As with many new technology standards HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface) has had at times bumpy road to full implementation. At first it was simply a medium over which to send more data enabling high definition video and audio to be carried by the same wire. Previous technology such as DVI and Toslink allowed only the transmission of audio or video.
Soon afterwords companies began implementing control over HDMI in an effort to offer more functionality. These met with a modicum of success. Here are just a few of the control protocols implemented by leading electronics companies that were designed to make home audio video systems easier to control.
Onkyo RIHD
For A/V receivers
Select Onkyo A/V receivers offer integrated system control with certain HDMI-compatible high-definition displays, DVD and hard-disk recorders, and Blu-ray Disc players. With one remote control, you can control certain functions, including Standby, Volume and Direct Change. These receivers can seamlessly integrate with other compatible playback components and displays.
For DVD players
RIHD also enables selected Onkyo players to easily integrate with compatible Onkyo A/V receivers and other compatible displays.
*Compatibility depends on respective model.
Panasonic EasySync
EZ Sync is a feature that lets you operate a variety of AV devices that are connected with HDMI cables by using only the TV remote control. For example:
- When you turn off your TV, the equipment connected that supports EZ Sync will also turn off automatically.
- When you connect and turn on a DVD Recorder or Digital Camcorder, the TV will automatically turn on and change to the HDMI input.
- You can also adjust the volume of your home theater with the TV’s remote control.
Phillips EasyLink
Further enhancing the player’s simplicity, Philips EasyLinkâ˘3 allows easy control of connected devices via HDMI Consumer Electronics Control (CEC1) function with one remote. One button does it all – the TV and A/V components communicate via the same HDMI cables that deliver audio and high-def video.
EasyLink uses the HDMI CEC industry standard protocol to share functionality between connected devices and the TV. With Easylink only one remote control is needed to operate main functionalities on your TV and connected devices. HDMI makes an uncompressed digital RGB connection from the source to the screen for the ultimate picture quality. HDMI uses HDCP copy protection. With 2 HDMI input on the back and 1 HDMI on the side of the TV you can connect multiple HD sources, for instance an HD settop box, a Blu-ray player, and Game Console or Digital Camcorder.
While there is still support for many of these protocols, they have never become well implemented. Consumer’s tendency to mix and match electronic components made efficient implementation difficult. Like certifications, it could be argued that these technologies are often implemented more for marketing purposes.
External Methods of Control
HDMI is now fully implemented with the focus being more on the best possible transmission of video and audio signals. Most system control is either handled by programmable remotes or home automation systems. In the end this works out best as these systems are designed to handle this role.
HDMI was never intended to be a method of control. And as higher resolution video and audio formats are developed, more and more of the available bandwidth of these cables will be needed for the consistent transmission of these signals and less will be allocated for other purposes.
In many instances this has increased both the reliability and the quality of the audio and video signals between source and display. There will continue to be updates to the HDMI format. And while the beginning was bumpy, the results we see now were certainly worth the wait.
Check out the latest news from Audio Video Experts here.
References:
http://www.intl.onkyo.com/technology/technology/index.html
http://eng.faq.panasonic.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/21093/~/what-is-viera-link%E2%84%A2-(ez-sync%E2%84%A2)-and-how-do-you-use-it%3F
