Latest mini-HDMI connectors get shown off in prototype form
By Donald Melanson 
posted May 8th 2009 3:39PM
posted May 8th 2009 3:39PM
Mini HDMI connectors aren't exactly anything new, but a number of companies have now produced some prototypes based on the latest Type D spec set for inclusion in the next HDMI standard, which they hope will be more suitable for cellphones, GPS systems, and other portable devices. One of those comes from Molex Inc and, like the others, is half the size of a regular HDMI connector (or about the same size as a micro-USB connector) but employs the same 19 pins as the standard HDMI design. That's joined by a similar connector from Yazaki Corp of Japan, as well as a connector designed specifically for automotive use by Japan Aviation Electronics Industry Ltd, which supposedly boasts improved reliability and durability. Still no promises as to when any of these specific prototypes will actually materialize, of course, but the first few mini connectors of some sort could start appearing as soon as the second half of this year.
Here's for wishing Apple could have used this instead of that lame MiniDP.
Like it or not, DisplayPort is the way things are going to be connected in the future.
@Mike, you just said that to say it. You like everyone else knows video will be wireless way before display port does anything.
(it has one advantage, and that advantage doesn't matter if hdmi throughput gets upgraded).
Isn't HDMI just DVI but with audio? Not worth the upgrade. Mac users like boasting that they have latest technology.
This is like how FireWire replaced USB.... oh wait. It didn't.
You could be glib and call HDMI just DVI and audio, but it also has CEC, HDCP, and (I believe DVI does not have this) xvyCC/"Deep Color" support
Except Mini Displayport is shipping, and this isn't ;)
There's also that little bit about HDMI not being fit for enterprise uses, but no one really cares about that little detail.
I am really getting sick of all these connectors and revisions we have to worry about, component and digital optical or coax are just fine (too bad they denied 1080p for component, because it can do it). With DVI and HDMI, it left a lot of people high and dry with their early adoption of HD and for what? So the fat cat movie and record companies could "protect" their intellectual property (well, the IP for the artists that they are pillaging).
HDMI has finally settled into the standard for home A/V and has worked out pretty good, minus all this revision crap we have to deal with. Now DisplayPort is poised to cause a huge mess and possibly screw over a bunch of us yet again. I don't care what is best, HDMI currently works for what we need it for and has already grabbed a foothold and gained traction, please, please, please... lets just stick with it just to make everyone's life easier.
Sweet! I've been dying to hook up my gps to my flat screen via 1080p...err wait a minute.
This w/be nice for cell phones though. They need to be designed to integrate into their surroundings (car speaker system, car display, hotel room tv, bt keyboard). Now we're getting closer to laptop replacement as long as cpu is not half-assed.
I'm still waiting on a cellphone that can pull off 1080p video without a problem, so don't expect that anytime soon :P
You say that now, watch them come out with the netphone. It's a phone with half the cpu (and for consistency of it will be running android).
This looks really nice though. Should be great for those mini projectors in the future.
Cell phones will be able to run 1080p H.264 video in no time (there was even an article about it a day or two ago, about a new 1080p video decoding chip, which I'm sure is just one entry into the mix). Keep in mind that it was only ten years ago where an LCD display on your phone was amazing, and five years ago having a camera phone was grounds for being outed as a witch. Right now, smartphones are the new thing catching on, letting people play basic games, low-res video, music, GPS, applications, etc. Right now 1080p seems ridiculous, but with the way chip tech and battery tech are going, having a Mini-HDMI port to output your 720p/1080p video content with 5.1/7.1 surround sound audio is going to be a very desirable thing in the next few years.
@Mike
There are already phones that can shoot 24fps 720p, if not more.
1080p isn't really too far off.
For nextgen sure. But I think most w/be happy with 720p or just something better than 320x240.
Merely the ability to have a video out is nice regardless of resolution. An htc phone has hdmi out and I thought this was pretty slick.
The only 'pleasant' experience I've had with pdas/phones not sucking on speed playing back vids/etc. has been the old HP hx4700 with 624Mhz bulverde cpu....this thing smoked. It's display res was 640x480 and could play ANY vid I threw at it.
