The fine folks at HDMI.org, aka the group responsible for keeping the HDMI Specifications in check, have declared that the Mini DisplayPort to HDMI cable to be unlicensed and that ALL UNITS must be withdrawn. HDMI Org has confirmed that manufacturers of Mini DisplayPort to HDMI cables have been told that their product is unlicensed and should not be sold.
TechRadar brought you the news last week that it was rumoured that hundreds of thousands of Mini DisplayPort to HDMI cables are to be recalled because HDMI Org has deemed the cable system to be out of HDMI spec.
“The HDMI specification defines an HDMI cable as having only HDMI connectors on the ends. Anything else is not a licensed use of the specification and therefore, not allowed. All HDMI products undergo compliance testing as defined by the Compliance Testing Specification. The CTS clearly defines necessary tests for all products defined in the HDMI Specification. Since this new cable product is undefined in the Specification, there are no tests associated with this product. It cannot be tested against the Specification.” – HDMI Org
This move will reduce the cords currently in production to non-moveable units, while it does still appear that dongles with DisplayPort socket on one side and HDMI female receiver socket on the other side will remain in production for the time being. HDMI Org notes that this is because a licensed HDMI cord can be slotted into them. From what we understand, it is the absence altogether of an officially licensed HDMI cord that makes the HDMI to Mini DisplayPort Cables illegal.
HDMI Org does go on to note that it may be possible to license the now-illegal cords in the future:
“We do recognise that there may be a market need for a cable solution rather than a dongle solution. However, at this time, there is no way to produce these cable products in a licensed manner.” – HDMI Org
This will be little consolation, though, for the companies set to lose a lot of money from the HDMI Org’s decision.
