HDMI version 1.3 approved
HDMI 1.3 just got approved and it sure is pretty. The system received an overall speed boost to better handle future HD content and "deep color." This will be used to support 1080 X 60 Hz with 36-bit RGB color, or 1080p with 90Hz. The big news comes with the bump up of RGB support. The current HDMI spec "only" supports up to 24-bit RGB which is truly all the eye can see. 1.3 however allows for 30, 36, and even 46-bit color. Most of the time when 36-bit color is utilized, it is for GUI overlays and things of that nature. This allows for the image underneath not to be modified when the overlay is present. Even so, this will allow for over 1 billion possible colors. The PS3 is said to take advantage of this and could have even been one of the reasons it was delayed.
HDMI 1.3 will also support the lossless formats of Dolby HD and DTS-HD along with a new type of HDMI connector for smaller HD devices. It seems that this new mini connector is what Sony has put on their newest SXRD-based XBRs but left off of the A2000 line. Lastly, 1.3 has a system built-in similar to Panasonic Viera Link. It allows for the HDMI device to configure the HDMI display - in since they will talk to each other.
[via Extreme Tech]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
MUGEN @ Jun 13th 2006 12:03PM
"It seems that this new mini connector is what Sony has put on their newest SXRD-based XBRs but left off of the A2000 line"
what about the xbr2 and xbr3 bravia's! i would think they would have them since they both have 3 hdmi and will be coming out the same time.
zelig2 @ Jun 13th 2006 12:18PM
This is sounding quite nice. In only a year or so I should be able to get a HDMI(v1.3) accepting home theater pre-amp to replace my outdated Sony pre-amp. These features they have announced sound great. The greater the bit-depth the happier I am. Now all I need is a computer monitor to support that and a computer with HDMI outputs. Hmmm, I bet the new Power Macs (or MacPro) that come out at the end of the year might go the route of HDMI connectors along with Apple updating it's Cinema Display line to accomodate. It's going to be an expensive fall...
kevin @ Jun 13th 2006 12:42PM
in regards to the 24+ bit 'colors', it seems to me that the extra bits of info per pixel aren't for producing more accurate colors, but for carrying a 'secondary' image with the normal recognizable colors, thus the GUI example. or maybe PIP.
Aaron @ Jun 13th 2006 1:18PM
This signals the new wave of HDCP handshaking problems, just as people were getting 1.0 -> 1.1/1.2 taken care of, 1.3 is going to make a whole additional mess.
By the time 1.3 is starting to come to market, 1.4 will be right around the corner adding god knows what and it all repeats.
Kevin @ Jun 13th 2006 2:07PM
I am a little confused and hope someone can help clear this up for me. When HDMI v1.3 comes out, will it replace the current HDMI? The reason I ask is that I will be buying a new receiver (I am condidering the Denon 4306 for it's HDMI switching and upconverting of non HD signals) and wonder now if I should wait. Is this a firmware update or do you have to wait until receivers supporting HDMI v1.3 are released? Thanks to anyone who can help!!
BRYAN @ Jun 13th 2006 2:18PM
I am confused about this as well. I cant update the firmware on my TV? Are there TV's on the market that can handle 1.3? Will a 1.3 device work on my 1.0 HDMI HDTV?
I fear that someday we will all have to update every electronic device we own, because companys know they can release buggy/incomplete products and just run an update later.
DaveH @ Jun 13th 2006 2:45PM
You might want to wait on the receiver till closer to the end of the year or early 07. Lossless DTS-HD and Dolby Tru-HD seems worth the wait.
The audio upgrades seem more important than the video upgrades. Keep using what you have or buy cheap/used to tide you over.
DaveH @ Jun 13th 2006 2:45PM
Oh, and its a hardware issue, not firmware.
James Messina @ Jun 15th 2006 2:30PM
When the recievers come out that can handle the Dolby True Audio, will you have to use HDMI for that or will Fiber Optic be able to handle that.
Shobe @ Jul 7th 2006 9:35PM
How do we know if our TV supports HDMI v1.3? If it doesn't, then how can we get v1.3 on our TV? Please clarify this to let me know how to get HDMI v1.3.