What Does the HDMI Connector Look Like?

The HDMI connector is the standard interface for connecting modern audio-visual devices together. For most home theater equipment, you can use it to send almost any type of video and audio signal.

 

However, many people are confused about HDMI connections, so this article looks at some common problems and explains them in more detail.

 

When should I use HDMI and what are the supported video and audio formats?

In addition, there are several different cable standards - so which one should you look for? Read on to find the answers to all these questions and more.

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What is HDMI?

HDMI is used to send video and audio signals between modern AV devices. You'll find this connector on many home technology products made in the past few years, including TVs, monitors, bar speakers, AV receivers, game consoles, projectors, and computers.

 

If the device needs to send or receive video and audio, then it will most likely have an HDMI port. HDMI supports all modern video formats, including HD signals and Ultra HD 4K and 8K.

 

For audio, it can send anything from simple 2-channel PCM stereo audio to 8-channel uncompressed digital audio formats such as Dolby TrueHD, DTS-HD Master Audio, and Dolby Atmos.

 

Over the past few years, several different versions of the HDMI specification have emerged, the most prevalent being HDMI v.1.4, HDMI 2.0 and the newer HDMI 2.1.

 

The new HDMI 2.1 specification supports video resolutions of up to 4K/120p and 8K/60p. It is also required for new gaming features such as VRR, ALLM and QMS.

 

You should be aware that older versions have limitations on the features they support. As a result, HDMI input and output on older devices may not have the same functionality as on newer devices.

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What does the HDMI connector look like?

The connections are designed so that HDMI cables fit only one way. HDMI ports are usually either inputs or outputs.

The simple difference is that if the device receives a signal (such as a computer monitor), it will have an HDMI input. And, if it sends a signal (such as a Blu-ray player), it will have an HDMI output.

 

However, some HDMI ports can send and receive signals at the same time. An example of this is the HDMI ARC connector on the back of the TV - it can receive the video signal from the AV receiver and send audio from the TV back to the receiver - all with a single cable.

 

You don't actually need to know all of this, but it's easier to connect your system together if you know whether the device is sending or receiving signals.

 

Receivers often have multiple HDMI inputs, as this is where you connect all the HDMI outputs of your device. Even though the inputs are labeled with the device name - they are the same no matter what device you connect.

 

The names just provide a guide to make it easier for you to remember where all the connections are. You will also see this name on the front display of the receiver when you select this input; however, you can change this name and name it as you wish in many receivers.

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