HDMI Cable Repair

High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) is a proprietary audio/video interface standard which was introduced in 2002 to carry uncompressed digital video and compressed or uncompressed digital audio over a single cable.

It was developed jointly by several major electronic firms (Philips, Sony, Panasonic, Toshiba, etc.) to replace analog connections and ensure compatibility between devices. HDMI is ubiquitous in consumer electronics – TVs, monitors, projectors, Blu-ray/DVD players, game consoles, streaming boxes, soundbars, laptops, and even appeard in automotive and commercial systems.

Unlike older analog connectors, HDMI is fully digital (and backward-compatible with single-link DVI). While newer versions of HDMI have been created, adding additional functionlity, HDMI still keeps the same 19-pin interface and basic cabling. As of 2021 around 10 billion HDMI compatible devices have been shipped worldwide.

Released on December 9, 2002, HDMI 1.0 is a single-cable digital audio/video connector interface. It uses the DVI link architecture, transmitting video in the same format but adding audio and other auxiliary data during the blanking intervals.

HDMI 1.0 supports a maximum TMDS clock of 165 MHz, providing a bandwidth of 4.95 Gbit/s per link, similar to DVI. It defines two connectors: Type-A and Type-B, with pinouts based on Single-Link DVI-D and Dual-Link DVI-D connectors, respectively; however, the Type-B connector was never used in commercial products.

HDMI 1.0 uses TMDS encoding for video transmission, offering 3.96 Gbit/s of video bandwidth (capable of displaying 1920 × 1080 or 1920 × 1200 at 60 frames per second) and 8-channel LPCM audio at 192 kHz/24-bit resolution. HDMI 1.0 requires support for RGB video, with optional support for Y′CBCR 4:4:4 and 4:2:2 (mandatory if the device supports Y′CBCR on other interfaces). When using 4:2:2 subsampling, color depth of 10 bpc (30 bits per pixel) or 12 bpc (36 bits per pixel) is allowed, but only 8 bpc (24 bits per pixel) color depth is permitted when using RGB or Y′CBCR 4:4:4.

HDMI 1.0 supports only specific pre-defined video formats, including all formats defined in EIA/CEA-861-B and some additional formats listed in the HDMI Specification itself. Additionally, all HDMI sources/sinks must be capable of sending/receiving native Single-Link DVI video and fully comply with the DVI Specification.

Released on May 20, 2004 HDMI 1.1 adds support for DVD-Audio. No other significant upgrades were implemented.

Released on August 8, 2005, HDMI 1.2 introduced the One Bit Audio option, similar to Super Audio CDs, which were capable of supporting up to 8 channels. To enhance its compatibility with PC devices, version 1.2 relaxed the requirement for explicitly supported formats. It enabled manufacturers to create vendor-specific formats, allowing arbitrary resolutions and refresh rates, rather than being restricted to a predefined list of supported formats.

HDMI 1.2 also added explicit support for several new formats, including 720p at 100 Hz and 120 Hz. Additionally, it relaxed the pixel format support requirements, eliminating the need for sources with only native RGB output (PC sources) to support Y′CBCR output.

HDMI 1.2a, released on December 14, 2005, fully specifies Consumer Electronic Control (CEC) features, command sets, and CEC compliance tests.

HDMI 1.3, released on June 22, 2006, enhanced the maximum TMDS clock to 340 MHz, enabling a video bandwidth of 8.16 Gbit/s. This bandwidth is sufficient for 1920 x 1080 resolution at 144 Hz or 2560 x 1440 resolution at 75 Hz. Like previous versions, HDMI 1.3 employs TMDS encoding. It introduced support for 10 bpc, 12 bpc, and 16 bpc color depth, known as deep color, with 30, 36, and 48 bits per pixel. Additionally, it expanded the supported color spaces to include the xvYCC color space, in addition to the ITU-R BT.601 and BT.709 color spaces supported by previous versions.

HDMI 1.3 also introduced the ability to carry metadata defining color gamut boundaries. Furthermore, it optionally allows the output of Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio streams for external decoding by AV receivers. Furthermore, HDMI 1.3 incorporates automatic audio syncing (audio video sync) capability. It defined cable Categories 1 and 2, with Category 1 cable being tested up to 74.25 MHz and Category 2 being tested up to 340 MHz. HDMI 1.3 also introduced the new HDMI type C “Mini” connector for portable devices.

