A REPORT

ON

HIGH DEFINITION MULTIMEDIA INTERFACE(HDMI)

BY

SACHIN KUMAR SINGH

07DDCS097

The ICFAI UNIVERSITY

Faculty of Science and Technology

Dehradun – 248197

Project Report

ON

High Definition Multimedia Interface(HDMI)

Submitted BY

SACHIN KUMAR SINGH (07DDCS097)

Under the guidance of Mr. Rana Mukherji

Submitted to the Faculty of Science and Technology,

ICFAI University

In partial fulfillment of the requirements

For the completion of Reports

The ICFAI UNIVERSITY

Faculty of Science and Technology

Dehradun - 248197

ICFAI UNIVERSITY, DEHARDUNFACULTY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

CERTIFICATECertified that the Report has been carried out by

Mr / Ms. ………………………………………………………………………………………………,

I.D. No. …………………………………………………………………………………., during the Second

semester of the academic year 2010 – 2011. It is also certified that all the

modifications suggested have been incorporated in the report.

Date: Signature of the Guide

Place: Name of the Guide

Designation:

Department :

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Acknowledgement………………………………………………………………………i

Abstract……………………………………………………………………………………...ii

1. Introduction…………………………………………………………………………...1

2. History of HDMI……………………………………………………………………...2

3. HDMI version ………………………………..……………………………………….3

4. How does HDMI transport digital video and audio……………......5

4.1Pin configuration…………………………………………………………...........7

4.2Pin Description………………………………………….…………………………..8

5.HDMI Block Diagram……………………………………………………..…......9

6.HDMI plug/connectors……………………………...………………………...10

7.Technical information……………………………………………………….....13

8. Advantage of HDMI over analog interface……………………………..14

9. HDMI main benefits…………………………………………………………..…..15

7 Encoder/Decoder………………………….…………………………………………16

7 HDMI standard and who support HDMI……………………………….….19

8. HDMI differences and Similarities……….………………………………….229. HDMI Advantage…………………………………………………………………....24

10. Disadvantage of HDMI…………………………………………..……………….26 11. How to choose an HDMI cable……………………………………………….27

12 .HDMI connectors………………………………………….…………………….…29

13. Features of HDMI ………………………………………………………………….30

14.CONCLUSION…………………………………………………………………………………………….31

List of References …………………………………………………………………………………...…..iii

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Any accomplishment requires the effort of everyone those are included in this accomplishment and this is not different. So, first of all I would like to express my gratitude to Dr. G.P. Shrivastav, Director, and ICFAI University for including this Internship program in our B.Tech program. We would like to thank our Dean of ICFAI Tech Dr. R.C. Ramola for providing all the facilities required for completion of this internship.

I would like to thank Mr. Rana Mukherjee Sir for providing us guidance at every step in preparing this report.

I would like to thank the Director of BLITZ-TECH SOLUTION Mr.Manish Jain sir for their guidance for the completion of this Report and also for providing their guidance for the completion of internship. I would also thank our friends for helping us a lot in this project. Finally I would express my gratitude to my parents for sparing their valuable time in collecting the required information and providing us quality education.

ABSTRACT

HDMI stands for High Definition Multimedia Interface.It is a connector between high definition devices such as Blu- ray disc video game console to a compatible digital audio or video monitor such as digital television. It is a compact 19-pin plug and cable for connecting High-Definition video and multi-channel audio-capable as well as helping to speed the convergence of computer and consumer AV products.

HDMI is an uncompressed, all-digital signal audio/video interface with 5 Gbps of available bandwidth. It contains 19 wires wrapped in a single cable that resembles a USB wire. The primary use of the HDMI wire is to transmit digital signals from a compatible digital audio/video source such as a cable set top box, DVD player, A/V receiver or satellite receiver to a compatible digital audio and/or video monitor such as a high definition television. HDTV uses less than 1/2 of HDMI's available 5 Gbps bandwidth and thus HDMI has a lot of capacity to spare. HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) is today the best kind of digital audio and video connector available that promises to replace all connectors currently used by players, cable/satellite decoders, TV sets, video projectors and video monitors. The idea is to use a single cable instead of several cables when connecting your HD-DVD player to your TV set, for example. This new connection standard was developed by Hitachi, Matsushita (Panasonic/National/Technics), Phillips, Silicon Image, Sony, Thomson (RCA) and Toshiba.

