HDMI Connection Explained


In this article you will have a HDMI connection explained in a more simpler format.

HDMI is a standard of High Definiton cables that produce higher quality video playback from Blu-ray players, games consoles and HDMI compatible PCs and laptops.

What does HDMI stand for

HDMI stands for High Definition Multimedia Interface

A HDMI Connection is supported by the following devices:

Blu- Ray Players

Home Cinema Systems

Game Consoles

HDMI inputs started appearing on HD camcorders and digital cameras in 2006.

How did HDMI begin

The HDMI cable was first designed in December 2002 by the HDMI Group, with the final specification finished on December 10th 2002.

The HDMI Group consisted of major electronic companies such as Sony and Toshiba. By September 2003 at a CEDIA event show over 40 products had been released with the HDMI inputs.

There have been different version of HDMI:

December 2002

HDMI 1.0

May 2004

HDMI 1.1

August 2005

HDMI 1.2

December 2005

HDMI 1.2a

June 2006

HDMI 1.3

November 2006

HDMI 1.3a

June 2007

HDMI 1.3b

March 2010

HDMI 1.4a

How does HDMI connect to my High definition TV

You will need to look at the back of your TV for a socket that will be labelled "HDMI" .

You then connect your HDMI cable into this input.

Here are some links to a few HDMI TV Manufacturer Support Pages for further reference on locating the HDMI connection:

Sony
Toshiba
Panasonic
LG

Why can't I find a HDMI port on the back of my TV

If you bought your TV before 2008, you will likely not have a HDMI connection.

However, if you bought it after 2008, you are most likely to have at least one HDMI port.

Consumer electronics manufacturers have only just started to produce afforable high definition products for the consumer.

The most popular HD product being the video games console such as the XBOX 360 or Playstation 3.

How does the HDMI cable make the picture look so great

Depending on your HD TV, a HDMI cable will produce either a 480p screen resolution or all the way up to a 1080p.

Now to put that into context for you:

480p

This resolution means that 480 progressive lines are shown on the screen and is basically the equivalent of watching regular, non high definition TV.

720p

720p has resolution pixels of 1,280x720 and display high definition quality content.

However because there is only 720 progressive lines showing on the TV you won't receive what is called "Full High Definition"

1080i

1080i (i meaning interlaced) means that there is "1,920x1,080" pixels shown on the screen.

Both 720p and 1080i are classed as "HD Ready", which means they are capable of displaying a high definition picture.

1080p

1080p is the "Full High Definition" experience. however it is very hard to find cheap TV's which have 1080p in them.

The picture on a 1080p TV is the best visual HD experience you can get

What is the difference between the HDMI and DVI cables

HDMI carries both high definition audio and video channels in one port, whereas as depending on which version of the DVI cable you get a varied visual experience.

I hope this has cleared up any misunderstanding about HDMI and I hope you have become a little bit more knowledgeable about High Definition inputs





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