HDMI splitters

	Hinen Electronics (Shenzhen) Co. Ltd offers the HSP0108, an HDMI splitter model.

The A/V interface faces serious challenge from new digital standards, but growth and dominance is still expected in 2009.

China HDMI suppliers started making HDMI splitters and switches in 2005. At present, there are about 50 makers specializing in these products, excluding design companies and trading firms. The supplier base is expected to expand in the near term, as more companies, particularly from the A/V cable and assembly sectors, join the line.

Even as new and competing interfaces gain more ground, the HDMI manufacturing industry is poised for steady growth this year. DisplayPort is projected to start grabbing a slice of the market, but it is not likely to displace HDMI in the next few years, during which time the two technologies are expected to co-exist.

China suppliers’ HDMI splitter, switch and matrix product range consists of 1x2, 1x4, 1x8, 2x2, 2x4, 4x4, 4x2, 2x1, 3x1, 4x1 and 5x1 models. HDMI splitters supporting 1x2, 1x4 and 1x8, and 2x1, 3x1 and 4x1 HDMI switches lead production. However, more 1x6 and 8x8 HDMI splitters are expected to enter mass production in the months ahead.

Upcoming trends for HDMI splitters and switches are leaning toward more synchronized in/out ports, high compatibility and high reliability. In addition, makers are ensuring their products comply with the latest HDMI standard.

	Model HSW0501 is an HDMI switch from CMI.

China suppliers of HDMI splitters and switches also supply other HDMI products, including cable assemblies, adapters and connectors. The number of suppliers is expected to grow as more companies join the thriving line.

Some makers also design and produce other A/V and data interface products such as IEEE 1394 cables, networking cables, PC card cables, USB hubs, Cat 5e/6 cable assemblies, DVI cable assemblies, SCART cable assemblies, DisplayPort cable assemblies and USB cables.

Large suppliers of HDMI splitters produce about 4,000 to 10,000 units a month. On average, medium-scale companies have a monthly output of 2,000 to 4,000 HDMI splitters. Small-scale companies, on the other hand, churn out less than 200 units per month. Some of these small-scale suppliers only have active production whenever they receive orders from customers.

For HDMI switches, small players typically produce less than 10,000 units a month. Medium- and large-scale companies turn out 10,000 to 30,000 and 30,000 to 50,000 HDMI switches a month, respectively. Compared with other A/V cable assemblies and connectors, makers said that the order volume for HDMI splitters and switches is smaller, but the unit price is higher.

Most manufacturers of HDMI splitters and switches do not own surface-mount machines and other EMS equipment. This is because production is normally limited to less than 5,000 units. Thus, the majority of suppliers subcontract some of the production process such as plastic injection or SMT to professional EMS companies instead. Outsourcing these processes allows makers to maintain flexibility in their production capacity so they can respond to demand shifts without hurting their investments.

Large and medium-scale manufacturers have a monthly capacity of 10,000 to 20,000 HDMI splitters. Makers have no immediate plans of increasing their production capacity, whose present volumes makers said are enough to accommodate their customers’ monthly order volumes. Instead, suppliers are putting more emphasis on improving their R&D, QC and marketing.

All HDMI splitter, switch and matrix product range models from China support HDMI 1.3. Some makers still offer some units that comply with HDMI 1.2 based on customer requirements. The HDMI splitter, switch and matrix product range consists of 1x2, 1x4, 1x8, 2x2, 2x4, 4x4, 4x2, 2x1, 3x1, 4x1 and 5x1 models.

HDMI splitters are designed for use in HDTVs, STBs, DVD players and projectors. These splitters can be applied in data centers, information distribution, presentations, and school and corporate training. HDMI switches simplify home networks by connecting multiple HDMI devices to support HDTV signal.

China makers provide HDMI splitters that can achieve long distance transmission of up to 15m. If two or more HDMI splitters are cascaded, they can be used to support larger distribution and extended length. Some suppliers also provide an HDMI extender with Cat 5e/6 to increase an HDMI splitter’s output signal transmission distance. Extended HDMI transmission over Cat 5e/6 can reach 50m at HDMI 1080p and even farther at 80m at 1080i.
HDMI splitters from China usually support up to 1010p resolution and are compatible with DTV, HDTV, 720p, 576p, 480p, 576i, 480i and 1080i. These enable a video amplifier bandwidth of up to 2.25Gbps at 225MHz. Current models are also capable of buffering and amplifying, as well as supporting HDCP.