INTRODUCTION

HDMI stands for High Definition Multimedia Interface.It is a connector between high definition devices such as Blu- ray disc,a video game console to a compatible digital audio or video monitor such as digital television. It is a compact 19-pin plug and cable for connecting High-Definition video and multi-channel audio-capable as well as helping to speed the convergence of computer and consumer AV products. High Definition technology or HD has seen a rapid increase in consumer use especially with HDTVs, HD-DVD and Blu-ray players, HD camcorders and other HD components. HDMI was developed by Hitachi, Panasonic, Sony, Toshiba, Philips, Thomson and Silicon Image who came together in a conglomerate effort to simplify the task of connecting and synchronizing available HD components for the user's benefit.

HDMI is an uncompressed, all-digital signal audio/video interface with 5 Gbps of available bandwidth. It contains 19 wires wrapped in a single cable that resembles a USB wire. The primary use of the HDMI wire is to transmit digital signals from a compatible digital audio/video source such as a cable set top box, DVD player, A/V receiver or satellite receiver to a compatible digital audio and/or video monitor such as a high definition television. HDTV uses less than 1/2 of HDMI's available 5 Gbps bandwidth and thus HDMI has a lot of capacity to spare.

In addition to carrying uncompressed video, HDMI carry 8-channels, of 192kHz, 24-bit uncompressed audio. HDMI can also carry compressed audio formats such as Dolby or DTS.

HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) is today the best kind of digital audio and video connector available that promises to replace all connectors currently used by players, cable/satellite decoders, TV sets, videoprojectors and video monitors. The idea is to use a single cable instead of several cables when connecting your HD-DVD player to your TV set, for example. This new connection standard was developed by Hitachi, Matsushita (Panasonic/National/Technics), Phillips, Silicon Image, Sony, Thomson (RCA) and Toshiba.

History of HDMI

HDMI is a relatively new technology that many people are still unfamiliar with, despite its practical application to anyone and everyone who has digital video and sound equipment. That means digital Televisions, DVD players, Blue-Ray disc players, etc. HDMI cables provide you with a new alternative to analog connections and are considered the best way to get the best out of your equipment by optimizing the communication from device to device. To better understand HDMI and HDMI cables, read on to learn about its origins.

The list of founders involved in the creation of HDMI include such well-known and respected names as Hitachi, Panasonic, Sony, RCA and Toshiba. The start of the development of HDMI cables began back on April 16, 2002 when the HDMI founders started work on HDMI 1.0, a more advanced digital interface to be used with digital audio and video to be put on the market. The idea was to create a more improved DVI-HDTV connection. It was also designed with the intention of improving the efficiency of your audio connection as well to go along with your video devices. HDMI cables grew from this day forward into the main connection for digital equipment to provide you with the best possible experience to go along with your system.

HDMI cables were first tested in a center in California in 2003. Following that Panasonic tested HDMI cables in Japan in 2004, and Philips in France in 2005. The more places that tested this new product, the more the word began to spread about the success of the digital interface that been created to amplify the communication between sound and video devices. During 2004, less than two years after the development of HDMI devices, over 5 million were sold throughout the year. That increased to 18.4 million HDMI devices sold in 2005, and then to 65 million HDMI devices sold in 2006, and an incredible 143 million HDMI devices sold in 2007. As you can see from the astounding exponential growth of sales over the years, HDMI cables became the standard for HDTV's and all digital audio and video technology.

On January 7th, 2009 HDMI devices had reached a total of 600 million products installed. It is predicted that by the end of 2009, all televisions will come standard with an HDMI input. PC Magazine awarded HDMI the 25th Annual Excellence Awards in the Home Theater category. The National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences awarded 10 companies a Technology and Engineering Emmy for the creation of HDMI and HDMI cables. HDMI cables are supported by large motion picture producers like Fox, Universal, Warner Bros., and Disney. They choose to support HDMI because the amazing advancements in digital film quality HDMI cables have allowed them. HDMI cables have significantly and briskly taken over the world of digital communication between digital audio and video devices, becoming the standard for digital interfaces used with digital equipment. More than 800 manufactures have now taken on the HDMI standard on their products, and it's predicted that by 2010 there will be over a billion HDMI devices in the market.

What type of video and audio formats HDMI supports -

The HDMI specs support standard NTSC and PAL, enhanced, and high-definition video formats (720p, 1080i, and 1080p up to 60Hz), plus 8-channels of 192kHz 24-bit uncompressed digital audio on a single HDMI cable. However, the actual supported image resolutions, audio standards, and features are dependent on the respective HDMI standard.

At this point, it is important to realize that some of the features specified by the various HDMI standards are not mandatory. Features such as support for 1080p 60Hz, Deep Color - which increase the precision of the supported brightness and color information, xvYCC for an extended color space that is 1.8 times that of standard sRGB,   and Super Audio CD DSD support, are optional and therefore manufacturers may opt not to implement these features. This means that a product having a specific HDMI version does not necessarily support all features listed for that HDMI version.

