HDMI is a form a type of connector that transmits audio and video signals in high definition. Nowadays, the average home has a wide range of appliances including TVs and home theatres. As a result, the room can get a bit messy with hundreds of wires running across the entertainment cabinet. To minimize the number of wires that are required, there’s a need to converge them on a single standard cable. That is where the HDMI Connectors comes in- you only require a single cable to complete an entire setup.
The HDMI technology is sort of a big deal and is always on the move; since the initial release, HDMI cable manufacturer has designed and produced different versions of the HDMI cables. These connectors give pure signals that deliver crystal-clear images and multi-channel audio.
HDMI Versions
The HDMI devices are manufactured in compliance with the different versions; each one of them with different specifications. The versions are numbered using specific numbers or letter with each subsequent version having better capabilities and improved bandwidth.
The different versions include HDMI 1.0, HDMI 1.1, HDMI 1.2, HDMI 1.2a, HDMI 1.3, HDMI 1.3a, HDMI 1.4, HDMI 1.4a, HDMI 1.4b, HDMI 2.0, HDMI 2.0a, HBMI 2.0b, and HDMI 2.1.
While the most recent version was released on 28th November 2017, the first version was released on 22nd December 2002. Even though the HDMI technology has largely evolved, most of the changes in-between the different versions were pretty minor.
The Inputs and Outputs
Both the output and the input on HDMI cables look exactly the same. The ports are located on either the back or on the sides of the devices. However, on modern electronics, the multi-pin ports are sometimes found at the front.
The output feeds high-definition audio and video into a display through an input. The display has to be HDMI compatible for it to function with the HDMI input and output. One, therefore, has to make sure that their device is compatible since not all of them have inputs and outputs.
It is possible for a single device to have multiple HDMI inputs to accommodate all your electronic essentials. In the event that you have several devices with multiple HDMI inputs, you need to purchase an HDMI switch that manages the inputs.
Connecting the Cables…
Since most HDMI cables are bought separately, you have to do the connections separately. Well, do you go about it? To connect the devices, you are required to connect the cable from the device’s output to the display’s input.
If you want to connect many devices, plug the corresponding cables into the switch. One end of the cable (the output) will go into the device and the other end (the input) will go into the switch. The second cable will go into the switch’s output and onto the display’s input port.
If you feel that the connection process is too complicated for you, call in a professional installer to help you out.
Applications
Some of the most common applications for HDMI cables are:
- Media Streamer
- Blu-ray and DVD players
- Digital Cameras and Camcorders
- Computers and Laptops
- Video Game Consoles
- Mobile Phones and Tablets
Whenever you’re buying any of the above appliances, check the specs to see how many HDMI inputs and outputs it has. If there is more than one port, it will be labeled HDMI 1, HDMI 2, HDMI 3 etc.
Conclusion
The HDMI technology brings with it improved performance, resolutions, Ethernet data connection, color spaces, as well as audio and video capacity. These all-in-one cables allow for the connection to accommodate expansions in the A/V world that are beyond our imagination.
One limitation of using HDMI connectors is that they’re only about 50 feet long. This means that you cannot connect two devices that are across the room otherwise the signal will be compromised.
