Wild West Electronics Blog

Just when we had HDMI figured out.. here comes HDMI 1.4

Get some coffee.. clear your mind..

Here are all the details so far....

HDMI LICENSING, LLC ANNOUNCES FEATURES OF THE UPCOMING HDMI SPECIFICATION VERSION 1.4

Enhancements Include Networking, Audio Return Channel, 3D Capability, Improved Performance and New Connectors

SUNNYVALE, Calif., May 27, 2009 – HDMI Licensing, LLC, the agent responsible for licensing the High-Definition Multimedia Interface® (HDMI®) specification, today announced the features that will be incorporated in the upcoming HDMI 1.4 specification. This latest version of the HDMI specification will, among other advancements, offer networking capabilities with Ethernet connectivity and will add an Audio Return Channel to enable upstream audio connections via the HDMI cable. The HDMI specification 1.4 will be available for download on the HDMI LLC website no later than June 30, 2009.

The HDMI 1.4 specification will offer the following enhanced functionalities:

• HDMI Ethernet Channel

The HDMI 1.4 specification will add a data channel to the HDMI cable and will enable high-speed bi-directional communication. Connected devices that include this feature will be able to send and receive data via 100 Mb/sec Ethernet, making them instantly ready for any IP-based application.

The HDMI Ethernet Channel will allow an Internet-enabled HDMI device to share its Internet connection with other HDMI devices without the need for a separate Ethernet cable. The new feature will also provide the connection platform to allow HDMI-enabled devices to share content between devices.

• Audio Return Channel

The new specification will add an Audio Return Channel that will reduce the number of cables required to deliver audio upstream for processing and playback. In cases where HDTVs are directly receiving audio and video content, this new Audio Return Channel allows the HDTV to send the audio stream to the A/V receiver over the HDMI cable, eliminating the need for an extra cable.

• 3D Over HDMI

The 1.4 version of the specification will define common 3D formats and resolutions for HDMI-enabled devices. The specification will standardize the input/output portion of the home 3D system and will specify up to dual-stream 1080p resolution.

• 4K x 2K Resolution Support

The new specification will enable HDMI devices to support high-definition (HD) resolutions four times beyond the resolution of 1080p. Support for 4K x 2K will allow the HDMI interface to transmit content at the same resolution as many digital theaters. Formats supported include:

• 3840x2160 24Hz/25Hz/30Hz
• 4096x2160 24Hz

• Expanded Support For Color Spaces

HDMI technology now supports color spaces designed specifically for digital still cameras. By supporting sYCC601, Adobe RGB and AdobeYCC601, HDMI-enabled display devices will be capable of reproducing more accurate life-like colors when connected to a digital still camera.

• Micro HDMI Connector

The Micro HDMI Connector is a significantly smaller 19-pin connector that supports up to 1080p resolutions for portable devices. This new connector is approximately 50% smaller than the size of the existing HDMI Mini Connector.

• Automotive Connection System

The Automotive Connection System is a cabling specification designed to be used as the basis for in-vehicle HD content distribution. The HDMI 1.4 specification will provide a solution designed to meet the rigors and environmental issues commonly found in automobiles, such as heat, vibration and noise. Using the Automotive Connection System, automobile manufactures will now have a viable solution for distributing HD content within the car.

“The HDMI specification continues to add functionality as the consumer electronics and PC industries build products that enhance the consumer’s HD experience,” said Steve Venuti, president of HDMI Licensing, LLC. “The 1.4 specification will support some of the most exciting and powerful near-term innovations such as Ethernet connectivity and 3D formats. Additionally we are going to broaden our solution by providing a smaller connector for portable devices and a connection system specified for automobiles, as we see both more and different devices adopting the HDMI technology.“

Consumers will also see new HDMI cables introduced to the market. In order to take advantage of the HDMI Ethernet Channel, consumers will need to purchase either a Standard HDMI cable with Ethernet, or a High Speed HDMI cable with Ethernet. Consumers connecting an external device to an in-vehicle HDMI-enabled HD system will need the new Automotive HDMI cable. Consumers can expect to see new HDMI 1.4 cables introduced to the market when new HDMI 1.4 devices are available.