HDMI 1.3a, released on November 10, 2006, introduced cable and sink modifications for HDMI type C, source termination recommendations, and eliminated undershoot and maximum rise/fall time limits. Additionally, it adjusted CEC capacitance limits and reintroduced CEC commands for timer control, incorporating audio control commands. HDMI 1.3a introduced the optional capability to stream SACD in its bitstream DST format instead of uncompressed raw DSD. Registration is required to download HDMI 1.3a for free.

HDMI 1.4, released on June 5, 2009, initially came to market after Q2 of 2009. It retained the bandwidth of the previous version and introduced standardized timings for 4096 × 2160 at 24 Hz, 3840 × 2160 at 24, 25, and 30 Hz, and added explicit support for 1920 × 1080 at 120 Hz with CTA-861 timings. HDMI 1.4 also introduced an HDMI Ethernet Channel (HEC) that enables a 100 Mbit/s Ethernet connection between two HDMI-connected devices, allowing them to share an Internet connection.

Additionally, it introduced an audio return channel (ARC), 3D Over HDMI, a new Micro HDMI Connector, an expanded set of color spaces including sYCC601, Adobe RGB, and Adobe YCC601, and an Automotive Connection System. HDMI 1.4 also defined several stereoscopic 3D formats, including field alternative (interlaced), frame packing (a full resolution top-bottom format), line alternative full, side-by-side half, side-by-side full, 2D + depth, and 2D + depth + graphics + graphics depth (WOWvx).

HDMI 1.4 mandates that 3D displays implement the frame packing 3D format at either 720p50 and 1080p24 or 720p60 and 1080p24. High Speed HDMI cables as defined in HDMI 1.3 work with all HDMI 1.4 features except for the HDMI Ethernet Channel, which requires the new High Speed HDMI Cable with Ethernet defined in HDMI 1.4.

HDMI 1.4a, released on March 4, 2010, introduced two mandatory 3D formats for broadcast content. However, the implementation of these formats was delayed until the 3D broadcast market provided direction. HDMI 1.4a has defined mandatory 3D formats for broadcast, game, and movie content. It requires 3D displays to implement the frame packing 3D format at either 720p50 and 1080p24 or 720p60 and 1080p24, side-by-side horizontal at either 1080i50 or 1080i60, and top-and-bottom at either 720p50 and 1080p24 or 720p60 and 1080p24.

HDMI 1.4b, released on October 11, 2011, contained only minor clarifications to the 1.4a document. It was the last version of the standard that HDMI LA was responsible for. All subsequent versions of the HDMI Specification were produced by the HDMI Forum, established on October 25, 2011.

HDMI 2.0, also known as HDMI UHD by some manufacturers, was released on September 4, 2013.

HDMI 2.0 enhances the maximum bandwidth to 18.0 Gbit/s. While it retains the TMDS encoding used in previous versions for video transmission, which allows for a maximum video bandwidth of 14.4 Gbit/s, HDMI 2.0 enables the transmission of 4K video at 60 frames per second with 24-bit per pixel color depth.

Additionally, HDMI 2.0 supports the Rec. 2020 color space, up to 32 audio channels, an audio sample frequency of up to 1536 kHz, dual video streams for multiple users on the same screen, up to four audio streams, 4:2:0 chroma subsampling, 25 frames per second 3D formats, support for the 21:9 aspect ratio, dynamic synchronization of video and audio streams, the HE-AAC and DRA audio standards, improved 3D capabilities, and additional CEC functions.

HDMI 2.0a, released on April 8, 2015, introduced support for High Dynamic Range (HDR) video with static metadata.

HDMI 2.0b, released in March 2016, initially supported the same HDR10 standard as HDMI 2.0a, as specified in the CTA-861.3 specification. However, in December 2016, additional support for HDR Video transport was added to HDMI 2.0b through the CTA-861-G specification, which extended the static metadata signaling to include hybrid log–gamma (HLG).

HDMI 2.1, officially announced by the HDMI Forum on January 4, 2017, was released on November 28, 2017. It introduces support for higher resolutions and refresh rates, including 4K 120 Hz and 8K 60 Hz. HDMI 2.1 also introduces a new HDMI cable category called Ultra High Speed, which certifies cables capable of transmitting data at the new higher speeds required by these formats. Ultra High Speed HDMI cables are backward compatible with older HDMI devices, while older cables are compatible with new HDMI 2.1 devices. However, the full 48 Gbit/s bandwidth is only supported with the new cables.

