HDMI and Connectivity for Distributing Hi-Def Video

Today I'd like talk about HMDI and HD connectivity. Without going into all the technical aspects, which we can all find by searching 1080p, 1080i, 720P, etc. and due to lots of comments and discussions on the subject lately, I'd like to discuss some issues.

The main issue we have with HDMI is many of the misnomers. Now again, without getting into too much technical detail, I'll simply reference some sites where you may find information or you can certainly search yourself and I am sure you will find and hear dissenting views. But for our purposes of audio/video, which is typically for dedicated theaters as well as distribution of audio and video to many rooms of the home, HDMI just doesn't offer all that you need.

First off, for the end user, there is little additional benefit to HDMI from DVI. Also, in real A/V applications, digital is not always better than analog when done properly.
See - http://forum.ecoustics.com/bbs/messages/34579/122868.html
The MI in HDMI refer to Multimedia Interface, which implies the addition of control (like and infra-red/IR remote for your TV) and audio signal to the video transmission that was available on DVI. The reality is, if you are going to spend the money on, and get the experience of a Hi-definition viewing screen (whether TV, Plasma, LCD, projector, whatever), you typically also want the surround sound that goes along with HD broadcast. Since most flat screens or projection systems, don't include speakers (or at least not surround speakers - front left, center and right), you aren't going to send the audio signal(s) over that HDMI cable, they are going to be broken out from the stereo into speaker wires, that go directly into real floor or in-wall speakers. Yes, it gets the audio and video from the source to the receiver, but the 1 HDMI cable is more costly than the component and optical or digital audio cables combined. To date, there is NO control aspect available in via HDMI, although I have read some is on the way, but it will take some time before that trickles down to dealers, installers and end-users being able to utilize it at this point. Again good old RS232, a tried and true technology is great for this, even offering 2 way control and any manufacturer can easily and inexpensively offer this in their products.

At our company, we actually still prefer Component video connections in many instances. We will use digital coaxial audio or optical audio connections, but often these must be broken out as well, again for distribution purposes. Most distribution products are only available in Component, Composite and S-video to date. There are HDMI switchers and such, but we'll get into the later. The only real world difference (user apparent) in Component and HDMI is that the latter is digital and is the only way to get true 1080p video. With component you get an excellent 720p/1080i image that only a select few can tell the difference between 720p and 1080p.

Additionally, HDMI has had issues with products hand-shaking and getting past various technologies (AACS copy-protection) designed to prevent duplication and theft of movies and videos. See http://gear.ign.com/articles/691/691408p1.html
This has been addressed more recently, but there are still a few issues out. One of which is that due to some of this encryption and other technology for this high-bandwidth video signal, many of the source devices (DVD players, BlueRay, etc,) take more time to "boot up" or restart than just simply clicking the power button. Some in excess of 1 minute. A long time when you press the Movie button and nothing happens. It seems much of the "benefit" of HDMI is for copy protection and movie studios rather than really for the consumer or end-user.

The final bug in my .. well you know, is that HDMI cannot go further than about 50' without amplification or other modification. Furthermore, we are beginning to hear that soon, products without HDMI will no longer work with products WITH HDMI. There is no need for this. People who purchased products a few years ago, with both component and HDMI will have to re-tweak thier systems with the same end-result.

We actually sell a high-end video distribution system, which in it's next generation, in order to basically meet forced AACS copy-protection requirements, is going with HDMI for it's distribution. This literally means that we need an access port (some way to get to cables and connections, etc), every 50' behind walls and in dry-wall. This is a nearly impossible and ridiculous task. It is really hard to determine exactly how much cable is run in wall, and most homes don't want some access portal every 50' around the house. Even when using amps and boosters with HDMI over 50' it gets tricky and cumbersome. It's never as easy as the technical manual or help states in the real world. So, my opinion component is the better vehicle at this time to "DISTRIBUTE" video signals up to 1080i, throughout a home or home system. Keep this in mind when thinking about wiring your house, and most things can do Component, while only some do HDMI and most can convert either way.