HDMI 1.4 Cable Specifications

HDMI is a changing technology. The demands that have been placed on components and cables have forced changes to be made by both manufacturers and implementers. Since its release in 2003, HDMI has been through several revisions. The latest revision, HDMI 1.4, has brought with it new cable specifications. The division of cable may seem confusing at first, but with a little explanation they are pretty easy to understand. Please note that this is not dealing with the changes to the specifications and features, only to the physical cable itself.

HDMI 1.4 has introduced a few different classifications of cables: Standard HDMI, High-Speed HDMI, Standard HDMI with Ethernet, High-Speed HDMI with Ethernet, Automotive and Micro. HDMI has always been proud of its “single cable connection” standard, and while the addition of these cables may seem to deviate from that format, it really does very little to change the connections themselves. It is just that now there are “grades” of cable.

• Standard HDMI: Supports resolutions up to 1080i/720p with a bandwidth of 4.9 Gbps at 165 MHz.
• High-Speed HDMI: Supports resolutions well beyond 1080p with a bandwidth of 10.2 Gbps at 340 MHz.
• Standard HDMI with Ethernet: Supports resolutions up to 1080i/720p with a bandwidth of 4.9 Gbps at 165 MHz. It also allows support for full-duplex 100 Mbps Ethernet connection.
• High-Speed HDMI with Ethernet: Supports resolutions well beyond 1080p with a bandwidth of 10.2 Gbps at 340 MHz. It also allows support for full-duplex 100 Mbps Ethernet connection.
• Automotive HDMI: This standard HDMI cable is specifically designed for use in the automotive industry. This is a physically different cable because the design must withstand a great deal of punishment from vibration, noise, heat and cold.
• Micro HDMI: This is a change in connection form factor. It does not change the features supported; it is simply a smaller connection package for HDMI. This connector is designed for implementation on small devices.

These different cable classifications have caused a great deal of confusion in the market, and some companies are even taking advantage of this. It’s time, however, to cut through the confusion. Cables are very simple and for the most part remain unchanged in design and connection.

The differences between standard and high-speed cable go back to HDMI versions 1.1, and 1.2. Standard cable is certified to meet the minimum throughput for those standards. Since most cable has been designed to the 1.3 version, this is not a problem and most would qualify as high-speed.

The addition of an Ethernet classification doesn’t change the physical connection, but it does change the wiring structure within the cable. In order to obtain the 10/100 speeds of the Ethernet — and to meet the grade requirements — HDMI cable must now have two of the cables twisted to reduce cross talk.

The Automotive classification simply represents changes in material and the construction for locking the connections. These changes don’t affect the pin outs or the signal, but make the cable tougher in order to withstand the demands inherent in the automotive industry.

Micro classification does not change the cable or signal, either — it only denotes a change in the physical connector used in small devices. Micro HDMI is likely to supplant the mini connection that was introduced earlier.

It seems that most of the confusion has been over terminology. The cables are not different in their connections: All will still use the 19- pin HDMI connection - with micro HDMI cables, of course, in a smaller connection package.
.