They say the great thing about standards is that there are many to choose from. In any case, if there are not many there is always the option to make them move quickly to incorporate new features. If only the new ones are backwards compatible we can not complain too much.
It is what gives us a little afraid of HDMI 1.4, the new specification for these cables, because it includes the possibility of using a new 19-pin connector smaller than the current one. We'll see if manufacturers take it, although it would be logical to do so only on portable devices like video cameras.
But the point which I think is most interesting is the incorporation of HDMI 1.4 to Ethernet. So far these cables allow the transport of information from video and audio, but the new version adds the ability to carry data. Imagine that our TV is connected to the Internet, either through Wi-Fi or Ethernet. Because the other devices connected to it, for example the console, to share the connection through the HDMI cable.
Another novelty is the incorporation of a back channel audio, so that this can be sent in both directions, eg from the TV to an amplifier. Moreover, the limit is increased to allow transmission of higher quality content, with support for resolutions up to 4096 × 2160 pixels at 30 Hz and 3D support.
It is expected that the first chips compatible with HDMI 1.4 are available during the second quarter of this year and the first products to incorporate them come from next year.
