Along with the mature high-definition video display technology, people have higher expectations on audio/video experience today. For consumer electronics (CE) devices and home entertainment products, supporting HD audio/video transmission has become an essential requirement. However, while the tendency of mobile devices’ form factor is smaller and smaller, making a product design embedded HD signal transmission interface has become challenging than ever. Also, the high power consumption of HD signal transmission is also a key element that impact the standby time of mobile devices. With these above situation and the increasing needs of mobile audio /video streaming, the latest mobile HD connectivity technical standard – MHL (Mobile High-Definition Link) is therefore released.
Clarification to HDMI Adopted Trademark and Logo Usage Guidelines
For those Adopters who want to ensure the way of getting HDMI royalty discounted rate (which is $0.05 per unit sold), HDMI Licensing, LLC has recently released a statement to clarify its guidelines. In Attachment B of the Adopter Agreement, it is indicated that Adopter must “reasonably incorporates the Adopted Trademarks on its Licensed Products and related documentation and promotional materials” to receive the royalty discount. HDMI Licensing, LLC also provides a simple understandable formula which is shown below:
Thunderbolt, formerly called ‘Lightpeak’, is Intel’s new high-speed I/O technology through a single port that is first available on new Apple MacBook Pro notebooks lately. Fast data transfers are Intel’s main claim, such as 10 gigabits per second transfers and dual-protocol support. The dual-channel design allows for two channels on the same connector at up to 10 gigabits per second that can support both PCI Express and DisplayPort technologies. Compared with existing technologies, Thunderbolt is regarded as a combination of HDMI and USB 3.0, the loading quantity is spectacularly huge through its co-invented PCI Express 4x, which can connect external devices directly to Macbook Pro.
In the second article, we will continue introducing the next three industry standards: HDMI, DisplayPort and SATA.
4. HDMI
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HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface) is a digital interface standard for connecting all HD components. HDMI supports all video/audio formats by one single cable. The CEC allows HDMI devices to control each other when necessary and allows the user to operate multiple devices with one remote control handset. HDMI technology is promoted by HDMI, LLC. According to HDMI Testing Policies, each Adopter must submit the first product of each Licensed Product type (i.e. source, sink, repeater, or cable) to an HDMI Authorized Testing Center (ATC) for testing. Once an Adopter product of each type has passed testing, it is not required to submit to the ATC subsequent products of that type. However, to help ensure HDMI interoperability, we encourage Adopters to use the ATCs.
Allion executives recently gave a presentation on HDMI testing at the HD Test Solution Seminar & Plugfest in Taipei, Taiwan. HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) is a ubiquitous all-digital audio/video interface standard used to transfer uncompressed digital audio and video signals through a single cable. HDMI has been widely adopted across the consumer electronics market, making it important for manufacturers to test their HDMI products before the products enter the market to ensure interoperability with the broad range of HDMI devices available to consumers.
Allion offers a comprehensive HDMI Testing Solution, including HDMI interoperability testing, to help manufacturers ensure the highest levels of quality and compliance to the HDMI standard. Allion uses a unique test methodology, the “Allion HD Program,” that focuses on all current HD products in the market to ensure product performance and compatibility. One of the key tests that Allion offers through the HD program is HDMI Compatibility Testing.
HDMI Compatibility Tests consists of four main components:
Electrical Testing: The comprehensive electrical test can pinpoint a variety of errors caused by factors such as component, Hot Plug Defect (HPD), firmware or PCB board failure.- HDCP Compliance Testing: HDCP (High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection) is a protection protocol of digital audio/visual content transmission. This test determines whether an implementation meets HDCP compliance standards and specifications.
- CEC Compliance Testing: CEC (Consumer Electronic Control) is a protocol that provides high-level control functions among all of the various audio/visual products in a user’s environment. Allion’s CEC tests verify everything from electrical specification to device installation.
- Interoperability Testing: This test ensures complete interoperability in accordance with the HDMI CTS1.4 test specification, including the recently added HDMI1.4a specification for enhanced 3D content capabilities.
With HDMI so widely adopted in the consumer electronics industry, it is essential that products undergo a rigorous quality and compatibility program. The Allion HD Program covers a wide range of tests that offer manufacturers reassurance of their product’s performance, functionality and compatibility.
View Allion’s HDMI testing presentation slides from the HDMI Test Solution Seminar & Plugfest.
Learn More:
- Allion Japan Implementing Tektronix Solution for HDMI 1.4a and USB 3.0
- HDMI Unveils 1.4 Specifications
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This week, Allion Japan announced with Tektronix, Inc. that they will implement Tektronix test and measurement solutions supporting HDMI 1.4a and SuperSpeed USB in their certification test services. As one of the first compliance test labs to conduct certification testing for HDMI 1.4a and USB 3.0 in one facility, this is an exciting development for Allion.
Read the complete announcement.
HDMI has announced the latest version of the HDMI specification. The new HDMI 1.4 specification offers several advancements:
- Adding high-speed networking to an HDMI link, making it possible for consumers to use their IP-enabled peripherals without a separate Ethernet cable.
- Allowing an HDMI-connected TV with a built-in tuner to send audio data “upstream” to a surround audio system without the need for a separate audio cable.
- Establishing an infrastructure for implementing 3D video, making it possible for 3D displays and source devices to communicate through an HDMI link.
- Enabling video resolutions higher than 1080p (4K x 2K video support), paving the way for next-generation displays.
- Adding support for additional color models used in both digital photography and computer graphics.
- Offering a new Mirco HDMI connector designed for small, portable devices such as phones that supports video resolutions up 1080p.
- Offering new cables and connectors for automotive video systems, delivering HD quality in the motoring environment.
The HDMI 1.4 specification is available for download at http://www.hdmi.org/. Our Allion team currently offers HDMI compliance tests and looks forward to certifying HDMI 1.4 products when they’re available.
