HDMI connector: cable, TV, media player - differences
The HDMI connector is an interface for transmitting high-definition signal, which is used to output audio and video to playback devices.
Continuous improvement of technology in the world of electronics has led to a mismatch between the standards for signal transmission between a PC, TV, player, home theater and other AV equipment. For the user, the problem looks like restrictions:
- no sound;
- image color is distorted;
- a signal is not transmitted in a certain resolution;
- no support for 3D;
- no dynamic backlight HDR;
- other technologies are not supported: audio or video content.
HDMI Connector
The manufacturer's specifications for sound and picture transmission:
| HDMI standard | 1.0 – 1.2a | 1.3 – 1.3a | 1.4 – 1.4b | 2.0 – 2.0b | 2.1 |
| Characteristics for video | |||||
| Bandwidth (Gbps) | 4,95 | 10,2 | 10,2 | 18 | 48 |
| Real Bit Rate (Gbps) | 3,96 | 8,16 | 8,16 | 14,4 | 42,6 |
| TMDS (MHz) | 165 | 340 | 340 | 600 | 1200 |
| Characteristics for audio | |||||
| Sampling frequency per channel, (kHz) | 192 | 192 | 192 | 192 | 192 |
| Sound frequency maximum (kHz) | 384 | 384 | 768 | 1536 | 1536 |
| Sample Size (bits) | 16-24 | 16-24 | 16-24 | 16-24 | 16-24 |
| Audio Channel Support | 8 | 8 | 8 | 32 | 32 |
But the following table is much more interesting. Buying a video card on a computer, media player, AV receiver or TV, the user thinks that he will get the most out of technology. But due to the banal incompatibility of HDMI standards, many will be disappointed. Therefore, you need to start the choice with the HDMI version.
| Video resolution | Frequency
(Hz) |
Speed
transfer video (Gbit / s) |
1.0 – 1.1 Feet | 1.2 – 1.2a | 1.3 – 1.4b | 2.0 – 2.0b | 2.1 |
| HD Ready (720p) 1280 × 720 |
24 | 0,072 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 30 | 0,09 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| 60 | 1,45 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| 120 | 2,99 | no | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| Full HD (1080p) 1920 × 1080 |
24 | 1,26 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 30 | 1,58 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| 60 | 3,2 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| 120 | 6,59 | no | no | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| 144 | 8 | no | no | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| 240 | 14 | no | no | no | Yes | Yes | |
| 2K (1440p) 2560 × 1440 |
30 | 2,78 | no | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 60 | 5,63 | no | no | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| 75 | 7,09 | no | no | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| 120 | 11,59 | no | no | no | Yes | Yes | |
| 144 | 14,08 | no | no | no | Yes | Yes | |
| 240 | 24,62 | no | no | no | Yes | Yes | |
| 4K 3840 × 2160 |
30 | 6,18 | no | no | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 60 | 12,54 | no | no | no | Yes | Yes | |
| 75 | 15,79 | no | no | no | no | Yes | |
| 120 | 25,82 | no | no | no | no | Yes | |
| 144 | 31,35 | no | no | no | no | Yes | |
| 240 | 54,84 | no | no | no | no | Yes | |
| 5K 5120 × 2880 |
30 | 10,94 | no | no | no | Yes | Yes |
| 60 | 22,18 | no | no | no | no | Yes | |
| 120 | 45,66 | no | no | no | no | Yes | |
| 8K 7680 × 4320 |
30 | 24,48 | no | no | no | no | Yes |
| 60 | 49,65 | no | no | no | no | Yes | |
| 120 | 102,2 | no | no | no | no | Yes |
HDMI connector: state-of-the-art technology
The most delicious remained in the end. Manufacturers and sellers vied to talk about SUPER technologies that electronics support. Just buy, plug and enjoy picture and sound quality.
But there it was!
And again, it rests on the HDMI standard and device compatibility. Moreover, for most consumers who own old equipment and purchase one new component for a home theater, most modern technologies are money down the drain. Or, to achieve the result, you will have to update the electronics park in the house.
Support for modern technology in compatibility with the HDMI standard:
| Technology | 1.0 – 1.1 Feet | 1.2 – 1.2a | 1.3 – 1.4b | 2.0 – 2.0b | 2.1 |
| Full HD Blu-ray Disc and HD DVD video | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Consumer Electronic Control (CEC) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Dvd audio | no | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Super Audio CD (DSD) | no | no | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Auto lip-sync | no | no | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Dolby TrueHD / DTS-HD Master Audio | no | no | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Updated list of CEC commands | no | no | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 3D video | no | no | no | Yes | Yes |
| Ethernet channel (100 Mbit / s) | no | no | no | Yes | Yes |
| Audio Return Channel (ARC) | no | no | no | Yes | Yes |
| 4 audio stream | no | no | no | no | Yes |
| 2 Video Stream (Dual View) | no | no | no | no | Yes |
| Hybrid Log-Gamma (HLG) HDR OETF | no | no | no | no | Yes |
| Static HDR (metadata) | no | no | no | no | Yes |
| Dynamic HDR (metadata) | no | no | no | no | Yes |
| Enhanced Audio Return Channel (eARC) | no | no | no | no | Yes |
| Variable refresh rate (VRR game mode) | no | no | no | no | Yes |
| Video Stream Compression Technology (DSC) | no | no | no | no | Yes |
A simple HDMI connector, the version of which no one pays attention to, can so greatly spoil the thrill of listening to music or watching a movie. And cardinally. It’s one thing to reduce the resolution or refresh rate of the screen. These are trifles. But the lack of support for the right technology is a disaster.
The result is disappointing for many users. But this is excellent material for thinking about buying and taking a step in the right direction when acquiring equipment. Read studycompare. Trust what you see, not the stories of smart sellers who just need to sell the product.