your own risk, as they may not operate reliably. Even if a passive device works in one configuration, a change in equipment or cabling may introduce failures in subsequent configurations. Return to topQ. Can HDMI cables contribute to devices not working properly
together?
The vast majority of image quality or interoperability issues with HDMI devices are related to the software (firmware) used for device communication and content protection, and have nothing to do with the HDMI cable. In particular, these issues are often caused by the software related to HDCP handshaking, or from devices improperly handling the device capability information read through HDMI (e.g. the device has an incorrect EDID, or an inability to properly read an EDID). It is fairly uncommon for the cable to be the cause of HDMI compatibility problems. In fact, the robustness of the HDMI specification has been verified by the fact that we have not found a compliant HDMI cable that is the root cause of HDMI playback issues with compliant devices. Return to topQ. If my digital monitor doesn’t have an HDCP-compatible connection
(such as an HDMI connection with HDCP), will I be able to view HD DVD
and Blu-ray content in high definition?
Content owners (i.e., a movie studio releasing a DVD) decide which technologies they will use to protect their content against unauthorized copying. Movie studios, that fear that high-definition versions of their movies will be pirated, are expected to use HDCP when releasing high-definition versions of their movies, though some may choose to release some titles without HDCP. To be safe, consumers who want to be able to play high-definition content should ensure that their HDTVs and other HD devices are able to decode HDCP-encrypted content. There are also specific requirements on HDCP usage mandated by the U.S. Federal Communications Commission and by industry bodies in Europe and Asia. See below for more information. With certain exceptions, nearly all HDMI devices on the market include HDCP support. DVI devices, in particular earlier versions of DVI, are more likely to lack HDCP support. Return to topQ. Are there any DVI to HDMI cables/Converters out there?
HDMI is backward compatiable with DVI. You will not receive any sound by using DVI, but the picture quality should be excellent. There are a number of different systems and cables iut there, and Gefen makes a very popular one. Return to topQ. Can you supply the names and models of all TV's with HDMI
v1.3?
If you have a specific brand in mind, please contact them directly. There are a number of new systems being released, or soon to be released, so the actual manufacturer would have a better idea of the availability and feature set. Return to topQ. What if I want to convert Dvi to HDMI (or other signals…?
There are many converts on the market. Check out Gefen www.gefen.com Return to topQ. Can I upgrade my existing HDMI version (1.X to v1.3)?
Currently, there are no provisions for doing such an upgrade. Because of the new enhanced feature set, any such conversion would require hardware and firmware upgrades. If there are such conversions, it would come from the manufacturer. Please check with them directly. Return to topQ. Can I download future versions of HDMI?
No. HDMI upgrades usually require changes in hardware and firmware. For this reason, HDMI would be difficult to upgrade from a computer. Return to topQ. What is the cost of upgrading a PC system from DVI to HDMI?
There are several options. The lowest cost would be to add a basic PCI Express HDMI Graphics card for approximately US$100. Higher end graphics cards, however, can offer better performance in certain applications. For example, for around $US400, manufacturers are offering a high-end graphics card with built-in processing power so that as the user watches a movie, for example, he or she can also use the processing power of the computer to do other work. The processor on the graphics card is doing the required processing to play the movie, leaving the PC’s CPU free to perform other applications. As well, some graphics cards have their own audio controller and do not require an external S/PDIF input. If you intend to use your PC to render video on a large TV, make sure your HDMI graphics cards incorporates high-quality video processing. ATI Avivo™ or nVIDIA’s PureVideo™ HD2 technology are two such offerings from these companies. Return to topQ. What can a PC with HDMI do that cannot be done with DVI?
HDMI offers both audio and video over one single cable making set-up and cabling much simpler. With this convergence interface, HDMI offers a simple way for PCs to connect to a TV. Return to topQ. What is the difference between EDID and E-EDID?
