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HDMI - Digital Picture and Sound, With No Quality Loss

HDMI digitally transmits video and audio signals between digital devices
- Extremely pure images perfect for large screen viewing
- Brilliantly clear, dynamic sound

As the digital revolution unfolds, there's a growing need for an interface that digitally transmits signals between connected equipment. The solution: HDMI, or High-Definition Multimedia Interface. An HDMI connection digitally transmits video and audio signals with virtually no degradation or noise. This means users can experience the beauty of digital images, delivering clear, bright, high-resolution pictures that are perfect for large-screen viewing. DVD-audio signals are also digitally transmitted, delivering a brilliantly clear, dynamic sound.

Digital Transmission Of Audio And Video Signals

HDMI transmits digital video and audio signals at speeds up to 5 Gps without compressing them. It supports highdefinition images up to 1080p and high-quality, multi-channel audio formats such as DVD-Audio.

Whenever a digital signal (for example from a DVD player) is converted to analogue and sent to a TV, then converted back to digital and displayed, there is some loss of picture quality. But with HDMI, the signal is transmitted in its original digital form. Therefore there is no quality loss from conversion errors. This means that pure digital pictures and sound are sent direct from the source and remain digital from the output device to the display equipment.

Advanced Digital Pictures

Compare HDMI connection with conventional analog connection, using the DVD player as an example. With an analog connection, the digital signal from the DVD player is converted to analog and sent to the TV, then converted back to digital and displayed. Inevitably, there is some loss of picture quality due to conversion errors and to noise and signal degradation that occurs as the signal travels through the cable. With HDMI, on the other hand, the DVD signal is transmitted to the TV in its original digital form. There is no conversion from digital to analog and back, and therefore no quality loss from conversion errors. Image quality is thus higher. Plus, because HDMI supports 625p, 1125i, and up to 1125p high-definition images with copy protection, it produces images with quality that is ideal for large-screen viewing, especially plasma display panels, LCDs and other equipment that uses all-digital image processing. It also has bandwidth to spare - ready for the HDTV future.



Advanced Digital Sound

The super-high-quality linear PCM sound provided by DVD-Audio is not given its full potential when the digital signal is transmitted through an analog cable. With a conventional analog connection, the digital signal carrying DVD-Audio's detailed audio data is converted to analog before being sent to the amplifier and output. Sound quality is diminished due to noise and signal degradation. HDMI, on the other hand, transmits the signal in its original digital form, so the sound is extremely pure. HDMI also supports up to eight channels of multi-channel sound. Plus, it connects the player and amplifier with a single cable, rather than the multiple cables needed in conventional connection.

Easy to Use

HDMI transmits both video and audio signals over a single cable, so connection is quick and easy and the area around the TV remains uncluttered. Also, when each of the connected units is HDMI-compatible, control signals can be exchanged among them. This means that, it will be possible to operate several units from a single remote control, or to operate several units via linked control.

Industry-Wide Recognition

HDMI is the first and only digital interface to combine uncompressed high-definition video, multi-channel audio and intelligent format and command data in a single digital interface. In addition to numerous device and display manufacturers, Hollywood studios (including Fox, Universal, Warner Bros. and Disney) and cable and satellite operators also support HDMI. Because of this industry recognition, customers can be sure of compatibility across a huge range of products from many manufacturers.

HDMI Features and Benefits