Different Hdmi Versions

As I am in the process to purchase a 5.1 home theatre system, and although the sound quality matters most to me, it has been confusion with all the different HDMI versions, as video is important too. What is worse is that many equipment manufacturer don't bother to specify the version their units are fitted with. Others are better but for the every day customer this must be very confusing since some features in e.g. the A/V processor / AV pre-amp. / AV Receiver may not be able to use on the TV and vice versa. Ideally the TV and the A/V controller should have the same version.

To make things more tricky for the customers there are different version of the HDMI cables too.

Here is a summary of the different HDMI versions.

DIFFERENT HDMI VERSIONS

HDMI 1.0 - HDMI 1.0 combines a digital video signal (standard or high-definition) with a two-channel audio signal over a single cable, such as between an HDMI-equipped DVD player and Television.

HDMI 1.1 - This version adds the ability to transfer not only video and two-channel audio over a single cable, but also added the ability to transfer Dolby Digital, DTS, and DVD-Audio surround signals, as well up to 7.1 channels of PCM audio.

HDMI 1.2 - This version of HDMI adds the ability to transfer SACD signals in digital form from a player to a receiver.

HDMI 1.3 - This version includes improvements in both audio and video capability. With the advent of Blu-ray Disc and HD-DVD, version 1.3 adds the ability to transfer the digital bitstreams for the new high resolution audio formats: Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD, and DTS-HD.

HDMI 1.3a - In addition to the above audio improvements, HDMI 1.3 and 1.3a increase the amount of video bandwidth that can be transferred from a source to a display. This means, that in addition to the standard 24-bit colour depth we are used to, HDMI 1.3 and 1.3a have the ability to transfer colour depths up to 48-bits, and can accommodate resolutions much higher than the 1080p resolution standard that is in use today.

HDMI 1.4 - HDMI version 1.4 adds practical enhancements for HDMI connectivity. If home theatre components, such as HDTVs, Blu-ray Disc players, and Home Theatre Receivers, are HDMI 1.4 enabled, one or more of the following features can be implemented:

   1. HDMI Ethernet Channel: This adds internet and home network connectivity to HDMI. In other words, both Ethernet and HDMI functions are available within a single cable connection.

   2. Audio Return Channel: This may be the most practical application of HDMI 1.4. What this feature provides is a single HDMI connection between a TV and a home theatre receiver that can not only pass audio/video signals from the receiver to the TV, but also pass audio originating from the TV's tuner to the receiver. In other words, when listening to audio accessed by the TV's tuner, you don't need a separate audio connection going from the TV to the home theatre receiver.

   3. 3D Over HDMI: HDMI 1.4 is designed to accommodate 3D Blu-ray Disc standards, with the capacity of passing two simultaneous 1080p signals using one connection.

   4. 4Kx2K Resolution Support: Although the current high definition standard for consumer equipment tops out at 1920x1080 (1080p), HDMI 1.4 can accommodate future 3840x2160 and 4096x2160 high definition pixel resolutions now in the planning stages.

   5. Expanded Support for Colour Spaces: This allows better colour reproduction when displaying digital still photos from HDMI-connected Digital Still Cameras.

   6. Micro HDMI Connector: Just as mini-USB is employed with portable digital devices, a new "Micro HDMI" Connector is much smaller connector that still supports up to 1080p resolutions for portable devices. This is very practical for video camcorders, digital still cameras, and portable digital video playback devices.

   7. Automotive Connection System: With the increase of in-car digital audio/video devices, HDMI 1.4 can handle the more demanding vibration, heat, and noise that may affect the quality of audio and video reproduction.

HDMI 1.4a - The latest HDMI Specification adds key enhancements to support the market requirements for bringing broadcast 3D content into the home:

The addition of Top-and-Bottom to the Specification.
The addition of two mandatory formats for broadcast content:
- Side-by-Side Horizontal
- Top-and-Bottom

With the addition of these two mandatory formats, the HDMI Specification Version 1.4a provides a level of interoperability for devices designed to deliver 3D content over the HDMI connection. The mandatory 3D formats are:

3D Mandatory Formats

For movie content:
- Frame Packing
  - 1080p @ 23.98/24Hz
For game content:
- Frame Packing
  - 720p @ 50 or 59.94/60Hz
For broadcast content:
- Side-by-Side Horizontal
  - 1080i @ 50 or 59.94/60Hz
- Top-and-Bottom
  - 720p @ 50 or 59.94/60Hz
  - 1080p @ 23.97/24Hz

Implementing the mandatory formats of the HDMI Specification facilitates interoperability among devices, allowing devices to speak a common 3D language when transmitting and receiving 3D content. The mandatory requirements for devices implementing 3D formats are: