HDMI video
The High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI®) combines uncompressed HD video, multichannel audio, and intelligent format/command data in a single cable with a very compact connector.
HDMI can carry video at resolutions up to 4K x 2K (4096 x 2160 at 24 Hz). It provides superior HDTV video and audio clarity and has enough bandwidth (up to 5 Gigabytes) to spare for future applications. Plus, it’s backward compatible with DVI (which simply ignores extra HDMI data).
HDMI also supports multiple audio formats from standard stereo to multichannel surround sound. For video distribution applications, HDMI provides two-way communications between the source and the digital TV, enabling simple, remote, point-and-click configurations.Find out more about our HDMI over IP Distribution solution.
HDMI also supports High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection (HDCP), which prevents the copying of content transmitted over HDMI cable. If you have a device between the source and the display that supports HDMI but not HDCP, your transmission won’t work, even over an HDMI cable.
HDMI offers significant benefits over older analog AV connections. It’s backward compatible with DVI equipment. A DVI-to-HDMI adapter can be used without a loss of video quality.
The HDMI standard was introduced in December 2002. Since then, there have been a number of versions with increasing bandwidth and/or transmission capabilities. Version 1.3, introduced in 2006, increased the bandwidth to 10.2 Gbps and added support for up to 16-bit Deep Color. Version 1.4, released in 2009, increased maximum supported resolution to 4K x 2K (4096 x 2160 at 24 Hz), and added support for a 100-Mbps Ethernet connection between the HDMI devices, an audio return channel, and 3D support.