Hdmi Specification
HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface) is the latest technology there is on the transmission of video and audio from a source device to a receiver. Unlike previous technologies, which used analog signal, HDMI uses digital signal. Compared to analog signal, digital signal allows for a greater and purer transfer of information, which results on a much higher video resolution and a better audio quality. The difference is so great that receivers have to have HDMI specification in order to display this signal.
The HDMI specification can be broken down as follows:
- HDMI dimensions. The HDMI specification for dimension depends on the type of connector. At the moment, there are 3 types of connector; types A, B, and C. HDMI connector type A measures 13.9 by 4.45 millimeters. HDMI connector type B measures 21.2 by 4.45 millimeters. HDMI connector type C measures 10.42 by 2.42 millimeters.
- HDMI bandwidth. This measures how much information can be sent through the cable. The HDMI specification at the moment is 340 MHz or 10.2 Gigabits per second. This HDMI specification is more than enough for current high definition sources, and it’s designed with more powerful, future resolutions that aren’t sold commercially yet.
- HDMI protocol. A protocol is a code that controls the data that is sent over some form of communication channel. In the case of the HDMI specifications, the communication channel is a cable, and the protocol used is the TMDS, which stands for Transition Minimized differential signaling.
- HDMI cable configuration. As opposed to previous video and audio interfaces, the HDMI specification uses only one cable. The pin configuration is different according to the connector. The HDMI specification for connectors type A and C is 19 pins. In the case of connector type A, the 19 pins are arranged in two files, one with 10 pins and the other one with 9. In the case of connector type B, all 19 pins are arranged in a single file. Connector type B uses 29 pins, arranged in two files.
- HDMI video signal. The HDMI specification supports a lot of formats. The formats supported are 480i, 480p, 576i, 576p, 720p, 1080i, 1080p, 1440p, and 1600p. It has the capacity to support future developed video formats. HMDI’s maximum color depth is 48 bit/px.
- HDMI audio signal. The HDMI specification supports an amazing range of audio formats. The audio formats supported are LPCM, Dolby Digital, DTS, DVD-Audio, Super Audio CD, Dolby TrueHD, DTS-HD Master Audio, and MPCM. HDMI supports up to 8 channels of digital audio.
