HDTV Almanac - HDMI: the End is Nigh?

[alfredpoor]

HDMI, we hardly knew ye. Introduced in 2003, it held forth the promise of long cable runs, high-speed data exchange with enough bandwidth for HD video, digital audio included, as well as the ability to control multiple peripherals from one device. It has taken some time to deliver on all this potential, and we’ve just [...]

[url=http://www.hdtvmagazine.com/columns/2010/07/hdtv-almanac-hdmi-the-end-is-nigh.php]Read Column[/url]

[dgmeansit1]

The new cable to replace HDMI sounds like a nice improvement. But, I think it is way too early for most people to even consider making that kind of change since HDMI is still relatively new. In today's economy, only a lucky small percentage of people could probably afford the expense of the upgrade. I'm assuming that to be able to use the cable you'd need a whole new audio/video system (reciever, tv, blu-ray player...). So, for me personally, I wouldn't even consider it until I need to replace what is currently working for me; unless I win the lottery or get some other kind of unexpected windfall.

[alfredpoor]

USB was on computers for years before it became useful. I expect the same for HDBaseT. It won't make any difference in your buying decisions for the next year or two, if ever. It will just be another plug on the back of your HDTV or Blu-ray player or cable box. Eventually, you'll have enough devices that support it that you'll try it. If it's better, you'll use it and HDMI will become part of technology nostalgia.

Remember that HDTV manufacturers are grasping for ways to differentiate their products, and the competition rapidly jumps on any bandwagon. If the cost of HDBaseT is low enough, it will be added to all new products in a short time.

Alfred

[cpto]

It is worth waiting for a new standard that may or may not be widely adopted? Could be, but I'm still relying on an older Denon 5803 for my A/V center. Yeah - it doesn't to HDMI but the BR player feeds it 5.1 sound and it happily accepts dolby and dts from other sources. I feed the hdmi video directly to my TV and use the Denon when I want decent sound.

I've looked at upgrading the receiver but I want one that will give me the adaptability and good years of service the current one has. First, I was waiting for HDMI, then HDMI started morphing until we have version 1.4a. Although Denon upgraded the 5803 to HDCD and dolbe EX for a very reasonable fee, I don't know that any future ugrades to Denon equipment will include HDMI upgrades or any new transmission standards.

I had to replace my years-old 7- or 8 year old Zenith CRT HD RPTV because it started acting erratically, otherwise I would have waited another year or so to see if 3D specs stabilized a bit. But, I don't need to replace the Denon until something blows, and I hope that wont happen for some time.

[Roger Halstead]

I certainly hope so. A simple CAT5e or CAT6 cable can do virtually everything HDMI could do. It's a more robust system, inexpensive with readily available parts if they stick with the current standard. Admittedly the connectors can be a nuisance to install on the cable, and the use of a tester is advisable as it certainly makes life easier. OTOH I'm sure that "Some Companies" can make a $150 or $200 dollar version of the CAT5e cable with hooded RJ45 connectors that many people will just have to have.<:-))

If smart, the new HD standard would use one of the standard pin outs on CAT5e, making it truly universal. The current crop of sets probably have provisions for it, or some thing similar already. Of course you can purchase ready made, 6' CAT5e cables at present from a few dollars to over $40. I was given a bunch of the stuff that was left over ends from a large installation. We have 5 computers and one TV that already have network connections. I run hard wired connections because I do a lot of photography and AV work which tends to create very large files. Daily and weekly backups can be in the many gigabytes to the Terabyte range. Those are things I have it do over night even with a gigabit network. It would be great if I could feed files to the large screen TV via network cable.

I've always seen the HDMI cables as a kludge, so I welcome the thought of using CAT5e or CAT6

There is one improvement they could make with the CAT5e and that would be to use shielded cable which is available. The 130' unshielded cable to my shop creates a lot of interference to the 147 MHz communications radios.