HDMI Version Comparison

HDMI Version 1 specifies the basic audio/video HDMI interconnect. It supports a maximum TMDS bandwidth of 4.95 Gbit/s - with a maximum allotted video bandwidth of 3.96 Gbit/s (165 MHz) supporting up to 1080p/60 Hz video 24 bit color depth, and 36.86 Mbit/s maximum audio bandwidth for up to 8 channels of 192 kHz 24-bit audio resolution.

In addition, HDMI version 1.0 also supports Blu Ray disc video and audio at full resolution and CEC - short for Consumers Electronics Control. The latter is often branded differently by different manufactures and enables the user to control HDMI connected devices via a single control unit.

However, while CEC was included with HDMI version 1, yet it wasn't before the release of Version 1.2a that all relevant CEC features, command sets, and CEC compliance tests were eventually specified to the full

.

HDMI Version 1.1 added support for DVD Audio

HDMI Version 1.2 added support for One Bit Audio as used on Super Audio CDs for up to 8 channels, this apart from additional features related to supported color space by PC sources.

And as stated in the previous paragraph, Version 1.2a fully specified for the first time the Consumer Electronic Control (CEC) support.

HDMI Version 1.3 has brought about significant enhancements to the original HDMI specifications - with the most important being increasing the single-link bandwidth to 340 MHz or 10.2 Gbit/s data stream.

It also supports Deep Color with 30-bit 2560x1600p75, 36-bit 2560x1600p60, and 48-bit 1920x1200p60 xvYCC color space compared to the original 24-bit sRGB or YCbCr specified in previous HDMI versions.

Other optional features include output of Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio streams for external decoding by AV receivers; it incorporates automatic audio syncing or auto lip sync capability; and as indicated earlier on, Version 1.3 has brought with it definitions for HDMI Cable categories 1 and 2 - this apart from defining a new mini HDMI connector (Type C) for portable devices.

HDMI versions 1.3a, 1.3b, 1.3b1, and 1.3c mainly updated the list of CEC commands, and added HDMI compliance tests.

HDMI Version 1.4 - Released earlier this year - has so far completed the relatively long list of HDMI versions and with it, there came a number of major additions to the already important additions brought about by Version 1.3. The most important additions related to version 1.4 are the addition of a 100 Mb/s HDMI Ethernet Channel (HEC) between HDMI connected devices and an increase in the supported resolution to up to 4096x2160p24 or 3840x2160 at up to 30Hz.

In addition, Ver. 1.4 also introduces support for 3D over HDMI - supporting common 3D formats and resolutions up to 1080p, an expanded support for color spaces designed specifically for digital still cameras like sYCC601 and Adobe RGB, an Audio Return Channel for upstream audio transfers over the same HDMI cable, a Micro HDMI Connector – that is almost half the size of a standard 19-pin HDMI connector, sort of equivalent to a mini USB connector, and an Automotive Connection System for better in-vehicle HDMI use.

How does HDMI transport digital video and audio over the same HDMI Cable :

We will not go into the actual architecture of how this is done, yet there are a few basics worth knowing about how HDMI transport data and in particular, how this transport mechanism relates to the maximum data throughput or bandwidth, that can be carried over an HDMI cable connection.

HDMI uses the same unique TMDS encoding protocol used in DVI, to transport video and audio information over the same interconnect. TMDS ( transition minimized differential signaling) it conveys data by transitioning between 'on' and 'off' states while utilizing an advanced encoding algorithm to minimize the transitions necessary to transport data between the HDMI 'source' e.g. an HDMI-enabled digital satellite TV set-top box, and an HDMI-enabled 'sink' or monitor e.g. a digital television.

Minimizing the required transitions avoids excessive electromagnetic interference (EMI) levels on the interconnecting HDMI cable. At the same time, additional operation is performed to minimize long strings of '1' and '0' which otherwise can cause detection errors. In this process, incoming 8-bit data is encoded into a 10-bit transition-minimized, DC-balanced word.

The HDMI standard specifies both single-link and dual-link HDMI. A single HDMI link is made up of 3 TMDS data channels using three separate differential pairs on the HDMI cable to transport audio and video data at a maximum pixel clock rate of 165MHz; this is equivalent to 165 million pixels per second. As already indicated earlier on, this maximum bandwidth was further increased to 340 MHz with HDMI 1.3 and 1.4.

A fourth differential pair, called the TMDS Clock provides the pixel clock for timing the data stream.

