Is HDMI 1.3 worth waiting for? c|Net Article

eHDMI · 12-20-2006, 04:55 PM

Is HDMI 1.3 worth waiting for?

The HDMI (high-definition multimedia interface) connector is currently the state of the art in home theater technology. It allows high-def digital video and multichannel digital audio to be sent over a single cable from an A/V source, through an A/V receiver, then onto an HDTV. Utilizing HDMI often results in a better picture on many HDTVs (vs. component video), and it's the preferred connection method for the latest generation of Blu-ray, HD-DVD, and upscaling DVD players.

Unfortunately, HDMI has been plagued by compatibility problems, especially when using cable and satellite boxes as sources. Moreover, there have been multiple iterations of the standard: HDMI 1.0 hit in December 2002, followed by 1.1 in May 2004, 1.2 in August 2005, and even 1.2a in December of 2005--each of which has added a smattering of features, some important, some obscure.

Enter HDMI version 1.3. The latest iteration of the standard is said to be the update that home theater enthusiasts have been waiting for. Among the highlights of HDMI 1.3 are increased bandwidth (10.2Gbps, more than enough to handle superhigh video and audio resolutions), "deep color" support (higher color bitdepth could result in a smoother HD image), and the ability to pass HD lossless audio formats (Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio).

In theory, that means devices that support HDMI 1.3 could deliver better HD images and more convenient use of surround sound. Whether or not that will translate to the real world remains to be seen. To date, the PlayStation 3 is the only device with HDMI 1.3 compatibility; other products--TVs, video players, and A/V receivers--are expected to begin shipping in 2007. Another big caveat: you'll likely need a "pure" HDMI 1.3 path from source to destination in order to fully enjoy any of the supposed benefits.

So, does that mean you should hold off on buying any new HDTV, video player, or A/V receiver until the HDMI 1.3-equipped models are available? Having not yet seen demos of HDMI 1.3, it's hard for us to say. But our gut feeling is that the difference between a 24-bit HDMI 1.1 high-def image and a 48-bit HDMI 1.3 image will be pretty hard for the average viewer to appreciate--or, at least, not nearly as noticeable a jump in quality as upgrading from standard-def to high-def. And if your primary high-def viewing source is cable or satellite TV, you'll need to wait until your provider can equip you with an HDMI 1.3-enabled set-top box before you could even enjoy the theoretical picture quality improvement anyway. In other words, we wouldn't put off the purchase of an HDTV just to wait for HDMI 1.3.

On the audio front, the question is a little more vague. The HDMI implementation on current A/V receivers leaves a lot to be desired, especially if you're trying to get the best possible audio from the latest crop of HD-DVD and Blu-ray players. The idea of an HDMI 1.3-enabled receiver with onboard Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD, and DTS-HD Master Audio decoding would--again, theoretically--help simplify the situation. But the improvement in sound quality is likely to be appreciated only by discriminating audiophiles, and it will, presumably, require an HDMI 1.3-enabled player as well. Moreover, current Blu-ray/HD-DVD players and receivers can already access these better-sounding soundtracks--you just need to dive into the menus and toggle the correct settings on the player and the receiver (linear PCM output over HDMI).

The Article

paulc · 12-21-2006, 10:29 AM

I concur, only more so! I think the "deep color" and "higher fidelity audio" embellishments are those that are only significant to test equipment. I've fooled with 24 bit vs. 48 bit color for years in still work; the differences are just not visible to 80-90% of the folks viewing. I bet you that the audio stuff is totally not noticeable on 95% of the audio equipment folks have. Notice that the "enhanced" audio formats that have been on the market for many years are total flops?

While I seem to have zero connectivity issues with HDMI, many seem to. Nowhere in reading about 1.3 have I seen any mention about improved connectivity.

geeky_geek · 07-01-2008, 06:38 PM

can i assume that 1.2a will work with most of plasma tv, xbox, and PS3 ??....

fryet · 07-02-2008, 01:46 PM

Yes, everything is downwards compatible so you should not have an issue.

BobY · 07-03-2008, 01:53 PM

At this point, it's all marketing.

Caveat 1: There are no sources of deep color (yes, devices with HDMI 1.3 may support the data path, but there is no content encoded with deep color--most likely the extra bits will simply be zeroes, or interpolated).

Caveat 2: There are no displays which can resolve 48-bit color (yes, they will receive the data, but they can't produce such minute variations in color--especially LCD's which require a certain minimum voltage quanta to change at all).

Some newer displays can respond to more than 24-bit color (e.g. 30-bit color), but refer to caveat 1.

Unless you want to spend extra money for what will likely be, at best, a reduction in color banding via interpolation, I wouldn't worry too much about it until displays can routinely resolve at least 30-bit color.

Just be forewarned that for a while there will be many displays and players that have HDMI 1.3 and claim Deep Color capability, but will produce no discernible difference on the screen.

Lee Stewart · 07-03-2008, 06:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by paulc

I concur, only more so! I think the "deep color" and "higher fidelity audio" embellishments are those that are only significant to test equipment. I've fooled with 24 bit vs. 48 bit color for years in still work; the differences are just not visible to 80-90% of the folks viewing. I bet you that the audio stuff is totally not noticeable on 95% of the audio equipment folks have. Notice that the "enhanced" audio formats that have been on the market for many years are total flops?

While I seem to have zero connectivity issues with HDMI, many seem to. Nowhere in reading about 1.3 have I seen any mention about improved connectivity.

Really?

http://www.hdmi.org/pdf/HDMI_Insert_FINAL_8-30-06.pdf

electrictroy · 07-07-2008, 10:42 AM

The reason the "color banding" exists is because the DVD or Blu-ray encoding machine tried to reduce bit usage from 24 to 16 bit to save space.

