418 Electronic Communication and Data Systems
High Definition Multimedia Interface
High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) is
used to supply video and audio in an uncompressed all-
digital signal format. See Figure 23-52. HDMI supports
high definition television and Dolby 5.1 using a single
cable. The digital audio is as high as 192 kHz and the dig-
ital video is as high as 350 MHz and 10.2 Gbps of signal
data. At the time of this writing, HDMI provides the best
picture and sound quality available. The HDMI uses the
new xvYCC standard which is an enhanced color stan-
dard that exceeds the HDTV standard. The xvYCC is
short for Extended YCC Colorimetry for Video Applica-
tions. The term “colorimetry” means identification of
colors using three sets of numbers representing red, green
and blue. This new standard was designed to enhance the
viewing experience and can support 1.8 times as many
colors as existing HDTV signals. The new standard is
also designed to support blu-ray technologies for digital
movie disc and newest video game technology.
ToskLink
The ToskLink optical connector, Figure 23-52B, is a
proprietary connection developed jointly by Sony and
Phillips. The ToskLink cable is limited to audio at this
time and used to support audio signals between home
theater equipment. The ToskLink provides a connection
for fiber optic cable. Fiber optic cable is immune to inter-
ference because it utilizes light to transfer the signal, not
radio waves. A light signal is not susceptible to interfer-
ence emitting from other cables and radio signal sources.
Display systems, still evolving, have yet to designate
one universal standard. This evolution is similar to when the
video tape recording systems introduced the Beta and VHS
taping systems. While the Beta system was technically
Figure 23-51.
Various home theater cables. A—Composite Video. B—S-Video. C—Component Video.
Figure 23-52.
HDMI and ToskLink connectors. A—The HDMI connector closely resembles the standard USB connector
found on PCs. B—The ToskLink connector is protected from damage by plastic end pieces. The connectors are susceptible
to damage from scratches or even dust collected on the ends.
A B C
A B