HDMI was developed to meet the explosive demand for high-definition video and audio. With the release of HD content from broadcasters, studios and others, traditional ways to connect consumer electronics devices fall short of delivering the ultimate high-definition viewing and listening experience. To address this issue, leading consumer electronics manufacturers gathered to develop a next-generation digital interface that would meet the requirements for consumer electronics products today and in the future.

In short, the use of HDMI to connect all of your high-definition devices, displays and components will enable you to maximize your home theatre system and experience digital content the way it was intended.

HDMI is fully backward compatible with PCs,displays and consumer electronics devices incorporating the Digital Visual Interface (DVI) standard. Both HDMI and DVI were pioneered by Silicon Image and are based on TMDS®, Silicon Image's powerful, high-speed, serial link technology. HDMI supports standard, enhanced, or high-definition video, plus multi-channel digital audio on a single cable. It transmits all ATSC HDTV standards and supports 8-channel digital audio, and with 5 Gbps of bandwidth, HDMI can accommodate future enhancements and requirements.

Because HDMI was designed specifically for consumer electronics applications, it offers an array of additional consumer enhancements. As digital content can manifest itself in a variety of sizes, resolutions and formats, HDMI-enabled systems will automatically configure to display content in the most effective format. In addition, HDMI enables a single remote point and click, allowing manufacturers to deliver home theatre systems that automatically configure from a single command from a remote control -- turning on or off the components necessary to view a DVD, listen to a CD, or watch cable or satellite TV.