How can hdmi be used

I'll go through each of the types mentioned above and try and give you a basic explanation of what each accomplishes. VGA is an analog signal so the converter has to convert the signal from analog to digital. This also allows you to add multiple extra displays to your computer making for much more powerful monitor set ups. The Minideck 3. This means that if you are only using the video signal you can use a simple DVI to HDMI plug adapter that changes the physical connections.

Composite sources are usually things like DVD players or video game consoles that are a little too old to have been built with HDMI support. Composite is an analog signal type like VGA and must be fully converted to a digital signal. You cannot use a simple cable to go from component to HDMI. This means that if you are only using the video signal you can simply use an HDMI to DVI plug adapter or cable that simply changes the physical connections.

If you have questions about any Tripp Lite product or service, please contact us. We're always glad to help! HDMI stands for High-Definition Multimedia Interface, a standard for simultaneously transmitting digital video and audio from a source, such as a computer or TV cable box, to a computer monitor, TV or projector. Originally developed by a consortium of electronics manufacturers, it has been widely adopted with almost all televisions and computer monitors supporting the interface.

The goal of the HDMI initiative back in was to improve on existing connectivity standards e. DVI, component video by creating a smaller connector, adding support for embedded audio and delivering a higher resolution video signal.

There are also different types of HDMI cable see the chart below. If the type is not indicated, assume Standard. These pin connectors can be found on almost every brand of TV, computer monitor, game console, streaming device and desktop computer.

Because of its smaller size, it is typically used on portable devices such as DSLR cameras and tablets. Micro HDMI connectors are used on small, portable devices such as phones. Cables are available in male and female versions, with space-saving right-angled connectors and gripping or locking connectors. HDMI cable is considered low voltage so you can install it inside a wall. HDMI faceplates give a clean, finished appearance and have a female connector on the internal side, making termination easy.

HDMI keystones are also available for digital signage applications and large conference facilities with many displays that are fed from a central location. Which is best A cable connection is a relatively inexpensive option that gives a strong, reliable signal but can be difficult to install, it's limited to one location and a distance of ft.

Longer distances require an active cable or HDMI extender. A wireless HDMI extender is much easier to install, can be easily relocated and can broadcast a high-resolution video signal to multiple receivers. This means that the cable jacket is fire resistant and suitable to low-voltage in-wall applications.

All three connectors have the same 19 pins, but some may have different pin assignments. Functionally, they all support the resolutions and features of HDMI 1. Transition-Minimized Differential Signaling TMDS — When digital data is transmitted, especially over long distances, it is susceptible to noise and signal loss.

It works like this:. Manufacturers sometimes refer to CEC using their own branded term e. High-Bandwidth Digital Content Protection HDCP — this authentication protocol allows a sending and receiving device to verify each other's credentials stored on each device's Extended Display Identification Data EDID chip and, if every checks out, create a shared key that is used to encode and decode the data passing between them.

This process, known as a handshake, happens almost instantaneously at the beginning of a session and ensures that an unauthorized device cannot intercept the data as it travels between two devices.

Chroma Subsampling — Chroma subsampling is a form of video data compression. It reduces the amount of color data in a video signal in such a way that there is little or no visible impact on image quality. Each pixel in a video image includes information on brightness luma and color chroma. Since human eyes are more sensitive to differences in brightness than color, chroma subsampling reduces the amount of data transmitted by allowing pixels to share color data with adjacent pixels. Chroma Subsampling is represented as three digits.

The first number is the number of pixels in each row of the sample. The second number indicates the number of pixels in the TOP row that have color information. Color Spaces and Deep Color — A color space is a defined range of colors that can be represented in an image. Two important characteristics of a color space are Color Depth and Gamut. Color Depth is the number of bits used to represent the color of a single pixel and determines the amount of shading or gradation.

Gamut refers to the number of colors available. HDMI 1. It's worth keeping in mind that the human eye can only distinguish around 10 million different color, so bit color is adequate for most situations. In other words, video and audio to the TV and audio back to the sound bar the "return" part.

