What is HDMI?

HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) is the first industry-supported, uncompressed, all-digital audio/video interface. HDMI provides an interface between any audio/video source, such as a set-top box, DVD player, and A/V receiver and an audio and/or video monitor, such as a digital television (DTV).

HDMI supports standard, enhanced, or high-definition video, plus multi-channel digital audio on a single cable. It transmits all ATSC HDTV standards and supports 8-channel digital audio, with bandwidth to spare to accommodate future enhancements and requirements.

• Quality HDMI transfers uncompressed digital audio and video for the highest, crispest image quality.
• All Digital HDMI ensures an all-digital rendering of video without the losses associated with analog interfaces and their unnecessary digital-to-analog conversions.
• Low-cost HDMI provides the quality and functionality of a digital interface while also supporting uncompressed video formats in a simple, cost-effective manner.
• Audio HDMI supports multiple audio formats, from standard stereo to multi-channel surround-sound.
• Ease-of-use HDMI combines video and multi-channel audio into a single cable, eliminating the cost, complexity, and confusion of multiple cables currently used in A/V systems.
• Intelligence HDMI supports communication between the video source (such as a DVD player) and the DTV, enabling new functionality.

Is HDMI backward-compatible with DVI (Digital Visual Interface)?

Yes, HDMI is fully backward-compatible with DVI using the CEA-861 profile for DTVs. HDMI DTVs will display video received from existing DVI-equipped products, and DVI-equipped TVs will display video from HDMI sources.

HDMI Video Modes

1080p is a format of high definition broadcast. The 1080p uses progressive scan, whilst the 1080i uses interlaced scan. 1080p is considered an HDTV video mode. The term usually assumes a widescreen aspect ratio of 16:9, implying a horizontal (display) resolution of 1920 pixels across and a frame resolution of 1920 × 1080 or exactly 2,073,600 pixels. The frame rate in hertz can be either implied by the context or specified after the letter p (such as 1080p30, meaning 30 frames per second).

How much better is 1080p than 720p?

225%! It's a huge difference. The soundtrack also improves by 50% with the new totally lossless, bit-for-bit Dolby True HD and DTS Master HD multi-channel audio content.

Do I need v1.3 HDMI™ in order to see the real 1080p or hear the Dolby True HD/DTS Master HD soundtrack?

No. v1.3 HDMI™ (see chart above) was released as a specification "framework" last summer for hardware and software creators who are now beginning to work on the next "next" generation of HD called 1440p. v1.2 HDMI™ will handle all the data at 1080p and the soundtracks too, with plenty of headroom to spare. No need to panic about this. What you have now, even if its v1.1 HDMI™ will work fine with 1080p.

Is this content available now?

Yes. It is exclusively available on Blu-ray disc players, Playstation 3 systerms (Blu-ray format) and 2nd generation HD DVD players. These two HD disc formats were created to deliver the 1080p experience to HDTV enthusiasts. The players decode Dolby True HD and DTS Master HD so you don't need a new preamp or receiver. Just feed the PCM output of the player to PCM input on your audio system and get ready to experience the widest dynamic range of any audio content in history.