HDMI Cables and the Role they Play in a HD world.

First of all, HDMI stands for High Definition Multimedia Interface, its very name tells you a bit about the technology itself. HDMI was created specifically for consumer electronics applications (for example TV's, Media Players, Monitors, HiFi's, etc.), it holds within a technology that couples together both audio and visual, acting as an "interface" that transmits both and outputs them to your multimedia equipment. It is this ability, that means HDMI can support standard or High Definition Video, plus multi-channel digital audio (for example surround sound speaker systems) all from a single cable.

HDMI technology has limited the need for multiple cable inputs and outputs for a multimedia setup. (Although, Optical Cables are used for audio in most HD homes, for an optimum Sound and Vision experience.)

So what do we mean by interface? The "Interface" part of HDMI is where the technology really shows HD intelligence. As digital data can manifest itself in multiple formats, HDMI-enabled systems are able to communicate to each other in order to automatically configure and display content in the optimum format. Let's take a modern HD setup as an example:

The Sony Playstation 3 will plug into a HDTV via a HDMI cable. The default resolution of a PS3 is 1080p which will be shown on your HDTV. If I insert a Blu-Ray Disc and start a film that is on a 720p format and have a DTS audio capability, the information will be transmitted through the HDMI cable with certain format "instructions". The HDTV will receive these instructions and automatically switch the resolution to 720p and the digital audio signature will also be received and configured accordingly. The HDTV and the PS3 are both HDMI enabled systems that use HDMI technology to work out the most optimum output for the media you are viewing. This is the power of HDMI.

Technology is moving so quickly, won't this soon be outdated? The HD world is a vast family of both Audio and Visual technology that we have not fully explored at all. HDMI technology was purpose built for this world, and therefore has the capability to grow with the technology. For example, HDMI cables can currently deliver data upto 2180p resolution, and they can also handle 3D output for new 3D enabled HDTVs. As the world of the internet becomes more and more important, in our everyday lives, more technology is IP based, and needs an internet connection to see the full benefits (PS3, or smart TVs for example.). HDMI now incorporates Ethernet technology, this further consolidates HD video, audio and streaming of data into a single cable!

So in summary, HDMI Technology is currently playing a key role in the delivering of HD technology to the consumer. It brings together all aspects of the Multimedia setup into a single input and output, making the consumers life as simple as plugging and playing. The technology has proven to be fully HD enhancement proof, following the evolution of HD every step of the way...

For more information on HDMI, or to request a simple breakdown of another area of Technology on HubPages, please feel free to contact us at admin@logicaltech.co.uk or follow us on twitter @LogicalTechLTD.