So I was doing some research yesterday on HDMI and DVI. This stuff is good so listen closely.

So DVI came first in about 1998 mainly as a means to change people from the VGA (analog) interface to a DVI (digital) interface. Basically, HDMI is DVI with a different connector. This is from a cable standpoint. You already know that HDMI can send audio as well as video.

Another thing I learned was that DVI has a parallel channel in place for very large resolutions and refresh rates. This is to support computers with multiple monitors and people with heavy graphic capabilities. HDMI didn’t use this parallel channel, but because it piggybacked on DVI the cable had the capability. That is where HDMI version 1.3 comes in.

HDMI version 1.3 added a bunch more capability. More color depth, lip sync, and bandwidth for lossless audio, but essentially in the same wrapper. How did HDMI find all this extra bandwidth? That parallel channel on the DVI/HDMI cable that was just sitting there. This is where it gets important.

HDMI supports some things that sound cool, but you need to know how this all fits into the big picture. First, HDMI 1.3 adds color depths up to 16 bits (billions of colors). Sounds cool? Sure but remember most home theater and TV displays can’t show that many colors (even if they support the connection). Also, DVD and HDTV DVDs have a 8-bit color depth (or 17 million colors). So lets get some understanding here.

The biggest reason YOU need HDMI 1.3 for is two things. Lossless audio and lip sync. Color depth should only be considered if you are using the display for a computer, personal video, or a console game that supports bit depths higher than 8.

Almost all Blu-ray, digital cable, DVD, HD DVD, console games, and satellite providers are 8-bit today.

So this year when looking at our CES coverage remember that HDMI 1.3 is not very important for the Home Theater display, but is vitally important for receivers and processors because of the lip sync and new lossless audio formats. That is where you will get the most bang for your buck this year.

Also, remember you shouldn’t need to upgrade your cable to get HDMI 1.3 compliance. Those you have today should work just fine. So save your pennies, and if you must buy a cable look to someone like monoprice. Monster cables will just make you bend over and grab your ankles.

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