HDMI stands for High-Definition Multimedia Interface and is a compact AV interface for transmission of uncompressed audio and video via a single cable. So far, most devices have relied on the HDMI 1.3 specification that introduced a number of exciting features in its time such as support for integrated HD video and high quality digital audio. This article is aimed at providing a clear and concise outline with regards to the difference between HDMI 1.3 and HDMI 1.4.

Summary of differences between HDMI 1.4 and HDMI 1.3

In summary, HDMI 1.4 brings a number of new features for enabling 3D, and lays down a number of 3D format specifications to ensure device compatibility for the display of 3D content. While High-speed Category 2 cables fitting the HDMI 1.3 specification can still be used with HDMI 1.4 devices, these cables will not have the ability to support integrated Ethernet connectivity (for which you will need to buy a new High-speed HDMI cable with Ethernet).  HDMI 1.4 also brings a number of new features, some that will have immediate impact, while others have been introduced with an eye towards the future.  All-in-all, HDMI 1.4 introduces some nice improvements over the HDMI 1.3 framework and will help provide better 3D compatibility while also reducing the number of cables required in your home-theater system thanks to the integrated Ethernet and return audio channel feature of HDMI 1.4

In 2010, the HDMI 1.4 specification has been made public with a number of exciting features. HDMI 1.4 was primarily introduced to provide compatibility and a standardized specification for 3D content so as to ensure that all 3D capable TVs, displays and receivers could operate without any conflicts.  The primary differences between HDMI 1.4 and HDMI 1.3 are:

Support for 3D content and 3D playback

HDMI 1.4 specifies a number of different types of mandatory 3D formats that have to be supported by all 3D displays for them to be HDMI 1.4 compliant. These include the awesomeFull HD 3D (FHD3D) 3D format specification that allows for true 1080p HD 3D video at 24fps (what most 3D BluRays provide), as well as a number of side-by-side 3D formats and top-and-bottom 3D formats. Check the links above as well as our article on the details of the HDMI 1.4 specification for more details, but what you need to know is that HDMI 1.4 specifies a number of different 3D formats that all 3D TVs will be able to handle and display if they are rated to be HDMI 1.4 compliant.
So if you connect an HDMI 1.4 3D TV with an HDMI 1.4 compliant audio receiver and cable box, you can rest assured that all your components will play along nicely with each other. However, you can still get away with watching 3D content without having to upgrade all your 3D home-theater devices to HDMI 1.4. If you want more details regarding that, be sure to check our in-depth 3D component compatibility guide.
HDMI 1.3 on the other hand does not natively support 3D formats, although 3D content can still be sent over HDMI 1.3 in a side-by-side 3D configuration (or over-under 3D). In that case, your 3D TV will still need to be capable of converting this into 3D via settings in the TV menu where you will have to manually choose the nature of the 3D content formatting. The nice thing about HDMI 1.4 is that all information about the 3D content type is relayed along with the video signal, so your 3D TV and all other connected components will automatically know what signal they are being fed and will automatically know how to handle it. This means less confusion for you, the consumer, so it is something to be excited about :) .

Ethernet over HDMI

This is a pretty neat feature of the HDMI 1.4 specification. HDMI 1.3 only allows for the simultaneous transport of video and audio. However, the HDMI 1.4 specification allows for the HDMI cable to also have an integrated bi-directional Ethernet channel with a 100Mbps bandwidth (standard for home networks). As more and more devices in our home-theater systems have begun demanding internet connectivity, this provides an elegant solution for internet sharing between multiple devices without having to connect each to your home network via a separate Ethernet cable. This will help a lot in de-cluttering the jumble of wires at the back of your 3D Home theater. You will need to buy a special High-speed HDMI cable with Ethernet to avail of this integrated Ethernet feature (i.e., if your HDMI 1.4 compliant devices support this feature). Read our HDMI cable guide for more details about the new HDMI cables and their 3D compatibility.
Audio Return Channel
This is another new feature exclusive to HDMI 1.4 that is not supported by HDMI 1.3. HDMI 1.3 only allows for 1-way transfer of audio (usually from the receiver to the TV). However, HDMI 1.4 will enable devices to return audio along the same cable thus preventing the need to have a separate Audio-out connection from your TV to another component. While regular HDMI 1.3 compatible cables can still be used for this feature (return audio doesn’t require a new type of HDMI cable), only HDMI 1.4 compliant devices that have audio return features enabled will be able to support it.

Support for Deep Color and Expanded Color Spaces

HDMI 1.4 also supports expanded color spaces in comparison to HDMI 1.3. Expanded color spaces will allow for display of more colors and hence more accurate representation of real world colors on your TV

Support for 4K resolution content

HDMI 1.4 brings support for 4k x 2k resolution (4096 x 2160 resolution), a significant improvement over current HDMI 1.3 standards of 1080p. However, this isn’t a critical feature yet as we are still several years away from moving towards industry wide support for 4k resolution.

New HDMI Cables and Connectors

HDMI 1.4 introduces Mini HDMI and Micro HDMI connectors that are much smaller in size than standard HDMI connectors. Similar to Micro USB connectors, these have been introduced so that Laptops, netbooks, Smartphones, tablets and other mobile devices can feature HDMI ports that maintain the same functionality but with reduced connector footprint. As mentioned above, HDMI 1.4 also introduces a new type of High Speed HDMI cable with Ethernet that incorporates a bi-directional, 100 Mbps channel for integrated Ethernet capabilities. For more information about all the HDMI cables available and their compatibility, check our 3D HDMI Cable guide.

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