Slashdot Mirror
New HDMI 1.4 Spec Set To Confuse
thefickler writes "HDMI Licensing LLC, the company that determines the specifications of the HDMI standard, is set to release the HDMI 1.4 spec on 30 June. Unfortunately it could very well be the most confusing thing to ever happen to setting up a home theater. When the new cables are released, you're going to need to read the packaging very carefully because effectively there are now going to be five different versions of HDMI to choose from — HDMI Ethernet Channel, Audio Return Channel, 3D Over HDMI, 4K x2K Resolution Support and a new Automotive HDMI. At least we can't complain about consumer choice."
HDTVs are cheaper than flat panel displays in equivalent sizes. But as to your question, unless you want a big panel, don't buy a big panel, it's a waste of money.
Computer display has not been in rapid flux compared to TVs. TVs have gone from not having any input except an antenna input to having composite inputs, then s-video, then component, then HDMI in a little bit under 30 years. In the same time, computer monitors used 3 connectors, the original DB-9 (three flavors, RGB+I, RrGgBb, then analog RGB), then the HDI-15 (VGA connector), then DVI in a slightly shorter timeframe.
In the case of TVs, every change of connector/signaling was due to needing increased resolution except for HDMI. HDMI was to simplify connections, and indeed, a single HDMI connector is far simpler (and cheaper) than 3 RCAs for video + 2 RCAs or a single optical cable for audio.
TVs are by FAR not simpler than computer displays. HDMI allows 36 bit color, it allows more than 3 (RGB) channel color. It also brings audio, including multichannel audio. It also brings control signaling through CEC and now ethernet. With HDMI, turning on your TV can automatically turn on your amp. That doesn't happen with computers unless you use a 2nd cable, a USB cable.
I can't say I'm thrilled that the HDMI group can't understand that changing the spec less often will help make sure it is successful. But I do like the idea of return audio on HDMI 1.4. I do like the audio sync that was brought with HDMI 1.3. The multichannel audio in HDMI 1.1a was a fantastic idea, solving the problem computers never solved properly (which is why computers have 3 1/8" jacks for audio on the back instead of a single audio connector).
http://lkml.org/lkml/2005/8/20/95
No there isn't.
There is no adapter that will let you hook a DVI output to a DisplayPort-only monitor.
There are physical adapters that let you get DVI output from some DisplayPort ports. But it just ties a line on the connector that tells the sending device to not actually send DisplayPort signaling, but send DVI instead. This has a couple problems. First is that you are still paying the DVI licensing fees, including HDCP fees. Second is that if the source device doesn't have this alternate mode, the adapter doesn't work, because it can't convert it itself, it can only tell the sending device to send DVI instead.
Apple's adoption of DisplayPort seems like a disaster so far. If you have a more then 3 month old MacPro or iMac, Apple doesn't have a 24" display they can offer you. If you want to put an Apple 30" display on your MacPro, Mac Mini, MacBook or iMac, you need a $99 adapter that is large, takes up a USB port and doesn't even work right on some displays. And if you want to be able to give a presentation from your MacBook/Macbook Pro, you had better have brought a gaggle of adapters with you, since there isn't a projector on the planet that accepts DisplayPort. Not that you would have a DisplayPort cable to connect to the projector anyway, Apple doesn't even sell one! And even if the projector had a DisplayPort cable already attached, you couldn't use that either because Apple used mini DisplayPort, so it's adapter time again, except Apple doesn't sell that adapter either.
http://lkml.org/lkml/2005/8/20/95
Now, as I work most of my time as an AV-tech, I'd have to say that this is truth with modifications.
Projectors at conferences are usually vga only. I've never encountered a DVI cable in static systems at conferences. Sure, when we set it up ourselves and go for high quality HD projectors @ 10k ansilumens we will use our nice fiberoptic dvi cables or hd-sdi, but most of the time it is vga/rgb-hv.
That means one(1) adapter, if you bring your own laptop. Even peecees come with DVI these days.
For us techs, it means 3 adapters, one dvi-vga, one minidvi-vga and one DisplayPort-vga. This will not make much of a difference in our flight cases...
Apart from that, I agree. Apple pulled a bit of a stunt with the DisplayPort. While I like the new port, I think it's way too arrogant to assume that people will ditch a 6 months old machine just like that. :-)
H