HDMI 1.4 To Reach A New ARC
Monday, June 22nd, 2009
By Ross Rubin, Executive Director, Industry Analysis
HDMI has attracted criticism for its rapid development causing confusion in the marketplace, but it is simply being pushed ahead of the pace of change in the industry, not to mention competitive standards. These include DisplayPort, which is gaining momentum on the PC side of the convergence equation, and emerging wireless challengers such as WHDI and WirelessHD.
HDMI 1.4 brings several forward-looking features to the ubiquitous high-definition AV connection, including support for bandwidth-intensive advances such as higher resolution and 3D. It also promises to simplify broadband connections in the living room via HEC (HDMI Ethernet Channel). This enables one broadband-connected HDMI device (say, a television) to serve as a bridge for future broadband AV components that could include Blu-ray players, video game consoles, and DVRs without having to run additional 100Base-T cables to each component. Nobody wants an Ethernet hub in their AV cabinet.
The aspect of HDMI that will have the most impact in the short-term, though, will be Audio Return Channel (ARC), which will enable televisions to send audio output to an AV receiver without having to run separate analog or optical cables. This addresses a common need of consumers, who will be able to enjoy surround sound while taking advantage of the multiple HDMI ports on their televisions. ARC’s simplification of receiver setups should arrive just in time to simplify Blu-ray-based Home Theater in a Box systems with limited inputs and should solidify HDMI’s position as the only connection cable consumers need to think about in the high-definition home theater.
Tags: HDMI
Consumer Technology | Ross Rubin, Executive Director, Industry Analysis | 
June 22, 2009 12:51 pm
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