The High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) is a compact video/audio connector interface which allows transferring of uncompressed digital streams. This provides an alternative solution to consumer analogue standards which include D-Terminal, component video, composite video, S-Video, SCART, VGA, and Radio Frequency (RF) coaxial cable.
The advantage of using HDMI is that it uses a single connection instead of several cable wires. This allows easy and convenient connection to video/audio source including DVD players, set-top-boxes, and video and/or audio monitor like a Plasma TV. Another benefit of this technology is that it provides high-resolution images since it transfers uncompressed digital video and audio content with the use of compression/decompression process which prevents the quality of the signal to be diminished.
The HDMI is designed to support two-way communication process between the video source and the screen display, allowing automatic configuration functions like remote control feature. It was also designed to accommodate long copper cables for up to 15-meter long or 50 feet without using any HDMI amplifier or repeaters.
The HDMI can also support standard PAL AND NTSC; 24-bit uncompressed digital audio; eight channels of 192kHz; and high-definition video formats such as 720p, 1080i, 1080p, and 60Hz. The interface can still provide enough bandwidth to provide further improvements and requirements. The HDMI has been originally developed to add value to Digital Visual Interface (DVI) connection using audio and content protection. The DVI uses a signal that is electrically compatible with HDMI video signal; this means that there will be no signal conversion needed.
Since HDMI can support DVI , DVI-A source can run monitor which is HDMI-enabled and vice-versa. Meanwhile, for High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection (HDCP) support is needed to allow users to view and record the protected content. Computers which feature HDMI hardware output must be only used with Windows Vista and Linux.
Today, there are three types of connectors. The first one is Type A which features 19 pins and a bandwidth to support SDTV, EDTV, and HDTV modes. The second one is Type B which features 29 pins with twice as much of bandwidth found in Type A. And lastly, Type C which is designed for portable devices. The HDMI standard was established by leading manufacturer of electronic products. These are Panasonic, Toshiba, Philips, Hitachi, Sony, Thomson and Silicone Image.
Since the interface complies with a law called High-Bandwidth Digital Content Protection (HDCP) which provides copyright protection to movie makers, major motion producers which include Warner Bros., Disney Picture, and Fox support the HDMI interface. Also, system operator EchoStar and DirecTV support it.
This technology has been introduced in 2002. In 2003, HDMI-enabled consumer electronics started to enter the market which in effect makes it a genuine standard for High Definition Television (HDTV) connections. Today, it has been estimated that there are almost 100 million HDMI-enabled devices which are expected to increase in a dramatic proportion.
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