Is HDMI Worth the Cost?

First off, what is HDMI? HDMI stands for High Definition Multimedia Interface. HDMI connects high definition video sources from DVD, Cameras, and set top boxes, to digital display devices such as plasma screens, LCD TV, video projectors, DLP and DILA video projectors, in a secure manner with an uncompressed digital video stream.

HDMI carries both audio and video signals, across a single cable with a compact 19 pin connector interface only 21mm across by 5mm high and much more robust than today's Scart. HDMI is closely related to DVI. Various DVI-HDMI and HDMI – DVI converters are already available, allowing the two standards to work seamlessly together.

Some of the more important features of HDMI include:

- HDMI technology eliminates unnecessary signal conversions.

- HDMI technology supports standard, enhanced, or high-definition video at 24 bits/pixel, 165MHz max clock frequency.

- HDMI technology supports up to 8 channel digital audio on a single cable eliminating costly A/D signal conversions.

- HDMI offers Bi-directional control signal transfer.

- HDMI offers 5 Gbps bandwidth, 55% spared for future expansion.

- HDMI offers 1 simple, user-friendly connector.

- HDMI technology is backward compatible to DVI hot plug enabled assemblies up to 5 meters in length.

- Per HDMI standard, HDTV sent as 16x9 & SDTV as 4x3 over 30 AWG 100 ohm, .5 amp, 500 VAC DWV double shielded cable.

- Long Lengths available, ATC tested up to 12M and up to 40 M when using EQ technology.
HDMI has several other benfits and features. Now, let's take a look at 2 other MAJOR benefits of HDMI.

- Instead of needing multiple HDMI cable assemblies for the video signal and multiple HDMI cables for the sound signal, HDMI integrates all video and sound signals onto a single, thin cable. It makes it very easy to connect components together.
- Instead of converting digital signals to analog (to run through the cables) and then back to digital, everything on an HDMI cable assembly remains in its original, uncompressed digital format.

When th dust settles, HDMI cables can be bought for nearly the same price as Component cables. Why spend the same amount on a bundle of cables, component cables, when you can buy a single cable, HDMI, and get digital video and audio? Our conclusion is HDMI is worth the money.