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What is HDMI technology?

The rapid development of digital technology is the main trend of the consumer electronics segment in recent decades. Unfortunately, high-tech tasks require complex solutions to a large number of individual complex problems. The development of digital television perfectly illustrates this problem. In 2012, Dolby Lab introduced its revolutionary Dolby Vision technology, providing a revolutionary breakthrough in the segment of video encoding and transmission with High Dynamic Range (HDR). This technology has radically improved color rendering due to the color gamut extension with 12-bit color depth.

As known, later Samsung and other leading companies formed an association and developed the HDR10 open source standard. Unfortunately, initially it was limited to transferring only static metadata. But further, companies improved the standard to HDR10+ with support for dynamic metadata. Parallel to the development of HDR technology, companies continued to increase the resolution of the TV matrices. As a result, at IFA 2018 Samsung and LG for the first time demonstrated TVs with support 8K, denoting the further development of this direction.

As known, 8K (Full HD Ultra or UHD2) uses 7680 x 4320 pixels (34 MPix) and Super Hi-Vision System (SHV). Of course, it dramatically increases the bandwidth requirements of the communication channel due to the sharp increase in the information volume. Thus, innovative technologies in the segments of color rendition and matrix resolution have drastically increased the traffic requirements of the transmitted video content.

HDMI

As known, High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) was developed by Hitachi, Matsushita Electric Industrial, Philips, Silicon Image, Sony, Thomson (RCA) to transfer high-resolution digital video content. In addition, HDMI provides copy protection (High Bandwidth Digital Copy Protection, HDCP). In fact, the HDMI connector is an enhanced digital DVI connection for several devices using appropriate cables.

But HDMI is less DVI and supports multi-channel digital audio. Thus, HDMI has replaced analog connection standards, including SCART, VGA, YpbPr, RCA and S-Video. This standard uses simple and convenient labeling. Fundamentally new versions have increasing labeling, including 1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 2, 2.1. The functional extensions use letters, including 1.2a, 1.3a, 1.4b, 2.0a, etc. After HDMI 1.4, the HDMI Licensing consortium developed improved HDMI 2.0a. This version supports the dynamic transfer of metadata between the source HDR content and the TV. Today, HDMI 2.1 is its latest version. This diagram contains the main functional differences between the HDMI versions.

Unfortunately, the new HDMI versions have retained the risk of burnout when connected without de-energizing. As known, any device accumulates on its case high enough static potentials, which can reach 100 volts. Of course, disconnecting the device from the outlet eliminates this risk. But it's hardly convenient. Companies are trying to solve this problem by adding additional protection to device schemas. But the optional adapter is more reliable. Today the market offers a wide range of various device adapters that discharge potential on the case at the time of connecting devices.

Key features

Development of HDMI 2.0a was caused by the need to transfer dynamic metadata for correct playback of HDR content. As known, dynamic metadata contains frame-by-frame information for each scene, as opposed to static metadata, which contain a single average setting for the entire video file. In fact, the technology increases the playback realism, displaying video content with original color solutions of the director and colorist for each scene. The operator makes several shots at the same time with different exposures. Then they are compared and recorded as one frame with improved quality, contrasting shadow and darkening on very bright areas of the image. Accordingly, the maximum number of gradations for brightness levels expands the brightness range of each scene. In addition, it significantly increases the black depth due to the absence of the need for its narrowing to highlight the shadow areas of the scene.

Of course, this technology requires the transfer of more information, which is recorded as additional data (metadata). Thus, HDR playback requires standard video (4K or 2K) and metadata for luminance of each signal. Of course, this technology is relevant only for top TV with support for HDR standard. A model with an HDMI 2.0 port does not accept HDR metadata and plays HDR content as standard video. But HDMI 2.0a interface solves this problem. In addition, TVs without HDR support do not provide decoding of color signals with 10-bit depths or higher. This technology also requires very high resolution, which only OLED and QLED models provide today.