EDID was formed as a standard to help PC monitors report their capabilities. E-EDID is an extension of the EDID specification used traditionally by consumer electronic devices to illustrate more advanced features. For example, PC monitors generally do not support audio, so a traditional EDID structure would not account for this, whereas an E-EDID would. The requirements for a consumer electronics device’s E-EDID are available in the CEA- 861B specification (www.ce.org). The requirements for a PC device EDID are available from VESA (www.vesa.org). Return to topQ. Can I use HDMI to connect one from to another using wall
plates?
You can connect from one room to another using wall plate connections. However, the quality of the wall plate can affect the transmission. Be sure to select an HDMI-compliant wall plate that fits your specific installation requirements. Return to topQ. What is the difference between Active HDMI and Passive HDMI?
There is no active or passive HDMI in the test specification. These terms apply to cables. Active cables have built-in electronics to enable long cable runs, and typically these cables require a power supply. These cables use active electronics to help push the signal farther than typical passive cables. Return to topQ. Do I need v1.3 HDMI to hear the new Dolby TrueHD and DTS
Master HD audio content on HD-DVD or Blu-ray players?
No. The Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Digital Plus, and DTS-HD Master Audio can be decoded by the playback device into multi-channel Pulse Code Modulation (PCM) digital audio streams, which is an audio format standard that can be sent over any version of HDMI. In fact, all versions of HDMI can support up to 8 channels of PCM audio at 192kHz, 24 bits per sample. To do this, consumers should ensure that their playback device (such as HD-DVD or Blu-ray player) is capable of decoding these new lossless Dolby & DTS audio formats into the PCM format on the HDMI output, and that the audio device (such as an A/V receiver) is capable of receiving multi-channel PCM audio over the HDMI inputs. Consult your user manual/product specification sheet to determine whether your device supports such PCM capabilities (we believe that nearly all HD-DVD and Blu-ray players will, but users should confirm this). Devices that support HDMI v1.3 and higher may also offer the option to transport the high definition audio formats as a compressed, encoded stream over HDMI so that the decoding function can be performed by the A/V receiver (whereas the above transport method has the playback device performing the decoding). Return to topQ. What is the difference in quality between listening to Dolby
TrueHD/DTS-HD over HDMI, SPDIF (i.e. coax or optical), or analog from
the player to the A/V receiver?
HDMI provides the highest quality as it enables the full, lossless audio data of Dolby TrueHD to be transferred digitally to the AV receiver, and enables the A/V receiver to apply its full digital audio processing capabilities (such as bass management, or sound field processing effects) to further enhance the audio quality. SPDIF does not have the ability to support the data rates required by Dolby TrueHD, and thus will not support it. Analog will be lower quality than HDMI due to two reasons: 1) the nature of analog transmission is lossy and will degrade while transported over the cables, 2) many A/V receivers will not apply any digital audio processing to the analog inputs, and in such cases analog signals will be sent directly to the amplifier without the benefit of such processing. Return to topQ. What is the difference between decoding Dolby TrueHD/DTS-HD
in the player (i.e. sending over HDMI as decoded PCM) vs. decoding in
the A/V receiver (i.e. sending over HDMI as encoded Dolby TrueHD/DTS-HD
bitstream)?
There is no inherent difference in quality between Dolby TrueHD/DTS-HD being sent over HDMI as decoded PCM vs. encoded bit stream. All Dolby TrueHD/DTS-HD decoders (whether in the player or the A/V receiver) must be certified to meet stringent quality requirements. However, consumers should make sure that their receivers support the number of incoming PCM channels delivered by their source device (e.g. DVD). Return to topQ. Is HDMI 1.3 backward compatible with prior releases of the
HDMI spec and with DVI?
Yes, HDMI is fully backward compatible with all prior releases of the HDMI spec, as well as DVI compliant devices. Return to topQ. Some cable TV set-top boxes with HDMI outputs don’t deliver
a picture to displays with HDMI inputs. What is the problem, and is there
a solution?