It combines the features of an Ethernet cable into the HDMI cable, thereby avoiding the need for a separate Ethernet cable. Xbox and Roku are two examples of devices that can take advantage of HEC to connect to the Internet. Dynamic HDR simply means the dynamic range can be set on a per-scene basis or frame-by-frame in the case of high-end TVs.

The higher the resolution, color depth and frame rate, the more bits need to be transmitted until the maximum bandwidth is reached.

Then, the only way to transmit more bits is to add more lanes to the cable or compress the signal. HDMI 2. Active vs. Passive cables have a limited range more on this later. Active cables on the other hand include a signal booster that enables video and audio to be transmitted over longer distances.

Active cables sometimes require a power supply. Consensus seems to be about 50 feet for p and feet for 4K video, but distances of over feet are achievable. A good practical approach is to try a passive cable and, if you have problems with signal strength, add an in-line signal booster at the receiver end. Active Cables — Length is more definitive in the case of an active cable because signal transmission is designed and tested over the advertised distance.

When transmission distance requirements exceed the limits of passive and active cables, it's time to consider the various forms of signal extension. Greater distances are possible at lower frame rates.

HDMI over Fiber — The connectors on fiber HDMI convert conventional electrical inputs to pulses of light that are transmitted at high speed through optical fiber, then converted back to electricity on the receiving end. Yes — although not DVI-A.

This adapter is also bi-directional. So no matter which way you need to send the signal, this should do the trick. Remember, if you use an adapter like this then you will only be able to transmit the picture.

So, in this case, you would have to send the audio via another connection type like coaxial or optical audio. Yes, you can. One way is to use your AV receiver. There are plenty to choose from. You just need to check that the converter you use will deliver the signal that you need. The one above supports resolutions up to p.

Also, you need to be clear about what you want to convert from and to. If you need to do something different, then you need to look for the correct converter for that job. In some situations, you may find it difficult, or even impossible, to plug your HDMI cable into your device. The most common scenario is where you have your flat screen TV mounted on a wall.

This useful little device will connect to the end of your existing HDMI cable and create a degree connector. You may also see these described as degree HDMI adapters. It just means the HDMI connector is designed to point up — rather than down. The adapters I have linked to above come with both versions. One that points down degree adapter — and another that points up degree adapter.

Also, some people prefer to have a cable with the correct connector hard-wired on the cable — rather than use an adapter. A switch has multiple inputs and an output.

Therefore, you can connect all your devices to the switch — and then use the single output to connect to your TV. If you want more details on this and learn how to connect everything, check out my guide to the HDMI switch. If you are playing the movie from a device with an HDMI output — like a Blu-ray player or media streamer — then this is quite easy. You just need to buy a splitter that has enough outputs.

You also need to make sure that the splitter supports the video resolutions and audio formats that you need. For more details, check out my guide to the HDMI splitter.

Category 3 cables come with the Ethernet wiring as standard. The increased speed is required to support the new features of HDMI 2. It is fully backward-compatible with older HDMI connections. There is no defined maximum cable length for HDMI cables — only a required performance. The ability of a cable to accurately reproduce signals over a long distance is very much dependent on the build quality of the cable — and the quality of circuits in the devices.

However, in practice, a high-quality cable should transfer data successfully over about 10 meters. Then, a repeater or amplifier may be needed to boost the signal. Over a short distance, like less than 3 meters, almost any cable should be able to transfer the required data. Component video cables send component analog signals between devices and are restricted to video only — they do not send audio signals.

The circuitry in an HDMI 2. So you would need a new HDMI board installed inside your device. They are essentially the same, except HDMI has support for 8 channels of audio, support for the YUV color space, CEC wiring to enable remote control of devices and a different connector. Search for: Search Button. Paul started the Home Cinema Guide to help less-experienced users get the most out of today's audio-visual technology.

He has worked as a sound, lighting and audio-visual engineer for around 20 years. At home, he has spent more time than is probably healthy installing, configuring, testing, de-rigging, fixing, tweaking, re-installing again and sometimes using various pieces of hi-fi and home cinema equipment. I link to products I like. Frequently Asked Questions. Check Price. RayCue USB 3. HDMI connector types. HDMI is fully backward compatible with older versions.