Friday, March 5th 2010

HDMI Licensing, LLC Releases HDMI Specification Version 1.4a

HDMI Licensing, LLC, the agent responsible for licensing the High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) specification, today announced, on behalf of the HDMI Founders, the release of HDMI Specification Version 1.4a featuring key enhancements for 3D applications including the addition of mandatory 3D formats for broadcast content as well as the addition of the 3D format referred to as Top-and-Bottom. The complete HDMI Specification Version 1.4a, along with the 1.4a version of the Compliance Test Specification (CTS), is available to Adopters on the HDMI Adopter Extranet.

An extraction of the 3D portion of Specification Version 1.4a is available for public download on the HDMI Website. The purpose of the extraction document is to provide public access to the 3D portion of the HDMI Specification for those companies and organizations that are not HDMI Adopters but require access to this portion of the Specification.

"We published these latest enhancements to support the market need for broadcast 3D content," said Steve Venuti, president of HDMI Licensing, LLC. "When we launched 1.4 in June of 2009, we deferred the selection of mandatory 3D format(s) for broadcast content until the market direction was more clearly defined. The market has spoken and the HDMI Consortium has listened and responded to accommodate those market needs."

The latest HDMI Specification adds key enhancements to support the market requirements for bringing broadcast 3D content into the home:
  • The addition of Top-and-Bottom to the Specification.
  • The addition of two mandatory formats for broadcast content:
    o Side-by-Side Horizontal
    o Top-and-Bottom
With the addition of these two mandatory formats, the HDMI Specification Version 1.4a provides a level of interoperability for devices designed to deliver 3D content over the HDMI connection. The mandatory 3D formats are:

3D Mandatory Formats
  • For movie content:
    o Frame Packing
    + 1080p @ 23.98/24Hz
  • For game content:
    o Frame Packing
    + 720p @ 50 or 59.94/60Hz
  • For broadcast content:
    o Side-by-Side Horizontal
    + 1080i @ 50 or 59.94/60Hz
    o Top-and-Bottom
    + 720p @ 50 or 59.94/60Hz
    + 1080p @ 23.97/24Hz
Implementing the mandatory formats of the HDMI Specification facilitates interoperability among devices, allowing devices to speak a common 3D language when transmitting and receiving 3D content. The mandatory requirements for devices implementing 3D formats are:
  • Displays - must support all mandatory formats.
  • Sources - must support at least one mandatory format.
  • Repeaters - must be able to pass through all mandatory formats.
HDMI Adopters will have 90 days from the publication of the Specification Version 1.4a to build and sell products that are compliant with 1.4a as well as pass the CTS Version 1.4a. This also applies to legacy set-top boxes that may have upgraded to use Specification Version 1.4 signaling.
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21 Comments on HDMI Licensing, LLC Releases HDMI Specification Version 1.4a

#1
Delta6326
cool but i think 3d looks crappy and low quality, i also have heard that around 10% of the population can not see 3d i think i may be one. i didn't see any 3d in the movie Avatar and i went to the 3d showing
Posted on Reply
#2
Mussels
Freshwater Moderator
Delta6326cool but i think 3d looks crappy and low quality, i also have heard that around 10% of the population can not see 3d i think i may be one. i didn't see any 3d in the movie Avatar and i went to the 3d showing
it takes 15 minutes for your eyes to adjust, any distractions (looking at your popcorn a lot, or reflections from behind you) screws it up and you have to wait another 15...
Posted on Reply
#3
tonyd223
I wear glasses, so do I put the 3D glasses on top of my glasses, or should I just leave the room?
Posted on Reply
#4
Steevo
I see it right away, if you can't see it then your brain isn't rendering a complete image from both eyes.
Posted on Reply
#5
Zubasa
SteevoI see it right away, if you can't see it then your brain isn't rendering a complete image from both eyes.
The human brain is the lease understanded organ in the natural world.
I wouldn't assume that it is "your brain is screwed up" type reason.
Posted on Reply
#6
Apocolypse007
tonyd223I wear glasses, so do I put the 3D glasses on top of my glasses, or should I just leave the room?
I wear glasses as well. When I went to see Avatar I slid the 3d glasses over my regular pair. Comfort was not an issue as much as trying to control the smearing on so many lenses. Oily popcorn + 4 lenses to maintain visibility = bad.
Posted on Reply
#7
Mistral
btarunr...

3D Mandatory Formats
...
  • For game content:
    o Frame Packing
    + 720p @ 50 or 59.94/60Hz
...
That's all nice but how about 1080p @ 100 or 120Hz, eh?... :banghead:
Posted on Reply
#8
AsRock
TPU addict
Musselsit takes 15 minutes for your eyes to adjust, any distractions (looking at your popcorn a lot, or reflections from behind you) screws it up and you have to wait another 15...
Sounds a real cool way to turn people into zombies.
Posted on Reply
#9
mlee49
Sounds like another way for Monster Cables to cash in. BUY NOW HDMI 1.4a cables!!!! ONLY $249.99 for the 6'.
Posted on Reply
#10
tonyd223
Apocolypse007I wear glasses as well. When I went to see Avatar I slid the 3d glasses over my regular pair. Comfort was not an issue as much as trying to control the smearing on so many lenses. Oily popcorn + 4 lenses to maintain visibility = bad.
Was the 3D immersive for you, and did it add to the experience? I've not seen it yet, and was probably going to pick it up on Blu-Ray anyway...
Posted on Reply
#11
SetsunaFZero
mlee49Sounds like another way for Monster Cables to cash in. BUY NOW HDMI 1.4a cables!!!! ONLY $249.99 for the 6'.
Thats what i thought too. They just need money. When the mart is sated they definitely gonna release HDMI 1.5a :shadedshu
Posted on Reply
#12
Apocolypse007
tonyd223Was the 3D immersive for you, and did it add to the experience? I've not seen it yet, and was probably going to pick it up on Blu-Ray anyway...
It was definitely worth the extra $3 for the ticket over the regular version. While 3d in other movies was more of a gimmick, Avatar it seems was made for it.
Posted on Reply
#13
Mussels
Freshwater Moderator
SteevoI see it right away, if you can't see it then your brain isn't rendering a complete image from both eyes.
i have near perfect vision - its not that. its that i'm long sighted, so the tiniest imperfection in the scratched up, beaten up glasses they gave me (and the lights from behind me reflecting in my glasses the entire movie) fucked it up.


