HDMI cables have been around for a few years now, but the full potential of HDMI has yet to be realised. With the release of the 1.4 HDMI cable specification, greater image and sound functionality plus more flexibility with networking capabilities is introduced to your home or commercial AV setup.

HDMI 1.4 is better! Here’s why…

1. HDMI Ethernet Channel

Perhaps one of the most important (and most useful) of the new improvements is the HDMI Ethernet Channel. This is a data link that enables high speed, bi-directional communication. This means that a source can send data to a display and at the same time a display can send data to the source. Compatible devices can send a receive data using 100Mb/sec Ethernet – this makes them instantly ready for any IP-based application. The HDMI Ethernet Channel allows internet-enabled HDMI devices to share and Internet connection using the link, with no need for a separate Ethernet cable. With more and more devices utilizing Internet based features, this cable feature will reduce the number of cable’s needed to make your devices work to their full potential importantly ease the cable clutter. It also provides the platform that will allow HDMI-enabled components to share content between devices. Compatibility includes TCP/IP, UPnP, DLNA and LiquidHD.

To utilise this feature a new type of HDMI cable is required to be used. This new cable is called either a High Speed HDMI Cable with Ethernet or a Stadard HDMI Cable with Ethernet.

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2. Audio Return Channel

Another welcome addition to the new HDMI spec, this feature reduces the number of cables required to deliver audio from the TV to an AV receiver for processing and playback. This is a very useful new feature because many TVs now have an internal content source such as a Freeview or Freesat tuner built-in – the Audio Return Channel on the HDMI allows the TV to send data to the receiver using the HDMI cable and removes the necessity for a separate audio cable such as an optical cable.

3. 3D over HDMI

Everybody is talking about 3D at the moment and the new spec defines common 3D formats and resolutions for HDMI-enabled devices, enabling 3D gaming and other 3D video applications. The new spec standardises the connection for a 3D home cinema system, facilitating 3D resolutions up to dual-stream 1080p (that’s 3D 1080p basically).

4. 4K x 2K Resolution Support

If you think 1080p is awesome, imagine it four times sharper! Support for 4K x 2K allows the HDMI cable to carry the digital content transmission at the same resolution as the most state-of-the-art Digital Cinema systems used in many cinemas. Formats supported include 3,840 x 2,160 pixels at 24Hz, 25Hz & 30Hz, and 4,096 x 2160 pixels at 24Hz. Forget 1080p, think 4096p!

5. Expanded support for Colour Spaces

This feature means that Digital Camera Pictures and still images should display more accurate colours on displays with the upgraded format capability. If you’re into your photography you will be familiar with sYCC601, Adobe RGB and Adobe YCC601. If you are not, then put simply your holiday snaps should look even better!

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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.