Single-link HDMI is fully compatible with single-link DVI-D - but only at 165 MHz, while dual-link HDMI is compatible with dual-link DVI-D.

Video Transport:

Video information is transmitted as a series of 24-bit pixels - 8 bits each for each of the primary colors (ver. 1.3 and 1.4 supports up to 48 bit pixel information). 24-bit pixel information is encoded using the TMDS protocol into three 10-bit words per pixel clock period (i.e. each pixel is made up of 30bits). This means that the effective maximum data throughput is 4.95Gbit/s (165MHz x 30-bits) over a single-link HDMI cable for up to HDMI ver. 1.2, or 9.9Gbit/s over a dual-link HDMI interconnect. In the case of HDMI ver. 1.3 and 1.4, maximum data throughput over a single link is 10.2 Gbit/s; these rates determine the maximum video signal resolution that can be transmitted over single-link and dual-link HDMI cables.

How much bandwidth we need

To better understand how this 'pixel clock' relates to resolution, let's consider the 1080p 60Hz HDTV video signal. Lets also assume a typical 16% overall blanking interval; this represents the portion of the video signal that occurs at the end of each horizontal line (horizontal blanking) as well as at the end of each frame or field (vertical blanking).

The bandwidth required for a given resolution is governed by the refresh rate and blanking interval of the monitor; bandwidth can be calculated using the following formula:

Bandwidth = Resolution x Refresh Rate x [1 + Blanking Period]  in Bits/s

where the Blanking Period is the sum of the horizontal and vertical blanking intervals.

This means that in our case, the required bandwidth is equal to 1920 x 1080 x 60 x [1 + 0.16] = 144.4MHz or 144.4 million pixels/sec.

It is thus clear that even HDMI ver. 1 and ver. 2 have more than enough bandwidth on a single link to accommodate even the highest HDTV format most common today. This also explains why dual-link HDMI - like dual-link DVI, has remained practically non-existent

Audio Transport: Audio can be from two to eight channels, using sample rates up to 192KHz. Multi-channel digital audio is time multiplexed into the same  TMDS data streams used for video; this is possible as audio requires a much lower data rate (max. 192Kbps), and therefore, it can be easily 'stuffed' in between empty spaces available on the data channels

Pin Configuration

It is a compact 19-pin plug and cable for connecting High-Definition video and multi-channel audio-capable as well as helping to speed the convergence of computer and consumer AV products. High Definition technology or HD has seen a rapid increase in consumer use especially with HDTVs, HD-DVD and Blu-ray players, HD camcorders and other HD components. HDMI was developed by Hitachi, Panasonic, Sony, Toshiba, Philips, Thomson and Silicon Image who came together in a conglomerate effort to simplify the task of connecting and synchronizing available HD components for the user's benefit

Pin Description

TMDS Channel/TMDS Clock

It was developed by SILICON IMAGE. Transfer huge amount of data through a shielded cable. Each are capable of transfer rates upto 3.4 Gbps a total 10.2 Gbps. UP to 48 –bit resolution. Pixel clock for timing the data stream.

HDMI BLOCK DIAGRAM

EXPLANATION

Follow all of the rules for an HDMI sink and HDMI source Four differential pairs that make up the TMDS data and clock channels DDC is used for configuration and status exchange between a single source and

single sink CEC protocol provides high level control function

HDMI PLUG/CONNECTORS

TYPE A:Nineteen pins,with bandwidth to support all SDTV,EDTV and HDTV. It's also electrically compatible to single-link DVI-D. This type of HDMI cable is what you would consider the basic type of HDMI cable. It's not quite as powerful as a Type B connector, but you'll it to be able to support all of your current needs within your digital equipment system. As said before, sizes are an important factor in determining the classification of HDMI cables. The Type A plug's dimensions on the outside are 13.9 millimeters by 4.45 millimeters.

TYPE B:This connector (21.2 mm X 4.45mm)has 29 pins and can carry doublethe video bandwidth of Type A. You'll also find 29 pins in this type's connector instead of the 19 pins from type A. With this larger size comes the ability to carry twice as much bandwidth for each cable compared to the type A. It's primarily intended for very high-resolution displays like the WQUXGA which would have a resolution of 3840 by 2400. As Type A is compatible with single-link DVI-D, type B is compatible with dual-link DVI-D. Type B is more of a classification that will be used in the future, as no currents products on the regular market use this connector.

TYPE C:All positive signal of the differential pairs are swapped with their corresponding shield. This HDMI cable is smaller in size at 10.42 millimeters by 2.42 millimeters, and is considered a mini-connector intended for portable devices. Like the type A, it also has 19 pins configured in the connector. The configuration has the same number, but the way they are laid out is different and each pins serves different purposes. All these aspects allow it to work well with smaller portable devices like digital cameras, portable televisions, portable DVD players, etc.

