HDMI 1.4 set to wipe out Display Port--but also make life confusing

The new version of the HDMI standard, 1.4, will bring with it some good news and some bad news.  Where should we start?  Let's try the good news ...

The first encouraging sign is that the new HDMI standard will go beyond Full HD.  The current version, 1.3, is great for HD TV and computer monitors up to and including 28'', but can't go any further.  In general, 30'' screens can't be powered by existing HDMI cables, because their 2560 x 1600 pixel resolution is too big.  HDMI 1.4 cables, though, will support resolutions of up to 4096 x 1020 pixels, as well as 3D displays, according to the HDMI consortium.

And Apple?

One last detail leaves us wanting more though.  The maximum resolutions of the new standard will be 3840 x 2160 pixels @ 24 Hz/25 Hz/30Hz or 4096 x 2160 @ 24 Hz.  Will 2560 x 1600 @ 60 Hz ever be included, or even @ 120 Hz one day?  We haven't been able to get a straight answer to that question.

The only thing we do know is that one of Display Port's biggest supporters, which had previously suggested that standard would soon be favoured over HDMI, has had a sudden change of hear.  Such a replacement is now out of the question.  Which leaves something of a dilemma for Apple: is it wise to continue pushing the mini DIsplay Port interface, when the 'large' version is already struggling?  Shouldn't it just give up and bring back HDMI?

Sound, Video and Data

The second piece of good news is that these new HDMI cables will be able to transmit video, audio and network data.  A TV plugged into a Blu-ray player or a computer connected to the outside world will be able to browse the web using just a single HDMI 1.4 cable, as long as it has a built-in web browser.

Bad News

Time for the bad news, then.  There's no backwards compatibility with existing HDMI products.  Worse still, when it does come to replacing your equipment, the new HDMI cables will come in three different versions, which is sure to cause confusion amongst the public:

• mini HDMI 1.4, which will be used on laptops, will be the most similar to HDMI 1.3, and won't go beyond 1080p

• standard HDMI 1.4 will go all the way up to 2160p, but won't include data transmission

• to add data, you'll need a HDMI Ethernet Channel (HEC) cable, which will no doubt be more expensive

HDMI 1.4 compatible products are expected to begin arriving next year. 

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