In some cases, the set-top box software does not activate or support the HDMI port. In other cases, cable TV set-top boxes don’t work correctly when used in conjunction with an A/V receiver (but will typically function correctly when connected directly to a TV or monitor). Investigation of some of these devices reveals that this is caused by an error in the way these set-top box devices implement HDCP. Specifically, some of those boxes do not support "HDCP repeaters" (devices that pass along the signal to another device) such as an A/V receiver or switch. We believe that this may be a problem in the initial versions of these products, and in some cases there is new firmware available that fixes this issue in HDMI (newer versions may already have this fix). We have been actively working with manufacturers to resolve these problems. We suggest that users contact their cable operator and request the new software to address these issues. As noted above, cable operators are increasingly downloading the available firmware upgrades required to fix this error. Return to topQ. If an HDMI accessory device (i.e. switch box, cable booster)
does not have a dedicated power supply, is it still compliant and will
it work?
An HDMI device that has active electronics should have a provision for external power in order to be compliant (e.g. a receptacle to allow the use of a standard power adapter, sometimes called a power “brick”). Here we are drawing a distinction between “active” devices that actually have some powered electronics, and “passive” devices, such as some switches (more on those later). Some active devices, such as actively powered HDMI cables or in-line signal extender boxes, will by default attempt to power their electronics by taking power from the 5V line (+5V power) available on the HDMI connector. The HDMI specification requires all source devices to provide at least 55mA (milliamps) on the 5V line for the purpose of reading the EDID of a display. While 55mA is not enough current to operate most HDMI accessory devices (which typically require about 100 to 150mA), most source devices on the market today provide significantly more current on the 5V line than the HDMI specification requires. As a result, the vast majority of accessory devices can operate when interfaced with a source device that provides more than the required current (i.e. over 100-150mA) on the 5V line. However, manufacturers should provide a provision for their powered HDMI accessory devices to obtain external power, and consumers are encouraged to look for this external power provision when purchasing such products. Looking to the future, not all HDMI devices may provide this much power over the 5V line. For example, as HDMI expands into more and more portable applications (cameras, camcorders, laptops, etc.), power consumption is often much more of an issue, and such devices may not power the 5V line with the > 100mA required by such “active” devices. Again, consumers should consider ensuring that their active HDMI accessory device purchases have a provision for external power for this reason. Return to topQ. Can any passive devices that use no active electronics (such
as a mechanical switch box) be compliant?
Any device which performs processing, amplification, or switching of the HDMI signal should use actively powered electronics to be compliant and perform reliably. As mentioned in the above question, the vast majority of devices can utilize power that is supplied on the 5V line (+5V power) of the HDMI connector to function properly, although we recommend that such devices give the users an optional provision to use an external power adapter. Completely passive, non-powered devices may work in some short-cable length applications, but use them at your own risk, as they may not operate reliably. Even if a passive device works in one configuration, a change in equipment or cabling may introduce failures in subsequent configurations. Return to topQ. Does HDMI accommodate long cable lengths?
Yes. HDMI technology has been designed to use standard copper cable construction at long lengths. In order to allow cable manufacturers to improve their products through the use of new technologies, HDMI specifies the required performance of a cable but does not specify a maximum cable length. We have seen cables pass "Standard Cable" HDMI compliance testing at lengths of up to a maximum of 10 meters without the use of a repeater. It is not only the cable that factors into how long a cable can successfully carry an HDMI signal, the receiver chip inside the TV or projector also plays a major factor. Receiver chips that include a feature called "cable equalization" are able to compensate for weaker signals thereby extending the potential length of any cable that is used with that device. With any long run of an HDMI cable, quality manufactured cables can play a significant role in successfully running HDMI over such longer distances. Return to topQ. How do I run HDMI cables longer than 10 meters?
There are many HDMI Adopters working on HDMI solutions that extend a cable’s effective distance from the typical 10 meter range to much longer lengths. These companies manufacture a variety of solutions that include active cables (active electronics built into cables that boost and extend the cable’s signal), repeaters, amplifiers as well as CAT5/6 and fiber solutions. Return to topQ. My HDMI cable sometimes falls out of the HDMI connector.
Is anything being done to address this problem?
