| Most of us may still unfamiliar with the word | | | | clutter of HDMI cables from every HDMI source |
| "HDMI" years ago. In just a few years, our life | | | | to displays. It is a must especially when the |
| has been greatly changed as HDMI serials quickly | | | | displays (such as the out-of-date types) that are |
| become the most important home-theater gear | | | | without or without enough inputs to connect your |
| that capable of transferring 1080p HD video and | | | | DVD player, PS3 game station, blu-ray player, and |
| uncompressed high-resolution audio via a single | | | | so on. Even the receivers with the greatest |
| HDMI cable. However, to do the same thing with | | | | number of HDMI in's and out's are generally on |
| other types of cable such as analog cables, you | | | | the higher end of the product line. This makes |
| have to connect three component-video cables | | | | many Home Theater Enthusiasts to find a |
| plus six analog audio cables--that's a whole lot of | | | | practical solution out of budgetary. The difference |
| cable clutter. Even all of us want to make our | | | | between which is that you can freely switch |
| home theater be of "high definition", you may still | | | | among various source devices and various |
| confuse with what is HDMI and how HDMI has | | | | displaying gears simultaneously via HDMI matrix. |
| changed our life. | | | | This is just as its name "Matrix" implies. However, |
| HDMI refers to High-Definition Multimedia | | | | you just can switch between multiple sources and |
| Interface, a pretty good description for what it is. | | | | the only one displaying device since there is only |
| As a compact audio/video interface for | | | | one output for common HDMI switch. |
| transmitting uncompressed digital data, HDMI is | | | | The newest solution of HDMI matrix provides the |
| typically used to connect a high-definition | | | | ability to switch between up to 4 source devices |
| device--such as an HD DVR--to an HDTV. HDMI | | | | and independently out to two or four different |
| has many versions now, from HDMI 1.1 to the | | | | destinations with support for HDMI 1.3. It extends |
| latest HDMI 1.4, it takes only several years. | | | | HDMI signals via HDMI cables or single Cat.5e/6 up |
| Though HDMI 1.4 has been developed, HDMI 1.3 is | | | | to 30M at 1080P resolution (HDMI cables up to |
| still being considered the popular one due to its | | | | 15M, Cat.5 cable up to 25M). From this aspect, |
| wide application while HDMI 1.4 has just been | | | | matrix is classified in two sorts: HDMI Matrix over |
| applied to HDMI cables recently. As the technology | | | | Single Cat.5e/6 and HDMI True Matrix. The |
| develops, HDMI 1.4 will be greatly improved and | | | | former type refers to HDMI matrix extend signals |
| widely used in every walk of life. | | | | via Cat.5e/6 while the latter one via HDMI cables. |
| Nowadays, every new HDTV has at least two | | | | To some extent, HDMI True Matrix is just a |
| HDMI inputs, and digital devices such as DVRs, | | | | relative name to HDMI Matrix over Single Cat.5e |
| Sky HD Set-top Box, DVD players, Blu-ray | | | | 6. In fact there is no much difference between |
| players, game consoles, and computers feature | | | | them in function except that HDMI signals can be |
| HDMI outputs to deliver audio and video. With the | | | | extended longer and without any loss in intensity |
| proliferation of new and exciting HDMI products | | | | over single Cat.5e/6. Generally speaking, the two |
| flooding the market including various options for | | | | types of HDMI Matrix prevailing in the market: 4 |
| displaying and hearing the various source devices | | | | X 2 and 4 X 4 HDMI Matrix. As the name "4 X 2 |
| in a well equipped home theater, a common | | | | Matrix" states, it is a Matrix switcher that you can |
| dilemma has occurred that people have to find a | | | | independently assign any of the 4 inputs to each |
| method of switching between several source | | | | of the 2 outputs. You can also assign one input to |
| components to multiple displays or receivers. | | | | both outputs to get a split. For 4 X 2 Matrix, it |
| There came the HDMI switch and HDMI matrix | | | | refers to a Matrix switcher with 4 inputs and 4 |
| switch. | | | | outputs while 4 X 2 Matrix just has 2 outputs |
| To some extent, HDMI matrix is a special kind of | | | | (their difference). It works as 4 X 2 Matrix. You |
| HDMI switch. They both function as hubs and | | | | can choose according to you demand. |
| converters that save you a lot of trouble to fit a | | | | |