HDMI Licensing, LLC, the agent responsible for licensing the High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) spec, announced the features that will be incorporated in the HDMI 1.4 specification. This latest version of the HDMI 1.4 specification will, among other advancements, offer networking capabilities with Ethernet connectivity and will add an Audio Return Channel to enable upstream audio connections via the HDMI 1.4 cable.

HDTV Supply has hundreds of HDMI 1.4 products located throughout our site. To find then just do an HDMI 1.4 SEARCH in the upper left hand corner of this page or look at the upper left hand corner under 3D PRODUCTS or HDMI 1.4 PRODUCTS.

Consumers will have a choice of the following HDMI 1.4 cables:

Standard HDMI 1.4 Cable – supports data rates up to 1080i/60;
High Speed HDMI 1.4 Cable – supports data rates beyond 1080p, including Deep Color and all 3D formats of the new 1.4 specification;
Standard HDMI 1.4 Cable with Ethernet – includes Ethernet connectivity;
High Speed HDMI 1.4 Cable with Ethernet –includes Ethernet connectivity;
Automotive HDMI 1.4 Cable–allows the connection of external HDMI-enabled devices to an in-vehicle HDMI 1.4 device.

HDMI Version Comparison (source: Wikipedia)

HDMI version	HDMI 1.0–1.2a	HDMI 1.3	HDMI 1.4
Maximum signal bandwidth (MHz)	165	340	340
Maximum TMDS bandwidth (Gbit/s)	4.95	10.2	10.2
Maximum video bandwidth (Gbit/s)	3.96	8.16	8.16
Maximum audio bandwidth (Mbit/s)	36.86	36.86	36.86
Maximum color depth (bit/px)	24	48	48
Maximum resolution over single link at 24-bit/px	1920×1200p60	2560×1600p75	4096×2160p24
Maximum resolution over single link at 30-bit/px	N/A	2560×1600p60	4096×2160p24
Maximum resolution over single link at 36-bit/px	N/A	1920×1200p75	4096×2160p24
Maximum resolution over single link at 48-bit/px	N/A	1920×1200p60	1920×1200p60

HDMI version	1.0	1.1	1.2 1.2a	1.3	1.3a 1.3b 1.3b1 1.3c	1.4
sRGB	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
YCbCr	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
8 channel LPCM, 192 kHz, 24 bit audio capability	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Blu-ray Disc and HD DVD video and audio at full resolution	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Consumer Electronic Control (CEC)	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
DVD-Audio support	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Super Audio CD (DSD) support	No	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Deep Color	No	No	No	Yes	Yes	Yes
xvYCC	No	No	No	Yes	Yes	Yes
Auto lip-sync	No	No	No	Yes	Yes	Yes
Dolby TrueHD bitstream capable	No	No	No	Yes	Yes	Yes
DTS-HD Master Audio bitstream capable	No	No	No	Yes	Yes	Yes
Updated list of CEC commands	No	No	No	No	Yes	Yes
3D Over HDMI	No	No	No	No	Yes*	Yes
Ethernet Channel	No	No	No	No	No	Yes
Audio Return Channel	No	No	No	No	No	Yes
4k ×2k Resolution Support	No	No	No	No	No	Yes

Although a new HDMI 1.4 micro connector is being introduced for portable devices, there is no change to the shape, number of pins or pin configuration of the standard 19 Pin Type A HDMI connector found on most home electronics devices.

That means unless you specifically need an HDMI 1.4 cable that supports a new feature that you find is not supported by your current cables, your current cables should continue to function fine. So there's no need to rush out and replace all your current cables until the time comes.

Also, as new HDMI 1.4 devices come out, they will continue to be compatible with all your current HDMI 1.3 and older devices and cables. HDMI will continue to be backward compatible.

The HDMI 1.4 specification will offer the following enhanced functionalities:

HDMI Ethernet Channel: The HDMI 1.4 specification will add a data channel to the HDMI cable and will enable high-speed bi-directional communication. Connected devices that include this feature will be able to send and receive data via 100 Mb/sec Ethernet, making them instantly ready for any IP-based application.

The HDMI 1.4 Ethernet Channel will allow an Internet-enabled HDMI device to share its Internet connection with other HDMI 1.4 devices without the need for a separate Ethernet cable. The new feature will also provide the connection platform to allow HDMI-enabled devices to share content between devices.

Audio Return Channel: The new HDMI 1.4 specification will add an Audio Return Channel that will reduce the number of cables required to deliver audio upstream for processing and playback. In cases where HDTVs are directly receiving audio and video content, this new Audio Return Channel allows the HDTV to send the audio stream to the A/V receiver over the HDMI cable, eliminating the need for an extra cable.

3D Over HDMI: The HDMI 1.4 version of the specification will define common 3D formats and resolutions for HDMI-enabled devices. The specification will standardize the input/output portion of the home 3D system and will specify up to dual-stream 1080p resolution.

(*) Some of our HDMI 1.3 products support 2D as well as 3D, see the specific product page for whether it does or not as it will tell you.

4K × 2K Resolution Support: The new HDMI 1.4 specification will enable HDMI devices to support high-definition (HD) resolutions four times beyond the resolution of 1080p. Support for 4K × 2K will allow the HDMI 1.4 interface to transmit content at the same resolution as many digital theaters. Formats supported include and 3840×2160 24Hz/25Hz/30Hz and 4096×2160 24Hz

Expanded Support For Color Spaces: HDMI 1.4 technology now supports color spaces designed specifically for digital still cameras. By supporting sYCC601, Adobe RGB and AdobeYCC601, HDMI-enabled display devices will be capable of reproducing more accurate life-like colors when connected to a digital still camera.

Micro HDMI Connector: The Micro HDMI 1.4 Connector is a significantly smaller 19-pin connector that supports up to 1080p resolutions for portable devices. This new connector is approximately 50% smaller than the size of the existing HDMI Mini Connector.

Automotive Connection System: The Automotive Connection System is a cabling specification designed to be used as the basis for in-vehicle HD content distribution. The HDMI 1.4 specification will provide a solution designed to meet the rigors and environmental issues commonly found in automobiles, such as heat, vibration and noise. Using the Automotive Connection System, automobile manufactures will now have a viable solution for distributing HD content within the car.

"The HDMI 1.4 specification continues to add functionality as the consumer electronics and PC industries build products that enhance the consumer's HD experience," said Steve Venuti, president of HDMI Licensing, LLC. "The HDMI 1.4 specification will support some of the most exciting and powerful near-term innovations such as Ethernet connectivity and 3D formats. Additionally we are going to broaden our solution by providing a smaller connector for portable devices and a connection system specified for automobiles, as we see both more and different devices adopting the HDMI 1.4 technology."

Consumers will also see new HDMI 1.4 cables introduced to the market. In order to take advantage of the HDMI Ethernet Channel, consumers will need to purchase either a Standard HDMI cable with Ethernet, or a High Speed HDMI 1.4 cable with Ethernet. Consumers connecting an external device to an in-vehicle HDMI-enabled HD system will need the new Automotive HDMI cable. Consumers can expect to see new HDMI 1.4 cables introduced to the market when new HDMI 1.4 devices are available.

The Truth About HDMI 1.4 & 3D

Consumers will have a choice of the following HDMI 1.4 cables:

HDMI Version Comparison (source: Wikipedia)