TYPE D :Shrink the connector size to something resembling a micro-USB connector. A type D HDMI cable is also considered a mini-connector and is also defined as an HDMI 1.4 category. Like A and C, it has 19 pins configured in the connector. However the connector size is much smaller, and looks a lot like a micro-USB connector. The size of this HDMI cable connector is 2.8 millimeters by 6.4 millimeters.

And there is even more... Different HDMI Cable Types

When HDMI was first released way back in 2002, many thought that this standard would not come with the many flavors of cable connectors and cable types as instead is the case with DVI. Unfortunately, things are even more complicated!

Apart from the two different types of HDMI cable category certifications defined earlier on in our discussion for 'Standard' - supporting up to 1080i/60, and 'High Speed' - supporting date rates

in excess of 1080p 60Hz, including Deep Color and all 3D formats of the new 1.4 specification, HDMI ver. 1.4 introduced three additional HDMI cables:

Standard HDMI Cable with Ethernet – includes Ethernet connectivity

High Speed HDMI Cable with Ethernet – includes Ethernet connectivity

Automotive HDMI Cable – allows the connection of external HDMI-enabled devices to an in-vehicle HDMI device.

 

And in the remote eventuality that Type-B cable would ever be implemented on consumer gear, then there would arise even more additional HDMI cables consumers need to worry. Why? Electrically, transmitting devices with a Type-A HDMI connector can be connected to receiving devices with a Type-B plug using an HDMI cable with a Type-A plug at one end and a Type-B plug at the other.

In addition, while it is not possible to connect a transmitting device with a Type-B plug to a receiving device with a Type-A plug, yet the fact that HDMI devices can be connected to DVI-D equipment means that in addition to standard straight Type-A to Type-A, and Type-B to Type-B HDMI cables, you can also come across three other different types of DVI-HDMI cable connectors:

DVI to HDMI Cable adaptor with single-link DVI-D connector on one end and HDMI Type-A connector on the other.

DVI to HDMI Cable adaptor with dual-link DVI-D connector on one end and HDMI Type-B connector on the other.

HDMI to HDMI cable adaptor with a Type-A connector on one end and a Type-B connector on the other.

Technical Information

Here is the design and pinout arrangement of the HDMI interface.

Pin 1 - TMDS Data2+ Pin 2 - TMDS Data2 Shield Pin 3 - TMDS Data2- Pin 4 - TMDS Data1+ Pin 5 - TMDS Data1 Shield Pin 6 - TMDS Data1- Pin 7 - TMDS Data0+ Pin 8 - TMDS Data0 Shield Pin 9 - TMDS Data0- Pin 10 - TMDS Clock+ Pin 11 - TMDS Clock Shield Pin 12 - TMDS Clock- Pin 13 - CEC Pin 14 -Reserved (N.C. on device) Pin 15 - SCL Pin 16 - SDA Pin 17 - DDC/CEC Ground Pin 18 - +5 V Power Pin 19 - Hot Plug Detect

Advantages of HDMI over existing analog interfaces

Quality: HDMI transfers uncompressed digital audio and video for the highest, crispest image quality.

All-Digital: HDMI ensures an all-digital rendering of video without the losses associated with analog interfaces and their unnecessary digital-to-analog conversions.

Low-cost: HDMI provides the quality and functionality of a digital interface while also supporting uncompressed video formats in a simple, cost-effective manner.

Audio: HDMI supports multiple audio formats, from standard stereo to multi-channel surround-sound.

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.

Intelligence: HDMI supports two-way communication between the video source (such as a DVD player) and the DTV, enabling new functionality.

HDMI - Main Benefits

The principle idea behind HDMI is the uses of a single AV interconnect instead of several cables when connecting an audio/video source such as a set-top-box or DVD player to an AV receiver and or video monitor e.g. a flat-panel TV, over a single HDMI cable.

The use of a single HDMI cable that replaces the maze of AV cables often found behind home entertainment centers is the primary advantage brought about by this new standard. This is not the case with DVI; DVI supports digital video only - meaning that a separate audio cable (TosLINK or SPDIF) is needed to transport digital audio when a DVI cable is used.

But there are other additional advantageous as well

HDMI transfers uncompressed digital audio and video leading to the best digital quality possible since there is no degradation of the signal through compression/decompression processes.

It is fully backward compatible with DVI - all that is required is a DVI to HDMI cable adaptor. This opens HDMI to a wide range of DVI-equipped products from a variety of manufacturers.