Some systems may not be able to utilize HDMI 2.1 due to the HDMI Forum’s restrictions on its use in open-source implementations, such as Linux open-source drivers. Consequently, users of these systems might need to resort to DisplayPort instead to access high resolutions and speeds.

Video formats that demand more bandwidth than 18.0 Gbit/s, such as 4K 60 Hz 8 bpc RGB, 4K 60 Hz 10 bpc (HDR), 4K 120 Hz, and 8K 60 Hz, may necessitate the use of the new “Ultra High Speed” or “Ultra High Speed with Ethernet” cables. Notably, HDMI 2.1’s other novel features are compatible with existing HDMI cables.

The increase in maximum bandwidth is achieved by both enhancing the bitrate of the data channels and expanding the number of channels. Previous HDMI versions utilized three data channels, each capable of operating at up to 6.0 Gbit/s in HDMI 2.0 or up to 3.4 Gbit/s in HDMI 1.4. Additionally, an additional channel was dedicated to transmitting the TMDS clock signal, which operates at a fraction of the data channel speed. For signaling rates up to 3.4 Gbit/s, the TMDS clock signal operates at one-tenth the data channel speed (up to 340 MHz), while for signaling rates between 3.4 and 6.0 Gbit/s, it operates at one-fortieth the speed (up to 150 MHz).

HDMI 2.1 doubles the signaling rate of the data channels to 12 Gbit/s. The data structure has been modified to adopt a new packet-based format with an embedded clock signal, enabling the previously dedicated TMDS clock channel to be utilized as a fourth data channel. Consequently, the signaling rate across this channel is also increased to 12 Gbit/s. These changes result in a significant enhancement of the aggregate bandwidth, from 18.0 Gbit/s (3 × 6.0 Gbit/s) to 48.0 Gbit/s (4 × 12.0 Gbit/s), representing a substantial 2.66× improvement in bandwidth.

The data is transmitted more efficiently by employing a 16b/18b encoding scheme, which allocates a larger portion of the bandwidth for data transmission compared to the DC balancing scheme used in previous versions (88.8% compared to 80%). This, coupled with the 2.66× bandwidth increase, elevates the maximum data rate of HDMI 2.1 from 14.4 Gbit/s to 42.6 Gbit/s. After deducting the overhead associated with FEC, the usable data rate approximates 42.0 Gbit/s, which is approximately 2.92× the data rate of HDMI 2.0.

HDMI 2.1 offers a bandwidth of 48 Gbit/s, which is sufficient for displaying 8K resolution at approximately 50 frames per second (fps). This resolution can be achieved with an 8-bit per color (bpc) RGB or Y′CBCR 4:4:4 color space. HDMI 2.1 also supports Display Stream Compression (DSC), which allows for even higher formats. With DSC, HDMI 2.1 can support 8K resolution (7680 × 4320) at 120 fps or 10K resolution (10240 × 4320) at 100 fps, all with an 8-bpc RGB/4:4:4 color space. Additionally, combining DSC with Y′CBCR chroma subsampling (4:2:2 or 4:2:0) can further enhance the supported formats.

HDMI 2.1a, released on February 15, 2022, introduced support for Source-Based Tone Mapping (SBTM). HDMI 2.1b was released later on August 10, 2023.

HDMI 2.2, announced on January 6, 2025, is expected to be released in the first half of 2025. It introduces a maximum bit rate of 96 Gbit/s and supports Latency Indication Protocol (LIP) to enhance audio and video synchronization.