The combination of vertically-oriented connectors and heavy, thick-gauge cables appears to have the potential of causing the connector to fall out. In some cases, it is due to the usage of a cable with a non-compliant, large connector over-molding that prevents proper connector engagement. The HDMI Founders are actively investigating a locking connector option that would be backward compatible with existing Standard (Type A) connectors. We have seen a few connectors that are out of spec (e.g., not the right size, too much over-molding, etc.), which led to compatibility issues and, in some cases, connector damage. However, in December 2005, we implemented a connector certification program to help ensure that all Adopters use compliant connectors. Several manufacturers are now selling “port savers” – short, flexible sections of HDMI cable that easily bend at a right angle for applications where the HDMI cable requires a 90 degree bend directly out of the connector. Without these “port savers,” heavier cables can put undue pressure on the connector and the connectors can dislodge. Return to topQ. Can HDMI cables contribute to devices not working properly
together?
The vast majority of image quality or interoperability issues with HDMI devices are related to the software (firmware) used for device communication and content protection, and have nothing to do with the HDMI cable. In particular, these issues are often caused by the software related to HDCP handshaking, or from devices improperly handling the device capability information read through HDMI (e.g. the device has an incorrect EDID, or an inability to properly read an EDID). It is fairly uncommon for the cable to be the cause of HDMI compatibility problems. In fact, the robustness of the HDMI specification has been verified by the fact that we have not found a compliant HDMI cable that is the root cause of HDMI playback issues with compliant devices. Return to topQ. How can I tell if a cable is an HDMI certified cable?
All HDMI products are required to be certified by the manufacturer as part of the HDMI Compliance Test Specification. However, there may be instances where cables bearing the HDMI logo are available but have not been properly tested. HDMI Licensing, LLC actively investigates these instances to ensure that the HDMI trademark is properly used in the market. We recommend that consumers buy their cables from a reputable source and a company that is trusted. Return to topQ. What is the difference between a “Standard” HDMI cable and
a “High-Speed” HDMI cable?
Recently, HDMI Licensing, LLC announced that cables would be tested as Standard or High-Speed cables.
Q. Will my Standard cable work in High Speed applications?
Although a Standard HDMI cable may not have been tested to support the higher bandwidth requirements of cables rated to support high speeds, existing cables, especially ones of shorter lengths (i.e., less than 2 meters), will generally perform adequately in higher speed situations. The quality of the HDMI receiver chip (in the TV, for example) has a large effect on the ability to cleanly recover and display the HDMI signal. A significant majority, perhaps all, of the HDMI TVs and projectors that support 1080p on the HDMI inputs are designed with quality receiver chips that may cleanly recover the 1080p HDMI signal using a Standard-rated HDMI cable. These receiver chips use technology called “cable equalization” in order to counter the signal reduction (attenuation) caused by a cable. We have seen successful demonstrations of 1080p signal runs on a >50 ft. cable, and a 720p signal run on a >75 ft. cable. However, the only way to guarantee that your cable will perform at higher speeds is to purchase a cable that has been tested at the higher speeds and labeled as “High-Speed.” Return to topQ. What is the difference between HDMI 1.3 and HDMI 1.3a, or
1.3b?
For consumers, there is no difference between HDMI version 1.3 and 1.3a or 1.3b. These minor revisions to the specification typically relate to manufacturing or testing issues and do not impact features or functionality. In addition, HDMI Licensing, LLC is actively working with manufacturers to reduce confusion for consumers by de-emphasizing version numbers and focusing instead on product features and functionality. For Adopters, the latest HDMI Specification is v1.3a and the latest HDMI Compliance Test Specification (CTS) is 1.3c. Return to topQ. What is the difference between Active HDMI and Passive HDMI?
There is no active or passive HDMI in the test specification. These terms apply to cables. Active cables have built-in electronics to enable long cable runs, and typically these cables require a power supply. These cables use active electronics to help push the signal farther than typical passive cables. Return to topQ. How do I obtain a license to the HDMI Specification?
HDMI is licensed under reasonable and non-discriminatory terms. The Adopter Agreement or Test Equipment Maker Agreement detailing the licensing terms is available in Becoming An Adopter in the Manufacturer area of this site. Please follow the instructions for downloading and submitting the appropriate agreement along with your payment in order to obtain a license to the Specification. Return to topQ. Can I review the HDMI Specification before deciding to pay
for a license?