HDMI supports two-way communication between the video source and the display device, thus enabling new functionality such as automatic configuration - e.g. in the case of remote controls of devices connected by HDMI.

HDMI technology has been designed to accommodate longer copper cables at lengths up to 15 meters (50 feet) without the use of HDMI amplifiers or repeaters against the typical 5m supported by DVI interconnects.

Furthermore, HDMI cable lengths less than 5m (15 ft) can be manufactured relatively inexpensive - although there is some difference here between HDMI cables manufactured to Category 1 specification and those manufactured to Category 2 specs.

. ENCODER/DECODER

EXPLANATION

TMDS clock channel constantly runs at the pixel rate of the transmitted video.

Each of the three TMDS data channels transmits a 10 bit character.

The input stream to the source’s encoding logic will contain video pixel packet and control data.

These data items are processed in a variety of ways.

Are presented to the TMDS encoder as either 2 bits of control data,4 bits of packet data or 8 bits of video data per TMDS channel.

Encodes one of these data types or encodes a guard band character on any given clock cycle.

The HDMI standard also includes two other important channels –

1. DDC - Display Data Channel- is used to enable the source device to interrogate the receiving device about its configuration and capabilities. This is done by reading the E-EDID (Enhanced Extended Display Identification Data) data from the receiving device. Data is transferred using I2 C signaling with a 100 kHz clock.

DDC CHANNEL/EDID CHIP

Determine the audio/visual capabilities. Achieved by reading from an EDID ROM chip. Automatically adjust the video and audio output. HDCP utilizes the DDC channel to initiate a “handshake”.

2. CEC - Consumer Electronics Control Channel- is optional and as already expressed earlier on, allows the control of several audiovisual devices interconnected over HDMI

that the user might have. It is mainly used for remote control functions. It uses the industry standard AV Link protocol transmitted over a one-wire bi-directional serial bus.

One touch play. System standby. One touch Record. Deck control. Tuner control.

WHO SUPPORTS HDMI

The HDMI Founders include leading consumer electronics manufacturers Hitachi , Matsushita Electric Industrial (Panasonic), Philips, Sony, Thomson (RCA), Toshiba, and Silicon Image. Digital Content Protection, LLC (a subsidiary of Intel) is providing High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection (HDCP) for HDMI. 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.

How do consumers benefit from HDMI

The new HDMI digital interconnect provides:

Superior, uncompressed digital video and audio quality

A simple, single cable and user-friendly connector that replaces the maze of cabling behind the entertainment center. Integrated remote control

A popular interface enabling the transmission of high-definition content. HDMI opens the floodgate of digital content from major motion picture producers.

HDMI and DVI - Differences and Similarities

Before continuing further with our discussion on HDMI cables, it would be appropriate at this point to bring out the main similarities and differences between these two relatively new digital standards. Both are closely related in that HDMI uses the same digital encoding scheme used by DVI-D in the transport of digital video.

This explains why all that is required to hook up a DVI device with HDMI-enabled equipment, is a simple DVI to HDMI cable adaptor with a DVI-D plug on one end and an HDMI connector on the other. In this case however, digital audio will have to be carried separately since DVI does not support audio over the same interconnect. This would not be the case in an 'all' HDMI to HDMI cable, where the digital audio signal is carried along with the digital video over the same cable.

However, the fact that HDMI is equivalent to DVI-D implies that it is limited to that format only. In other words, there's no way to adapt an analog VGA signal to go in through an HDMI connection as one can with a DVI-I interface.

Other important differences include:

HDMI cable connectors are substantially smaller than the 37.0 mm wide DVI plug. The DVI standard was originally developed to be used by PCs, while HDMI was developed by some of the major electronics manufacturers for use in consumer electronic products such as DVD players and digital televisions

The main similarities and differences between these two relatively new digital standards. Both are closely related in that HDMI uses the same digital encoding scheme used by DVI-D in the transport of digital video.

This explains why all that is required to hook up a DVI device with HDMI-enabled equipment, is a simple DVI to HDMI cable adaptor with a DVI-D plug on one end and an HDMI connector on the other. In this case however, digital audio will have to be carried separately since DVI does not support audio over the same interconnect. This would not be the case in an 'all' HDMI to HDMI cable, where the digital audio signal is carried along with the digital video over the same cable.

However, the fact that HDMI is equivalent to DVI-D implies that it is limited to that format only. In other words, there's no way to adapt an analog VGA signal to go in through an HDMI connection as one can with a DVI-I interface.

Other important differences include:

HDMI cable connectors are substantially smaller than the 37.0 mm wide DVI plug.

