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Events Archives
Announcements
January 9, 2012
HDMI CES Press Presentation
October 25, 2011
HDMI LLC Announcement
July 19, 2011
HDMI®, LLC Response to Mini DisplayPort-HDMI Cables
April 5, 2011
How to Avoid Potential Shipment Detention by CBP
March 6, 2011
Notice to HDMI Adopters and ATC regarding HDMI CTS Test ID 7-19
February 16, 2011
CBP Announcement
November 18, 2010
Important Notice to Manufacturers and Resellers of HDMI Cables
August 13, 2010
Clarification on HDMI Licensed Products
» Announcements Archives
Press Releases
HDMI Releases
January 09, 2012
HDMI® Technology Expand Its Reach as the Preferred Digital Connectivity Standard
October 25, 2011
HDMI® Founders Announce Initiative to Broaden Industry Participation in HDMI Specification Development
May 10, 2011
HDMI® Consortium Launches Associate Program
February 15, 2011
HDMI® Licensing, LLC Assists in Preventing Counterfeit HDMI Products From Entering the U.S. Market
December 01, 2010
HDMI® Licensing, LLC and the CESI Technology Company, Ltd. Sign Agreement to Expand HDMI Standard Activities in China
» Press Releases Archives
HDMI, LLC Response to Mini DisplayPort-HDMI Cables
HDMI Licensing, LLC, the agent responsible for licensing the HDMI® specification and promoting the HDMI standard, would like to provide clarification on the recent reports concerning the non-compliance of Mini DisplayPort to HDMI cables.
HDMI Licensing’s utmost concern is to maintain the highest level of interoperability possible among devices that use HDMI technology. Ensuring that HDMI-connected devices perform according to the Specification is crucial to maintaining the integrity of the standard for consumers and Adopters alike. Devices that cannot be tested for compliance and interoperability, or that do not pass testing, do not represent the highest standard of HDMI technology and diminish the superior home theater experience consumers have come to expect from HDMI technology.
The HDMI Consortium has always contemplated and supported content moving from one format to another. To that end, the HDMI Specification supports solutions that convert a signal from a non-HDMI source device into a fully compliant HDMI signal. HDMI Licensing, LLC refers to this solution as an adapter (dongle) solution.
DisplayPort to HDMI Adapter (dongle)
The DisplayPort to HDMI adapters (Figure 1.) on the market today can be tested for compliance and interoperability because the HDMI Specification and the Compliance Test Specification (CTS) have defined the requirements for such an adapter. The adapter provides a source device, such as a PC, with an HDMI output receptacle (or female connector), which is an essential element for CTS interoperability testing. With an adapter connected to the source device, the consumer can establish an HDMI connection to the sink device, such as a DTV, via a certified HDMI cable (which has HDMI male connectors on both ends).
Certified DisplayPort to HDMI Adapter (dongle)
Figure 1. Connection via a DisplayPort to HDMI Adapter (dongle)
Mini DisplayPort to HDMI Cable
The Mini DisplayPort to HDMI cable (Figure 2.) features a male DisplayPort connector on one end and a male HDMI connector (plug) on the other end to connect a DisplayPort source device directly to the HDMI receptacle port (female connector) on a sink device. This cable does not provide an HDMI receptacle port (or female connector) from the source device and is not defined in the HDMI Specification, which means it presently cannot be tested for compliance or interoperability using the HDMI CTS. Lacking the instructions from the HDMI Specification, Adopters have no guidance on how to design and manufacture this type of cable. Therefore, consumers cannot be assured that products using this type of cable will work as expected. HDMI Licensing has informed select manufacturers of DisplayPort and Mini DisplayPort to HDMI cables of the non-compliance status of their products, but did not ask for a recall yet.
Mini DisplayPort to HDMI cable
Figure 2. Connection via Mini DisplayPort to HDMI cable
To summarize, HDMI Licensing, LLC intends to continue its work to support adoption of the Standard and the efforts of its Adopters to develop products that meet requirements for compliance and interoperability. We have ongoing training and education programs in place to educate all facets of the consumer electronics community and hope this clarifies the options for supporting DisplayPort devices in the HDMI ecosystem. Readers are encouraged to contact HDMI Licensing, LLC at http://www.hdmi.org/index.aspx if they would like further assistance.