Consumers will have a choice of the following HDMI cables:

• Standard HDMI Cable – supports data rates up to 1080i/60;
• High Speed HDMI Cable – supports data rates beyond 1080p, including Deep Color and all 3D formats of the new 1.4 specification;
• Standard HDMI Cable with Ethernet – includes Ethernet connectivity;
• High Speed HDMI Cable with Ethernet – includes Ethernet connectivity;
• Automotive HDMI Cable – allows the connection of external HDMI-enabled devices to an in-vehicle HDMI device.

The HDMI standard continues to grow in the marketplace with now over 850 adopters worldwide. The growing adoption of the HDMI specification by both consumer electronics and PC manufacturers further strengthens its position as the worldwide standard for high-definition digital connectivity. According to market research firm In-Stat, over 394 million HDMI-enabled devices are expected to ship in 2009, with an installed base of 1 billion devices. By the end of 2009 100% of digital televisions are expected to have at least one HDMI input.

The HDMI specification 1.4 will be available for download at http://www.hdmi.org no later than June 30, 2009.

Now don't you feel better knowing that

You explained Monster Quicklock Connectors. What are Monster Lock Connectors?

Many people often confuse Monster Quicklock connectors with Monster Lock connectors. Understandable since both connectors are very quick and easy to use and play a significant role in protecting our naked bare speaker wire. This is where the similarities end however because Monster Quicklock connectors are used for an entirely different application albeit with the similar goals in mind to the Monster Lock connectors. So what are the differences between these two very different but often confused speaker connectors from Monster Cable? Keep reading....

Monster Quicklock connectors are designed as a complete solution to protecting naked bare speaker wire up to around 11 gauge.

Monster Lock connectors are different, they are essentially the other half of a termination designed to be used in conjunction with Monster Master Pin terminated speaker cables. On their own, they are worthless without the Monster Mast Pin. 

The Monster Cable - Monster Lock Master Pin is terminated on nearly all Monster M series and the recently discontinued Monster Z series pre-terminated speaker cables. 

The Monster Lock Master Pin (shown above) consist of a threaded base and a pin. The threaded base is where all Monster Lock Connectors screw on while the pin by itself is designed for use with older spring-loaded terminals. If your equipment is older and happens to have one of the old spring-loaded connectors, you won't need Monster Lock connectors as you can use the speaker cables as-is; but if your equipment is like the majority of the rest of the world you will need to make a Monster Lock Connector selection in order to enjoy your Master Pin terminated Monster Cable. 

For maximum compatibility, many different styles of Monster Lock Connectors are available: 

Flex Tip - Designed for use with spring-loaded connectors and binding post. If you have a spring-loaded terminal, we recommend simply using the Master Pin; otherwise, we only recommend using the flex-tip option only if your systems equipment is NOT compatible with Banana or Spade connections. 

Medium Spades - Designed for binding post up to 6.6 mm in diameter. 

Large Spades - Designed for binding post up to 8.4 mm in diameter. 

Extra-large Spades - Designed for binding post up to 10 mm in diameter. 

** Note that nearly all stereo and home theater receivers are NOT compatible with spade connectors

Banana Plugs - Banana plug connectors are an industry standard. The only requirement is that your equipment has a 3-way binding post. Note that many 3-way binding post are shipped with a plastic cap that conceals the hole in which the banana plugs must be inserted. These plastic caps are easily removed using a thumb tack. Also avoid another mistake many make, banana plugs are only inserted on the top of binding post, NOT the side like a bare piece of wire. 

Other Notes About Monster Lock Connectors

Like Monster Quicklock Connectors, Monster Lock Connectors are packaged and sold in 2 pair packs (4 connectors per pack)

If you already own speaker cables but you like the flexibility the Monster Locks offer; or you want to bi-wire heavier gauge speaker cables you can still take advantage by simply purchasing the Monster Master Pin post separately. They are available in two sizes, small or large. Use the large for the bi-wire side of your heavier gauge speaker wire and the small for all other connections. You will of course need to purchase the Monster Lock Connectors as well unless your equipment has the older spring-loaded terminals. 

Flexibility

Monster Master Pin terminated speaker cable with Monster Lock Connectors offers any system great flexibility because you can easily change your terminations as your equipment changes by simply using different combinations of Monster Lock Connectors without the time-consuming hassle of re-terminating the entire speaker cable. Best of all it takes only seconds to make the change. 

