The next iteration of the HDMI standard will come in five flavors, offering 100 Mbps networking along with support for higher resolutions.
Other new features will include support for an audio return channel, extended color spaces, common 3D formats and the Micro HDMI connector, according to HDMI Licensing, LLC - the agent responsible for licensing the High-Definition Multimedia Interface specification.
HDMI 1.4 will also provide the basis for the Automotive Connection System, designed to be used as the basis for in-vehicle HD content distribution. The HDMI 1.4 specification will provide "a solution designed to meet the rigors and environmental issues commonly found in automobiles, such as heat, vibration and noise".
The introduction of HDMI 1.4 will see consumers offered the choice of five HDMI cables:
* Standard HDMI Cable – supporting data rates up to 1080i/60;
* High Speed HDMI Cable – supporting data rates beyond 1080p, including Deep Color and all 3D formats of the new 1.4 specification;
* Standard HDMI Cable with Ethernet – supporting Ethernet connectivity;
* High Speed HDMI Cable with Ethernet – supporting Ethernet connectivity;
* Automotive HDMI Cable – allowing the connection of external HDMI-enabled devices to an in-vehicle HDMI device.
The HDMI specification 1.4 will be available for download from the HDMI LLC website no later than June 30, 2009. Devices with HDMI 1.4 ports could show up in small numbers before the holidays, and in larger volumes early next year, the group said.
