HDMI 1.4 - "Next Level" - 4K, 3D, LAN

**ForceUser** · 14.05.2009, 23:46

14 Mai

Neuer HDMI-Standard 1.4 mit HEC, ARC, ACE und 3D-Video mit 4K

Der neue HDMI-Standard 1.4 des “High Definition Multimedia Interface” wird nicht nur höhere Bildauflösungen von bis zu 4.096 x 2.160 Pixel für zukünftiges 3D-Fernsehen ermöglichen, sondern auch einen zusätzlichen Internet-/Ethernet-Kanal (HEC), Audio Return Channel (ARC) und Automatic Content Enhancement (ACE) bieten. Über den HDMI Ethernet Channel (HEC) wird mit bis zu 100 Mbit/s die Übertragung im LAN bzw. vom Internet möglich sein. Voraussichtlich auch für BD-Live in Zuunft ein Übertragungsweg. Ein LAN-Kabel für den Ethernet-Anschluss fällt dann weg. Denkbar ist hier auch der Einsatz bei Spielekonsolen wie die neue Playstation 4 im Slimline-Design von Sony oder Blu-ray-Playern mit noch mehr Internet-Features. Allerdings gibt es wieder einen Haken bei HDMI 1.4. - Nur mit entsprechenden HDMI-1.4-Kabeln ist dieses möglich. Und diese wird es noch einmal in zwei Klassen unterteilt geben: “Low Data Rate” und “High Data Rate” HDMI-Kabel 1.4. Die Industrie braucht wohl neue Aufträge.

HDMI-Kabel

Audio Return Channel (ARC) bietet das Audio-Streaming zu einem Audio/Video-Receiver und das Automatic Content Enhancement (ACE) eine höhere Bildauflösung von bis zu 4.096 x 2.160 Pixel für zukünftige 3D-Videos. Die Bildeinstellungen sollen via HDMI 1.4 anhand des erkannten Videosignal-Inhaltes automatisch auf optimale Werte eingestellt werden.

Aber HDMI 1.4 hat ja noch ein wenig Zeit, denn vor dem nächsten Jahr wird mit entsprechenden HDMI-Chips für den HDMI-Standard 1.4 nicht zu rechnen sein. Dann folgen erst damit ausgestattete HD -Komponenten wie z.B. Blu-ray-Player oder LED-TV.

Für den Konsumenten gab es schon keinen Unterschied zwischen den HDMI-Versionen 1.3 und 1.3a oder 1.3b. Für HDMI Compliance Test Specification (CTS) ist HDMI 1.3c der aktuelle HDMI-Standard. Die Bildauflösung beträgt hier bis zu 1.920 x 1.080 Pixel mit “Full HD ”.
Die aktuellen HDMI-Standards in der Übersicht:

HDMI 1.1:

* Support for DVD Audio.

HDMI 1.2:

* Adds features and capabilities that increase HDMI’s appeal for use in both the CE and PC industries. Specifically, the features and modifications for HDMI 1.2 include: Support for One Bit Audio format, such as SuperAudio CD’s DSD (Direct Stream Digital), changes to offer better support for current and future PCs with HDMI outputs, including: availability of the widely-used HDMI Type A connector for PC sources and displays with full support for PC video formats, ability for PC sources to use their native RGB color space while retaining the option to support the YCbCr CE color space, requirement for HDMI 1.2 and later displays to support future low-voltage (i.e., AC-coupled) sources, such as those based on PCI Express I/O technology.

HDMI 1.2a:

* Consumer Electronic Control (CEC) features and command sets and CEC compliance tests are now fully specified.
* Creation of version 1.2a of the HDMI Compliance Test Specification (CTS), which includes a CEC Supplement. HDMI CTS 1.2a has been updated for technical consistency with HDMI Specification 1.2a as well as to the recently released HDMI Specification 1.2.
* Significantly, CTS 1.2a contains additional cable and connector testing and Authorized Testing Center (ATC) submission requirements. Specifically, under CTS 1.2a, the Adopter shall submit for testing to the ATC any new HDMI cable whose length exceeds previously tested cables.
* Additionally, HDMI Licensing, LLC will maintain a list of approved connectors. For a device to pass CTS 1.2a testing at an ATC, all connectors on such device must appear on the approved connector list. To add a connector to this list, the vendor must submit to the ATC or HDMI Licensing, LLC full and passing testing results.

