New HDMI certification coming

[karlpilkington4PM]

so, HDMI, LLC announced there is a new HDMI cable certification coming to make sure we enjoy all that 4K content coming our way. I can't wait for Monster's spin and marketing of these "premium" cables.

http://www.hdmi.org/press/press_release.aspx?prid=141

Quote:

HDMI Licensing, LLC Launches Premium HDMI Cable Certification Program

Premium High Speed HDMI Cables Tested to Ensure Quality for Feature-Rich 4K/UltraHD Content

SUNNYVALE, Calif., - October 5, 2015 – HDMI® Licensing LLC today announced the Premium HDMI Cable Certification Program. The program will help ensure that consumers, who will connect their devices with these cables, can enjoy the full potential of the 4K/UltraHD experience with the latest feature-rich content. This program encompasses additional and enhanced HDMI cable testing as well as a comprehensive anti-counterfeiting label program. This empowers participating HDMI Adopters to design and test their High Speed HDMI Cables for ultra-reliability and high performance typically needed for emerging 4K/UltraHD content.

“With rapid growth of feature-rich, 4K/UltraHD content, it’s critical that all components in a 4K/UltraHD HDMI-connected system are fully capable of delivering on the experience. That is why we are launching this proactive program to give consumers absolute peace-of-mind,” said Jeff Park, HDMI Licensing, LLC’s Technology Evangelist.

The Program includes a best-practices design note and an expanded set of cable testing requirements. Under this program, Participants will test their HDMI cables at an HDMI Authorized Testing Center (ATC) to certify that their HDMI cables can reliably support the full 18Gbps bandwidth of the HDMI 2.0 Specification, which is what is typically needed for the most advanced video formats such as 4K/UltraHD, a wide color gamut, and High Dynamic Range (HDR). The Program also incorporates new testing guidelines for EMI levels to minimize unwanted interference with wireless signals in today’s connected devices.

Once the cables have passed the testing requirements at an HDMI Authorized Testing Center (ATC) and are registered with HDMI Licensing, LLC, Participants can brand and promote their cables as Premium High Speed HDMI Cables or Premium High Speed HDMI Cables with Ethernet.


These cables will carry a tamper-proof, anti-counterfeit label to differentiate them from other HDMI cables. A mobile app that scans the label will allow manufacturers, distributors, retailers, and consumers to confirm the authenticity of Premium High Speed HDMI Cables.

“As they upgrade their equipment, consumers expect to fully enjoy the 4K/UltraHD features that the HDMI Specification enables. Consumers can easily identify Premium High Speed HDMI Cables and be confident that their new 4K/UltraHD TVs, sources and cables will deliver an ultra-reliable, 4K/UltraHD experience,” states Rob Tobias, President of HDMI Licensing, LLC.

The Premium HDMI Cable Certification Program is currently available to HDMI Adopters via the HDMI Adopter extranet, and participating HDMI ATCs are ready to accept cables for testing.

About HDMI Licensing, LLC
HDMI Licensing, LLC is the agent that licenses the HDMI Specification. The HDMI Specification combines uncompressed high-definition video, multi-channel audio, and data in a single digital interface to provide crystal-clear digital quality over a single cable. HDMI Licensing, LLC provides marketing, promotional, licensing and administrative services, as well as education on the benefits of the HDMI Specification to adopters, retailers, and consumers. The HDMI Founders are Hitachi Maxell, Ltd; Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.; Lattice Semiconductor; Panasonic Corporation; Sony Corporation; Technicolor S.A. and Toshiba Corporation. HDMI Licensing, LLC is a wholly owned subsidiary of Lattice Semiconductor. For more information about the HDMI Specification, please visit http://www.hdmi.org.

The terms HDMI, HDMI High-Definition Multimedia Interface, Premium HDMI Cable Certification Program, Premium High Speed HDMI Cable, Premium High Speed HDMI Cable with Ethernet, the Premium HDMI Cable label, Premium HDMI Cable Logo, and the HDMI Logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of HDMI Licensing, LLC in the United States and other countries.

[chip75]

Originally Posted by karlpilkington4PM

Consumers can easily identify Premium High Speed HDMI Cables and be confident that their new 4K/UltraHD TVs, sources and cables will deliver an ultra-reliable, 4K/UltraHD experience, by their price ...” states Rob Tobias, President of HDMI Licensing, LLC.

So no change there! Forgive me, but I thought the current cables worked fine for 4K? The only reason to upgrade is length or you need special-features from the cables (like the internet).

I feel kind of bad for the people who get suckered into buying expensive cables from Currys. I'd imagine the 4k UHD ones will be even more expensive.

[karlpilkington4PM]

Originally Posted by chip75

So no change there! Forgive me, but I thought the current cables worked fine for 4K? The only reason to upgrade is length or you need special-features from the cables (like the internet).

I feel kind of bad for the people who get suckered into buying expensive cables from Currys. I'd imagine the 4k UHD ones will be even more expensive.

yeah, seems like nothing but marketing to me. The only "new" features is the anti-counterfeit and the assurance that the cable will be able to handle 4K for sure because these cables will carry an tamper proof sticker that says the cable was actually tested and passed the certification test. Apparently these manufacturers are not being entirely honest about their cables being able to handle 4k in the current environment. I saw someone describe it as "certified snake oil." that's brilliant!

[Carlanga]

I don't know about his subject except that older hdmi cables still work fine.
Is there more heat or a thicker gauge needed to do 4K vs hdmi cables that are out there? Someone here said length might cause you to upgrade? Are current cables after a specific length not able to handle 4K?

For me cable certifications feels similar to the push of cable boxes and hd content since the cable box really is not needed yet they make you think it makes a difference for the consumer, but is just for their company protection of content.

I hate for example having to control my MacBook volume w a hdmi cable since the computer blocks access w a hdmi cable. So I just use the minidp to hdmi for the video and use the headphone jack for the audio.