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.

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.

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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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.