Yes. Before downloading the specification, you will need to fill out a short form. Please visit the Manufacturer area of this site to download the HDMI Specification. Return to topQ. When was the HDMI Specification released?
The initial HDMI 1.0 specification was released in December 2002. Q. What functionality was added to each version of HDMI?
The following provides an overview of major functionality added to each version of HDMI: HDMI 1.1:
HDMI 1.2:
HDMI 1.2a:
HDMI 1.3:
Q. Are all of the new HDMI versions backward compatible with
previous versions?
Yes, all HDMI versions are fully backward compatible with all previous versions. Return to topQ. How can I get the latest HDMI Specification?
Please visit the Manufacturer area of this site to download the HDMI Specification. Return to topQ. What’s new in the HDMI 1.3 Specification?
Return to top Q. Do I need v1.3 HDMI to hear the new Dolby TrueHD and DTS
Master HD audio content on HD-DVD or Blu-ray players?
No. The Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Digital Plus, and DTS-HD Master Audio can be decoded by the playback device into multi-channel Pulse Code Modulation (PCM) digital audio streams, which is an audio format standard that can be sent over any version of HDMI. In fact, all versions of HDMI can support up to 8 channels of PCM audio at 192kHz, 24 bits per sample. To do this, consumers should ensure that their playback device (such as HD-DVD or Blu-ray player) is capable of decoding these new lossless Dolby & DTS audio formats into the PCM format on the HDMI output, and that the audio device (such as an A/V receiver) is capable of receiving multi-channel PCM audio over the HDMI inputs. Consult your user manual/product specification sheet to determine whether your device supports such PCM capabilities (we believe that nearly all HD-DVD and Blu-ray players will, but users should confirm this). Devices that support HDMI v1.3 and higher may also offer the option to transport the high definition audio formats as a compressed, encoded stream over HDMI so that the decoding function can be performed by the A/V receiver (whereas the above transport method has the playback device performing the decoding). Return to topQ. How can I get the Compliance Test Specification?
The latest version of the Compliance Test Specification is available to all parties that have licensed the HDMI Specification. Return to topQ. How can I view/get previous HDMI Specifications?
The easiest way to get any previous Specification is to download a current copy of the latest HDMI Specification. Each HDMI Specification revision has a "revision history" section located near the beginning of the document. This feature will categorize all of the changes and list the appropriate sections that were added/modified. Return to topQ. How can I tell the differences in each version of the HDMI
specification?
Download a copy of the most recent specification of HDMI. At the beginning of the document, there is a section called "Revision History." In this section, you can view all of the the changes for each revision of the Specification. Return to topQ. What is the difference between DVI and HDMI?
HDMI is DVI with the addition of:
Return to top Q. Why do I need HDCP?
HDCP is typically used in applications where copyrighted or protected content is delivered from one device to another. HDCP is an encryption method used in conjunction with DVI or HDMI. Using HDCP is transparent to the customer since all of the validation and encryption/decryption activities occur between devices. Q. What is TMDS and where can I learn about it?
TMDS stands for Transition Minimized Differential Signaling. This is the under-pinning protocol for both DVI and HDMI technologies. You can find out more about what TMDS is and how it works at www.siliconimage.com. Return to topQ. What is CEC?
CEC is Consumer Electronics Control. This is a single-conductor wire-or bus technology that is an optional feature in the HDMI v1.1 specification. The CEC is meant to carry IR/remote and/or control commands between HDMI devices that are interconnected. In theory, this allows for the “one remote” concept. CEC is not currently required for HDMI compliance. However, the ATC does test for proper CEC connectivity and electrical characteristics of the CEC net based on the capabilities of the device in question. Return to topQ. How does HDCP discourage pirating of protected content?
HDCP offers content protection for the link between devices; not generally for inside a device. HDCP performs encryption on the data just before the TMDS PHY in a source, and decrypts it just after the TMDS PHY in a sink. HDCP offers a system renewability feature that allows content providers to revoke keys from devices dynamically from the originating content source. Return to topQ. What testing is required?
