Showing its commitment to support the latest and future A/V technologies, HDMI Licensing, LLC, the agent responsible for licensing the High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) specification, announced today the features that will be incorporated in the upcoming HDMI 1.4 specification.

First there's the addition of a data channel to the HDMI cable that will make Ethernet port on Internet-enabled HDTVs and set-top boxes a thing of the past.

Furthermore, this new feature will let an Internet-enabled HDMI device to share its Internet connection with other HDMI devices. Think of it as a sub-network within your LAN that is made of HDMI devices.


The other cool feature is the audio return channel, which will you send an audio stream to an A/V receiver over the HDMI cable, eliminating the need for an extra audio cable. This is when the conbined audio and video content arrives to a HDMI device such as a TV and you need to grab the audio stream and forward it to an audio amp.

Anticipating that the future of HDTV lies in 3D visuals, HDMI 1.4 specification is already incorporating support for 3D formats, which rely on dual-stream 1080p resolution.

Finally, the 1.4 spec is incorpoating support for the same resolution used in digital theatres, that is 4K x 2K, which is four times beyond the resolution of 1080p. The 1.4 spec also incorporates new color spaces.

HDMI Licensing, LLC Announces Features of the Upcoming HDMI Specification Version 1.4

Enhancements Include Networking, Audio Return Channel, 3D Capability, Improved Performance and New Connectors

SUNNYVALE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--HDMI Licensing, LLC, the agent responsible for licensing the High-Definition Multimedia Interface® (HDMI®) specification, today announced the features that will be incorporated in the upcoming HDMI 1.4 specification. This latest version of the HDMI specification will, among other advancements, offer networking capabilities with Ethernet connectivity and will add an Audio Return Channel to enable upstream audio connections via the HDMI cable. The HDMI specification 1.4 will be available for download on the HDMI LLC website no later than June 30, 2009.

The HDMI 1.4 specification will offer the following enhanced functionalities:

* HDMI Ethernet Channel

The HDMI 1.4 specification will add a data channel to the HDMI cable and will enable high-speed bi-directional communication. Connected devices that include this feature will be able to send and receive data via 100 Mb/sec Ethernet, making them instantly ready for any IP-based application.

The HDMI Ethernet Channel will allow an Internet-enabled HDMI device to share its Internet connection with other HDMI devices without the need for a separate Ethernet cable. The new feature will also provide the connection platform to allow HDMI-enabled devices to share content between devices.

o Audio Return Channel

The new specification will add an Audio Return Channel that will reduce the number of cables required to deliver audio upstream for processing and playback. In cases where HDTVs are directly receiving audio and video content, this new Audio Return Channel allows the HDTV to send the audio stream to the A/V receiver over the HDMI cable, eliminating the need for an extra cable.
o 3D Over HDMI

The 1.4 version of the specification will define common 3D formats and resolutions for HDMI-enabled devices. The specification will standardize the input/output portion of the home 3D system and will specify up to dual-stream 1080p resolution.
o 4K x 2K Resolution Support

The new specification will enable HDMI devices to support high-definition (HD) resolutions four times beyond the resolution of 1080p. Support for 4K x 2K will allow the HDMI interface to transmit content at the same resolution as many digital theaters. Formats supported include:
+ 3840x2160 24Hz/25Hz/30Hz
+ 4096x2160 24Hz

o Expanded Support For Color Spaces

HDMI technology now supports color spaces designed specifically for digital still cameras. By supporting sYCC601, Adobe RGB and AdobeYCC601, HDMI-enabled display devices will be capable of reproducing more accurate life-like colors when connected to a digital still camera.
o Micro HDMI Connector

The Micro HDMI Connector is a significantly smaller 19-pin connector that supports up to 1080p resolutions for portable devices. This new connector is approximately 50% smaller than the size of the existing HDMI Mini Connector.
o Automotive Connection System

The Automotive Connection System is a cabling specification designed to be used as the basis for in-vehicle HD content distribution. The HDMI 1.4 specification will provide a solution designed to meet the rigors and environmental issues commonly found in automobiles, such as heat, vibration and noise. Using the Automotive Connection System, automobile manufactures will now have a viable solution for distributing HD content within the car.


“The HDMI specification continues to add functionality as the consumer electronics and PC industries build products that enhance the consumer’s HD experience,” said Steve Venuti, president of HDMI Licensing, LLC. “The 1.4 specification will support some of the most exciting and powerful near-term innovations such as Ethernet connectivity and 3D formats. Additionally we are going to broaden our solution by providing a smaller connector for portable devices and a connection system specified for automobiles, as we see both more and different devices adopting the HDMI technology.”