1. TMDS data2+
2. TMDS data2 shield
3. TMDS data2−
4. TMDS data1+
5. TMDS data1 shield
6. TMDS data1−
7. TMDS data0+
8. TMDS data0 shield
9. TMDS data0−
10. TMDS clock+
11. TMDS clock shield
12. TMDS clock−
13. Consumer Electronics Control(CEC)
14. Reserved (HDMI 1.0–1.3a)
    • Utility/HEAC+ (HDMI 1.4+
    • optional
    • HDMI Ethernet Channel(HEC)
    • Audio Return Channel(ARC))
15. SCL (I²C serial clock for DDC)
16. SDA (I²C serial data for DDC)
17. Ground (for DDC, CEC, ARC, and HEC)
18. +5 V (up to 50 mA)
19. Hot plug detect (all versions)
    • HEAC− (HDMI 1.4+, optional, HDMI Ethernet Channel, and Audio Return Channel)

Connector	Name	Size	Pins	Use Cases
Type-A	Standard HDMI	13.9 mm x 4.45 mm	19 pins	TVs, monitors, gaming consoles, PCs
Type-C	Mini HDMI	10.42 mm x 2.42 mm	19 pins (However, all positive signals of the differential pairs are swapped with their corresponding shields)	DSLR cameras, camcorders, tablets
Type-D	HDMI Micro	5.83 mm x 2.20	19 pins (with different pin out than Type-A)	Smartphones, compact cameras
Type-E	Automotive HDMI	13.9 mm x 4.45 mm (w/ locking tab and moisture resistant shell)	19 pins	In-car entertainment systems

• Hot Pluggable: Yes
• External: Yes
• Audio Signal:
  • LPCM
  • Dolby Digital
  • DTS
  • DVD-Audio
  • Dolby Digital Plus
  • Dolby TrueHD
  • DTS-HD High Resolution Audio
  • DTS-HD Master Audio
  • MPCM
  • DSD
  • DST
  • Dolby Atmos
  • DTS:X
• Video Signal: Limited by available Bandwidth

• Data Signal: Yes
• Bitrate: Up to 48 Gbit/s, as of HDMI 2.1b
• Protocols:
  • TMDS
  • Fixed Rate Link (FRL)

• Release Date: December 2002
• Superseds:
  • DVI
  • VGA
  • SCART
  • RGB component
  • S-Video
  • Composite Video
• Open Standard: No

• Founding Companies:
  • Hitachi
  • Panasonic
  • Philips
  • Silicon Image
  • Sony
  • Thomson
  • Toshiba
• HDMI Development Companies:
  1. Akrostar Technology Co., Ltd.
  2. Allion
  3. AMD
  4. Amlogic
  5. Analog Devices
  6. Analogix Semiconductor, Inc.
  7. Astrodesign
  8. Best Buy
  9. BitifEye Digital Test Solutions
  10. Broadcom Corporation
  11. Chrontel
  12. Crestron
  13. DisplayLink
  14. Dolby Laboratories
  15. Elka
  16. Epson
  17. Everpro Tech
  18. Extron Electronics
  19. Foxconn
  20. Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft
  21. Google
  22. Granite River Labs (GRL)
  23. Hirakawa Hewtech Corp.
  24. Hosiden
  25. Insight Test Labs
  26. Intel
  27. Integrated Service Technology
  28. ITE Tech. Inc.
  29. Japan Aviation Electronics Industry, Ltd
  30. JCE
  31. JPC Connectivity
  32. JVC Kenwood Corporation
  33. KET
  34. Keysight Technologies
  35. Lattice Semiconductor
  36. LG Electronics, Inc.
  37. LOTES Co., Ltd.
  38. LUXSHARE-ICT
  39. Maxell
  40. MediaTek Inc.
  41. Microsoft
  42. Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
  43. Netflix
  44. Nexperia
  45. Novatek
  46. Nuvoton Technology Corporation
  47. NVIDIA
  48. Panasonic Corporation
  49. Parade Technologies
  50. Philips Electronics
  51. Qualcomm Incorporated
  52. Realtek Semiconductor Corp.
  53. Rohde & Schwarz
  54. Roku
  55. Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
  56. Sharp Corporation
  57. Socionext, Inc.
  58. Sony Corporation
  59. Sound United LLC
  60. Synaptics
  61. Synopsys
  62. T&CP LLC
  63. Tektronix
  64. Teledyne LeCroy
  65. Texas Instruments
  66. Toshiba
  67. REGZA Corporation
  68. UL LLC
  69. Unigraf
  70. VIA Technologies, Inc.
  71. VIZIO Holding Corp.
  72. WIESON Technologies
  73. Wilder Technologies
  74. Xperi Corporation
  75. Yamaha Corporation

• Official HDMI Organization Website
• Official HDMI Fourm
• HDMI Wikipedia Entery