How to Avoid Potential Shipment Detention by CBP
Adopters »
Resellers or Importers »
If you are an HDMI Adopter:
The Customs Border Protection (CBP) Enforcement Program is one of many new programs HDMI Licensing, LLC has initiated to protect our HDMI Adopters’ businesses, and support their compliant products. The following information is provided to assist HDMI Adopters in confirming their authorized use of the HDMI Adopted Trademarks should questions arise from Customs Authorities.
What Customs Authorities look for to confirm authorized use of the HDMI Adopted Trademarks:
Posted List of HDMI Adopters: Customs Authorities will reference the posted list of HDMI Adopters, to confirm a company’s authorized use of the HDMI Adopted Trademarks.
http://www.hdmi.org/learningcenter/adopters_founders.aspx
HDMI Adopters, who are listed on the shipping documents and appear on the posted list of HDMI Adopters, will not be required to provide additional documentation.
- Possible Additional Documentation: When HDMI Adopters are not on shipping documents, additional documentation may be required to confirm authorized use of the HDMI Adopted Trademarks.
Such documents may include any or all of the following:
- A copy of current HDMI Adopter Certificate/
- Declaration from an HDMI Adopter confirming that the party on shipping documents is the customer of an HDMI Adopter.
- Sales invoice for the shipment in question, confirming the sale to party is from an HDMI Adopter.
- A copy of either a confirmation or certification of passing HDMI test results from an HDMI ATC (Authorized Test Center) or HDMI confirming compliance of HDMI products shipped.
- Adopted Trademark and Logo Usage Guidelines (Guidelines) (Attachment A of the Adopter Agreement): Confirm compliant usage of the HDMI Adopted Trademarks. Available on the Extranet or at the following link: http://www.hdmi.org/learningcenter/marketing_tools.aspx#atlug
If you have taken all the steps above, you place yourself in the best possible position for protecting your business and avoiding potential shipment detainment by the Customs Authorities.
If you have questions concerning the compliant use of the HDMI Adopted Trademarks please contact Will Bush at wbush@hdmi.org
If you are a reseller or importer:
HDMI Licensing, LLC is working with Customs Authorities in the US, Europe and China to prevent non-compliant products from entering the market. All HDMI product shipments will be inspected by Customs Authorities to confirm authorized use of the HDMI Adopted Trademarks.
Simple Steps to Minimize Your Shipment’s Detention Risk
Customs Authorities WILL reference this list. If your supplier is not on this list, your shipment may be detained.
If your supplier does not appear on the shipping documents, Customs Authorities may request additional documentation to confirm your authorized use of the HDMI Adopted Trademarks, such as:
- Confirmation your supplier appears on the posted HDMI Adopters List.
- A copy of current HDMI Adopters Certificate.
- Declaration from an HDMI Adopter confirming they are your supplier.
- Sales invoice for the shipment in question, confirming the sale to reseller from an HDMI Adopter.
- A copy of either a confirmation or certification of passing HDMI test results from an ATC (Authorized Test Center) or HDMI confirming compliance of HDMI products shipped.
If you have taken all the steps above, you place yourself in the best possible position for protecting your business and avoiding potential shipment detainment by the Customs Authorities.
If you have questions concerning the compliant use of the HDMI Adopted Trademarks please contact Will Bush at wbush@hdmi.org
Notice to HDMI Adopters and ATC regarding HDMI CTS Test ID 7-19
To: All HDMI Authorized Test Centers and HDMI Adopters
Regarding: Inconsistency between 1.4a Specification and Test ID: 7-19
A discrepancy has been identified between HDMI CTS 1.4a Test ID: 7-19 and HDMI Specification 1.4a on the General Control Packet transmission requirement.
