HDMI Licensing LLC Announces Features of Upcoming HDMI 1.4 Specification

[btarunr]

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 functionality:

• 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.

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.

[n-ster]

Will this mean incredible inflation in HDMI cables?

[WarEagleAU]

Holy crap those are some nice specs and adds. HDMI is the way to go it seems. Id also like to see some more information of Display Port, the advantages over HDMI, if any, and also what its new specs may be.

[Mistral]

3840x2160 24Hz/25Hz/30Hz?...

I want 1080p@120Hz... and a TV that actually accepts it... pretty please?

[freaksavior]

wow very nice.

[ShogoXT]

Originally Posted by Mistral

3840x2160 24Hz/25Hz/30Hz?...

I want 1080p@120Hz... and a TV that actually accepts it... pretty please?

Those already exist. As well as the cables that supports it.

[Mistral]

Originally Posted by ShogoXT

Those already exist. As well as the cables that supports it.

Link or it didn't happen...

[department76]

sounds awesome. by adding the ethernet capability and return audio channel, i really see hdmi going in the direction of being the true single cable solution. very impressive.

[1Kurgan1]

HDMI looks to be the future way, will reduce alot of cable management pains, behind my computer is such a damn mess.

[AsRock]

Originally Posted by 1Kurgan1

HDMI looks to be the future way, will reduce alot of cable management pains, behind my computer is such a damn mess.

I like the Link Depot ones there so flexible. And wrapped in the stuff that you use to wrap wires on a PSU and such.

Originally Posted by Mistral

3840x2160 24Hz/25Hz/30Hz?...

I want 1080p@120Hz... and a TV that actually accepts it... pretty please?

Mine does . and i know others do too.


Cannot see me changing to it any time soon... 1080p is fair spot on as it is. The bigger issue is companys making films that use the high quality and best one i have seen as yet is one of the Matrix ones i was totally staring at that.... Believe my thoughts were like HOLLY CRAP.

And TV companys making lower quality even worse than it actually is pissing me off too. Like some older res's like 480. I've seen 480i look fair cool and also seen it look completely crap too as they are saving bandwidth.. i guess they be doing the same with these higher ones soon to save some bandwidth.

[BrooksyX]

Sounds like HDMI is becoming the replace all cable. I got no problem with that. Got a few things hooked up to LCD TV via HDMI.

[n-ster]

HDMI 11.0 = all in one cable BUT is like 1 inch in diameter and then they split it all again so that people who can't have 1 inch thick cables can still get HDMI xD

[Mistral]

Originally Posted by AsRock

...Mine does . and i know others do too...

Not to doubt you or anything but... that ArmA screenshot shows 2048x1536 resolution too, which leads me to believe that it's just listing options without them being quite valid.

I haven't been checking much since I got my screen couple of months ago, but if you do know a current TV that accepts and displays 120Hz please list the make and model, I'm interested.

[AsRock]

Originally Posted by Mistral

Not to doubt you or anything but... that ArmA screenshot shows 2048x1536 resolution too, which leads me to believe that it's just listing options without them being quite valid.

I haven't been checking much since I got my screen couple of months ago, but if you do know a current TV that accepts and displays 120Hz please list the make and model, I'm interested.

Arma Auto changes it when you select the option.. As for Toshiba saying it can do it THEY DON'T...

Here's another pic..

[slyfox2151]

Originally Posted by Mistral

Not to doubt you or anything but... that ArmA screenshot shows 2048x1536 resolution too, which leads me to believe that it's just listing options without them being quite valid.

I haven't been checking much since I got my screen couple of months ago, but if you do know a current TV that accepts and displays 120Hz please list the make and model, I'm interested.

dosnt that samsung(?) montior witch is use'd by nvidia for there 3D glasses accept 1920x1080 @ 120hz,

quote from nvidia website, FAQ
3D Vision-Ready LCDs – such as the Samsung SyncMaster 2233Z and ViewSonic® FuHzion™ VX2265wm accept a 120 Hz input and display at 120 Hz refresh rate .

[Mussels]

ethernet in HDMI?

i'm rather weirded out by this.

all the new resolutions are only interlaced... expect 1.4a soon.

[Freddie]

I doubt that the interlacing factor will be a big deal on image quality at 2160i. True the video bit rate is lower that 2160p, but exactly how much resolution do you need before the eye can no longer detect it on a 52" screen at 6ft plus feet?

[cdawall]

Originally Posted by Mistral

3840x2160 24Hz/25Hz/30Hz?...

I want 1080p@120Hz... and a TV that actually accepts it... pretty please?

current cables can handle 10.2GbPS which is enough to run any of the resolutions you listed

[Mistral]

Originally Posted by slyfox2151

dosnt that samsung(?) montior witch is use'd by nvidia for there 3D glasses accept 1920x1080 @ 120hz

I was referring to TV's - that 22 inch isn't too bad but it's still 1680x1050 TN...

Originally Posted by cdawall

current cables can handle 10.2GbPS which is enough to run any of the resolutions you listed

Be that as it might, I still can't find a TV that would actually make use of such bandwidth by showing all 120 frames.