HDMI 1.4 delivers two big features that earlier specs lacked: data and bi-directional audio. The new capabilities could eliminate the need for extra Ethernet and audio cables—a single HDMI can do the trick.
Two-Way Data
With transfer speeds of up to 100 Mbps, the HDMI Ethernet Channel (HEC) will enable countless IP-based applications that previously required a dedicated Cat 5 cable connected to the home network.
Now, instead of running Ethernet to every component in an A/V stack, only one device needs to be connected to the network via Cat 5+. The rest of the devices get their IP connectivity over HDMI.
Internet connection sharing is one of the “clear” applications that will come out of the new feature set, according to Steve Venuti, president of HDMI Licensing LLC. “But I honestly think we don’t know all of the applications people will come up with.”
The HDMI group itself is not creating applications for the Ethernet channel. The functionality will come from UPnP and other providers, Venuti says. “This is pure pipe.”
Research firm Instat reports that 24 percent of all consumer electronic devices will require Ethernet in 2009. All game consoles and digital media adapters will be networked in 2009, along with 80 percent of Blu-ray devices and 72 percent of PVR/DVRs, Instat estimates.
Assuming all of those devices are also connected via HDMI to other components, consumers could eliminate that many Cat 5 cables from the clutter.
HEC requires much more than a firmware update or other quick fix. The solution will need to be implemented in HDMI cables as well as the components.
The architecture of the cable changes little. “The difference in cable is not visible to the naked eye,” Venuti says. “but you will need a cable that says ‘high-speed with Ethernet.’”
Upgrading devices to HDMI 1.4 will take some effort. Manufacturers will need a new chip and possibly some kind of Ethernet switching mechanism.
The group anticipates that some TV and set-top box manufacturers may “go all out,” Venuti says, possibly with built-in processors and software to stream content to and from other sources.
Two-Way Audio
As long as you’re losing an Ethernet cable, why not drop the audio cable as well? HDMI 1.4 provides for an audio return channel (ARC) that enables upstream audio over HDMI.
“What if you have a built-in tuner at the TV?” Venuti says. “How would you get the audio back to the receiver? You would need a separate cable like an S/PDIF.”
Not anymore. HDMI 1.4 can handle the audio both upstream and downstream … along with HD video and two-way data.
HDMI 1.4 Roll-out
The spec will be available for download by the end of June and and we’ll probably see some compatible products in time for CES in January 2010.
In addition to Ethernet and upstream audio, HDMI 1.4 supports:
What a development! HDMI 1.3 didn’t bring anything discernible to the everyday TV viewer.
“1.3 was more about bandwidth, more of the same,” says Venuti. “This, I think, is a whole new paradigm. It gives us a whole new ability to do things we’ve never done before.
Click here to read the official HDMI 1.4 press release.
Can they make HDMI do my laundry and dishes next? Ugh… this has BAD IDEA written in hot pink, all over it…
Haven’t we learned anything from UNIX’s success? KISS, people…. KISS.
Doug - I can totally agree with the possibility of loosing a device farther down the stack. I guess I’ve been fortunate that I haven’t come across any of the multitide of HDMI glitches that I hear about. My experience with HDMI so far has been wonderful, but perhaps I’ve been really lucky. I have components from Onkyo, JVC, Panasonic, Pioneer, Sony, Motorola and Samsung, and have never had an HDMI glitch. I also have everything from expensive Monster HDMI cables to $6.00 generics.
Paul - I understood what they are saying but I think the idea behind it is have daisy chained devices be able to pass data, video, etc. around. HDMI stinks as a cable standard, I can’t wait to see what one poorly implemented device does to a setup like this. My bet, get a bad handshake and any downstream devices won’t connect at all. I hope I’m wrong. Why not use ethernet for everything? It is reliable and cheap. Oh wait HDCP :( Otherwise people will be able to steal content.
Doug, the article says that you will still need a CAT5 run to your equipment stack, but then all the devices in your stack can share the CAT5 pipe via HDMI.
I agree that I’d rather see ethernet run all over my house (cost wise) than hdmi, and I like the idea of only needing one CAT5 per room, rather than a hub,or switch to connect everything.
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Rocky, Maybe I can suggest some glasses for you. Blu Ray will always look and… 
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My only concern with HDMI is i think that they are moving too fast with expansion and not necessarily making all devices backward compatible. I think this new revision has some great features we could use, but it has a lot of possibilities to trip us up too… especially if we would implement any customer equipment or other manufactures equipment that will be sticking with v. 1.3a (or GOD forbid pre v. 1.3) . For some reason iPod comes to mind with this. iPod has been great at standardizing their ipod docks and many other things, until the iPhone, where they created a whole new spec (BTW, i never compliment Apple). Unfortunately, the new Spec is no longer backward compatible with older iPod docks. So i guess my question is, do the benefits of all these new HDMI features really warrant the Spec change(s) and possible issue above and beyond what we are having with HDMI already?
Anyway, just food for thought, i know it will be a while before we see any of these products with HDMI v. 1.4 but i hope there is a drastic improvement otherwise HDMI=S-Video!