Prior to mass producing or distributing any Licensed Product or component that claims compliance with the HDMI Specification (or allowing someone else to do such activities), each Adopter must test a representative sample for HDMI compliance. First, the Adopter must self test as specified in the then-current HDMI Compliance Test Specification. The HDMI Compliance Test Specification provides a suite of testing procedures, and establishes certain minimum requirements specifying how each HDMI Adopter should test Licensed Products for conformance to the HDMI Specification. Such compliance testing is limited to evaluation of a product's compliance with the HDMI Specification and is not designed to test the overall performance of any Licensed Product. Second, each Adopter must submit the first product of each Licensed Product type (i.e. source, sink, repeater, or cable) to an HDMI Authorized Testing Center (ATC) for testing. Once an Adopter product of each type has passed testing, it is not required to submit to the ATC subsequent products of that type. However, Adopters must still self-test the products for compliance to the HDMI test specification. For example, once an Adopter's television has passed ATC testing, it is not required to submit another television or other display for ATC testing. However, to help ensure HDMI interoperability, we encourage Adopters to use the ATCs. Return to topQ. What is the Compliance Test Specification?
The Compliance Test Specification (CTS) was developed by the HDMI Founders to assist manufacturers in ensuring the functionality of their products with the HDMI Specification. It consists of numerous tests designed to check for compatibility of various HDMI-related aspects of a product, including audio, video, EDID, electrical signaling, protocols, etc. The HDMI Compliance Test Specification represents the minimum compliance testing required for HDMI products, and it is up to each manufacturer to fully test product functionality and interoperability. Return to topQ. How can I get the Compliance Test Specification?
The latest version of the Compliance Test Specification is available to all parties that have licensed the HDMI Specification. Return to topQ. What is an HDMI Authorized Testing Center and how do I contact
one?
The HDMI Founders have established Authorized Testing Centers (ATC) where licensed manufacturers can submit their products for compliance testing. You can view the current list of HDMI Authorized Test Centers by visiting www.hdmi.org. Return to topQ. Aren’t the HDMI and HDCP agreements coupled together so
I can work with one organization?
They are not. This is largely due to liability for content protection robustness. No one standards body to date has elected to guarantee security for content-protection enabled devices since this is very implementation-specific. Return to topQ. Why do I need HDMI ATC compliance?
The HDMI License Agreement requires that shipping sinks, sources, repeaters and cables be tested for compliance in the interest of providing a consistent end-user customer experience with HDMI. The first product of each category (sink, source, repeater, cable) from a given company is required to be tested by an HDMI ATC (Authorized Test Center). Return to topQ. What testing is involved in the HDMI ATC?
An HDMI ATC tests HDMI products to the requirements described in the HDMI CTS (Compliance Test Specification). The CTS is defined and managed by the HDMI LLC. Return to topQ. How do I schedule ATC testing?
Please go to www.simplayhd.com. There is a section dedicated to ATC testing. Follow the easy to use steps to begin your scheduling process. Return to topQ. What testing is involved in the HDMI ATC?
An HDMI ATC tests HDMI products to the requirements described in the HDMI CTS (Compliance Test Specification). The CTS is defined and managed by the HDMI LLC. Among other things, the HDMI CTS covers:
Q. Is HDCP an option to implement over an HDMI connection?
While HDCP is optional in the HDMI specification, nearly every device that is designed to transmit or receive protected content such as movies has incorporated HDCP (e.g. TVs, STBs, A/V recievers). Manufacturers typically do not specifially call out HDCP support. The only devices that do not regularly include HDCP are those that are not designed to transmit or receive protected content, such as camcorders and digital still cameras. Return to topQ. Does HDMI provide a secure interface?
While no security system is 100% secure, HDMI, when used in combination with HDCP, provides an audio/video interface that meets the security requirements of content providers and systems operators. Return to topQ. What is HDCP?