Srsly, there is more to it than just "your eyes suck"
Posted on Reply
#14
[I.R.A]_FBi
Musselsit takes 15 minutes for your eyes to adjust, any distractions (looking at your popcorn a lot, or reflections from behind you) screws it up and you have to wait another 15...
That i never knew ... feel so tarded
Posted on Reply
#15
pr0n Inspector
mlee49Sounds like another way for Monster Cables to cash in. BUY NOW HDMI 1.4a cables!!!! ONLY $249.99 for the 6'.
Cardas and other obscure audiophile* brands will rape Monster, price-wise.



*audiophile, a euphemism for "clinically insane".
Posted on Reply
#16
Unregistered
Delta6326cool but i think 3d looks crappy and low quality, i also have heard that around 10% of the population can not see 3d i think i may be one. i didn't see any 3d in the movie Avatar and i went to the 3d showing
First, from my experience, there is a BIG diference between iMAX 3D and the rest of the 3D theaters. I bet you went to the local 3D theater, not a genuine iMAX one.

Second, I'm also a 4 eyes user, BUT, when I'm going to cinema, I always put on my contacts. Simple.

And regarding that some of the people cannot see 3D with the glasses, the explanation is simple. It7s nothing wrong with your brain, is something wrong with your eye. The reasons are so many, only an eye doctor can tell. The most common problems are when/if the eye is tired, out of focus, when one needs glasses, or if you drank to many beers before the movie...well here's your answer. :toast::nutkick::cool:
Musselsit takes 15 minutes for your eyes to adjust, any distractions (looking at your popcorn a lot, or reflections from behind you) screws it up and you have to wait another 15...
Neeh! It's bs. The effect should appear instantly! Wtf do you need 15 mins for???!? To warm up your brain/eyes??! Common!!!
#17
Mussels
Freshwater Moderator
TAViXAnd regarding that some of the people cannot see 3D with the glasses, the explanation is simple. It7s nothing wrong with your brain, is something wrong with your eye. The reasons are so many, only an eye doctor can tell. The most common problems are when/if the eye is tired, out of focus, when one needs glasses, or if you drank to many beers before the movie...well here's your answer. :toast::nutkick::cool:
there is also many things unrelated to the person themselves - my entire cinema (well, the people on the sides of every row) complained at the end, because they couldnt see the 3D effect to lighting in the aisles (required by law) reflecting in the glasses.

its not always a case of "this person cannot see 3D" more that "some people had shit experiences due to things outside their control"
Posted on Reply
#18
Makaveli
Musselsit takes 15 minutes for your eyes to adjust, any distractions (looking at your popcorn a lot, or reflections from behind you) screws it up and you have to wait another 15...
Dead on...took me about 15 mins for my eyes to settle down. I kept focusing on one object onscreen when I put them on.

And why does this HDMI spec keep getting updated and a new version is out every 6 months. Feels like a cash grab to me.
Posted on Reply
#19
sethk
Like other people, it took me a few minutes to stop being totally distracted by the 3D in Avatar, but I don't understand what these comments about "not being able to see the 3D" for a while even means. I mean, the previews were in 3D (mostly) and from the first second of 3D... it looked 3D. It didn't take any time to "see the 3D", it was apparent immediately, if a little distracting.

Anyways... HDMI 1.4A... is there any other kind of HDMI? Like plain vanilla HDMI 1.4? Or is this it? I wonder when we'll see computer cards that support HDMI 1.4, so we can connect our PCs to big screen TVs for some large screen 3D gaming + Blu-ray 3D fun.
Posted on Reply
#20
Mussels
Freshwater Moderator
sethkLike other people, it took me a few minutes to stop being totally distracted by the 3D in Avatar, but I don't understand what these comments about "not being able to see the 3D" for a while even means. I mean, the previews were in 3D (mostly) and from the first second of 3D... it looked 3D. It didn't take any time to "see the 3D", it was apparent immediately, if a little distracting.

Anyways... HDMI 1.4A... is there any other kind of HDMI? Like plain vanilla HDMI 1.4? Or is this it? I wonder when we'll see computer cards that support HDMI 1.4, so we can connect our PCs to big screen TVs for some large screen 3D gaming + Blu-ray 3D fun.
every time they update these specs, you need all new devices. 1.4 was announced a while back.


so if you have a 1.4 TV and video card, you now need to throw it out and buy 1.4a if you want 3D...
Posted on Reply
#21
WarEagleAU
Bird of Prey
I see 3d right away as well. Shrek4d Jimmy Neutron 3d (yes Universal Studios Florida FTW!)

Not sure I care much for 3D at home to be honest, but higher bandwidth and higher resolutions would be better IMHO.
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