Overview of HDMI®
Developed by Hitachi, Ltd.; Panasonic Corporation; Philips Consumer Electronics International, B.V.; Silicon Image, Inc.; Sony Corporation; Thomson S.A. and Toshiba Corporation, the High-Definition Multimedia Interface® (HDMI®) is the de facto global standard for connecting HD components and bridging the gap between CE and PC products. The HDMI specification combines uncompressed high-definition video and multi-channel audio and data in a single digital interface to provide crystal-clear digital quality over a single cable. For consumers, use of a single cable dramatically simplifies home theater system installation and eliminates the cable quagmire typically associated with home theater system components.
Most importantly, HDMI offers significant advantages over analog A/V connections, including the ability to transmit uncompressed digital video and audio content. In addition to numerous device and display manufacturers, major motion picture studios and cable and satellite operators also support the HDMI standard. To date, more than 900 makers of consumer electronics and PC products worldwide have adopted the HDMI standard.
HDMI Specification
The HDMI technical specification is available to hardware device, display, component, and test equipment manufacturers who are Adopters of the HDMI specification. In order to become an HDMI Adopter, please visit the Manufacturers section of the HDMI website at www.hdmi.org/.
HDMI Compliance Testing
Prior to mass producing or distributing any licensed product or component that claims compliance with the HDMI specification, a manufacturer must test a representative sample for HDMI compliance. Complete details on the testing policies can be found on the HDMI website.
The HDMI Compliance Test Specification requires that manufacturers submit their first product in each HDMI product category to an HDMI Authorized Testing Center (ATC). Silicon Image operates HDMI ATCs in Sunnyvale, California, Shenzhen, China, Shanghai, China and Seoul, Korea. Panasonic Corporation operates an ATC in Osaka, Japan, NXP in Grenoble, France and Philips in Bangalore, IndiaIn addition to HDMI compliance testing, Silicon Image now offers HD compatibility testing for CE products under its Simplay Labs brand.
HDMI compliance testing encompasses source, sink and repeater testing, including physical, protocol, video and audio tests. Cable assembly testing of mechanical and electrical characteristics, including wiring assignments, is also performed. All products submitted to an ATC are tested against the specification's requirements, after which the ATC sends a test report to both the manufacturer and HDMI Licensing, LLC.
For more information, please contact Silicon Image at admin@simplaylabs.com.