The DVI standard was originally developed to be used by PCs, while HDMI was developed by some of the major electronics manufacturers for use in consumer electronic products such as DVD players and digital televisions.

HDMI and DVI is ALL digital!. Both audio and video are transported in the native digital format. Using an ALL digital format minimizes the D/A and A/D conversion needed. Each conversion adds some degree of "distortions" to the picture due to the resolution of the A/D. Going ALL digital ensures that you get the purest signal to your monitor. This is the advantage of HDMI or DVI compared to regular analog component video. Vast majority of the HD monitors are inherently digital in nature, so it only makes sense to use a digital link such as DVI or HDMI.

In addition, HDMI is a smaller physically ( about size of USB connector) and carries both digital Video and Audio in a single connection.

FIGURE 1-HDMI

FIGURE 2 -DVI

The HDMI Advantage

HDMI technology is the global standard for connecting high-definition products: the uncompressed, all-digital interface that delivers both dazzling quality and unmatched ease of use. Over 1,000 manufacturers now incorporate HDMI connectivity into a growing list of consumer products:

HDTVs Blu-ray Disc players multimedia PCs gaming systems digital cameras and camcorders mobile devices and more.

It’s the one cable that transmits digital video, digital audio, and control data through a single high-speed link, making it the best and easiest way to turn your TV into a home entertainment powerhouse.

Single Cable: This is truly a single cable solution as there is only a single cable that carries audio, video and control information. So, the complexity of implementing an audio video control system is lesser.

Deep Colours: HDMI supports 10 bit, 12 bit and 16 bit (RGB or YCbCr) colour depths which can render over one billion colours in good detail.

No Compression: Since HD signals are not compressed while transmission, there is no de-gradation in signal quality.

Compatibility with DVI: Since it is backward compatible with DVI interface, DVI enabled PC’s can send HD content to display devices.

Simplicity

Transmits all formats of digital audio and video through a single cable, replacing as many as thirteen older cables and eliminating clutter.

Makes it simple to hook up other devices to your home theater system. PCs, gaming consoles, and video cameras can all be connected with the same one-plug convenience.

Makes it easy to install or upgrade an all-digital home entertainment system. All HDMI versions are backward-compatible with previous versions.

Performance

Enormous bandwidth capacity – up to 10.2 gigabits per second, more than twice the bandwidth needed to transmit an uncompressed 1080p signal.

o Better looking movieso Faster gamingo Richer audio

Future-ready for emerging technologies. o 3D movies and gaming o Higher resolutions, like 1440p or Quad HDo Faster refresh rates, like 120Hz.o Deep Color, taking the HDTV palette from millions to trillions of colors.

Intelligence

HDMI is a "smart" two-way connection that allows devices to communicate and interact with each other to dramatically improve your home theater experience.

Devices connected with HDMI have the ability to scan each other’s capabilities and automatically configure certain settings. An HDTV and a DVD player, for example, can auto-negotiate settings like resolution and aspect ratio to correctly match the format of the incoming content to the highest capabilities of the TV.

Consumer Electronics Control (CEC) provides for integrated, "one-touch" commands across multiple linked components. When enabled by the manufacturer, CEC allows system-wide behaviors like one-touch play or one-touch record, where pressing a single button on your remote launches a series of coordinated commands.

OTHER ADVANTAGE

Higher quality Intelligence Authentication and Encryption Deep colors No compression Dolby/DTS

Dis-advantages of HDMI:

Distance Limitations: Maximum distance for HDMI Cat1 cables is up to 35 meters (approx) for full capacity and maximum distance for HDMI Cat2 cables is up to 10 meters (approx) for full capacity. Beyond this limit, they need extenders. There are extenders like UTP cable extenders for HDMI, HDMI cable extenders, Fiber extenders for HDMI and Coaxial extenders for HDMI. Even Switches, Distribution amplifiers, audio/video processors act as repeaters. But extending HDMI cables this way has its limitations.

Switching Delays: Sometimes, blank screens can be caused due to authentication delays. There can also be screen flashing errors.

Field Termination: There are limitations to field terminations of HDMI cables. They cannot be easily terminated in the field like their analog counterparts.

Costly: HDMI cables are more expensive (per meter) than their analog counterparts.

Multiple locations: They are difficult to run in multiple applications spanning various locations. There are more complexities in such situations than just the distance limitations.

EDID: One such complexity is with EDID (Extended Display Identification Data) which is used in automatic identification of resolutions and audio formats. Both HDMI and EDID specifications offer limited guidance in multiple location deployment scenarios.