The details are as follows:
- Section 5.3.6 of the HDMI Specification 1.4a states: "General Control packets indicating Set_AVMUTE or Clear_AVMUTE may only be transmitted between the active edge of VSYNC and 384 pixels following this edge".
- Test ID: 7-19 in the CTS, however, has the following text in page 149 of HDMI CTS 1.4a: "If this General Control Packet was transmitted anywhere except between an active edge of VSYNC and 384 pixels following that same edge FAIL".
In other words, the HDMI Specification 1.4a puts a position restriction only on GCP packets that contain Set_AVMUTE or Clear_AVMUTE, while the HDMI CTS 1.4a puts restrictions on all GCP Packets.
The issue has been reviewed by the Founders and no interoperability problems from receiving failing result on this test are anticipated. A correction to the CTS will be made in the near future to resolve the discrepancy between the two documents by adapting test 7-19 to FAIL on above text only in case the General Control packets is indicating Set_AVMUTE or Clear_AVMUTE. Until then, all ATCs and all Adopters who conduct self-testing are to ignore those failures of Test ID: 7-19 that are a result of GCP packets (not indicating Set_AVMUTE or Clear_AVMUTE) that are being transmitted outside the interval between an active edge of VSYNC and 384 pixels following that same edge. Products otherwise passing CTS testing should be treated as if no failure occurred.
Please contact HDMI Licensing, LLC if you have any questions.
CBP Announcement
To our HDMI Adopters and HDMI Community,
As you may know, in efforts to protect the interests of our Adopter base, protect the HDMI brand, and protect the well-being of consumers who use HDMI technology to connect their HD devices, HDMI Licensing has embarked on an enforcement program with the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agency of the US government. The success of this program has exceeded our expectations. Shipments of HDMI products are now stopped at the border and inspected to ensure that the products are sourced from licensed Adopters as well as compliant with the HDMI specification and trademark guidelines. Those products that cannot prove compliance are then seized by CBP.
This program, which HDMI Licensing will expand to include EU and other geographies, helps ensure that only licensed Adopters who make compliant products are allowed to sell in the major markets. Please continue reading to understand more about this program.
HDMI® LICENSING, LLC ASSISTS IN PREVENTING COUNTERFEIT HDMI PRODUCTS FROM ENTERING THE U.S. MARKET
Collaboration with U.S. Customs and Border Protection Results in 32 Shipments Seized to Date
SUNNYVALE Calif. February 16, 2011 – HDMI Licensing, LLC, the agent responsible for licensing the High-Definition Multimedia Interface® (HDMI®) Specification, today announced its successful collaboration with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to enforce intellectual property rights and trademark protection for the HDMI standard and help CBP frontline personnel identify counterfeit goods and prevent them from entering the United States.
Since January 2010, 32 shipments containing counterfeit HDMI products such as cables and adapters, DVD players and electronic projectors have been seized or destroyed at U.S. ports including Alaska, California, Florida, Indiana, Michigan, Texas, Washington State and Virginia.
“We are committed to protecting the over 1,000 HDMI adopters and the many consumers who use HDMI products by enforcing the HDMI trademark against counterfeiters,” said Steve Venuti, president of HDMI Licensing, LLC. “It is our goal to have only legitimate and authentic HDMI products on the market and CBP enforcement is one of many strategies we utilize as a part of our larger global strike against counterfeiters.”
For more information on the CBP program for intellectual property rights and trademark protection, please contact CBP at iprpolicyprograms@dhs.gov or download the Intellectual Property Rights Product Identification Training Guidelines on the CBP website at http://www.cbp.gov.
About U.S. Customs and Border Protection
U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.
About HDMI Licensing, LLC
HDMI Licensing, LLC is the agent responsible for licensing the HDMI specification, promoting the HDMI standard and providing education on the benefits of the HDMI specification to Adopters, retailers and consumers. The HDMI specification was developed by Hitachi, Ltd.; Panasonic Corporation; Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.; Silicon Image, Inc.; Sony Corporation; Technicolor S.A. (formerly Thomson S.A.) and Toshiba Corporation as the all-digital interface standard for the consumer electronics and personal computer markets. The HDMI specification combines uncompressed high-definition video, multi-channel audio, and data in a single digital interface to provide crystal-clear digital quality over a single cable. HDMI Licensing, LLC is a wholly owned subsidiary of Silicon Image, Inc. For more information about the HDMI specification, please visit www.hdmi.org.
