This year could probably prove to be the most HDMI-cable-confusing year ever. The HDMI Type D connector is possibly going to be implemented for use with smaller footprint devices while HDMI version 1.4 will essentially use the same-looking cable as all previous HDMI versions. How do you differentiate? Frankly, I have no idea.

HDMI 1.4 is definitely bringing in some new features which will make videophiles drool and normal users even more confused. The new specifications for HDMI 1.4 will reportedly include a HDMI Ethernet Channel (HEC) which mimics a 100Mbps network connection.

HEC would allow you to share the broadband connection of a television with other HEC-enabled devices. Nifty, but do we really need it? Ethernet RJ45 connections have been around for a while and have posed no problems whatsoever. I would personally go with that until HDMI 1.4 specifications are fully tested.

The new HDMI 1.4 will also be capable of handling up to 2160 lines of vertical resolution at 30Hz. 2160p is certainly quite surprising when even 1080p hasn’t even settled on the mainstream market yet. Will this mean the possibility of new media sometime soon?

HDMI 1.4 specification cables will come in either low or high-data rates. Take note of the word either. Why not just make one cable which can handle low to high data rates?

[via CyberTheater and Braincell]