Comments on: New HDMI 1.4 spec could lead to consumer confusion

By: disques durs

disques durs — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 10:40:59 +0000

A new HDMI standard 1.4 is pretty excellent, since it has an integrated Ethernet channel and 4K resolution images. It seems high-speed bi-directional communication. I also will add an Audio Return Channel to enable upstream audio connections via the HDMI cable.

By: glow

glow — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 16:59:16 +0000

@Richard:
“I think there’s some confusion here. Keep in mind that just like 1.2 -> 1.3, this is just setting standardization for new functionality – in the same cable type – with complete backward compatibility.”

This is incorrect. There is essentially no backward compatibility due to the new (smaller) connector. *Perhaps* an adaptor will allow such compatibility. Either way, this will likely push the new 3D standard (to be established this year) to utilize 1.4, which means that all current equipment will likely be obsolete in a major way.

By: Richard

Richard — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 19:35:59 +0000

I think there’s some confusion here. Keep in mind that just like 1.2 -> 1.3, this is just setting standardization for new functionality – in the same cable type – with complete backward compatibility. A 1.4 compliant cable will work with a 1.3 system, and components can be mixed and matched between revisions with no real penalty. For example, if you get a new 3d blu-ray player in a year that uses 1.4, you can still use your existing 1.3 cable, existing 1.3 tv, etc., you just won’t be able to use the new features (i.e., 3d). If you WANT to add the 3d support, feel free to buy a new TV. How is having more options (while keeping those options completely backward compatible) a bad thing?

By: NeilPeart

NeilPeart — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 05:17:25 +0000

“I feel like I may be left in the dust of new Blu-ray players, gaming systems and audio equipment because I have 1.3 connections instead of 1.4. Some day electronics companies are going to have to realize we aren’t all made of money.”

Sean, some day consumers have to realize that you don’t need to upgrade every time a new little feature comes out.

By: thisbymaster

thisbymaster — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 15:57:02 +0000

Yeah, I don’t care about 1.4 because my TV, blue-ray and computer don’t support it.

By: dmangstar564

dmangstar564 — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 15:47:45 +0000

Ummmm….why aren’t we just using optical fiber wire for everything? TOSHLINK is still one of the fastest connections around? seriously whats the point of 19 freaking pins? It made sense way back when…but even a 2 I/O fiber connection can do 500Mb/s which is more then a 40Mb/s bluray would ever need. TMDS is outdated technology that should be replaced.

By: AC

AC — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 21:55:18 +0000

Just wait another few years; they’ll bring out another ’standard’ that lacks backward compatibility. At this point, if it doesn’t have several full resolution HDTV component A/V connections, I won’t even consider buying it. HDMI is worthless, no matter what connector it’s using this week.

By: Bob C

Bob C — Sun, 31 May 2009 17:22:00 +0000

Everytime I’ve seen a standards body do something this stupid, it has resulted in the death of the standard. Why don’t we ever learn?

By: sim

sim — Sun, 31 May 2009 15:55:16 +0000

I personally wonder if the ps3 will make this change go the way of the blu-ray live debut, ( you know, when the ps3 was the only blu-ray live player on the market for about a month). Can sony give new firmware so the port on the ps3 can perform some, if not all, of hdmi1.4’s new functions(minus automotive). Is it not just hardware, and would they then have the market cornered for a time being again.

By: DavidB

DavidB — Sun, 31 May 2009 12:35:03 +0000

Its not too much worse than the USB mess we now have.