Goodbye HDMI, Hello HDBaseT

By Ian Bell Updated July 2, 2010

LG Electronics, Samsung Electronics, Sony Pictures Entertainment and Valens Semiconductor have been secretly conspiring to kill HDMI. And today they set their plans into motion, introducing a brand new audiovisual standard, HDBaseT. While that name may sound confusing, before you slap your head, this will not likely introduce a new kind of cable to your house.

Past A/V standards from industry groups have introduced a plethora of connectors (S-Video, HDMI, DisplayPort for example), so that makes this release all the more unusual. Instead of a new connector, it is based on the Cat 5e/6 network cables, commonly referred to as “ethernet cables”.

It supports cable lengths up to 328 feet. The cable can pass HD and 3-D video signals, as well as data through an integrated 100MBit Ethernet connection. That data feed should allow for new internet-connected TV services, such as Google TV which delivers advertising-funded services to TV sets.

The standard also has many other advantages. For one, it will help declutter the growing mess of cables in the average household. By repurposing ethernet cables, it should also dramatically lower costs, both for the manufacturer and the consumer.

About the only loser in the situation may be “premium” cable makers like Monster Cable Products. However, it’ll only be a matter of time before Monster finds a way to throw gold or other precious metals into a Cat 6 cable and release it as a “premium” HDBaseT cable.

About the only loose end is what mini-connectors will arise out of this new standard. Currently many smart phones, such as the HTC EVO 4G offer mini-HDMI connections. Perhaps more advanced mini-USB connections will answer that dilemma, though.

The standard will begin its rollout later this year. The majority of its volume will hit in 2011. Check out the comparison table below:

Click for a larger image

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Audio / Video

HDMI 2.1a is on its way. Here’s what you need to know

HDMI Cable

Most of the A/V industry -- and most of the folks who buy A/V products -- are still coming to grips with how the various features of HDMI 2.1 affect TVs, soundbars, and a whole slew of other devices. But you can’t halt progress, and the next version of the HDMI standard -- known as HDMI 2.1a -- has already started its slow roll toward certification and eventual adoption. What does this new specification include, how will it affect you, and what will you need if you want to take advantage of it? We’ve got everything you need to know.
A small upgrade for a small group of people
The first thing you should know about HDMI 2.1a is that you probably don’t need it. As a minor update to the HDMI 2.1 specification, it only introduces one new feature: Source-Based Tone Mapping (SBTM).

We’ll get into what SBTM is and how it works in a moment, but here’s the TL;DR: Unless you are a gamer looking for the ultimate in HDR performance, or a PC user who routinely works with a combination of SDR and HDR content, you can safely ignore HDMI 2.1a for a long time to come. You don’t need to buy new equipment and you don’t need to worry about compatibility with the new version.
What is Source-Based Tone Mapping (SBTM)?

Audio / Video

What is HDMI 2.0b? Here’s everything you need to know

Three HDMI cables held in someone's hand.

Wiring up your TV is a fairly cut and dry process, and thanks to advancements in A/V technology, there's pretty much only one cable you'll need for any new home theater component, and that's HDMI.

The all-in-one digital connection has created a cornucopia of ways to make hardware ready for the expanding A/V world around us, allowing for innovations like 4K Ultra HD and 8K resolution.

Computing

HDMI 2.1 means a lot less than you probably think

HDMI port close up.

The HDMI Licensing Administrator, the group that defines and licenses HDMI standards, has some confusing requirements around the HDMI 2.1 standard. The group did away with HDMI 2.0 in 2017, and display makers should stick with HDMI 2.1 going forward -- even without the essential features of the newer standard.

All of this comes from a statement the HDMI Licensing Administrator sent to TFT Central. In short, the HDMI 2.0 standard "doesn't exist" anymore, and display designers should mark any HDMI 2.x display as supporting HDMI 2.1 as long as they support one new feature. The features of HDMI 2.1, according to the statement, are optional, and display manufacturers are supposed to list the features each display supports.