This cable is quite remarkable, combining what was once believed to be un-combinable into a reality. This transmits uncompressed, digital data which consists of both audio and video. Unlike the common radio-frequency-using cords, this one uses digital information for the quick sending of massive amounts of data for 1080p (HD) video.
It can take compressed, uncompressed, LPCM audio, and auxiliary data. It also supports uncompressed HD video from a TV and PC video format, including standard, enhanced, and 3D video signals. It can handle up to 8 channels of compressed or uncompressed digital audio, an Consumer Electric Control connection (CEC) and an ethernet data connection.
The CEC allows HDMI devices to control each other when necessary and allows the user to operate multiple device with one remote control. Because HDMI is electrically compatible with the CEA-861 signals used by DVI, no signal conversion is necessary, nor is there a loss of video quality when a DVI-HDMI adapter is used.
The rapid expansion of this cable started in 2003, but soared in 2006 when it began to be marketed as ports on camcorders and digital cameras. This massive growth has been attributed to the consumer electronics market. All future development of the HDMI cable will be handled by the HDMI Forum.
