HDMI 1.4 brings internet sharing, dreadful tiers of quality
By Darren Murph 
posted May 14th 2009 9:43AM
posted May 14th 2009 9:43AM
The bad news? HEC will only work with new HDMI 1.4 spec cables, and those will be graded into two separate levels of performance: low- and high-data rate. We needn't describe to you what kind of ball Monster Cable is going to have with that one, but even outside of that, we're baffled by the decision to add one more complexity to a cable that should seriously be doing everything in its power to not be overshadowed by DisplayPort. At any rate, we're told that Silicon Image is hoping to ship chip samples to manufacturers in Q2 2009, while HDMI 1.4-enabled products could arrive as early as next year. We aren't holding our breath, but we'll gladly eat crow if need be.
The internet possibilities are pretty sweet.
People still buy Monster cables? Somebody needs to enlighten these people to monoprice.com
This is just stupid. Standards should not be changed this often. Are we supposed to buy all new gear every year? No thanks!
Change happens. If it didnt, we would still be using composite video on a 480i tube! HDMI 1.4 is not going to make me go out and buy a new TV or AV receiver any faster, but when I do decide to upgrade, all of these new features will be nice. Especially nice for installers is the audio backfeed to allow TV audio to be digitally sent back up the cable to the A/V receiver. Until now, a toslink or stereo audio cable has been used, and its just one more cable that has to be pulled back to the equipment rack. The ethernet capability is also welcome, as now we will eliminate the need for a network switch in the equipment rack in most installations. I am all for improvements that will simplify installations, saving the installers time, and the consumer money!
THIS IS AWESOME! I work at a CI shop and the audio return is SWEET! I just hope that with the large majority of TV's connecting to the internet, this might be able to be a simple firmware upgrade? I could see other positives such as maybe allowing a device that already has an interconnection, such as a PS3, to share it's ethernet connection to a TV or AVR. Please comment and tell me what you think!
So HDMI Ethernet Channel (HEC) should allow one to plug a single ethernet cable into your AV receiver to network/internet enable all of your HDMI 1.4 connected devices?
Home network AV receiver HDTV, Xbox 720, Blu-ray, etc.
This would eliminate the need for an ethernet switch and ethernet patch cables to each device. Very nice.
This is really dumb.
Piping ethernet through HDMI is a risk to security and privacy. Each device in the chain will be able to access the network and internet, and act as a bridge for all other HDMI 1.4 or ethernet-connected components.. You MUST have security controls in place at each point to prevent unauthorized/undesired use of the network. How is this better than simply plugging in an ethernet cable, or using wifi?
Come to think of it, does that mean wireless HDMI will then carry networking? Will it be encrypted?
I think I'll stick with component until HDMI 1.892 comes out with a water feed for televisions with built in ice makers.
Wow, you mean we can use the word Monster in our posts without their three headed hounds from hell attorneys attacking us or threatening to sue?
I like technological advancement as much as the next guy. But, if there isn't firmware that can upgrade my 1.3 compliant television and receiver, then it's crap. I can live with buying new cables, just not new components.
I don't think anyone should be conserved now that their stuff isn't 1.4 complaint. To the average person, say a PS3 or 360 owner, they don't even need HDMI 1.3 because neither device bitstreams TrueHD or DTS-HD MA.
My issue is that while all this HDMI stuff is going on, there's DisplayPort at the same time on the PC side, for basically the same thing. I wish that HDMI would adopt all DisplayPort abilities, and vice versa. Then all devices on the AV and computer side can just pick a single standard and call it a day.
And fixing HDMI so it doesn't fall out would be nice too.
That all sounds nice, but where is a clasping connector?
I thought Liquid HD was the next big thing from SI.
an easier fix to all of this would be implementing 802.11 standards into home audio/video devices. no fuss set up, assuming you have your broadband hardware set up correctly.
and to take it one step further, manufacturers should offer standard ethernet connection to supplement the wi-fi set up, should that wireless connection proved to be inconsistent.
WOW 2k X 4k...where is the post for ultra hd dvd players coming soon?
According to hdmi.org, the 1.4 spec is not out yet. Damn, Engadget, please do an update on the story and get actual facts, not rumours.
Even with 1.3, you are not sure everybody is giving you all the features 1.3 can support. The most offending one is the DeepColor one. You know, knowadays LCDs are either 6bit or 8bit (per channel), bluray discs are 8bit... If there are no sources or displays with either 10bit or 12bit, what is the point?
The second thing is networking. Just imagine you are building a new device, and it can either support networking via WiFi or Ethernet that is widely available, or through fuure HDMI 1.4 devices that support the *optional* feauture? We know what happened with bluray discs and networking, don't we? These optional features are optional, and most of the devices will not support them, citing extra costs for neglible gain.
By the way, did somebody read the press memo from hdmi.org? HDMI in a car? You are kidding me!