Types of HDMI Connectors

Clean HDMI?
The audio and video in some high-end cameras can be output in an uncompressed format. This data, which is free from judder and in usable form, is known as Clean HDMI.

HDMI is the first, and only, interface that supports the transfer of uncompressed digital video, and compressed or uncompressed audio over a single cable.

HDMI can carry any data format, right from Dolby to DTS. An HDMI connection can be either single-link or dual-link. The Consumer Electronics Association/Electronic Industries Alliance 861 standards are used by HDMI. It uses three physically separate communication channels, namely, Display Data Channel (DDC),

Transition Minimized Differential Signaling (TMDS), and Consumer Electronics Control (CEC), for audio/video transfer. This story throws light on the different types of HDMI connectors that are extensively used.

There are five types of connector models that are used in various applications. Type A and Type B are defined in the HDMI 1.0 specification, type C in HDMI 1.3, while type D/E is defined in HDMI 1.4 specification.

Type A
This is most commonly used connector of the lot, and is mostly referred to as the standard connector. This connector has 19 pins, and carries both audio and video signals. It comes in the plug-socket form, where the male connector's outer dimensions are 13.9 mm × 4.45 mm, and the female connector's dimensions are 14 mm × 4.55 mm.

This connector's bandwidth supports Standard-definition Television (SDTV), High-definition Television (HDTV), and Enhanced-definition Television (EDTV) modes. It is available on most devices, including Blu-ray players, PS3, TV sets, etc. It is compatible with the single-link Digital Visual Interface (DVI-D).

Type B
This connector has not yet been used in any applications. It is slightly bigger than the type A connector, with 29 pins. There are six differential pairs for future resolutions of 3840 × 2400. It is compatible with dual-link DVI-D. This connector model can carry double the bandwidth of the type A connector.

Type C
Type C HDMI connector is also known as the 'mini' connector, was developed in the 1.3 version of HDMI. This connector is called mini because of the reduction in width of about 60% percent from the standard type A connector. The connector width of type C is 11.2 mm.

Though the connector width has reduced, the number of pins remain the same as type A, i.e., 19.  This connector is specially designed for portable devices, where there is no room for sockets to fit. If certain applications have a type C connector port, the type C connector can be converted to type A by using a special converter cable.

The positive signals of differential pairs are swapped with the corresponding shield. It is commonly found on HD camcorders and notebooks.

Type D
This connector shrinks further in width to 6.4 mm × 2.8 mm from the type C connector which is 10.42 mm × 2.42 mm. Due to its shrunken size, this connector is known as the 'micro' connector. The number of pins are same as compared to the previous models, and remains at 19.

This connector was released in the HDMI version 1.4, and allows video connectivity for smaller devices like cell phones, in high-definition (HD). This connector is about 1/3rd width of the standard type A connector.

A special mention for the Automotive Connection System that are used for HDMI connectivity in vehicles. The type E connector is a locking HDMI connector, that secures internal connections within vehicles. Due to these connectors, HD videos can be played in vehicles while driving.

HDMI cables having different types of connectors can be connected to one another by using a converter cable. One can enjoy HD audio and video content using the high-definition interface.