That flaw could be eliminated by using less compression. i.e. No need for 48 bits.

12-20-2006, 04:55 PM	#1
eHDMI Vizio 37 LCD Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 1,638	Is HDMI 1.3 worth waiting for? c\|Net Article Is HDMI 1.3 worth waiting for? The HDMI (high-definition multimedia interface) connector is currently the state of the art in home theater technology. It allows high-def digital video and multichannel digital audio to be sent over a single cable from an A/V source, through an A/V receiver, then onto an HDTV. Utilizing HDMI often results in a better picture on many HDTVs (vs. component video), and it's the preferred connection method for the latest generation of Blu-ray, HD-DVD, and upscaling DVD players. Unfortunately, HDMI has been plagued by compatibility problems, especially when using cable and satellite boxes as sources. Moreover, there have been multiple iterations of the standard: HDMI 1.0 hit in December 2002, followed by 1.1 in May 2004, 1.2 in August 2005, and even 1.2a in December of 2005--each of which has added a smattering of features, some important, some obscure. Enter HDMI version 1.3. The latest iteration of the standard is said to be the update that home theater enthusiasts have been waiting for. Among the highlights of HDMI 1.3 are increased bandwidth (10.2Gbps, more than enough to handle superhigh video and audio resolutions), "deep color" support (higher color bitdepth could result in a smoother HD image), and the ability to pass HD lossless audio formats (Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio). In theory, that means devices that support HDMI 1.3 could deliver better HD images and more convenient use of surround sound. Whether or not that will translate to the real world remains to be seen. To date, the PlayStation 3 is the only device with HDMI 1.3 compatibility; other products--TVs, video players, and A/V receivers--are expected to begin shipping in 2007. Another big caveat: you'll likely need a "pure" HDMI 1.3 path from source to destination in order to fully enjoy any of the supposed benefits. So, does that mean you should hold off on buying any new HDTV, video player, or A/V receiver until the HDMI 1.3-equipped models are available? Having not yet seen demos of HDMI 1.3, it's hard for us to say. But our gut feeling is that the difference between a 24-bit HDMI 1.1 high-def image and a 48-bit HDMI 1.3 image will be pretty hard for the average viewer to appreciate--or, at least, not nearly as noticeable a jump in quality as upgrading from standard-def to high-def. And if your primary high-def viewing source is cable or satellite TV, you'll need to wait until your provider can equip you with an HDMI 1.3-enabled set-top box before you could even enjoy the theoretical picture quality improvement anyway. In other words, we wouldn't put off the purchase of an HDTV just to wait for HDMI 1.3. On the audio front, the question is a little more vague. The HDMI implementation on current A/V receivers leaves a lot to be desired, especially if you're trying to get the best possible audio from the latest crop of HD-DVD and Blu-ray players. The idea of an HDMI 1.3-enabled receiver with onboard Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD, and DTS-HD Master Audio decoding would--again, theoretically--help simplify the situation. But the improvement in sound quality is likely to be appreciated only by discriminating audiophiles, and it will, presumably, require an HDMI 1.3-enabled player as well. Moreover, current Blu-ray/HD-DVD players and receivers can already access these better-sounding soundtracks--you just need to dive into the menus and toggle the correct settings on the player and the receiver (linear PCM output over HDMI). The Article __________________ Discount HDTV Accessories HDFury

07-07-2008, 10:42 AM	#7
electrictroy Wii 480p looks good to me Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 1,895	The reason the "color banding" exists is because the DVD or Blu-ray encoding machine tried to reduce bit usage from 24 to 16 bit to save space. That flaw could be eliminated by using less compression. i.e. No need for 48 bits. __________________ TV Band/whitespace Devices will block my Baltimore/Philly stations. No more channels 2,3,6,10,11,12,13,17,35,45,57,61,65

12-21-2006, 10:29 AM	#2
paulc Very Grizzled Vet of 1 yr Join Date: May 2006 Location: New York City Posts: 1,764	I concur, only more so! I think the "deep color" and "higher fidelity audio" embellishments are those that are only significant to test equipment. I've fooled with 24 bit vs. 48 bit color for years in still work; the differences are just not visible to 80-90% of the folks viewing. I bet you that the audio stuff is totally not noticeable on 95% of the audio equipment folks have. Notice that the "enhanced" audio formats that have been on the market for many years are total flops? While I seem to have zero connectivity issues with HDMI, many seem to. Nowhere in reading about 1.3 have I seen any mention about improved connectivity.

07-01-2008, 06:38 PM	#3
geeky_geek My plasma is High Def. Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 6	can i assume that 1.2a will work with most of plasma tv, xbox, and PS3 ??....

07-02-2008, 01:46 PM	#4
fryet High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Bay Area, CA Age: 38 Posts: 632	Yes, everything is downwards compatible so you should not have an issue.

07-03-2008, 01:53 PM	#5
BobY What's all this, then?... Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 6,197	At this point, it's all marketing. Caveat 1: There are no sources of deep color (yes, devices with HDMI 1.3 may support the data path, but there is no content encoded with deep color--most likely the extra bits will simply be zeroes, or interpolated). Caveat 2: There are no displays which can resolve 48-bit color (yes, they will receive the data, but they can't produce such minute variations in color--especially LCD's which require a certain minimum voltage quanta to change at all). Some newer displays can respond to more than 24-bit color (e.g. 30-bit color), but refer to caveat 1. Unless you want to spend extra money for what will likely be, at best, a reduction in color banding via interpolation, I wouldn't worry too much about it until displays can routinely resolve at least 30-bit color. Just be forewarned that for a while there will be many displays and players that have HDMI 1.3 and claim Deep Color capability, but will produce no discernible difference on the screen.