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IFA 2005: Interfaces of the future: new developments rival scart technology (26/7/2005)

Scart connections along with other interfaces of the same era are beginning to show their age. Technology that was developed 20 years ago is no longer proving adequate for the demands of the digital receivers and high-resolution displays of tomorrow.

Two new standards bring you digital viewing

Two new standards have materialised which, while not necessarily ending the scart plug era, are an add-on connection to the ones which already access the world of digital viewing. One is the Digital Video Interface (DVI). This 24-pin connection has two types, D and I. DVI-D stands for digital only, while integrated DVI-I supports digital and analogue reception, ensuring the latter technology will continue to function.

Around the world products from over 200 hardware and software companies support this second type of interface, known as HDMI. The connection itself has 19 pins, is only 21 mm wide, and is similar to USB. In contrast, a scart plug has 21 pins and is 43 mm wide.

Digital technology sweeps the board

All video and audio signals are transmitted via HDMI, lossless and uncompressed, using up to eight audio channels. Video bandwidths will even be able to transport high-resolution 1080 full-screen or progressive signals without any loss in quality. Data can be transmitted at a maximum of 5 gigabytes per second. The wiring between DVI and HDMI is compatible, but physically adapters are needed to match them up in size. HDMI can carry all DVI signals, but when DVI transports HDMI there is no audio reception.

HDMI also saves on cable connections. Up to now setting up an HD or Blu-ray DVD player, an HD set top box and an HD AV receiver along with an HDTV monitor meant installing ten audio and nine video leads. This number is now reduced to three cables, and HDMI requires only one remote control, using an AV link function to support its commands.

Anti-copying protection inclusive

One important need of the software industry is effective anti-copying protection. HDMI uses High-Bandwidth Digital Content Protection (HDCP) which prevents unauthorised copying or reproduction of copyright-protected content. A set used to reproduce decoded material will only play the content if the associated rights have been paid for. In future all new HDTV products bearing the ÒHD readyÓ label will come equipped with a DVI, or better, HDMI connection which includes anti-copying protection. A wide range of these devices will be on display at the IFA 2005.

Nothing now stands in the way of a new age of digital TV with fantastic large images. The requisite technical standards, also approved by the film industry, are ready to go. At the IFA 2005 (2 to 7 September) in Berlin both current developments in HDTV and its future potential will be a key theme.

www.ifa-berlin.de