Functionality

As known, HDMI 2.0 (a / b) was officially announced on September 4, 2013. Models with its support first appeared on sale in 2014. However, previous HDMI 1.2-1.4 versions also provide excellent viewing for satellite / cable HD channels and movies. HDMI 2.1 was first introduced in January 2017. Today, HDMI 1.4 and 2.0 are the most current versions. Of course, almost fivefold increase of interface bandwidth is their main difference. HDMI 1.4 supports almost the full potential of Full HD with a resolution of 1920 × 1080 on HD channels and 4K content at a frequency of 30 Hz. In addition, it supports almost all the most popular features, including 3D, ARC, CEC. But, of course, HDMI 2.0 and higher provides a huge increase in resolution, interface bandwidth and frequency. Additionally, the extended functionality of HDMI 2.0 supports Full HD 120 fps, 4K 60 fps, 4: 2: 0, 25 fps color sub-sampling for 3D formats, audio HE-AAC and DRA standards. Of course, some experts periodically discuss the importance of these aspects, arguing their position by the discrepancy between the capabilities of TVs and available content. From the story we remember similar disputes around 3D television. As you know, the high cost and complexity of producing 3D content ultimately finally closed this direction. On the other hand, expert disputes are unlikely to affect the natural evolution of technology. We can only hope that content producers will be able to download the enormous potential capacities of today's innovative TVs. But today HDR technology and 8K resolution are designed only for elite home TV.

HDMI 2.1

The specification of the HDMI 2.1 protocol contains support for Dynamic HDR and virtual reality in the gaming Game Mode VRR modes. It uses a new cable that delivers 48 Gbps for 10K resolution and 8K HDR.

Of course, the cable is compatible with HDMI 1.3, 1.4 and 2.0a. HDMI 2.1 supports: - 8K @ 60fps - 7680 x 4320 pixels, 60 Hz; - 4K @ 120fps - 4096 x 2160 pixels (True 4K) or 3840 x 2160 pixels (4K UHD on 16: 9 screens), 120 Hz. For comparison, HDMI 2.0a only supports 4K at 60 Hz. Dynamic HDR protocol supports dynamic (frame-by-frame) transfer of metadata, providing the ideal depth of detail, the required brightness and contrast to expand the color gamut. Game Mode VRR (Variable Refresh Rate) mode is similar to the G-Sync / Freesync technology in modern monitors. Variable frame rate prevents input video delay and frame-by-frame image breaks. In fact, this feature reduces the display lag.

QMS (Quick Media Switching) without delay switches the screen between different frequencies, eliminating the black screen.

EARC (Audio Return Channel) increases bandwidth via HDMI reversible audio channel to eliminate loss of audio formats, including Dolby Atmos. In addition, HDMI 2.1 also supports advanced audio formats, including object-oriented audio. As known, LG at CES 2019 first introduced 65C9 OLED TV with HDMI 2.1 support.

Of course, today the HDMI version affects the choice of TV. Video offers an interview with Brad Bramy from HDMI Licensing Administrator.Inc at CES 2019 about the possibilities and prospects of HDMI technology. Read the full article

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LG 4K HDR Smart LED 65SM9500 NanoCell TV w/AI ThinQ 2019 Review

As known, fierce competition in the consumer electronics segment is the main trend of the last few decades. In fact, the development of innovative technologies has become for companies one of the main tools to ensure the competitiveness of its products. As a result, almost all leaders annually offer models that use a wide range of the most effective innovative solutions. Of course, TVs are one of the most high-tech segments.

LG TVs

Of course, LG needs no introduction. Every year this company offers models with the support of the most advanced technologies, many of which are its own development. Nano Cell, HDR technology, HDMI 2.1 (48 Gbps), etc perfectly illustrate this trend. Of course, 2019 was no exception. For example, at CES 2019, the company demonstrated first rollable OLED TV. 260 flexible OLED screens, connected together to imitate a waterfall struck the imagination of the most imperturbable viewers. All modern models use OLED or LED LCD technology. In fact, QLED (Samsung), Nano Cell (LG) and Micro LED are innovative LED LCD TVs. QLED and Nano Cell technologies have a lot in common, but are developed by different companies. Recall that QD (quantum dots) or fluorescent semiconductor nanocrystals are tiny single crystals with a diameter of 2-10 nm (15-150 atoms). The size and shape of QDs is easily and accurately controlled by the duration and temperature of the process of their synthesis. QD color depends on its size. The size of large red QDs reaches 7 nm (150 atoms), the diameter of green particles is about 3 nm (30 atoms), and the smallest blue QDs have a diameter of only 2 nm (15 atoms). These nanoparticles are applied to an additional nanofilter between the LED panel and the LCD screen. This element significantly improves brightness control, providing more accurate color rendering. The main difference between Nano Cell and QLED is the size of the calibration pixel, which is 1 nm and 2-7 nm, respectively. Modern Nano Cell models are slightly cheaper than QLED models with similar technical specifications.

