GB HDMI – HD, HDMI Cable and HDMI over IP

3D HDTV has been getting a lot of press attention recently. With all the major manufacturers due to release new 3D HDTV models within the next 12 months and a foray of new cinema and Blu-ray releases using various 3D technologies, it looks like the resurgence of this old media format might actually have legs.

We should point out that this wouldn’t be the first time 3D TV has tried to enter the mass market. However, this time, it’s a little different. Audio visual advancements and proprietary upgrades to the HDMI standard have made 3D presentations of late rather enjoyable to watch. Most notably, improvements in smoother frame rates, increased visual fidelity and higher screen resolutions make the 3D experience truly come alive like never before.

With James Cameron’s heavily praised use of 3D on AVATAR, this could be the push that 3D really needs to enter the mass market.

Improvements in 3D technology mean that you don't need to look like General Kala's Power Men from Flash Gordon

But at GBHDMI, we’re a little sceptical, 3D is undoubtedly great – but will it really compete with HDTV or merely become an attractive side addition to home theatre setups? We believe that 3D will eventually penetrate the home market, but it will be some time before the public are universally enjoying the benefits of 3D media in their home.    

Here’s two reasons why…

1. The use of glasses make it less accessible than watching standard or high-definition TV

Apart from autosteroscopic methods of 3D projection (which are known to give headaches), all other 3D technologies require the user to don some form of glasses. Misplacing one of these glasses or simply not having enough in your front room, pub or gallery means that it’s not universally accessible to all. It isn’t an entertainment format that can be enjoyed on the spur of the moment.

Think about watching a football match with your family in 3D at home and unexpectedly a mate pops over to enjoy it too?

2. 3D uptake will be slow as most consumers have already made the jump and upgraded their TVs to HD

A recent article from the BBC has identified that 56% of the UK has now replaced their standard definition TVs for HD ones. That’s pretty good news. However, only 9% of this group are actually consuming HD material from Blu-ray’s, satellite and cable broadcasters. What does this mean? Well, if the uptake for HD equipment and material has been this slow so far, what do you think it will mean for people to upgrade their TVs, 3D HDMI cabling and Blu-ray players in order to play this type of content? We don’t know for sure, but we can tell you that it will be a long, long time.

So who do we think will be the immediate winners?

One market that could potentially benefit is gaming. The large majority of games are enjoyed by a single person and are consumed almost primarily at home – fitting the profile perfectly for a 3D consumer. With developers striving for more realistic environments and better immersion in their games, 3D gaming seems to be a logical step.  

It is true to say that buying a HDMI Cable can leave some people scratching their heads. With so many versions and variances between cable types – it’s hard to know which cable type actually does what, and most importantly, what benefit it has for the consumer. Recent changes from HDMI Licensing means that particular trouble may be a thing of the past.

With terms floating around such as Version 1.2, 1.3, 1.3b, Category 1, Category 2, High Speed and Standard Speed it can become very confusing if all you want to do is to connect your Blu-ray player to your HDTV.

In an effort to make it easier for customers to identify the right products for their needs, HDMI Licensing on behalf of the HDMI Founders, have released an updated version of the HDMI Adopted Trademark and Logo Usage Guidelines.

Nice and simple. Finding the right HDMI Cable just became a lot more easier - look out for these logos when you purchase your HDMI Cables.

Most notably, the amendments place significant restrictions on the use of the version numbers and address how HDMI Cables should be marketed. These new requirements are designed to simplify the selection process putting more weight on the features of the cable rather than having to research what each version actually does.

According to the new guidelines, HDMI adopters will no longer be allowed to use HDMI specification version numbers in the labelling, packaging, or promotion of their HDMI-compliant products. These restrictions go into effect immediately for cable products. Noncable products, however, have until January 1, 2012, to fully comply.

The new guidelines designate all HDMI cable products into five types:

• Standard HDMI cable
• Standard HDMI cable with Ethernet
• Standard automotive HDMI cable
• High-speed HDMI cable
• High-speed HDMI cable with Ethernet

For more information about these new cable types – we recommend visiting www.hdcable.co.uk.