What is the difference between hdmi input and output

Several AV receivers are built with digital processors. It is therefore possible and much easier to use just one HDMI cable connected between receiver and TV to transmit all video and audio signals.

Input HDMI ports are therefore meant to take in signals. For soundbars, for instance, one HDMI port is an output from the speaker to the TV, while the other is input from a source device such as a satellite receiver.

If you play music or video from an external source, the soundbar extracts the signals through the input port and simultaneously passes it on to an external display device such as a TV through the output cable. In gadgets that have both, the two ports are separate and labeled for input and output. HDMI cables are two-way with one end being the input end and the other end being the output end.

To test your HDMI port, you can hook your laptop up to a television using a cable and noting which end works as in or out.

The two ports have different functions and so are wired differently and cannot be used interchangeably without the aid of HDMI adapters which are handy devices that come with both ports and so can adapt either port to a different function.

HDMI ports are not two-way. Only HDMI cables function as a two-way connection between input and output ports connecting to each port on either end. Ports can only be adapted to the opposite function using an HDMI adapter. However, before you buy a new cable, give it a try and you may find it will work.

One part of the new HDMI 1. The 1. Only if you currently have a category 1 HDMI cable. Maybe, but probably not. An interesting point has been reached where the maximum data rate specification of the HDMI 2. HDMI 2. However, a well-made category 2 cable will probably handle data rates far higher than it has been tested to.

The same rule applies to that mentioned above. If you are using HDMI 2. First, try your old cables, they may work. If you have a problem, then you might need to invest in new cables.

The length of your cables will be important. If your cables are 2 or 3 meters, you might not have a problem with an older cable. If you have a device with an HDMI output, like a laptop, for example, you may need to connect it to a projector that only has a VGA input. And then use a standard HDMI cable to connect to your display device. Why might you want to do this? The most common reason would be that you want to connect your computer or notebook to an external monitor or HDTV.

You could also use this type of adapter to add a second monitor if you are already using an HDMI output. And, it also only supports p video on a USB 3. So, you must read the description of the adapter before buying one. Many will only support certain operating systems, video resolutions, and audio formats. This converter uses the smaller USB type-C connection. Make sure that you buy the right one for the device that you have.

The decoding is done by the receiver instead. There are five types of HDMI connectors :. Each pin is defined in the HDMI specification for a specific task, and in the earlier versions of HDMI, some of the pins were optional or reserved for future use.

For example, pin 14 was reserved in HDMI 1. There are four shielded twisted pairs for sending video and audio data, with seven more conductors used for features like the Display Data Channel, CEC, Audio Return Channel and power.

Three of the seven separate conductors in an HDMI with Ethernet cable also form an extra twisted pair. However, some of the pins are assigned in a different order. Introduced in the HDMI 1. Video and audio from the source device — and audio back to the source. In a standard HDMI connection, you send data from a playback device to a display device. This is where an ARC connection is useful. The AV receiver can send video to the TV to display — but it can also receive audio from the TV to play over the speaker system.

It is then easy to play the audio from these apps on your home theater speaker system. All using the same cable. Previously these connections were often made using an optical cable. See how to connect a soundbar to your TV for more details on this. It was introduced in the HDMI 2. It allows more data to be sent through the connection.

Therefore eARC supports uncompressed 5. However, as always, you will find some swear blind that they do. Make the decision depending on your hardware and what makes sense for your system.

In many systems, you might not have a choice. As, if nothing else, it saves me connecting another cable. You may find some devices, especially from different brands, might have trouble talking to each other successfully. However, when it is set up correctly it can prove a useful feature and mean you need to use fewer remote controls. But what if you buy another sweet piece of gear and find that your TV doesn't have enough slots anymore?

And some people have the opposite issue: one source device they want to appear on multiple TVs. The words "switch" and "splitter" are often used interchangeably, but the devices themselves actually serve opposite purposes. We'll get into more detail, but the short version is that an HDMI switch takes multiple sources and lets you choose switch between them, sending one cable to your TV.

As you've probably figured out already, a splitter takes one signal and splits it across multiple HDMI cables. Read more: 7 tips for a better home theater: Mount your TV, hide wires and more.

For most of you reading, you'll probably want a switch. While there are many situations that require a splitter, they're not as common for the average consumer. A switch would help there, too. Fortunately, they aren't that expensive. A few things to keep in mind when you're shopping for switches. First: Get more inputs than you need. Sure it's possible you'll swap out a streamer or game console for a new model, but equally likely you'll get something new and need yet another HDMI input.

Also, some switches have remotes. Not a huge deal by any stretch, but certainly a convenience. A switch takes multiple sources, in this case two game consoles and a laptop, and sends them to a display.

It's crucial to make sure whatever switch you're considering at least matches the resolution and HDMI version of your latest gear. Many inexpensive switches are HDMI 1. A switch that's HDMI 2. Even if none of your current sources are 4K, your next sources certainly will be. HDMI 2. If you're on the fence about needing a switch, consider this: HDMI ports on TVs and other gear were not built for repeated connection and disconnection.

Yanking that HDMI cable out every time you want to switch sources is putting wear and tear on your cables and gear. A switch will decrease that wear and tear, extending the life of your gear as well as easing the hassle of using your AV system. Maybe that TV is in a different room, or maybe in the same room you have a TV to watch during the day and a projector to watch at night.