Oh, surprise surprise, we don't need 2 gauge wire to properly shield HDMI... Its a stupid tradition started by monster cable that I'm happy to see go bye bye.
Yeah it's the man (and possibly commies and terrorist) that invented the myth of electromagnetic interference, it's not like that is how radio reception works, picking up EM in conducting wires called antennas.
Also monster cables set up the FCC, cleverly hiding it by doing it decades before they started their real reason: the monster cables company.
I wouldn't be surprised Wwhat!
Hey HDMI.. You want to get my attention? How about growing some freaking clasps or connectors? I am tired of your heavy-set butt sliding out the back of my tv. Just because you slimmed down and can fit in some skinny jeans now does not mean you will hang on any better.
Yeah that may not be a bad idea, kind of like the Sata ll cables around now.
Do you hang your components off of your HDMI cables? I've got a TV with 4 different HDMI cords hanging off it, and I've never had one slide out of the connector. The only time I've had a cable unplugged was when I pushed my laptop too far back on my desk and the cord wouldn't reach. In that case I'm glad it slid out instead of busting a clasp or connector.
I've had HDMI connectors snap when connecting stuff - the HDMI on my monitors plugs in straight down and so if it gets pulled from behind... it can be bad. having such a long adapter without anything to keep it from getting torqued is a bit of a pain.
Your TV has apparently been around the block. Are you sure you bought it with virgin quality because it sounds very loose.
Stop buying that cheap Vizio shit...
Actually I've found the connectors really are too fragile, especially if you're connecting and disconnecting cables a lot - the cable used for HDMI is also pretty damn heavy, which doesn't help.
@Platinum_Skeet:
Everytime I see your name, I remember Dave Chapelle and wash my eyeballs.
Check-out PPC @ ppc-online.com, they have an HDMI connector that locks into a standard port.
Will these be good beyond 6 feet?
yes. it is a DIGITAL signal, and therefore, unless you are laying this next to some serious heavy duty 3 phase power lines, any interference that you get won't be an issue running it pretty much any length that you want to around your living room :)
I will IF and only IF you buy Monster Cables
Just because it is digital, does not make it instantly bullet proof. HDMI has a finite limit for the runs, which are actually not that long and as you ask more of it (1080p with uncompressed audio), it drastically decreases. Also since digital cables like HDMI are still using copper for their runs, there is still a chance for interference. There are also other factors such as the error corrections of the device that can affect the quality. There are many more variables though.
The thing about digital technology though is you kind of either get it or you don't. Which I think for some, when they get it, translate into a mindset that it is more bullet proof than analog.
Consumers not here are taking a hit.
"Mom can you get me a 9ft HDMI Digital Cable with type D connectors?"
What the hell is the difference between this and the Mini-HDMI cable thats already out there? I think my Nikon D90 has that connector on the HDMI port.
It's half the size.
Errr.... and why do we need another mini HDMI connector?????
This how people behind the HDMI standard reduce their jealousy of that bliss called USB. Which comes in of Standard-A, Standard-B, Mini-A, Mini-B, Micro-A, Micro-B, Mini-AB, Micro-AB and now expanding the narrow range of connectors with USB 3.
crap, just one more thing I'm going to have to replace
A post about connectors. Thrilling.
MMMMMMmm... a D Receptacle. Sounds hot.
5000 insertion cycles.
19 pins in a mini-usb size, get ready to jiggle and curse a lot I guess.
That's what I was thinking, I hope the pins are well situated!
My main questions is how much is Monster gonna charge for these :p
The great thing about standards is THERE ARE SO MANY TO CHOOSE FROM.
First they will start using this, then micro HDMI. Its going to be like USB where I have to keep ordering new cables from monoprice all the time with adapters or male/female mini/micro/standard.
not another interface,i cant keep up ,man!
What they should add to specs of the small connector (of any kind) is an automatic opening/closing protection flap/cap, since you obviously use the tiny one for portable devices.