FireFold blog

In July 2009, FireFold announced that we had received the first batch of HDMI 1.4 cables for testing. Excitement over 1.4 was building last year, following the press release in late May by HDMI Licensing, LLC. The article listed the specification of the newest version of high definition technology, with the inclusion of an Ethernet Channel, an Audio Return Channel, and the capabilities of supporting 3D formats, color spaces for digital cameras and resolutions four times that of 1080p. Besides the increased capabilities, the new specification eliminated the need for an additional Ethernet cable on devices that connect to the Internet. Better technology and streamlined installation—who wouldn’t be jumping on the opportunity to upgrade?

As consumers reached out enthusiastically to institute 1.4 into their home theater setups, however, there were no actual devices available that supported the new specification. The release of the actual devices was anticipated in 2010. Here it is March of 2010, and the availability of 1.4 devices is still sorely limited. Samsung and Mitsubishi actually began releasing 3D DLP televisions onto the market in 2007, but without the standard hype, most consumers aren’t aware of their availability.

Silicon Image was among the first companies to announce the manufacture of 1.4-capable devices, touting the SiT9387 port processor and the Si9334 transmitter as the first semiconductor products to incorporate HDMI 1.4 technology. In September 2009, Analog Devices reported on their HDMI 1.4 transceiver designed for home theatre-in-a-box setups. In February 2010, NXP heralded the release of a transmitter that allows users to transmit content directly from their mobile phones to a TV using a remote control, utilizing the new HDMI 1.4 Type D micro-connector.

Still, the public at large awaits the arrival of HDMI 1.4 devices on the retail front. As consumers stand with cables poised, manufacturing of the technology has remained largely on the back-end of production. Banking on the success of blockbusters such as Avatar and Pixar’s Up, 3D LCDs will finally make their way to market en masse this summer.

Most notably, Samsung announced the release of its LED9000 3D series. Panasonic beat them to the chase, and launched its Viera VT25 series last week at Best Buy stores. This particular series took the “Best of CES” award this year in Las Vegas. LG plans to release its own version mid-May, along with 3D Blu-ray players. Vizio, Sony, and Toshiba will also be mass-producing 3D TVs this summer. Xbox 360 already supports 3D games and Playstation 3 will support 3D graphics with a firmware upgrade.

Broadcasting is in the works to coincide with the surge of TVs onto the market. The FIFA World Cup will be broadcast in 3D from South Africa this year. FIFA partnered with Sony to orchestrate the event, and Sony Pictures will be distributing 3D copies of the film afterward. DirecTV will begin offering 3D broadcasts in June.

So if you’ve purchased that HDMI 1.4 cable and you’re still trying to figure out what to do with it, rest assured. The technology is on the way, and just in time for summer viewing. And if you still haven’t purchased that upgraded cable and you’re on the way out to buy a 3D TV, make sure you pick up your HDMI cable from FireFold. We just received a new shipment of 1.4 cables this week, so we’re restocked and ready for your order.