CEC: The Consumer Electronic Format which enables the different devices to talk to each other becomes a problem when there is a central control system to control all the connected audio/video devices. It causes confusion when the devices themselves change their configuration as they might get undetected by the control systems.

Multi-Channel Audio: While HDMI sources can transmit multi-channel audio sources, they cannot transmit multi-channel and standard two channel stereo signals at the same time (simultaneously). This becomes a problem with multi-room installations that has various devices supporting different audio formats.

DVI Compatibility: HDMI devices are compatible with DVI interfaces but require a separate audio cable as DVI carries only video signals. It also needs a HDMI-DVI connector in such scenarios.

How to Choose an HDMI Cable

Choosing an HDMI cable can be a complex task. There are several factors which you must consider in order to select the best HDMI cable to meet your requirements:

HDMI standards compliance HDMI Cable Categories Cable length Cable quality Active cables HDMI devices Price

HDMI Standards Compliance

Each HDMI cable is rated to comply with a specific revision of the HDMI standards. A cable rated for HDMI 1.2a should meet the requirements of HDMI 1.0, 1.1, and 1.2 — but is not guaranteed to meet the standards for HDMI 1.3.

HDMI Cable Categories

The HDMI standards define two categories of cables. Category 1 HDMI cables are designed to support HDTV resolutions and frame rates. Category 2 cables are required for higher resolutions or higher frame rates.

Cable Length

The HDMI specification does not define a maximum cable length. HDMI cables are commonly available in 3' to 50' lengths.

Purchasing a cable longer than necessary will cost you more money, but it will also increase signal loss due to attenuation.

Cable Quality

All other factors being equal, a cable which is built to higher tolerances using better materials will outperform a cable which is built merely to meet a standards specification. In addition, these premium cables will often provide longer service lives.

An HDMI cable can be made using 28 AWG wire, but the use of 24 AWG wire will create a sturdier cable which is more resistant to attenuation.

As with traditional analog stereo cables, premium HDMI cables are often furnished with gold plated connectors to ensure the best possible signal quality.

Active Cables

For specialized high-end applications, some manufacturers are selling active HDMI cables. These cables use a variety of technologies which involve boosting the transmission distance or quality through the addition of electrical power to the cable connection.

Some of these active cables run over fiber optics or Cat-5 cable.

HDMI Devices

Another approach to supporting extremely long cable runs is to chain multiple HDMI cables together with amplifiers, repeaters, or equalizers.

Price

An HDMI cable only has to be good enough to support the equipment which it connects. It is useless to pay for a premium gold-plated HDMI cable for a low-end television set

HDMI CONNECTIONS

FEATURES OF HDMI

Smaller Standardized Connectors àOne of the big advantages of the HDMI interface over the DVI interface is the size of the connector

Audio and Video on a Single Cable àThe cable advantages of HDMI become even more pronounced over DVI because HDMI also carries digital audio. With most home computers using at least one and possible up to three mini-jack cables to run audio from it to the speakers, the HDMI cable simplifies the number of cables require to carry the audio signal to the monitor.

Increased Color Depth àAnalog and digital color for PC computers has long been restricted to 24-bit color producing roughly 16.7 million colors.

DVI is limited to this 24-bit color depth. Early HDMI versions are also limited to this 24-bit color, but the newer 1.3 version allows colors depths of 30, 36 and even 48-bit color depths. This greatly increases the overall quality of the color that can be displayed, but both the graphics adapter and monitor must support the newer HDMI version 1.3.

Backwards Compatible àOne of the most important features included with the HDMI standard is the ability for it to be used with DVI connectors. Through the use of an adapter cable, an HDMI plug can be attached to a DVI monitor port for the video signal. This is a very useful feature for those that do purchase a system with an HDMI compliant video output but their television or computer monitor only has a DVI input. It should be noted that this only uses the video portion of the HDMI cable so no audio can be used with it. In addition, while a monitor with a DVI connector can connect to a HDMI graphics port on the computer, a HDMI monitor cannot connect to a DVI graphics port on the computer.

CONCLUSION

HDMI technology is the global standard for connecting high-definition products: the uncompressed, all-digital interface that delivers both dazzling quality and unmatched

ease of use. HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) is a compact audio/video

interface for transmitting uncompressed digital data. It's a single cable and user-friendly

connector that replaces the maze of cabling behind the home entertainment center.

HDMI connects digital audio/video sources—such as set-top boxes, Blu-ray Disc players, personal computers (PCs). HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) is today the best kind of digital audio and video connector available that promises to replace all connectors currently used by players, cable/satellite decoders, TV sets, videoprojectors and video monitors

List of References

1 www.Google.com

2. www.Wikipedia.com

3. Reference book