Available HDMI switches from China are compatible with HD-DVD, STV, PS3 and Xbox 360. The switches support multiple resolutions, including 720p, 576p, 576i, 480i, 1080i and 1080p. The audio formats supported include LPCM, Dolby-AC3, DTS7.1, DSD, Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD master audio. Some models have built-in amplifiers and can support data rates of up to 10.2Gbps. Both ends of switches have HDMI cables extendible to 20m with HDMI 1080p output, and 25m with HDMI 1080i.

Some companies design HDMI switches with smart selection capability. This function allows the switch to automatically select the active source. HDMI smart switches can select the power-on source device depending on the sequence. Once the source device is turned off or unplugged, the switch will automatically select the next power-on source based on the sequence.

To achieve high product compatibility, China makers design their HDMI splitters and switches to be able to work with other devices on the market. Companies likewise conduct tests on both the software and hardware aspects of their products to ensure they can perform optimally. Suppliers also put strong emphasis on easy installation, long cable support and low power consumption.

China makers are aiming for a good product performance and price ratio for their HDMI splitters and switches. To achieve this, suppliers’ software and hardware engineers work with chip suppliers to design new models and optimize software and hardware solutions. For example, a 1x8 HDMI splitter with value-added functions will be designed to use nine major chips. Meanwhile, a 1x8 HDMI splitter with cost-saving performance will use only three major chips on the PCB.

Since HDMI splitters and switches are relatively new products, having been developed only three years ago, makers are putting more emphasis on enhancing product features instead of housing design. Nonetheless, makers recognize that in order for them to differentiate their products from other suppliers, they have to improve the products’ external design. As such, some companies have started offering mini HDMI splitters and switches. Most products come in ABS housing. Some makers, like CMI Communications Ltd, use high-end PC for the top and bottom layers of the housing and aluminum as the middle layer to achieve more efficient heat dissipation.

The production cost for HDMI splitters and switches covers HDMI software chip, PCB and electronic components, housing material, packaging material, power supply, optional remote controller, and mold and electronics manufacturing services. Makers also need to pay annual fees to the HDMI Association and testing fees.

There are currently two annual fee rates for HDMI adopters—$5,000 and $10,000. Makers that pay $5,000 still have to pay the royalty per unit, so most makers choose to pay the annual $10,000 fee.

Makers also need to test their products in authorized testing centers (ATCs), and for this the basic fee is $11,000. Another $1,100 is paid for every additional port tested. Many suppliers negotiate with their customers to share the cost of the tests.

Product testing for HDMI compliance covers the tests conducted by HDMI ATCs and those performed in suppliers’ factories. At present, there are two HDMI ATCs in China—one in Shenzhen, Guangdong province, and another in Shanghai.

HDMI switches and splitters undergo almost the same test process, except for the relative switching tests. The compatibility test is an important step in the process that can be conducted at makers’ factories.

China makers that conduct self-tests in their factories follow a three-part series of tests. The first part consists of basic switching test, remote control test, visual quality and resolution test, and motion quality and audio test. The last two of this part are conducted using the HDMI source.

The second phase of testing is designed for full HDMI audio testing. Here a product is tested to identify what HDMI audio formats it can support. The audio playback is also tested for dropouts and crackling/static, with both LPCM and bit stream audio formats.

Another basic switching test is conducted during the third part of the test series. During this test, a product is tested for ability to switch among all its inputs on all outputs. The sequence is repeated several times, and the output is checked during each test.

The switching test is followed by five cycles of visual quality and resolution tests. Each test cycle uses a PC source running at a different frequency. The HDCP test is the last step.

China suppliers of HDMI splitters and switches also secure certificates to prove compliance with CE, FCC and RoHS.

The HDMI splitter and switch industry in Shenzhen, which started in 2006, accounts for about 70 percent of China’s 50-company manufacturer base for HDMI splitters and switches. The rest of the suppliers are spread across the provinces of Sichuan, Jiangsu and Zhejiang, and Shanghai.