HDMI 1.3:

* Higher speed: HDMI 1.3 increases its single-link bandwidth to 340 MHz (10.2 Gbps) to support the demands of future HD display devices, such as higher resolutions, Deep Color and high frame rates. In addition, built into the HDMI 1.3 specification is the technical foundation that will let future versions of HDMI reach significantly higher speeds.
* Deep Color: HDMI 1.3 supports 10-bit, 12-bit and 16-bit (RGB or YCbCr) color depths, up from the 8-bit depths in previous versions of the HDMI specification, for stunning rendering of over one billion colors in unprecedented detail.
* Broader color space: HDMI 1.3 adds support for “x.v.Color™” (which is the consumer name describing the IEC 61966-2-4 xvYCC color standard), which removes current color space limitations and enables the display of any color viewable by the human eye.
* New mini connector: With small portable devices such as HD camcorders and still cameras demanding seamless connectivity to HDTVs, HDMI 1.3 offers a new, smaller form factor connector option.
* Lip Sync: Because consumer electronics devices are using increasingly complex digital signal processing to enhance the clarity and detail of the content, synchronization of video and audio in user devices has become a greater challenge and could potentially require complex end-user adjustments. HDMI 1.3 incorporates automatic audio synching capabilities that allows devices to perform this synchronization automatically with total accuracy.
* New HD lossless audio formats: In addition to HDMI’s current ability to support high-bandwidth uncompressed digital audio and all currently-available compressed formats (such as Dolby® Digital and DTS®), HDMI 1.3 adds additional support for new lossless compressed digital audio formats Dolby TrueHD and DTS- HD Master Audio™.

marcush.de

**tosci** · 14.05.2009, 23:49

Meine Nerven - alle 3 Monate neue Kabel kaufen? Oder auf was läuft das hinaus? :-)

**ForceUser** · 15.05.2009, 00:10

Das habe ich mir auch gedacht...all die armen Leute die ihre Kabel so schön verlegt haben

**easypeacy42** · 15.05.2009, 07:14

Ja, wirklich ... und dann wieder das Gehetze, ob nun alle involvierten Komponenten HDMI 1.4 unterstützen (oops, dann muss man ja neue Blu-Ray Player, AV-Receiver, HDMI-Switches, TVs, Projektoren, usw. kaufen ...), alle Kabel muss man ersetzen ... und das für was?

Damit man schlussendlich wieder die gleichen nervigen Probleme mit HDCP Handshakes, etc. hat, der notwendige HDMI-Switch wieder mehr Probleme bereitet als er löst und diverse TV Hersteller wieder nicht kompatibel sind zur digital-TV Box (oder umgekehrt) ...

... tja, HDMI könnte so toll sein ... wenn all diese (potentiellen) Probleme nicht wären. Und wenn man endlich auf HDCP verzichten würde ...

**anykey** · 15.05.2009, 07:57

Naja, so wie ich das sehe, braucht man HDMI 1.4 ja nur für 3D-TV. Alles andere geht bereits heute mit einem zweiten (Ethernet-)Kabel.

Für 3D-TV braucht man sowieso einen neuen Fernseher und einen neuen AVR, welcher dann automatisch HDMI 1.4 unterstützt... wo ist also das Problem?

**Snowman4** · 15.05.2009, 09:26

Zitat von tosci

Meine Nerven - alle 3 Monate neue Kabel kaufen? Oder auf was läuft das hinaus? :-)

Kabel alleine wird ja nicht reichen, man muss auch wieder die entsprechenden Geräte zulegen.

**ForceUser** · 28.05.2009, 17:23

May 28, 2009 01:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

HDMI Licensing, LLC Announces Features of the Upcoming HDMI Specification Version 1.4

Enhancements Include Networking, Audio Return Channel, 3D Capability, Improved Performance and New Connectors

SUNNYVALE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--HDMI Licensing, LLC, the agent responsible for licensing the High-Definition Multimedia Interface® (HDMI®) specification, today announced the features that will be incorporated in the upcoming HDMI 1.4 specification. This latest version of the HDMI specification will, among other advancements, offer networking capabilities with Ethernet connectivity and will add an Audio Return Channel to enable upstream audio connections via the HDMI cable. The HDMI specification 1.4 will be available for download on the HDMI LLC website no later than June 30, 2009.

The HDMI 1.4 specification will offer the following enhanced functionalities:

* HDMI Ethernet Channel

The HDMI 1.4 specification will add a data channel to the HDMI cable and will enable high-speed bi-directional communication. Connected devices that include this feature will be able to send and receive data via 100 Mb/sec Ethernet, making them instantly ready for any IP-based application.

The HDMI Ethernet Channel will allow an Internet-enabled HDMI device to share its Internet connection with other HDMI devices without the need for a separate Ethernet cable. The new feature will also provide the connection platform to allow HDMI-enabled devices to share content between devices.