LG LED 65SM9500 NanoCell

But the company is also actively developing traditional LED LCD TVs. In 2019, LG introduced the new SM9500 (55, 65 ") TV (SM9800PLA in Europe). This ultra slim LED 4K TV with Nano Cell display and FALD backlight supports the HDR standard, including Dolby Vision, HDR10, HDR10 Pro, HLG, HLG Pro and Advanced HDR from Technicolor. In 2019, LG continues to ignore the competitive Samsung HDR10+ standard, claiming that its models provide a similar effect due to the dynamic Tone mapping mode. Dynamic frame-by-frame HDR image processing uses the Enhanced Dynamic Tone Mapping algorithm. The native resolution of RGB matrix is 3840 x 2160 pixels, which corresponds to 4K Ultra HD. In addition, the model supports HDMI 2.1, Dolby Atmos, wireless WiSA audio and uses WebOS 4.5. SM9500 uses an upgraded second-generation Alpha 7 Gen 2 processor and an HDMI 2.1 port with HDMI eARC and VRR support. New HDMI 2.1 interface provides 48 Gbps. For comparison, HDMI 2.0 only supports 18 Gbps. Accordingly, new model can playback content with higher resolution and frequency. In particular, this model supports a 4K / 120 Hz mode. In addition, HDMI 2.1 provides a Variable Refresh Rate feature that is similar to the AMD FreeSync and Nvidia G-Sync technologies. Moreover, the HDMI 2.1 supports Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM) technology that automatically determines the optimal delay time for the smoothest possible playback. HDMI eARC provides lossless audio transmission through the HDMI eARC port. Of course, the LG SM9500 with HDMI 2.1 is backward compatible with HDMI 2.0. But connecting external HDMI 2.1 devices requires Ultra High Speed HDMI cables.

Key features

Matrix LG SM9500 supports 10-bit color depth. Most modern TVs use 8-bit matrix, which provides 8 bits for each of the three colors (red, green, blue) or 256 shades. 10-bit panels provide 1024 shades per color. Accordingly, 1024 х 1024 x 1024 is 1.07 billion colors per pixel. For comparison, this value for the 8-bit matrix reaches only 16.8 million. This value mainly affects the degree of image realism. The top LG 2019 models continue to use FALD (full-array local dimming) backlight. It uses LEDs behind the screen that are combined into arrays for each screen zone. In this case, the TV can turn off certain areas of the backlight, providing a deeper black, improving the detail in the shadows and reducing the excessive brightness. As a result, FALD significantly improves the contrast, providing great image quality. Processing dynamic scenes uses an improved LG α7 (Alpha 7) second-generation processor that has replaced the previous Alpha 7. According to the company, it has significantly improved the performance of color and motion processing algorithms. The model uses a very popular Magic Remote with a gyroscope, which provides cursor control when it moves in space. In addition, it does not require direct guidance to the IR receiver on the TV. But location and set of its buttons is slightly different from the Magic Remote 2018. As known, LG TVs use Dolby Atmos since 2017. This feature automatically adjusts to any connected speaker system. This TV uses a 2.2 circuit with a total power of 40 W. Wireless Sound Sync provides connection and transfer of audio content to mobile devices.

ThinkQ AI

The LG TVs 2019 uses updated webOS 4.5. It retains all the features of last year’s popular system and adds an intelligent selection from apps like Netflix based on user preferences. The company also expanded its voice assistant capabilities, including Google Assistant support and added support for Amazon Alexa. The system can prompt various voice commands in the menu via the AI Recommendation. As known, since 2018 all household appliances, electronic devices and LG services with support for AI are combined in the ThinQ AI. Of course, the LG SM9500 also supports ThinQ. Moreover, model uses Deep ThinQ technology and personalized Google Assistant to control using voice commands and communicate with other smart home devices. As known, at CES 2019, LG introduced their new OLED and NanoCell TVs. The LG NanoCell line up 2019 includes SM9970 (8K), SM9500 / SM9000 (65 ", FALD Pro / 55" and 65 ", FALD) and SM8600 (Local Dimming). This video offers review of the LG 65SM9000. Read the full article