Shenzhen is home to some of China’s leading suppliers. About 90 percent of Shenzhen-based companies are private or foreign-owned enterprises. Combined, these produce more than 70 percent of China’s total output of HDMI splitters and switches output.

Shenzhen’s status as a manufacturing hub for HDMI products was bolstered by the establishment in 2005 of the Silicon Image HDMI ATCs, the first in China. The Shenzhen lab is the world’s fourth HDMI authorized testing and certification after the US’ Sunnyvale lab, France’s Caen lab and Japan’s Osaka lab.

In the six years since HDMI has been introduced, the digital interface standard has expanded its market reach, especially in the high-definition (HD) multimedia and home entertainment segments. HDMI is now widely adopted in HDTVs and DVD players. The standard is likewise compatible with PCs, displays and consumer electronic devices with DVI interface.

DisplayPort is considered as HDMI’s foremost challengers in the digital interface industry. It is designed to replace DVI, LVDS and eventually VGA, and is mostly used in PC applications, including monitors, laptops and projectors. Launched by the Video Electronics Standards Association in 2006, DisplayPort is supported by more than 180 members of the association.

Since HDMI was released four years ahead of DisplayPort, supporters of the standard have had a head start in stoking market interest and establishing a user base. Nevertheless, both standards have their own merits. The latest HDMI version, HDMI 1.3, has a bandwidth of up to 10.2Gbps and supports 1080p resolution.

DisplayPort, on the other hand, delivers a data rate of up to 10.8Gbps. DisplayPort 1.1 supports HDCP.

Makers adopting DisplayPort also leverage the standard’s price advantage, the same reason why more companies are considering using the technology. Some makers, like Hinen Electronics (Shenzhen) Co. Ltd, plan to employ more engineers on the development of DisplayPort cables and adapters in the following months.

While product manufacturers and industry observers watch market developments pertaining to HDMI and DisplayPort, another standard is starting to make its presence felt. Wireless high-definition interface (WHDI) is a short-range wireless standard designed to enable video sources and displays to connect wirelessly at a quality comparable to that achieved using wired interfaces such as HDMI. The WHDI chipset from Amimon Inc. can be embedded into various multimedia players and entertainment devices, such as HDTVs, multimedia projectors, A/V receivers, DVD players including HD-DVD and Blu-ray, set-top boxes, game consoles, PCs and HD video accessories.

Amimon, together with Hitachi, Motorola, Samsung, Sharp and Sony, has established a team to develop and popularize WHDI technology.

Hong Kong has at least 20 suppliers of HDMI splitters and switches, including makers of HDMI cables that also produce these products. More switches than splitters have been released by suppliers in the special administrative region, as the former is targeted mostly at households and the latter is more commonly used in commercial establishments. Amid the rising number of households owning multiple HDMI-enabled devices, suppliers are hoping to fill a niche for A/V splitters and switches.

Latest releases from the region are going against the stereotypical black boxes of early models. Suppliers are giving additional importance to exterior design to convince users that the splitter or switch deserves to sit beside their pricey HDTV, receiver and game system. Some mini tower versions have emerged. Remote controllers have also become a standard accessory. Almost every model supports all HD resolutions, including 1080i and 1080p. Many models also comply with HDMI 1.3a and HDCP specifications.

Many of the switches and splitters from Hong Kong are shipped with HDMI cables that extend up to 15m in length. In addition, some companies have launched switches that are available with or without a power supply.
Powered switches support 15m of HDMI cable. Unpowered switches can support only a maximum cable length of 5m. Other companies have also released combination wireless HDMI splitters and switches, as well as HDMI-DVI. Most of the products come with LED indicators.

Some companies, such as Hip Hing Cable & Plug Mfy Ltd, have put their HDMI switches through an authorized testing center. Hip Hing’s HDMI switches ship with an HDMI cable, remote control pad and power adapter.

Ocvaco Electronic Ltd, meanwhile, has one of the widest selections of configurations for HDMI 1.3a- and HDCP 1.1-compliant HDMI switches that are available with or without power supply.

Another company, Venture Global Ltd, has among its offerings a 4-input HDMI switch that comes in a mini tower design. The switch is HDMI 1.3-, DVI 1.0- and HDCP-compliant with up to 4.96Gbps data rate.