Current Monster Speaker Cable Products with Master Pin Termination

Unless noted otherwise, all of the following Monster M Series speaker cables are pre-terminated with the Monster Mast Pin terminals. Need longer lengths than what are shown on our site? No problem, we can get longer lengths custom made to fill any need. 

Monster Cable M2.4

Monster Cable M2.2

Monster Cable M1.4

Monster Cable M1.2

Monster Cable MCX-2S

Monster Cable MCX-1S Bi-wire

Monster Cable MCX-1S

Cover Up Your Naked Wire! Quicklock Connectors are one of the Coolest Way's to Terminate Your Bare Wire Speaker Cable

Monster Cable  Quicklock family of speaker connectors (speaker terminations) are some of our most favorite. Why you ask? They are extremely simple to install on the ends of just about any multi-stranded speaker wire up to about 11 gauge and make for a solid and reliable termination that unlike many other options, will not fall off the wire. 

Monster Cable Quicklock Termination Instructions

1) Unscrew the base of the Monster Cable Quicklock connector from the 24k gold plated connector.

2) Using preferably a wire stripper, strip away about 1/4" inch of insulation exposing the bare wire. 

3) Insert the bare wire through the 24k gold plated cylinder located in the base. 

4) Fold the bare wire down on the teeth of the top of the 24k gold plated cylinder base where the insulation and bare wire meet.

5) Then, simply screw down the connector to the base which locks the cable into place. 

6) Move on to your next termination and repeat steps 1-5.

Monster Cable Quicklock connectors are available in three varieties; bananas, spades and flex tip as detailed below: 

1) Monster Cable Quicklock Banana Plugs (we recommend using Bananas as your 1st choice) - they are compatible with nearly all new quality audio components in speakers made today and are the easiest and most convenient to use.

2) Monster Cable Quicklock Spade Connectors (we recommend using Spades as your 2nd choice, note most all stereo and home theater receivers are NOT spade compatible but are compatible with nearly all speakers)

3) Monster Cable Quicklock Flex Tip Connectors (we recommend Flex tip connectors for use with spring loaded connectors or devices which are incompatible with spades or bananas)

Each type of Monster Quicklock connectors come in a pack containing 4 connectors. We sell each pack for $19.95 ea. 

Should I Use Speaker Cable Terminations or Speaker Cable Connectors?

In our last post, we explained why it is not the best idea to simply use bare speaker cable when making connections between your amplifier and speakers. In a nutshell, you want to keep your oxygen free speaker cable oxygen free. To help win this fight, we want to properly terminate our speaker cable. 

Speaker Cable Terminations or Speaker Cable Connectors? 

Not to confuse or trick you, but many people refer to speaker terminations as speaker cable connectors. They are actually the same thing but the correct terminology is to call them speaker cable terminations. 

ter·mi-nate

 

1. To bring to an end or halt

2. To occur at or form the end of; conclude or finish

3. To discontinue the employment of; dismiss

This is what we are doing with our speaker cable, we are ending each respective cable run by adding a termination. 

Benefits of Terminating Speaker Cable

1. Protects bare wire from oxidation and corrosion that can impede your audio signal

2. Makes the best audio connection from amplifier to speaker.

3. Helps ensure positive and negative connections don't accidentally touch; this is particularly true when using a multi channel amplifier or home theater receiver.

4. Adds convenience to any system; allows you to more easily connect and disconnect your speakers. 

5. Adds a nice finished looking touch to your system. Terminated speaker cables give your system a professional and finished look. 

Types of Speaker Cable Terminations

Banana Plugs - Banana plug terminations have become one of the most universal type of speaker terminations available and they are definitely the most convenient. When using banana plugs, you never need to screw down any connection; these guy's simply slide down the middle inside of a 3-way binding post. Nearly every new piece of audio equipment made today are compatible with bananas. Because of their ultra wide compatibility, ease of use and solid connection; bananas are our favorite speaker cable termination choice. 

Spade Connectors - Spade connectors (pictured above) look like mini horse shoe connectors and are available in a several different sizes. Unlike the banana style plugs, spades are not universal in size as the post can vary in size. Prior to the wide acceptance of banana plugs, spades were both the most popular and best way to terminate your speaker cables. 

