HDMI 1.4 Specification - Ethernet Channel

HDMI Ethernet Channel (HEC) consolidates video, audio and data streams into a single HDMI cable, supporting high-speed, bi-directional networking up to 100 Mbps. As a result of this cost- and space-saving feature, networking capability is being incorporated into a wide range of IP-enabled home entertainment devices. Look no further than your X-Box 360 and PlayStation3 to find some of the first examples of this, and more and more TVs and DVRs are adding an Ethernet channel for connectivity between home entertainment devices and the Internet.

Having an Ethernet channel incorporated for state-of-the-art audio/video cable reduces cable clutter, makes connections simpler and encourages the growth of the industry. The following images show how much simpler the HDMI with Ethernet cables will make this sort of connectivity.

In the image above, notice that any device that connects to the Internet must have two cables plugged into it. This configuration could be even more complicated if components use non-HDMI connections, requiring several connectors for audio and video. This tangle of cables takes longer to set up and troubleshoot, and it can even create hazards. Now compare that with the image below, showing how a setup would look using HDMI with Ethernet capability.

Networking capabilities are now becoming more available in a wide range of IP-enabled home entertainment devices. Consumers can have all the benefits of Ethernet connectivity through HDMI and further simplify their systems by eliminating the need for separate Ethernet cables. Below is a list of benefits offered by HEC devices.

1. Allow for growth of IP-based networking solutions for consumer electronics, such as DLNA, IPTV, LiquidHD, and UPnP

2. Allow connected devices to share an Internet connection

3. Enable native-format content distribution between connected devices, including recording and playback across a networked system

4. Provide a true one-cable solution for all your home entertainment needs, offering HDMI’s world-class quality and reliability plus all the benefits of home entertainment networking in one powerful connection

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To make sure that you can benefit the most from HDMI Ethernet;

1. Look for devices that include HDMI Ethernet Channel functionality

2. Be sure to connect devices with one of the new cables designed to support HDMI Ethernet Channel functionality, either the Standard HDMI Cable with Ethernet or the High-Speed HDMI Cable with Ethernet

3. Check with your manufacturer to determine which HDMI ports (if any) will support HDMI Ethernet Channel functionality

With the growth of Internet connectivity for your home entertainment devices, HDMI Ethernet cables and devices only make more sense. You can clean up the clutter of cables, get high-speed, bi-directional communications at 100 Mbps, and enjoy the ability to use IP-based applications over a single HDMI connection.