HDMI Cable Connectors
There are basically two types of HDMI cable interconnects: a compact Type-A 19 pin connector, and a slightly bigger 29-pin Type-B HDMI connector. This second connector allows for the use of dual-link HDMI configuration, which doubles the maximum transfer rate that can be used, up to a maximum pixel clock rate of 330Mhz.
Important Note(s):
Transmitting devices with a Type-A HDMI connector can be connected to receiving devices with a Type-B plug using an HDMI cable with a Type-A plug at one end and a Type-B plug at the other. It is not possible to connect a transmitting device with a Type-B plug to a receiving device with a Type-A plug. Further more, as already mentioned earlier on, HDMI and DVI-D enabled devices can be interconnected through the use of a DVI-D to HDMI cable converter for both single-link and dual-link applications.
This means that in addition to standard straight Type-A to Type-A, and Type-B to Type-B HDMI cables, you can also come across three other different types of HDMI cable connectors:
- DVI to HDMI Cable adapter with single-link DVI-D connector on one end and HDMI Type-A connector on the other.
- DVI to HDMI Cable adapter with dual-link DVI-D connector on one end and HDMI Type-B connector on the other.
- HDMI to HDMI cable adapter with a Type-A connector on one end and a Type-B connector on the other.
In conclusion, keep in mind that if you are connecting a DVI-enabled devices do not support HDCP, then connecting your DVI gear to an HDMI port will force the HDMI-enabled device to downgrade high definition video content to standard resolution.
