Infrastructure Hardware > Adapters

High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) is the first digital interface to combine uncompressed high-definition video, multichannel audio, and intelligent format and command data in a single cable.

The HDMI standard was introduced in December 2002, and HDMI 1.2 was released in August 2005. HDMI is supported by many leading consumer electronics manufacturers as well as motion picture studios, and cable and satellite operators.

The HDMI connector is compact and is somewhat similar to a USB connector.

Use this serial interface to connect audio/video equipment, such as DVD players, a set-top box, and A/V receivers with an audio and/or video monitor, such as a digital TV over a single cable. HDMI supports standard, enhanced, and high-definition video. It has a bandwidth of up to 5 Gigabytes so it supports all HDTV standards and has bandwidth to spare for future applications.

HDMI is backward compatible with DVI equipment such as PCs, TVs, and other electronic devices using the DVI standard. The DVI device simply ignores the extra data.

HDMI offers significant benefits over older analog A/V connections. It provides superior video and audio clarity because there is no signal loss from digital-to-analog conversions. HDMI supports resolutions of 1920 x 1080p and multiple audio formats from standard stereo to multichannel surround sound. Plus it provides two-way communication between the video source and the digital TV, enabling simple, remote, point-and-click configurations.

HDMI is emerging as the connection standard for HDTV and the consumer electronics market. Because HDMI transmits all signals over one cable, it’s quite desirable for home theater electronics and systems. It greatly simplifies the installation of home entertainment systems by eliminating the tangle of cables running behind the system. It’s also very cost-effective because only one cable is needed.

There are standards…and there are standards applied in real-world applications. This Black Box Explains illustrates how SCSI is interpreted by many SCSI manufacturers. Think of these as common SCSI connector types, not as firm SCSI specifications. Notice, for instance, there’s a SCSI-5, which isn’t listed among the other approved and proposed specifications. However, for advanced SCSI multiport applications, SCSI-5 is often the connector of choice.

SCSI-1
Supports transfer rates up to 5 MBps and seven SCSI devices on an 8-bit bus. The most common connector is the Centronics® 50 or a DB50. A Micro Ribbon 50 is also used for internal connections. SCSI-1 equipment, such as controllers, can also have Burndy 60 or 68 connectors.

SCSI-2
SCSI-2 introduced optional 16- and 32-bit buses called “Wide SCSI.“ Transfer rate is normally 10 MBps but SCSI-2 can go up to 40 MBps with Wide and Fast SCSI. SCSI-2 usually features a Micro D 50-pin connector with thumbclips. It’s also known as Mini 50 or Micro DB50. A Micro Ribbon 60 connector may also be used for internal connections.

SCSI-3
Found in many high-end systems, SCSI-3 commonly uses a Micro D 68-pin connector with thumbscrews. It’s also known as Mini 68. The most common bus width is 16 bits with transfer rates of 20 MBps.

SCSI-5
SCSI-5 is also called a Very High-Density Connector Interface (VHDCI) or 0.8-mm connector. It’s similar to the SCSI-3 MD68 connector in that it has 68 pins, but it has a much smaller footprint. SCSI-5 is designed for SCSI-5, next-generation SCSI connections. Manufacturers are integrating this 0.8-mm design into controller cards. It’s also the connector of choice for advanced SCSI multiport applications. Up to four channels can be accommodated in one card slot. Connections are easier where space is limited.