HDMI 1.4 type D cable assemblies on spotlight

HDMI 1.4 type E variants remain on the product agenda. Only a few China companies offer them at present.

HDMI 1.4 cable assembly production in China continues to highlight types D and E to present maker capability to match trends respectively in portable and automotive electronics. The two kinds make up a growing segment, now with an aggregate share of 20 to 30 percent of local output for the standard from less than 20 percent in 2014.

More suppliers are boosting, however, the type D category as the high projections for the second kind for car electronics have yet to materialize. Changzhou Wujin Hutang Union Electronic Component Co. Ltd allocates 15 percent of yield for type D units, and will increase the ratio corresponding to the uptick in requirement. Types A and C releases currently lead its selection. As for type E variants, only a number of midsize and large manufacturers turn them out. These include Shenzhen Chenyang and Dongguan Furan.

In terms of enhancements for types D and E cable assemblies, connection that can withstand shock and vibration, and anti-EMI features remain the objectives. Makers such as Zhongshan Winner Electronic Technology Co. Ltd use gold plating on the contacts to ensure high signal transfer rate and corrosion resistance, and reinforced cable shielding to protect against electromagnetic interference. The supplier has a type D model integrating two ferrite cores for 20 percent signal loss rate reduction and 30 percent screen definition upgraded The type D variant represents 30 percent of Zhongshan Winner's HDMI cable assembly turnout.

Local manufacturers are confident of HDMI's niche, especially in the A/V market, despite the domination of rival USB interconnects. Most anticipate demand to grow and are looking to increase production by 5 to 10 percent.

A number, including Changzhou Wujin Hutang Union, have even added to their regular selections products based on the latest HDMI 2.0 specification. Many are expected to follow suit as requirement climbs. This is while the majority continues to have HDMI 1.3 models in catalogs, and remains open to requests for the much older 1.2 varieties.

In the HDMI 1.4 category, type A units still lead, accounting for more than half of production as they remain the popular choice based on orders.

Globally, types D and E cable assemblies have a comparatively small share in the HDMI 1.4 line. This will improve from higher demand from the portable electronics and vehicle infotainment sectors. In particular, mobile devices will fuel growth. A total of 1.9 billion smartphones were sold worldwide in 2015, higher by nearly 4 percent compared with the volume in the previous year, according to Gartner. That of tablet computersand laptops reached 273 million, increasing 4.3 percent YoY. The same trend is projected for 2016.

Mainland China has between 300 and 400 manufacturers of HDMI 1.4 types D and E cable assemblies. The number is expected to increase in 2016. More than 70 percent of the companies are locally owned and the rest have investment, mostly from Taiwan and Hong Kong.

About 40 percent of the domestic enterprises have in-house capability for connectors production. The rest continues to rely on outsourced components, especially as there are more homegrown providers now in addition to foreign companies such as Molex and TE Connectivity.

The majority of the suppliers also offer USB and DisplayPort interconnects.

The coastal provinces of Guangdong, Zhejiang and Jiangsu are the key hubs for the line, with the first gathering more half of the makers.

See a comparison table of HDMI 1.4 cable assembly suppliers on GlobalSources.com