HDMI Licensing has released HDMI Alternate Mode (“Alt Mode”)for USB-Type C. It has been developed by HDMI founders and showcased at IFA 2016 Belin.
It eliminates the need of protocol and connector adaptors or dongles by delivering native HDMI signals over a simple cable. This allows HDMI-enabled source devices to use USB Type-C connector to directly connect with HDMI-enabled displays.
HDMI Alt Mode will support the full range of HDMI 1.4b features such as –
- Resolutions up to 4K
- Surround sound
- Audio Return Channel (ARC)
- 3D (4K and HD)
- HDMI Ethernet Channel (HEC)
- Consumer Electronic Control (CEC)
- Deep Color, x.v.Color, and content types
- High Bandwidth Digital Content Protection (HDCP 1.4 and HDCP 2.2)
The HDMI Cable with utilize USB Type-Co connector on the source side and any HDMI connector on the display side. It provides easy connection via a simple USB TYpe-C to HDMI cable.
There are more than billion displays that comes bundled with HDMI. Moreover, day to day Tech products like smartphones, Tablets are gradually utilizing USB Type-C connector, with over 290 million HDMI enabled display devices expected to ship in 2016 itself.
Rob Tobias, president of HDMI Licensing, LLC. commented –
The USB Type-C connector is gaining traction in the mobile and PC markets, Consumers expect to easily connect these devices to displays with a USB Type-C to HDMI cable and utilize the capabilities and features of native HDMI. This specification will also result in more source devices incorporating HDMI. HDMI continues to evolve to meet the needs of the over 1,600 worldwide adopters making HDMI products, and grow upon the nearly six billion HDMI devices shipped.
Jeff Ravencraft, USB-IF President and COO said –
USB Type-C is quickly becoming the connector of choice for many types of consumer electronics products wanting a single solution for audio, video, data and power. Easily connecting devices with USB Type-C to the huge installed base of HDMI-enabled TVs is a substantial benefit to consumers. We’re also coordinating with HDMI Licensing to ensure consumers can recognize when HDMI Alt Mode is supported on USB Type-C devices.