Hdmi - Smaller Connector, Bigger Options

Transcript

Technology Connection HDMI - Smaller Connector, Bigger Options For the ultimate in image quality, everyone knows that digital connectivity blows away the old analog approach. Since much of today’s latest content is created and stored digitally, it only makes sense that the signal’s “digital fidelity” is preserved all the way to your display device. If routed properly with high quality cables, switching and distribution equipment, digital sources deliver DVI-D Dual Male Link Adapter the HIGHEST possible image quality. We’re getting closer and closer to the day where those three digital letters D-V-I become a household word, right? Well, not so fast. One of the hottest new digital connectivity topics is the appearance of the new HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface) connector on some of the latest plasmas, projectors and DVD players. HDMI development is overseen by the HDMI Working Group that includes: Sony, Hitachi, Silicon Image, Panasonic, Philips, Thomson, and Toshiba as members. However, Pioneer has been the manufacturerthat has HDMI Male Adapter become the catalyst for the availability of products in the HDMI arena. They’ve released numerous plasma displays with HDMI inputs and some of the first HDMIenabled DVD players. So what exactly is HDMI? channel audio and video. Currently First, the connector for the most HDMI applications only take HDMI standard is much smaller than advantage of the video capabilities, the DVI connector. The connector but soon enough, you’ll see products more closely resembles a USB-type from many HDMI adopters that use its high-bandwidth video AND audio connector than a computer video (VGA, DVI, etc.) type connector. Sec- capabilities. The HDMI standard uses ond, the HDMI spec supports digital PCM digital audio which allows it to video over a wide range of resoluwork with other PCM audio systems tions. HDMI also fully incorporates such as Toslink (optical) and digital HDCP (High-Bandwidth Digital Concoaxial commonly found on consumtent Protection), which is designed to minimize the piracy of digital er audio receivers, satellite systems content, but can limit connectivity to and set-top cable TV boxes. devices that are not HDCP compliant. Although HDMI contains Third, HDMI supports up to 8 chanvirtually the same DVI signal that’s nels of digital audio. And fourth, been around since 1999 and still has HDMI supports bi-directional remote the same signal routing and distribucontrol using the CEC (Consumer tion distance limitations that beset Electronics Control) protocol. What is truly powerful is that HDMI allows for interconnection of sources, receivers and displays, all using a single cable type for digital audio, video and control. Though its connector size is smaller, HDMI has The Pioneer Elite PRO 1110-HD uses an HDMI capabilities that connector go far beyond the all digital connectivity standards, the scope of DVI. The most important of these capabilities is the ability to HDMI specification allows for signals carry digital multi-channel audio in to be driven up to 15 meters or apaddition to digital video. The HDMI proximately 50 feet. specifications allow for up to 5 Gbps So, if everything so far conbandwidth, which leaves it open cerning HDMI is theoretically “better” to future technology expansion, as than DVI, why would manufacturcurrent uncompressed 1080i movies ers continue to forecast DVI based only require 2.2 Gbps for both multiproducts? There is one major reason © Copyright 2004 DVIGear Technology Connection: Issue 2 -1- October 1, 2004 - analog. DVI-I connections allow for both analog and digital video transmission across the connector or cable. A PC manufacturer can eliminate the VGA connector on the back panel and add a DVI-I connector - thus allowing both new flat-panel LCD monitors to be used on the same computer. By providing an adapter that goes from DVI-I to VGA, PC makers can satisfy those who live in the analog world and those who are embracing the digital technology that is available. With HDMI, it is all digital. At sometime in the future, everything will become digital-only (PCs and consumer video products), but for now it appears that DVI-I will be common on PCs and laptops with HDMI revolutionizing the consumer video market. It is important for anyone investing in digital electronic devices to note that DVI and HDMI are adaptable standards. Cables and adapters are available for relatively inexpensive prices that will allow for connection of devices of these different standards. A DVI source can work fine with an HDMI display and an HDMI source will work fine with a DVI display, provided the DVI display is HDCP compatible. However, there are some limitations of connecting two devices of different standards. For example, with a DVI DVD player connected to an HDMI device, you will not have audio capabilities since the DVI standard does not support audio. As you might imagine, there are many new HDMI products on the horizon from a variety of manufacturers. More and more DVD players now offer an HDMI output. Scientific Atlanta (SA), TiVo and Samsung now offer HD-DVRs with HDMI output connectors, and even Sony is rumored to be changing its DirecTV receiver from DVI to HDMI in the upcoming HD-400 model. Both Motorola and SA will include HDMI connectivity on their next-generation set-top boxes. to the backing of many large consumer electronics manufacturers. DVIGear manufactures a complete range of high quality HDMI and DVI cables, from: Super High Resolution copper cables - for distances up to 20-30 meters, to long distance fiber optic cables - that allow for distances over 100 me- Total DVI and HDMI Enabled Device Forecast 300 Units in Millions 200 HDMI DVI 100 0 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 Source: In-stat/MDR, 8/04 Looking ahead, the future seems bright for HDMI. According to a recent report from In-Stat/MDR, a high-tech market research firm, DVIenabled devices will grow rapidly at a rate of 34.3% between 2003 and 2008. However, the annual growth rate of HDMI-enabled products will be a stratospheric 462.3% over the same period, though starting from a much lower base point. In-Stat/ MDR’s report states that HDMI in CE began in 2004, and should accelerate significantly in 2005 in part due ters. DVIGear also manufactures a complete line of switchers, scalers, distribution amplifiers and repeaters for DVI and HDMI applications. While HDMI clearly has the more robust feature set, whether you invest in either HDMI or DVI connectivity, you will have made a sure step into the future. If you are interested in learning more about digital connectivity or have a special application request, please contact DVIGear for more information. © Copyright 2004 DVIGear Technology Connection: Issue 2 -2- October 1, 2004