High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection (HDCP) is a technology developed by Digital Content Protection, LLC (a subsidiary of Intel) to protect digital entertainment content. HDCP has been implemented across both DVI and HDMI interfaces. The HDCP specification provides a cost-effective and transparent method for transmitting and receiving the highest quality digital entertainment content to DVI/HDMI-compliant digital displays. Return to topQ. If my digital monitor doesn’t have an HDCP-compatible connection
(such as an HDMI connection with HDCP), will I be able to view HD DVD
and Blu-ray content in high definition?
Content owners (i.e., a movie studio releasing a DVD) decide which technologies they will use to protect their content against unauthorized copying. Movie studios, that fear that high-definition versions of their movies will be pirated, are expected to use HDCP when releasing high-definition versions of their movies, though some may choose to release some titles without HDCP. To be safe, consumers who want to be able to play high-definition content should ensure that their HDTVs and other HD devices are able to decode HDCP-encrypted content. There are also specific requirements on HDCP usage mandated by the U.S. Federal Communications Commission and by industry bodies in Europe and Asia. See below for more information. With certain exceptions, nearly all HDMI devices on the market include HDCP support. DVI devices, in particular earlier versions of DVI, are more likely to lack HDCP support. Return to topQ. I’ve read that the Hollywood studios are using Advanced
Access Content System (AACS) to protect their high-definition content.
Is AACS an alternative to HDCP?
No, the two are complementary. AACS is the content protection for the video on the DVDs and HDCP is the content protection on the HDMI link between the DVD player and the TV. AACS is a stronger replacement for the current content protection on today's standard-definition DVDs (which has been broken). The DVD player will decrypt the AACS-encrypted content coming off the HD-DVD or Blu-ray disc and then send the content over the protected HDMI link (using HDCP) to the HDTV. Return to topQ. Does HDMI support Closed Captioning?
Close Captioning
The evolution from analog to digital TV has added some complexity to Close Captioning (CC). With one standard way of broadcasting/transmitting, decoding and displaying content NTSC or PAL, depending on region, analog TV made enabling CC fairly easy across CE devices since the TV was able to do all the CC decoding. With the advent of digital TV and the introduction of digital HDTV services (cable, satellite, etc.) the responsibility of decoding CC has been taken away from the TVs and put into the various Set Top Boxes (STB) that are required for the majority of the digital HDTV services. Additionally, these STBs now have different ways of enabling CC making it complicated and creating confusion for consumers. All set-top boxes are required to support CC, however the implementation of CC can vary from one product to another. Enabling CC on a specific set-top box can be simple, or more difficult, depending on the implementation. HDMI, LLC recommends contacting your TV service provider (cable, satellite, etc.) for the correct way to switch on its CC feature as a first step to resolve this issue. The second step is to contact the manufacturers directly for the correct way to enable the CC feature within your product. HDMI and Close Captioning All HDMI specifications support Close Captioning (CC) and enable the rendering of CC signals between CE devices. HDMI carries and delivers all the rendered data, in its entirety (including CC), produced from the source device to the display device. HDMI, LLC is working with all CE vendors and service providers (cable, satellite, etc.) to make them aware of this issue. In addition, we are also encouraging these vendors and service providers to take steps that will address this CC problem which will deliver a more user friendly way for consumers to activate the CC feature. Return to topQ. What has the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) mandated
for HDMI usage in HDTVs?
In the United States, the FCC has mandated that beginning July 1, 2005, all HDTVs 36 inches and larger labeled “Digital Cable Ready” must include either a DVI/HDCP or HDMI/HDCP interface. In addition, either a DVI/HDCP or HDMI/HDCP interface is required for:
Q. What has the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) mandated
for HDMI usage in cable set-top boxes?
As of July 1, 2005, all cable operators must “include both a DVI or HDMI interface and an IEEE 1394 interface on all high definition set-top boxes acquired by a cable operator for distribution to customers.” Return to topQ. What have European and Asian regulatory and standards bodies
mandated for HDMI and HDCP adoption?
In Europe, the European Information & Communications Technology Industry Association (EICTA) in 2005 mandated that all HDTVs displaying the “HD Ready” logo must include HDMI or DVI inputs and support for HDCP. In August 2005, the Cable and Satellite Broadcast Association of Asia (CASBAA) recommended that HDMI (or DVI) and HDCP “be included on every set-top box capable of outputting uncompressed high definition content.” Return to topQ. What is the HDMI? Trademark and Logo Usage Guidelines document?