HDMI, the HDMI logo, and High-Definition Multimedia Interface are trademarks or registered trademarks of HDMI Licensing, LLC in the United States and/or other countries. All other trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners in the Unites States and/or other countries.
Important Notice to Manufacturers and Resellers of HDMI Cables
PLEASE TAKE TIME TO REVIEW THESE CHANGES AS THEY MAY HAVE A DIRECT IMPACT ON YOUR BUSINESS
As of November 18, 2010, important changes to the way HDMI cable products are sold and marketed go into effect.
The following are now mandatory for cable products.
- You shall not use HDMI version numbers in the labeling, packaging, or promotion of any cable product. This includes releases of the HDMI specification (for example, HDMI 1.3, etc.), interim version numbers (for example, HDMI 1.3a, etc.) and CTS (Compliance Test Specification) version numbers (for example, 1.2, 1.3c, etc.).
- All cables shall be labeled, both on the cable itself and on the front of the cable packaging, with the appropriate cable name (see below). As of November 18, 2010, compliance will be mandatory.
- Standard HDMI® Cable
- Standard HDMI® Cable with Ethernet
- Standard Automotive HDMI® Cable
- High Speed HDMI® Cable
- High Speed HDMI® Cable with Ethernet
- You shall label the physical cable based on the requirements listed in Section 5.2 of the Adopted Trademark and Logo Usage Guidelines.
- All packaging for HDMI cables shall clearly indicate the cable type by using the Cable Type Logos shown in Section 5.3 of the Adopted Trademark and Logo Usage Guidelines.
In order to enforce the cable market and ensure that only compliant HDMI cables are sold in the market, HDMI Licensing, LLC has been working with Custom and Border Protection agencies in the US, Europe and China. These agencies will evaluate imported and exported HDMI cable products based on their compliance with all aspects of the Adopter Agreement including these latest marketing requirements. HDMI Licensing, LLC strongly recommends that all Adopters abide by these requirements in order to ensure that there is no disruption to your business.
For more information, please reference the latest Adopted Trademark and Logo Usage Guidelines. To download a copy, please visit http://www.hdmi.org/logosphotos/atlug.aspx
Clarification on HDMI Licensed Products
We have recently been approached with requests to test or certify products that use HDMI Technology in applications that are not defined by and/or licensed under the HDMI Adopter Agreement, the Specification, or supporting documents. Examples of proposed products include devices where HDMI connections exist internal to the end product, with no HDMI functionality external to the device.
As you know, the HDMI Specification and supporting documents were written to allow manufacturers to create products that interoperate in a predictable, well defined way. Any use of the intellectual property, technology, standards and methods defined by the HDMI Specification are restricted to the creation and sale of Licensed Products, as defined in the HDMI Adopter Agreement.
According to the Adopter Agreement, “Licensed Product” means a Cable, Component, Connector, Repeater, Source or Sink. Any potential product which does not meet the requirements for at least one of these product types, as defined in the Adopter Agreement, cannot be classified as a Licensed Product.
In addition, Section 2 of the HDMI Adopter Agreement contains the patent license to Necessary Claims for the creation and sale of Licensed Products. A non-licensed or noncompliant product does not receive a license to these Necessary Claims. In addition, Section 2 also states that “such license shall not extend to any part or function of a product in which a Licensed Product is incorporated that is not itself a Licensed Product.” In this case, using the HDMI specification to design an internal connection between subsystems is not allowed for Licensed Products.
We respectfully ask that you carefully consider and adhere to the requirements of the HDMI Specification and your Adopter Agreement when determining the applications of HDMI technology in your products. If you have questions please contact HDMI Administration.
Thank you for your continued participation in and support of the HDMI Consortium.
For more information about the HDMI specification please visit http://www.hdmi.org.