Allion Competitive Analysis Test Report: HDMI Cables Quality & Performance

In recent years, HDMI has gradually replaced DVI or VGA and become the major audio/video transmission interface for all kinds of computers, smart TVs, over-the-top devices and blu-ray players. In response to this market trend which there is a wide variety of HDMI cables with significant difference in price and visual perception, how to make the best choice for all your purchasing HDMI cables is the important lesson. To help the consumers or buyers understand the quality of HDMI cables in the market, Allion (Allion Labs, Inc.) particularly analyzes the quality and performance of various types of HDMI cables.

Standard Program Recent Update (1): HDMI and WHQL

 

Clarification to HDMI Adopted Trademark and Logo Usage Guidelines

For those Adopters who want to ensure the way of getting HDMI royalty discounted rate (which is $0.05 per unit sold), HDMI Licensing, LLC has recently released a statement to clarify its guidelines. In Attachment B of the Adopter Agreement, it is indicated that Adopter must “reasonably incorporates the Adopted Trademarks on its Licensed Products and related documentation and promotional materials” to receive the royalty discount. HDMI Licensing, LLC also provides a simple understandable formula which is shown below:

Is Thunderbolt A New Threat to USB 3.0?

 

Thunderbolt, formerly called ‘Lightpeak’, is Intel's new high-speed I/O technology through a single port that is first available on new Apple MacBook Pro notebooks lately. Fast data transfers are Intel's main claim, such as 10 gigabits per second transfers and dual-protocol support. The dual-channel design allows for two channels on the same connector at up to 10 gigabits per second that can support both PCI Express and DisplayPort technologies. Compared with existing technologies, Thunderbolt is regarded as a combination of HDMI and USB 3.0, the loading quantity is spectacularly huge through its co-invented PCI Express 4x, which can connect external devices directly to Macbook Pro.

Top Leading Industry Standards (2): HDMI, DisplayPort and SATA

In the second article, we will continue introducing the next three industry standards: HDMI, DisplayPort and SATA.

4. HDMI

＊HDMI Logo

HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface) is a digital interface standard for connecting all HD components. HDMI supports all video/audio formats by one single cable. The CEC allows HDMI devices to control each other when necessary and allows the user to operate multiple devices with one remote control handset. HDMI technology is promoted by HDMI, LLC. According to HDMI Testing Policies, each Adopter must submit the first product of each Licensed Product type (i.e. source, sink, repeater, or cable) to an HDMI Authorized Testing Center (ATC) for testing. Once an Adopter product of each type has passed testing, it is not required to submit to the ATC subsequent products of that type. However, to help ensure HDMI interoperability, we encourage Adopters to use the ATCs.

New DisplayPort Cable Adapter Certification Program

The Video Electronics Standards Associate (VESA) recently introduced a new certification testing and DisplayPort Certified Logo for Dual-mode DisplayPort cable adaptors. These dual-mode cable adaptors allow for seamless interoperability between a Dual-mode DisplayPort PC or graphics card and a DVI monitor or HDMI TV. The certification program was designed to help customers identify cable adaptors that have been thoroughly tested and certified for proper functionality with other DisplayPort products through the use of a distinctive logo and product packaging.

The DisplayPort standard, developed as a replacement for digital (DVI) and analog component video (VGA) connectors, uses simple adaptors to provide interoperability with DVI, HDMI and VGA displays. When plugged into a Dual-mode DisplayPort PC or graphics card, these adaptors can output either Single Link DVI or HDMI signaling. Almost all DisplayPort PCs with integrated graphics or discrete Graphics Processing Units (GPUs) have Dual-mode DisplayPort capabilities.

Certification testing is available for both DisplayPort-to-HDMI and DisplayPort-to-DVI Dual-mode cable adaptors. Dual-mode DisplayPort cable adaptor certification and testing follow the DisplayPort Interoperability Guideline Adaptor Checklist. The checklist was designed to help developers ensure display interoperability and achieve adapter certification. Allion Testing Labs in Taiwan is certified to offer Dual-mode DisplayPort adapter certification testing for both VESA members and non-members for a nominal fee. Once a product passes certification testing, a logo license agreement is available through VESA at no cost for VESA member companies and for $1500 USD for non-members.

For engineers, this certification program represents a new opportunity to distinguish your product. Thorough testing and validation, such as industry standard certification, helps ensure product quality; this can save manufacturers from the high cost and headache of managing customer complaints and merchandise returns. And by choosing a certified testing lab with full engineering support and services, developers can produce the highest quality product while significantly reducing cost and time-to-market.

Allion’s HDMI Testing Solution Draws Attention in Taiwan

Allion executives recently gave a presentation on HDMI testing at the HD Test Solution Seminar & Plugfest in Taipei, Taiwan. HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) is a ubiquitous all-digital audio/video interface standard used to transfer uncompressed digital audio and video signals through a single cable. HDMI has been widely adopted across the consumer electronics market, making it important for manufacturers to test their HDMI products before the products enter the market to ensure interoperability with the broad range of HDMI devices available to consumers.

Allion offers a comprehensive HDMI Testing Solution, including HDMI interoperability testing, to help manufacturers ensure the highest levels of quality and compliance to the HDMI standard. Allion uses a unique test methodology, the “Allion HD Program,” that focuses on all current HD products in the market to ensure product performance and compatibility. One of the key tests that Allion offers through the HD program is HDMI Compatibility Testing.

HDMI Compatibility Tests consists of four main components:

• Electrical Testing: The comprehensive electrical test can pinpoint a variety of errors caused by factors such as component, Hot Plug Defect (HPD), firmware or PCB board failure.
• HDCP Compliance Testing: HDCP (High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection) is a protection protocol of digital audio/visual content transmission. This test determines whether an implementation meets HDCP compliance standards and specifications.
• CEC Compliance Testing: CEC (Consumer Electronic Control) is a protocol that provides high-level control functions among all of the various audio/visual products in a user’s environment. Allion’s CEC tests verify everything from electrical specification to device installation.
• Interoperability Testing: This test ensures complete interoperability in accordance with the HDMI CTS1.4 test specification, including the recently added HDMI1.4a specification for enhanced 3D content capabilities.

With HDMI so widely adopted in the consumer electronics industry, it is essential that products undergo a rigorous quality and compatibility program. The Allion HD Program covers a wide range of tests that offer manufacturers reassurance of their product’s performance, functionality and compatibility.

View Allion’s HDMI testing presentation slides from the HDMI Test Solution Seminar & Plugfest.

Allion Japan Implementing Tektronix Solution for HDMI 1.4a and USB 3.0

This week, Allion Japan announced with Tektronix, Inc. that they will implement Tektronix test and measurement solutions supporting HDMI 1.4a and SuperSpeed USB in their certification test services. As one of the first compliance test labs to conduct certification testing for HDMI 1.4a and USB 3.0 in one facility, this is an exciting development for Allion.

Read the complete announcement.