2008-12-03

Belden launches HDMI cables for HD audio and video

Belden, the leader in professional A/V signal transmission technology, now offers a reliable HDMI interface between any compatible digital A/V source and a compatible digital audio and/ or video monitor.

Belden now offers a complete line of cables and related products for use by the home theater installer, including 26 AWG shielded twisted pair HDMI cables in lengths of 1, 2, 3, 4, and 7 meters.

HDMI cables are the interface between any audio/video source and any audio and/or video monitor in a home theater setup, as well as providing support for standard, enhanced, or high-definition video and multichannel digital audio – all on a single assembly.

Belden HDMI digital video/audio cables can be used to connect HDMI sources like broadband/cable set-top boxes, digital video recorders, DVD players, HD-DVD and Blu-ray players to displays like plasma screens, digital light projection (DLP) projectors, liquid-crystal displays (LCDs) and liquid crystal on silicon (LCOS) or digital image light amplification (D-ILA) devices, among others.

HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface) is the first industry-supported interface for uncompressed, all-digital audio/video. This standard was created by a consortium of media-industry giants for high performance digital connections. There have already been five versions of HDMI since it was first released in 2002. Each has provided the consumer more features and performance, but also specified more speed and bandwidth.

Where digital computer data is relatively tolerant of transmission losses, video data is not. For a sharp, clear picture accurate transmission of data bits is essential, requiring a high quality HDMI cable. Currently, 1080p (Category 2, version 1.3b) is the highest resolution format used for broadcasting and consumer distribution of video content. In the term "1080p" the number 1080 represents 1080 lines of vertical display resolution, and the letter p stands for a progressive (non-interlaced) scan.

Belden’s HDMI cables are performance tested to verify their capability to handle transmissions in advanced high definition applications based on 1080p. These digital video/audio cables are also UL-rated for residential and commercial installations (including in-wall use).

Belden verifies HDMI cable performance, among other methods, with a technique known as an "Eye-Pattern" test. Other critical electrical parameters tested by Belden include Impedance, Attentuation, Crosstalk, and Skew.

In eye pattern testing, the digital data signal traveling along the cable is repetitively sampled and applied to the vertical input of an oscilloscope, while the data rate is used to trigger the horizontal sweep. The result seen on the scope is a series of lines that might be thought of as signal traces. In the very middle of the eye diagram is a flattened hexagon called the "eye mask.” If signal traces cross into the region of the eye mask, the cable fails the test . On the other hand, an acceptably-performing cable (or other HDMI component) will yield a wide “eye” area. In general, if a source – a device generating an HDMI signal – produces a good signal and if the HDMI cable delivers that signal at least well enough to pass the eye pattern test, the display in a home theater setup should be able to reconstitute the digital signal without errors.

Werner Eich, Market Manager Broadcast EMEA, says: “The home theater is an exciting entertainment option that provides consumers with a total immersion viewing and listening experience. Home theater devices must be capable of sending and receiving a wide range of video and audio signal types. The selection of cables to support that signal traffic is critical. The use of HDMI compliant cable from Belden will help ensure that you enjoy superior, uncompressed digital video and audio quality in your new home theater as your installation expands and evolves.”