Consumers will also see new HDMI cables introduced to the market. In order to take advantage of the HDMI Ethernet Channel, consumers will need to purchase either a Standard HDMI cable with Ethernet, or a High Speed HDMI cable with Ethernet. Consumers connecting an external device to an in-vehicle HDMI-enabled HD system will need the new Automotive HDMI cable. Consumers can expect to see new HDMI 1.4 cables introduced to the market when new HDMI 1.4 devices are available.

Consumers will have a choice of the following HDMI cables:

o Standard HDMI Cable – supports data rates up to 1080i/60;
o High Speed HDMI Cable – supports data rates beyond 1080p, including Deep Color and all 3D formats of the new 1.4 specification;
o Standard HDMI Cable with Ethernet – includes Ethernet connectivity;
o High Speed HDMI Cable with Ethernet – includes Ethernet connectivity;
o Automotive HDMI Cable – allows the connection of external HDMI-enabled devices to an in-vehicle HDMI device.
The HDMI standard continues to grow in the marketplace with now over 850 adopters worldwide. The growing adoption of the HDMI specification by both consumer electronics and PC manufacturers further strengthens its position as the worldwide standard for high-definition digital connectivity. According to market research firm In-Stat, over 394 million HDMI-enabled devices are expected to ship in 2009, with an installed base of 1 billion devices. By the end of 2009 100% of digital televisions are expected to have at least one HDMI input.

The HDMI specification 1.4 will be available for download at http://www.hdmi.org no later than June 30, 2009.

About HDMI Licensing, LLC

HDMI Licensing, LLC is the agent responsible for licensing the HDMI specification, promoting the HDMI standard and providing education on the benefits of the HDMI specification to adopters, retailers and consumers. The HDMI specification was developed by Hitachi, Panasonic Corporation, Philips, Silicon Image, Sony, Thomson and Toshiba as the all-digital interface standard for the consumer electronics and personal computer markets. The HDMI specification combines uncompressed high-definition video and multi-channel audio in a single digital interface to provide crystal-clear digital quality over a single cable. HDMI Licensing, LLC is a wholly owned subsidiary of Silicon Image, Inc. For more information about the HDMI specification, please visit www.hdmi.org.

http://news.teamxbox.com/xbox/19748/HDMI-Specification-Version-14-Announced/

thanks for sharing

How is a data channel going to help a device to television connection? At this point, the television would have to be networked, but what purpose does it serve that a PC or a PS3 with an HDMI connection can't already do?

All these people dropping cash on these pointless "Smart TVs" just so they can look at flickr or youtube...

GET A PS3 AND YOU CAN DO THAT AND MORE.

So I just thought I'd clarify this for everyone more

First of all, I'm predicting the mini HDMI standard will be used like crazy with new PSP hardware and new iPods. Honestly sounds like a good alternative to USB or firewire...the bandwidth should be roughly the same as today's HDMI so imagine that with your mp3 collection or your PSP's TV output. PRICE WILL BE A FACTOR THOUGH: I'M SURE OF IT!

Second, the return audio sounds like it might go hand in hand with more OTA HD signals and cablecard or clearQAM becoming widespread. You'll have your coax line or antenna running into your HDTV and and HDMI cable plugged into your receiver from your TV will send HD audio to it. I'm pretty sure the way they are phrasing it is that the connection is 2 way, so that means quite possibly, you'll only need one cable to output all your HDMIs to your TV and to get the audio stream from your TV as well.

The 1.4 HDMI cable with a data line will be used like this

Receiver has LAN connection plugged in directly, and then HDMI cables run to PS3,360, DVR, HDTV, etc: so ALL devices get the lan signal via the receiver without any extra cables

The standard is about two or three years to being in mass production, by then 1.3 should be THE standard most available...

Yes, you can do this with a router, but you'll either need everything to be wireless or you'll need multiple LAN cables..so I see the point..say you have a room with a PS3, a 360, and a HTPC...you could connect them all through the receiver by HDMI and they would all get internet signal

MIND YOU, I HAVE NO IDEA HOW THE RECEIVER IS GOING TO WORK AS A ROUTER. It could just be a standard router built in..in that case..there's a chance we'll see routers that do this without the need for a receiver...

it sounds more interesting the more I read about it but with people barely getting used to wiring LAN and wireless picking up steam..I don't see the real need to confuse people even more.

only problem is the right lengths of lan cable are WAAAAAY cheaper than HDMI cables, especially since many of us make our own wiring....I suppose if you have that many networked devices you're already familiar with networking..so this isn't needed..

but still...if this can streamline home networking for the average consumer, it'll be a welcome technology.