* Audio Return Channel

The new specification will add an Audio Return Channel that will reduce the number of cables required to deliver audio upstream for processing and playback. In cases where HDTVs are directly receiving audio and video content, this new Audio Return Channel allows the HDTV to send the audio stream to the A/V receiver over the HDMI cable, eliminating the need for an extra cable.

* 3D Over HDMI

The 1.4 version of the specification will define common 3D formats and resolutions for HDMI-enabled devices. The specification will standardize the input/output portion of the home 3D system and will specify up to dual-stream 1080p resolution.

* 4K x 2K Resolution Support

The new specification will enable HDMI devices to support high-definition (HD) resolutions four times beyond the resolution of 1080p. Support for 4K x 2K will allow the HDMI interface to transmit content at the same resolution as many digital theaters. Formats supported include:

* 3840x2160 24Hz/25Hz/30Hz
* 4096x2160 24Hz

* Expanded Support For Color Spaces

HDMI technology now supports color spaces designed specifically for digital still cameras. By supporting sYCC601, Adobe RGB and AdobeYCC601, HDMI-enabled display devices will be capable of reproducing more accurate life-like colors when connected to a digital still camera.

* Micro HDMI Connector

The Micro HDMI Connector is a significantly smaller 19-pin connector that supports up to 1080p resolutions for portable devices. This new connector is approximately 50% smaller than the size of the existing HDMI Mini Connector.

* Automotive Connection System

The Automotive Connection System is a cabling specification designed to be used as the basis for in-vehicle HD content distribution. The HDMI 1.4 specification will provide a solution designed to meet the rigors and environmental issues commonly found in automobiles, such as heat, vibration and noise. Using the Automotive Connection System, automobile manufactures will now have a viable solution for distributing HD content within the car.

“The HDMI specification continues to add functionality as the consumer electronics and PC industries build products that enhance the consumer’s HD experience,” said Steve Venuti, president of HDMI Licensing, LLC. “The 1.4 specification will support some of the most exciting and powerful near-term innovations such as Ethernet connectivity and 3D formats. Additionally we are going to broaden our solution by providing a smaller connector for portable devices and a connection system specified for automobiles, as we see both more and different devices adopting the HDMI technology.”

Consumers will also see new HDMI cables introduced to the market. In order to take advantage of the HDMI Ethernet Channel, consumers will need to purchase either a Standard HDMI cable with Ethernet, or a High Speed HDMI cable with Ethernet. Consumers connecting an external device to an in-vehicle HDMI-enabled HD system will need the new Automotive HDMI cable. Consumers can expect to see new HDMI 1.4 cables introduced to the market when new HDMI 1.4 devices are available.

Consumers will have a choice of the following HDMI cables:

* Standard HDMI Cable – supports data rates up to 1080i/60;
* High Speed HDMI Cable – supports data rates beyond 1080p, including Deep Color and all 3D formats of the new 1.4 specification;
* 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.

The HDMI standard continues to grow in the marketplace with now over 850 adopters worldwide. The growing adoption of the HDMI specification by both consumer electronics and PC manufacturers further strengthens its position as the worldwide standard for high-definition digital connectivity. According to market research firm In-Stat, over 394 million HDMI-enabled devices are expected to ship in 2009, with an installed base of 1 billion devices. By the end of 2009 100% of digital televisions are expected to have at least one HDMI input.

The HDMI specification 1.4 will be available for download at HDMI no later than June 30, 2009.

About HDMI Licensing, LLC

HDMI Licensing, LLC is the agent responsible for licensing the HDMI specification, promoting the HDMI standard and providing education on the benefits of the HDMI specification to adopters, retailers and consumers. The HDMI specification was developed by Hitachi, Panasonic Corporation, Philips, Silicon Image, Sony, Thomson and Toshiba as the all-digital interface standard for the consumer electronics and personal computer markets. The HDMI specification combines uncompressed high-definition video and multi-channel audio in a single digital interface to provide crystal-clear digital quality over a single cable. HDMI Licensing, LLC is a wholly owned subsidiary of Silicon Image, Inc. For more information about the HDMI specification, please visit HDMI.

Forward-looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of federal securities laws and regulations, including, but not limited to, statements regarding the HDMI 1.4 technology and its anticipated advantages, growth, market, adoption, consumer demand, and anticipated shipments and product introductions. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, risks associated with the claims made regarding the HDMI 1.4 technology, as well as those risks and uncertainties described from time to time in Silicon Image’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). These risks and uncertainties could cause the actual results to differ materially from those anticipated by the forward-looking statements contained in this news release. Silicon Image assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement.

HDMI is a registered trademark of HDMI Licensing, LLC in the United States and/or other countries. All other trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners in the Unites States and/or other countries.

businesswire.com