28 Feb What is HDMI and Do We Need It?
You’ve seen the abbreviation – now experience the phenomenon for yourself! HDMI, or High Definition Multimedia Interface, is a single audio video cable that has the ability to carry one or more of the following signals:
1. Digital Video
2. Uncompressed Multichannel Digital Audio
3. Control
4. EDID information about the display resolution
5. HDCP Digital copy protection
6. Ethernet
7. Return audio from the display
Do we really need more equipment referred to by initials to drive our home audio video systems? In this case, yes, because HDMI is the only way to transmit the large amounts of data and encryption needed for 1080p and higher video resolutions, 3D HD TV, and uncompressed multi channel digital audio. These are the media today’s artists, directors and producers have in mind when creating content.
If you looked at HDMI audio video cables you may have noticed several different versions of HDMI exist, and you probably wondered why. Well, as home entertainment and audio video technology have progressed, new video and audio formats have been introduced, and new features have been added. Not surprisingly, the amount of bandwidth needed to carry the data these devices send and received has increased. HDMI was introduced less than a decade ago – in 2002. Back then, the data rate it needed to support was about 4.95Gb per second. Now, with the addition of features like 3D video and resolutions of 4Kx2K the required data rate has more than doubled, to 10.2Gb per second. This is why you will find different grades of HDMI cables. Older HDMI cables are not compatible with the newer systems. If you have any other questions about HDMI or other abbreviations related to audio video equipment and home theater technology, drop by PAC-NJ, the source for home entertainment solutions in northern New Jersey.