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The goal of this video is to introduce HDMI and how it actually works.
HDMI stands for High-definition Multimedia Interface and is meant for carrying uncompressed digital audio/video over a single cable, the most common of which uses a Type A connector that consists of 19 pins. HDMI was developed by a group of companies looking for a way to protect digital content from being copied.
There's a certain process for the audio and video to show as intended when we connect a source to a display whether directly, through a receiver or matrix.
The first step is called Hot Plug, and it's the connection detection process between the source and the display done through one of the pins on the connector with 5 volts.
Once the Hot Plug has been established, the next thing to happen is EDID, which stands for Extended Display Identification Data, communicating audio and video settings so the source then knows what it can send to achieve the maximum quality settings.
After EDID settings have been verified, we have HDCP. HDCP stands for High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection. It's the virtual handshake and exchange of keys that takes place between a source and a display. Each source has a predetermined set of HDCP keys that it uses to authenticate displays, and it is this sequence that is intended to prevent the copying of digital data.
Assuming everything has gone as it should and you now have the proper audio/video feeds, the source will then monitor this connection every two seconds in what's called an HDCP heartbeat. The source will re-authenticate if there is a mismatch in the heartbeat or if there is a hot plug event. The display will use the metadata to get the picture and sound correct.
For more information about our HDMI matrix switch series, audio video installers can contact us here: http://blog.avocationsystems.com/contact-us
