Shenzhen Telesen's model HDMI-TLX-20140027 cable assembly has 24K gold or nickel-plated A male-to-A male connectors.

HDMI 1.4 now has a bigger share of production, although A and C units still constitute the mainstream selection.

China manufacturers of HDMI 1.4 connectors and cable assemblies are strengthening the category, continuing to highlight types D and E amid steadily climbing requirement in the portable and automotive electronics markets. Making up less than 20 percent of output, the two kinds are expected to increase by about 10 percent annually. Types A and C, in the meantime, will still lead supply.

Dongguan Jianghan Electronics Co. Ltd is looking to boost the ratio of type D interconnects by more than 10 percent this year. At present, type A and C variants represent 90 percent of its yield.

Suppliers are raising overall turnout of 1.4 units as well, which now account for 60 to 70 percent of China’s shipments for the standard. They have deemphasized 1.3 products, but continue to keep such types in the lineup to fill remaining demand. A few makers, in fact, still accommodate requests for 1.2 models.

Companies are counting on stable demand uptick in the years ahead, anticipating 5 to 10 percent annual sales growth and projecting the same rate for exports. They are confident of the inter face’s standing with rival DisplayPort, which has the 1.2 counterpart to HDMI’s 1.4 and the Mini DisplayPort 1.2 for portable electronics. DisplayPort 1.2 boasts up to 21.6Gbps data transfer rate, HD 3D, and 4Kx2K and 3840x2160-pixel resolutions, in addition to being royalty-free.

Fueling optimism for the line is the release of HDMI 2.0, which is predicted to upset the balance between the two standards in favor of the first. The latest specification supports up to 18Gbps bandwidth, 4K resolution at 50/60Hz, 21:9 video aspect ratio and 32 audio channels, besides allowing simultaneous dual video streaming. It has consumer electronic control features for expanded command and control of devices. Compliant terminal products are expected to be introduced in 2015.

As such, makers such as Shenzhen Telesen Technology Co. Ltd are preparing to meet future orders for HDMI 2.0 models. The supplier specializes in HDMI 1.4 interconnects.

There are more than 300 manufacturers of HDMI connectors and cable assemblies in mainland China. Local enterprises represent more than 60 percent and foreign-invested the rest.

The first category is dominated by the latter group, which includes mostly Hong Kong and Taiwan businesses. In cable assemblies, mainland companies outnumber their foreign counterparts. About 40 percent of these homegrown operations make connectors in-house, while the rest turn to outsourcing for cost efficiency. Molex and TE Connectivity are the key connector providers.

Guangdong province is still the mainland’s largestproduction base for the line, gathering more than two-thirds of the pool. The provinces of Zhejiang and Jiangsu are the other hubs.

Domestic makers export their products mainly to the US, Europe and Asia. They are exploring opportunities in emerging destinations, including the Middle East and South America.

Typical interconnects

Mainstream HDMI 1.4 connectors come in male and female, and DIP, SMD and solder configurations.

Cable assemblies are available in standard, standard with Ethernet and high-speed versions, and 1, 1.5, 3m or buyer-specified cable lengths.

All products conform to RoHS guidelines.

The key materials used include copper alloy for the contacts and shells, gold and nickel for the contact plating, and UL94V-0-rated thermoplastic for the insulators. These are sourced locally. Some companies import the last input as required.

Prices will stay at current levels in the months ahead.

Related reports:
Medical equipment interconnects: Suppliers advance line
DisplayPort interconnects: Makers broaden 1.2 output, focus on mDP

Product gallery

Astron Technology Corp.
(Taiwan)

Model: 369FA19-XN105D-X_A
Description: Connector; 500VAC/min withstand voltage; 100mohm minimum insulation resistance; copper alloy contacts, shell; UL94V-0-rated thermoplastic housing; -25 to 85 C operating temperature; ≥10,000-cycle life span

Dongguan Jianghan Electronics Co. Ltd
(Mainland China)

Model: JH-HCE-A09
MOQ: 2,000 units
Delivery: 8 days
Description: Connector; 0.5A rated current; 500VAC withstand voltage; 50mohm maximum contact, 100Mohm minimum insulation resistance; gold or tin-over nickel-plated copper alloy contacts; nickel-plated SPCC shell; UL94V-0-rated polyester insulator; -25 to 80 C operating temperature

Kingsignal Technology Co. Ltd
(Mainland China)

Model: HUA001/HDM004
Description: Cable assembly; RedMere technology, full 10.2Gbps at up to 10m; 24K gold-plated A-to-A connectors; metal shell; for DVD players, TV receivers, iPhone 4, 4s, iPad 2, iPod touch (4th and 5th generation)

Shenzhen Telesen Technology Co. Ltd
(Mainland China)

Model: HDMI-TLX-20140027
MOQ: 1,000 units
Delivery: 15 days
Description: Cable assembly; 24K gold or nickel-plated A male-to-A male connectors; bare or tinned-copper or copper-over-steel conductor; HDPE insulator; PVC+PE jacket with or without nylon net; 22, 24, 26, 28, 30 ,32, 34 or 36AWG; 5 to 10mm outer diameter, 0.9 to 27.4m length