Digital Lifescapes

Today, high-definition (HD) video capabilities are a standard option in many types of consumer electronics (CE) devices. Once considered a feature that was available only in the expensive high-end products, HD video technology is now truly pervasive -- rapidly spreading throughout the industry. As an example, last year there was a dramatic increase for High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) connections in portable consumer devices -- including consumer-oriented HD video camcorders and digital still cameras (DSC). In addition, within the personal computer segment, the HDMI interface applications in mobile PCs, graphics cards, and PC monitors continued to increase as consumers become more familiar with the benefits of the interface standard. HDMI supports, on a single cable, any uncompressed TV or PC video format, including standard, enhanced, high definition and 3D video signals; up to 8 channels of compressed or uncompressed digital audio; a Consumer Electronics Control (CEC...

The global mobile phone market is now a significant opportunity for many consumer technology companies, shipping in the billions of units every year. So, it makes sense that the HDMI audio/video interface chip manufacturers would pursue it. HDMI on mobile phones enables advanced media-centric applications -- especially HD-enabled camera phones -- to connect to HD video displays, including HDMI-enabled digital television sets. That said, any video that can be seen on the phone can easily be viewed on a TV -- including streamed OTT pay-TV content. For the first time, the number of mobile phones with HDMI ports will ship in excess of a million units in 2010, according to the latest market study by In-Stat . Meanwhile, the HDMI interface has become pervasive in all consumer electronics, accounting for over 350 million devices shipping in 2010. "The emergence of phones that can capture 720p HD video has helped HDMI gain penetration over the last year," says Brian O'Rou...