As a last point, I'm not excited at all about the emphasis on 3d lately. It still needs goofy looking glasses and in general it's just..a gimmick. I've seen that movie about that astronaut fly and the Hannah Montana concert in 3d...it just looks funny..and is ultimately pointless.

I don't like this:

o Standard HDMI Cable – supports data rates up to 1080i/60;
o High Speed HDMI Cable – supports data rates beyond 1080p, including Deep Color and all 3D formats of the new 1.4 specification;
o Standard HDMI Cable with Ethernet – includes Ethernet connectivity;
o High Speed HDMI Cable with Ethernet – includes Ethernet connectivity;
o Automotive HDMI Cable – allows the connection of external HDMI-enabled devices to an in-vehicle HDMI device.

There should be only one. Like the highlander.

There should be only one. Like the highlander.

I agree. When you start throwing all these different versions, you start to mislead consumers. Plus is it really necessary to have all these different versions anyway? Can't they just put it all into one cable? It'd be almost as bad as Nvidia and ATI...except not really :P

I don't like this:



There should be only one. Like the highlander.

Seriously, isn't the point of HDMI being the ONE cable to rule them all?

Seriously, isn't the point of HDMI being the ONE cable to rule them all?

Hey man, I was first with the Highlander thing. Don't bring LOTR in here!
There can be only one!

If anyone is thinking this shouldn't be, read the original post and read my post...

these HDMI cables are not replacing standard ones...this is for specific applications: portable devices, OTA HD or advanced cable technologies, or simplified networking.

If anyone is thinking this shouldn't be, read the original post and read my post...

these HDMI cables are not replacing standard ones...this is for specific applications: portable devices, OTA HD or advanced cable technologies, or simplified networking.

I'm pretty sure we all understand our current hdmi cables aren't gonna suddenly become useless. The point is, people like cables that are universal ala USB. (Yes I know there are different versions of USB before you go down that road too...)

I'm pretty sure we all understand our current hdmi cables aren't gonna suddenly become useless. The point is, people like cables that are universal ala USB. (Yes I know there are different versions of USB before you go down that road too...)USB is actually a great example of why they should not do this.

USB is actually a great example of why they should not do this.

Definitely...USB is much more complicated than this HDMI scheme

and USB classes really do matter because it's not like with HDMI where it still essentially does the same

Using a portable device, storage medium, or printer, you can notice a VAST difference between USB 1 and USB 2.....

Then there's hubs...your cables could all be 2 but if your hub is 1..then..

Not to mention the different types of USB...standard A and B, mini A and B, micro A and B..and then mixes of each end to each end..

HDMI is actually super streamlined because there's only one type of connector and one end.

So everyone should be happy, if this was like USB you'd end up spending a whole lot more money

I just thank god I bought my printers when they still gave you the USB cable in them.

and USB classes really do matter because it's not like with HDMI where it still essentially does the sameHDMI is actually way more confusing. I doubt that most people know the difference between all of the versions of HDMI. But most people understand that USB 2 devices are faster than USB 1 or 1.1 devices.

Then there's hubs...your cables could all be 2 but if your hub is 1..then..Same for HDMI. If your switcher/receiver isn't compliant with the right level of HDMI, you may have to get a new one. At least a hub is cheap. I'd hate to have to replace my AV receiver because it was only 1.1 compliant and couldn't do the 1.4 stuff.

Not to mention the different types of USB...standard A and B, mini A and B, micro A and B..and then mixes of each end to each end..

HDMI is actually super streamlined because there's only one type of connector and one end. The different cable types is what I was talking about.

But you should re-read the article in the OP. They've added a micro HDMI connector. They've added connectors for Automotive applications (though it sounds like an end user probably won't ever see those). Then I see 4 other cable types - standard and high speed, with and without ethernet. I don't see anything saying they won't have microHDMI - HDMI cables, so there will probably be at least 2 variants of that cable (standard and high speed). Doesn't look like there are enough pins to do network in the microHDMI cable. Sounds like a lot of confusing new cable possibilities to me.

So everyone should be happy, if this was like USB you'd end up spending a whole lot more moneyUSB didn't increase the price of things.

in for three

in for three

i agree. sweet deal. :lol: