Aug/090
HDMI Versions explained
HDMI devices are manufactured to adhere to various versions of the specification, in which each version is given a number, such as 1.0, 1.2, or 1.3a. Each subsequent version of the specification uses the same kind of cable but increases the bandwidth and/or capabilities of what can be transmitted over the cable. A product listed as having an HDMI version does not necessarily mean that it will have all of the features that are listed for that version, since some HDMI features are optional, such as Deep Color and xvYCC (which is branded by Sony as “x.v.Color“).
Version 1.0 to 1.2
HDMI 1.0 was released December 9, 2002 and is a single-cable digital audio/video connector interface with a maximum TMDS bandwidth of 4.9 Gbit/s. It supports up to 3.96 Gbit/s of video bandwidth (1080p/60 Hz or UXGA) and 8 channel LPCM/192 kHz/24-bit audio. HDMI 1.1 was released on May 20, 2004 and added support for DVD Audio. HDMI 1.2 was released August 8, 2005 and added support for One Bit Audio, used on Super Audio CDs, at up to 8 channels. It also added the availability of HDMI Type A connectors for PC sources, the ability for PC sources to only support the sRGB color space while retaining the option to support the YCbCr color space, and required HDMI 1.2 and later displays to support low-voltage sources. HDMI 1.2a was released on December 14, 2005 and fully specifies Consumer Electronic Control (CEC) features, command sets, and CEC compliance tests.
Version 1.3
HDMI 1.3 was released June 22, 2006 and increased the single-link bandwidth to 340 MHz (10.2 Gbit/s). It optionally supports Deep Color, with 30-bit, 36-bit, and 48-bit xvYCC, sRGB, or YCbCr, compared to 24-bit sRGB or YCbCr in previous HDMI versions. It also optionally supports output of Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio streams for external decoding by AV receivers. It incorporates automatic audio syncing (audio video sync) capability. It defined cable Categories 1 and 2, with Category 1 cable being tested up to 74.25 MHz and Category 2 being tested up to 340 MHz. It also added the new Type C miniconnector for portable devices. HDMI 1.3a was released on November 10, 2006 and had Cable and Sink modifications for Type C, source termination recommendations, and removed undershoot and maximum rise/fall time limits. It also changed CEC capacitance limits, clarified sRGB video quantization range, and CEC commands for timer control were brought back in an altered form, with audio control commands added. HDMI 1.3b was released on March 26, 2007 and added HDMI compliance testing revisions. HDMI 1.3b has no effect on HDMI features, functions, or performance, since the testing is for products based on the HDMI 1.3a specification. HDMI 1.3b1 was released on November 9, 2007 and added HDMI compliance testing revisions, which added testing requirements for the HDMI Type C miniconnector. HDMI 1.3b1 has no effect on HDMI features, functions, or performance, since the testing is for products based on the HDMI 1.3a specification. HDMI 1.3c was released on August 25, 2008 and added HDMI compliance testing revisions, which changed testing requirements for active HDMI cables. HDMI 1.3c has no effect on HDMI features, functions, or performance, since the testing is for products based on the HDMI 1.3a specification.
Version 1.4
HDMI 1.4 was released on May 28, 2009, and Silicon Image expects their first HDMI 1.4 products to sample in the second half of 2009. HDMI 1.4 increases the maximum resolution to 4K × 2K (3840×2160p at 24Hz/25Hz/30Hz and 4096×2160p at 24Hz, which is a resolution used with digital theaters); an HDMI Ethernet Channel, which allows for a 100 Mb/s Ethernet connection between the two HDMI connected devices; and introduces an Audio Return Channel, 3D Over HDMI, a new Micro HDMI Connector, expanded support for color spaces, and an Automotive Connection System.
Version Comparison
Note that a given product may choose to implement a subset of the given HDMI version. Certain features such as Deep Color and xvYCC support are optional.
| HDMI version | 1.0–1.2a | 1.3+ | 1.4 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maximum signal bandwidth (MHz) | 165 | 340 | 340[119] |
| Maximum TMDS bandwidth (Gbit/s) | 4.95 | 10.2 | 10.2 |
| Maximum video bandwidth (Gbit/s) | 3.96 | 8.16 | 8.16 |
| Maximum audio bandwidth (Mbit/s) | 36.86 | 36.86 | 36.86 |
| Maximum color depth (bit/px) | 24 | 48[A] | 48 |
| Maximum resolution over single link at 24-bit/px[B] | 1920×1200p60 | 2560×1600p75 | 4096×2160p24 |
| Maximum resolution over single link at 30-bit/px[C] | 2560×1600p60 | 4096×2160p24 | |
| Maximum resolution over single link at 36-bit/px[D] | 1920×1200p75 | 4096×2160p24 | |
| Maximum resolution over single link at 48-bit/px[E] | 1920×1200p60 | 1920×1200p60 |
| HDMI version | 1.0 | 1.1 | 1.2 1.2a |
1.3 | 1.3a 1.3b 1.3b1 1.3c |
1.4[120] |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| sRGB | ||||||
| YCbCr | ||||||
| 8 channel LPCM/192 kHz/24-bit audio capability | ||||||
| Blu-ray Disc video and audio at full resolution[F] | ||||||
| Consumer Electronic Control (CEC)[G] | ||||||
| DVD Audio support | ||||||
| Super Audio CD (DSD) support[H] | ||||||
| Deep Color | ||||||
| xvYCC | ||||||
| Auto lip-sync | ||||||
| Dolby TrueHD bitstream capable | ||||||
| DTS-HD Master Audio bitstream capable | ||||||
| Updated list of CEC commands | ||||||
| Ethernet Channel | ||||||
| Audio Return Channel | ||||||
| 3D Over HDMI | ||||||
| 4K x 2K Resolution Support |
- A 36-bit support is mandatory for Deep Color compatible CE devices, with 48-bit support being optional.
- B Maximum resolution is based on CVT-RB, which is a VESA standard for non-CRT-based displays. Using CVT-RB 1920×1200 would have a video bandwidth of 3.69 Gbit/s, and 2560×1600 would have a video bandwidth of 8.12 Gbit/s.
- C Using CVT-RB would have a video bandwidth of 8.12 Gbit/s.
- D Using CVT-RB would have a video bandwidth of 7.91 Gbit/s.
- E Using CVT-RB would have a video bandwidth of 7.39 Gbit/s.
- F Even for a compressed audio codec that a given HDMI version cannot transport, the source device may be able to decode the audio codec and transmit the audio as uncompressed LPCM.
- G CEC has been in the HDMI specification since version 1.0, but only began to be used in CE products with HDMI version 1.3a.
- H Playback of SACD may be possible for older HDMI versions if the source device (such as the Oppo 970) converts to LPCM.
- I Large number of additions and clarifications for CEC commands. One addition is CEC command, allowing for volume control of an AV receiver.
Aug/090
First regular European HDTV broadcasts
Although HDTV broadcasts had been demonstrated in Europe since the early 1990s, the first regular broadcasts started on January 1, 2004 when Euro1080 launched the HD1 channel with the traditional Vienna New Year’s Concert. Test transmissions had been active since the IBC exhibition in September 2003, but the New Year’s Day broadcast marked the official start of the HD1 channel, and the start of HDTV in Europe.
Euro1080, a division of the Belgian TV services company Alfacam, broadcast HDTV channels to break the pan-European stalemate of “no HD broadcasts mean no HD TVs bought means no HD broadcasts…” and kick-start HDTV interest in Europe.
The HD1 channel was initially free-to-air and mainly comprised sporting, dramatic, musical and other cultural events broadcast with a multi-lingual soundtrack on a rolling schedule of 4 or 5 hours per day.
These first European HDTV broadcasts used the 1080i format with MPEG-2 compression on a DVB-S signal from SES Astra’s 1H satellite at Europe’s main DTH Astra 19.2°E position. Euro1080 transmissions later changed to MPEG-4/AVC compression on a DVB-S2 signal in line with subsequent broadcast channels in Europe.
Aug/090
Netflix to Wii, iPhone, and perhaps Apple TV?
Netflix might be planning to bring its “Watch Instantly” feature to new devices soon. Currently built in to several products, like Sony HDTVs, and very popular on the Xbox 360, the feature lets subscribers watch any of thousands of movies in the Netflix library on their TVs. There are no physical discs; the videos stream via Web connection.
And according to Afterdawn.com, which quotes unnamed executives familiar with the situation, the Nintendo Wii and Apple’s iPhone platform are next on the list. The Wii is a fairly obvious choice as Nintendo has been pushing streaming or downloadable content since the console launched a year and a half ago.
But the iPhone is something else. Apple–likely at the behest of AT&T–has kept much streaming video from the iPhone. Afterdawn points out that the streaming would likely be via Wi-Fi, only to keep bandwidth on the already overloaded network down.
What’s interesting is the lack of mention of the Apple TV. Sure, the iPhone and iPod Touch are much more popular devices, but the Apple TV–which already features streaming media via YouTube and the iTunes Movie Store–seems like a much more natural choice. People want to watch the movies on their TVs.
Apple wants you to rent or buy from iTunes and has never been happy with an “all you can eat” subscription service. But if Netflix can convince Jobs and company that “Watch Instantly” will be OK on the iPhone, then it can argue the same for the Apple TV.