The next-generation of HDMI interface has been rubber-stamped by the HDMI Licensing consortium. HDMI 1.4 isn't just a small upgrade, either.
With one eye firmly on the digital home there are several significant improvements to the technology, including integrated data connectivity and support for 3D. Here's what you need to know:
1. HDMI 1.4 features an integrated Ethernet channel
The new version of HDMI adds a bi-directional IP data channel to allow devices to send and receive data at full Ethernet speeds (ie up to 100Mbps). This basically eliminates the need for a separate Ethernet cable and enables web-capable devices (with HDMI 1.4 connectors) to share their internet connection with other HDMI gadgets. For example, an HDMI 1.4-equipped amp could act as the internet hub of a home cinema system, sharing its broadband access with a connected TV or set-top box.
2. There's support for dual-stream 1080p 3D
HDMI 1.4 defines several 3D formats for HDMI-enabled devices, including 'frame alternative', 'line alternative' and 'field alternative' methods, 'Side by side' methods (full and half) and '2D plus depth' methods. The new specification is also capable of handling dual-stream 3D resolutions up to 1080p. Having already made an impact on the big screen, 3D TV is arguably the 'next big thing' in home entertainment. Sky has recently announced its intention to launch a 3D channel, while 3D gaming experiments have already been conducted on the PC and PS3.
3. HDMI 1.4 supports "extremely high HD resolutions"
Specifically, HDMI 1.4 provides support for 4K x 2K resolutions, which is effectively four times the pixel-perfection of a current 1080p device. This allows HDMI 1.4 to handle digital video in the same resolution as current digital cinema systems. Formats supported by HDMI 1.4 include: 3840 x 2160 pixels at 24Hz, 25Hz and 30Hz; and 4096 x 2160 pixels at 24Hz.
HIGHER DEF: HDMI 1.4 provides support for 4K resolution TVs. That's 4096 x 2160 pixels at 24Hz
4. There's a new Audio Return Channel...
According to HDMI.org, "in cases where a TV features an internal content source, such as a built-in tuner or DVD player, the Audio Return Channel allows the TV to send audio data upstream to the A/V receiver via the HDMI cable, eliminating the need for an extra cable."
5. … And extended support for color spaces
Specifically, HDMI 1.4 includes support for sYCC601, Adobe RGB, and Adobe YCC601 to enable colours to be more accurately reproduced when viewing digital photos on your digital telly.
Your comments (10) Click to add a new comment
panther
January 6th
10. this is interesting as i just purchased a New 40" Samsung LED TV and the salesman said this TV would not work on the HDMI1.3 and required 1.4. It wasent an upsell, the cable was a 'gift' and normally 380HK$ ($50US). It simply did not work at all with 1080p signal on a 1.3 cable!
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skinjob
September 29th 2009
9. haha that shut him up
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lovlid
August 21st 2009
8. @ alanlowney.
YOU don't know anything about jmace86, yet you assume he's sad, a nerd and in need of a girlfriend. Bit hypocritical maybe?
You clicked on the article to see how sad people like us could be, yet you were the first to comment. Now thats sad. Maybe your lonely and in need of a conversation.
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alanlowney
August 21st 2009
7. 1st to comment? since when did 1st or last to comment make a difference? And you don't know the first thing about me. I'll leave you to your small little world of hdmi configuration settings. enjoy!
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mbb
August 21st 2009
6. But you were the first to comment, alanlowley. There were no other sad people. Just you.
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alanlowney
August 21st 2009
5. jmace, no I didn't want to know anything about hdmi yada yada. i clicked on it to see how sad people like you could be. it seems to me that you're "into" this kind of thing - a true nerd who feels the need to know the specifics of a new standard. I'll bet you have an awesome home cinema setup and have read all the manuals. maybe get a life...and a girlfriend.
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