HDMI interconnects suppliers release more HDMI 2.0 units

The announcement on the final HDMI 2.1 standard will speed up the shift in production emphasis from HDMI 1.4.

Manufacturers of HDMI connectors and cable assemblies in mainland China are stepping up efforts to update their selections to HDMI 2.0, deemphasizing products based on the 1.4 specification. This is to take advantage of wide adoption in 4K TVs, which is expected to boost demand for the 2.0 interface by 15 percent by 2019 before the market starts to switch to the recently finalized HDMI 2.1 standard. The new specification supports high resolutions and faster refresh rates, including 8K and 60Hz, and 4K and 120Hz. It also covers 10K displays for commercial, industrial and specialty uses, and offers dynamic HDR on a scene-by-scene or frame-by-frame basis.

By 2019, HDMI 2.0 shipments will increase by 15 percent, with additional impetus coming from the VR/AR, drone photography and automotive sectors.

More than 90 percent of Changzhou Wistar Electronics Co. Ltd's shipments of HDMI cable assemblies are now based on the 2.0 version.

At Zhongshan Auxus Electronic Technology Co. Ltd, HDMI 2.0 has about 70 percent share of HDMI cable assembly deliveries and will have a bigger portion by end-2018. The supplier, which allocates $30,000 for equipment upgrades, has acquired automatic welding and wire stripping machines to cope with increasing orders.

In addition, Zhongshan Auxus invests between $4,500 and $7,500 per quarter in mold development and design patent. Its model AX-PH88 HDMI 2.0 cable assembly has a patented design and a certification from HDMI Licensing.

For Zhongshan Zhenfu Electronics Co. Ltd, HDMI 2.0 cable assemblies already account for 60 percent of total exports for the HDMI category. The share will still grow in coming months because of higher demand. Overall, the supplier expects a 5 percent increase in aggregate HDMI overseas shipments.

Dongguan V-Link Cable Electronic Technology Co. Ltd will allot the bulk of exports to HDMI 2.0 cable assemblies in 2019. At present, these products account for 30 percent and those in the HDMI 1.4 standard the rest. The maker said 8K TVs will bolster the HDMI 2.0 interconnects category but that will happen only after the superresolution sets reach the market and become popular.

The supplier pool of HDMI connectors and cable assemblies in the mainland has remained stable, with just a few exits involving those with substandard factories. The production hubs, by default because of the comprehensive supply chains, are in the Pearl River and the Yangtze River Delta regions. Shenzhen, Dongguan and Zhongshan are the key city locations in Guangdong province, and Ningbo and Suzhou respectively in Zhejiang and Jiangsu provinces.

More than 70 percent of the companies are locally owned and the rest mainly with Taiwan and Hong Kong investment.

The mainland accounts for about 90 percent of global shipments of HDMI cable assemblies, and will have a larger share as production and exports climb.

Cable assemblies main output

The majority of mainland makers outsource materials and components, and assemble the cable assemblies. Suppliers such as Changzhou Wistar make the cables in-house, while companies including Dongguan V-Link also produce their own requirement for connectors.

Cables with Type A connectors dominate the local selection and represent more than 50 percent of export shipments.

Entry-level and midrange models use copper-clad steel or copper-clad aluminum conductors and alloy-plated connectors, while high-end versions are based on pure oxygen-free copper or tinned copper. The latter has 24K gold-plated connectors for optimum connection and signal transfer, and a wire mesh for enhanced shielding against EMI.

Companies use chips from Taiwan and the US for upscale models.

Product prices may increase in coming months due to the rise, exceeding 5 percent, in material cost. Many, however, will limit their quotes adjustment to 5 percent to stay competitive. Other makers might go for up 10 percent hike to cover higher outlay for production and labor.

The products in this gallery have been handpicked by our market analyst for representing current trends in HDMI 2.0 cable assemblies from mainland China and Hong Kong makers.

HDMI 2.0 cable assembly with Ethernet

This HDMI 2.0 cable assembly, Wistar1230i model, from Changzhou Wistar Electronics Co. Ltd has gold-plated male-to-male connectors and a High Speed with Ethernet cable with foil shielding. The connector plating and insulator color, and the cable jacket material, color and length can be customized. The product meets ATC, CE, EMC and RoHS standards.

The minimum order is 1,000 units. Delivery lead time is 30 working days.

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HDMI 2.0 cable assembly has hybrid optical wire

Dongguan V-Link Cable Electronic Technology Co. Ltd's H2-2 model is an HDMI 2.0 cable assembly with Type A connectors and a hybrid optical cable with a PVC jacket and custom length. In addition to supporting 4Kx2K, HDR, 3D, ARC and HDCP, the unit has a self-detecting EDID function. The differential impedance is 100ohm and the maximum power consumption is 250mW.

Price is $56 per 10m. The minimum order is 5 units and the delivery lead time 5 to 10 days.

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HDMI 2.0 cable assembly based on OFC

From Zhongshan Auxus Electronic Technology Co. Ltd, model AX-PH88 HDMI 2.0 cable assembly consists of 24K gold-plated connectors and a Premium Cable 1.0 with Ethernet. The latter has pure oxygen-free copper conductor, AlMg wire mesh, triple shielding and soft PVC jacket. Prices are $2.05 for 1m and $2.20 for 1.5m.

An order of at least 3,000 units is required for delivery within 25 to 30 days.

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HDMI 2.0 cable assembly with 24K gold plating

Model CH-0184 HDMI 2.0 cable assembly from Zhongshan Zhenfu Electronics Co. Ltd has 24K gold-plated connectors and a 1m cable based on copper-clad steel or oxygen-free conductor. The cable has a molded PVC jacket. Its length can be modified on request. The product meets CE, FCC and RoHS requirements. It is quoted at $0.69.

The maker requires a minimum order of 1,000 units. Delivery takes 20 to 25 days.

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