Many audio purest feel spades yield the best connection to a speaker or amplifier because they feel there is more contact surface area. We're not sure if we agree simply because a banana plug is a cylindar and we feel if you rolled it out that you might find there to be even more connected surface area than the spade. 

You should also be aware, that generally speaking, spades are NOT compatible with most all stereo receivers, home theater receivers and even some multi-channel amplifiers. While most all devices today use 3-way binding post and appear to be compatible, most manufacturers utilize a plastic cover at the base of these binding post preventing the use of spades. You may ask why? Our best guess is that they do this to prevent users from shorting our their components. Spades, tightened down or not can loosen when the component is moved allowing for the potential of the spade to make an unwanted connection with a neighboring post. 

Angled Pin Connectors - Angled pin connectors are designed to slide in the side of a post or inserted in the opening of a spring-loaded connector. When inserted in the side of a post, the pin must be secured by being screwed down to be properly held down. 

While angled pins typically are the most economical of the termination types, we only recommend using angled pins if your equipment has a spring-loaded connector. Using these with a binding post, while it can be done, is not advised since they can come loose too easily. Other options such as bananas or spades are what we would recommend when using a binding post. 

Do You Have Your Stereo or Home Theater Speakers Connected with Bare Wire?

If you answered YES to this question, read on. If you answered NO, keep on keepin' on, your doing the RIGHT thing.

What's the Big Deal? I am Using Bare Speaker Wire.

Glad you asked. It is a BIG deal because if you are using bare speaker wire you are not doing right by your stereo or home theater system. Quality speaker cable is generally made of some form of high purity copper that when exposed to oxygen will most definitely corrode over time. How much time will depend on what part of the country you live. For those of you who might have an aging piece of clear jacket speaker cable , you can actually SEE the corrosion occurring as it will travel through your speaker cable from a point of entry that is bare exposed wire. 

Corrosion ultimately is a bad thing because it will impede your audio signal from reaching its destination. The bottom line is that is prevents your sound system from sounding as good as it could. You want the best sound possible RIGHT? That's why you bought the cool speakers and the better wire to begin with right? 

Use Terminations to Solve the Bare Wire Problem

Speaker Cable Terminations come in many forms, the most common are Banana Plugs, Spades and Angled Pins. As you will learn in my next post, terminations not only solve the bare wire problem because they help keep oxygen AWAY from your bare wire, they also have numerous other benefits as well. Which type of terminations you use will depend on both your system configuration and your personal preferences. My next post will also highlight which terminations we like and are easy to use. Stay tuned...

Are Monster Cables Worth it?

Ok, this is probably one of the top questions I get everyday, "Are good quality Monster Cables worth the cost?"

Well, I can go on to answer this question with a lot of technical jargon or you could alternatively call Monster Cable yourself and try an talk to an engineer on the subject.  Rather than do that, I think most people are like myself and like to keep things simple. Besides, aren't our lives already complicated enough? Isn't all the stuff involving other decision in our home theaters already complicated enough?

Well let's say you are in the car buying mood and wanted to spend $40,000 on a quality BMW automobile. First, you are greeted by the salesperson who offers you a test drive. You drive the car and your are impressed with the cars handling, acceleration and overall ride and performance. You are now convinced that this BMW IS the car you have been looking for and IS the PERFORMANCE you have only DREAMED of up to this moment in time.  So now you turn to your wife for her nod of approval and you cheerfully inform the salesperson of the news he has been so eagerly been awaiting for, "I'LL TAKE IT!".

So now thrilled with excitement, the salesperson starts ringing up the sale. As he gets things going in the finance department, he gives you a preliminary total of $44867.49 with taxes and license. He also points out that this total includes everything you hoped for with exception to one minor detail. Now as your stomach sinks, you are dreading what you are not prepared to hear, the total of $44867.49 that the salesperson gave you does NOT INCLUDE THE TIRES. That's right, you get the car of your dreams, with all of your favorite goodies, but NO TIRES.

Now frustrated, you now have lots of choices, and the worst part is that you no very little about tires. So the salesperson tells you, we can get you into the same tires we used in our test drive but they are going to cost you $2000.00.  You are shocked and surprised by unexpected cost as you were only prepared to pay $44867.49.

So now in the back of your mind your thinking, ok buddy, $2000 for tires, Walmart has a deal on tires all of the time, "4 tires, $99.00", "All they need to do is roll down the street, right?"