The HDMI™ Trademark and Logo Usage Guidelines mandate the way in which HDMI Adopters can use the HDMI trademark in their marketing of HDMI products. This revision reflects the new developments in marketing, primarily as it relates to marketing many of the new capabilities enabled by HDMI. Return to topQ. Why do we need HDMI Trademark and Logo Usage Guidelines?
It is very difficult for the average consumer of consumer electronics products to keep pace with the development of new technologies and product features. Not only is it difficult to comprehend the vast number of new features, but even within the same feature set, no standard names exist and there are no minimum requirements associated with many of these features. For example, the new xvYCC color standard that is now coming to market is already known by a number of names, including xvYCC, IEC 61966-2-4, Extended Color and x.v.Color. The result: a large number of consumers are confused. And when consumers are confused, manufacturers and retailers find it increasingly difficult to differentiate their products and clearly communicate their products’ value to consumers. Since HDMI is the de facto digital connectivity standard for consumer electronics and has taken a leadership role in enabling the latest technologies and features. HDMI is at the center of many discussions about high-definition device functionality. Manufacturers and consumers have turned to using HDMI, and specifically HDMI versions, as the gauge for functionality. Manufacturers are continually implementing the latest HDMI features sets (specifically 1.3) – and using this version designator as a key differentiator. However, version numbers of HDMI do not in and of themselves clearly define the features included in a device. This is because specific features are not mandatory requirements of specific HDMI versions, but optional. The choice to make features optional was made in order to allow manufacturers to pick and choose to implement just those functionalities that will best serve their target markets. As a result, HDMI Licensing, LLC has created these Trademark and Logo Usage Guidelines to bring consistency and meaning to the way manufacturers market and retailers communicate HDMI-related features. Return to topQ. What is the purpose of the HDMI Trademark and Logo Usage
Guidelines?
The purpose of the Guidelines is to eliminate much of the confusion that surrounds HD device functionality by providing marketing guidelines for HDMI-related features. The Guidelines include the following requirements:
Q. What are the minimum technical requirements for Deep Color
and x.v.Color functionality?
Specific components will have specific requirements, depending upon the kind of device. For example, a TV’s technical requirement will differ from the requirements of an A/V Receiver or a DVD player. The Trademark and Logo Usage Guidelines document provides more detailed information for each device. In general, the minimum technical requirements for a Deep Color device is to accept/deliver over the interface, process and, for displays, to display greater than 8-bit color data; for x.v.Color, devices will need to be capable of delivering/accepting over the interface, processing and, for displays, displaying a greater color range that sRGB (the previous generation color standard that can define less than 60% of the colors of x.v.Color). For both of these features, this must show measurable performance on the screen. Return to topQ. What are the technical and branding requirements for cables?
As part of the new Trademark and Logo Usage Guidelines, cables will be labeled as either Standard or High Speed.
While many cables that are branded as Standard cables will work at higher speeds (especially at cable lengths of less than five meters), to guarantee performance, consumers should purchase a cable that is tested and rated for the specific speed required by their system. Return to topQ. When do manufacturers have to comply?
The Trademark and Logo Usage Guidelines go into effect as of October 17, 2007. Specific requirements are listed below:
Q. How will these guidelines affect retailers and consumers?
The intent of these guidelines is to make the conversation about HD clearer and simpler by providing naming consistency and creating minimum technical requirements to ensure a meaningful delivery of the feature. As it applies to HDMI, the guidelines will move away from developer-focused version numbers (HDMI 1.0, 1.2, 1.2 1.3, etc.) and focus on the desired consumer features. Focusing on the feature rather than the technology will allow retailers and consumers to engage in more meaningful discussion about home theater and HD features. Return to topQ. Where can I find a copy of the Trademark and Logo Usage
Guidelines?
The HDMI Trademark and Logo Usage Guidelines are posted on the HDMI website (http://www.hdmi.org) and can be found in the Manufacturer section. Return to top |
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