So frustrated, you go down to Walmart, you get the "4 tires for $99" deal, you bring the tires to the BMW dealer and you have them put the tires on the car. The BMW dealer advises against this and insist that you are making a mistake. You feel you have "1 upped" the dealer and SAVED $1901.00. 

Eager to test drive your brand new DREAM BMW, you take delivery of the car. Driving home from the dealership your trip home takes you from the side streets to the freeway. Immediately, you notice that the car is not handling, performing or sounding anything like the car you drove during your test. You take it back to the BMW dealer the next day as you are sure that your car MUST BE DEFECTIVE. The BMW dealer cheerfully checks out all functions of the car and tells you that there is nothing WRONG with the car except one thing? "The TIRES" the BMW serviceman tells you are the WRONG ones for the cars, he then ask you if you were offerred the "BMW TIRE PACKAGE" when you bought the car? You replied with "Of course I was, but they were $2000.00", the serviceman then continues to explain that without those tires, you car will never perform the way it was designed to, as the car was designed with those $2000.00 tires in mind.  So frustrated, you agree to pay $2000 for the tires, you leave the dealership with a suggestion of possibly including the tires with the car so that way he could have prepared for the extra expense without the END-OF-THE-SALE suprise.  Now you are enjoying all of the performance you have paid for!

So does all of this sound crazy? Well of course it does. WHY? Because everybody knows that all cars come with tires. You also know, that in order to get the proper PERFORMANCE that you PAID, that the proper tires are essential to ANY cars performance. Another wards, YOU know that you CAN'T just go to Walmart, buy "4 tires for $99" and expect to get any kind of great performance in your vehicle.  The automakers also know this, which is why they ALWAYS make sure to  design the car with specific types of tires in mind. If they left the tires to the customer upon delivery, they could get terrible reviews among customers who DIDN'T buy the RIGHT tires.  This is a chance that they cannot afford to take.

So let me ask you, why would you EVER think that cheap cables would be sufficient to connect your DVD player to your brand new PLASMA?   Generally speaking, your cables ARE the WEAKEST link in most systems. And as a result, your system will always only be AS GOOD as your WEAKEST link. 

So the next question is, if the automakers know that tires are essential to GREAT PERFORMANCE, then why do manufacturers of HOME THEATER & STEREO EQUIPMENT not include all of the cables to ensure there equipment always performs to its fullest capability?

Well, unlike the auto industry where they know how many tires you need, what size and type is perfect for the car you are buying, the consumer electronics industry has no idea what lengths you need, what type of cable will be best for YOUR SITUATION. This is because everybodies situation is DIFFERENT. Unfortunately, at the end, this job is left to you the consumer. And what is also unfortunate, is that the majority of the industry consist of poorly paid struggling college students who are not experienced or educated or savvy enough to tell you in advanced, that this is an expense that YOU NEED to PLAN and more importantly BUDGET for before you buy that new big screen tv or fancy home theater system. 

So are higher-end Monster Cables worth it?

The answer is YOU BET!

The bottom line is that you can have the best audio video components in the world, but if you don't have high quality cable to connect them, YOU WILL NEVER get the PERFORMANCE you paid for.

Why Monster Cable?

I love Monster Cable products for many reasons, in my experience, they offer the best value with a wide price range that everyone can afford. Plus, most people are not aware that Monster Cable started  the cable revolution back in the 70's. As a result, they own most all of the patents that make a technological difference in the performance of there cables. In fact, they hold over 1500 patents, that just tells you that alot of technology goes into this incredible cables.  You can spend more in other brands, or you can spend less in some as well, but at the end of the day, I prefer to go with the company that owns all of the technology!

How much should I plan to spend on my Monster Cable needs?

Well, alot of this will depend on the lengths that you need to run, as the longer the lengths, the more your cable will cost. But for most folks, I would safely plan for about 30% of the entire retail value of your equipment that you plan to connect the system.  So if you spent $8000 on your television and home theater speakers and other equipment, then plan on spending another $2400.00 on cables and power conditioning equipment. Monster products are more than just cable, it is about power conditioning and protecting your system as well.  Use this information as a guide for your planning and you will never be surprised at the register again and stop selling your PERFORMANCE short!