HDMI

The new Monster SuperThin Cables for HDMI are the first "fruits" of a recently announced collaboration with RedMere, a leader in advanced silicon chip development. Monster SuperThin Cable for HDMI products will be available in 4-, 8-, and 16-foot versions in the DigitalLife line of products (DL HDMI HSMI-4, DL HDMI HSMI-8, DL HDMI HSMI-16). Monster's Core line of cables for HDMI will also offer a SuperThin cable design in 1, 2, 4 and 5 meter lengths.

Thanks to the RedMere MagnifEye Active technology, the HD signals are boosted in the cable itself; thus, thick copper wiring is no longer needed, making this cable very light and thin. The SuperThin Cables have a 3.5mm diameter and are approximately 65% thinner than normal HDMI cables. These SuperThin Cables are perfect to accompany you super-thin TV!

Prices and sizes:

• Digital Life SuperThin High Speed Powered Cable for HDMI for (SRP) 4ft. $89.95, 8ft. $99.95 and 16ft. $119.95.
• Digital Life SuperThin High Speed Powered Cable for camcorder; Mini HDMI to HDMI 8ft. (SRP) $99.95.
• Monster's Core Line of SuperThin Powered Cables for HDMI 1m $79.95, 2m $89.95 4m $99.95, 5m $119.95.

HDMI 1.4 will offer the following enhancements: Ethernet channel, audio return channel, 3D over HDMI, 4K x 2K resolution support, a micro HDMI connector (around half the size of the existing HDMI Mini plug, 19pin) and an automotive connection system.

With that said, there will be 5, yes five, different types of HDMI 1.4 cables:

• Standard HDMI Cable – supports data rates up to 1080i/60
• High Speed HDMI Cable – supports data rates beyond 1080p, including Deep Color and all 3D formats of the new 1.4 specification
• Standard HDMI Cable with Ethernet – includes Ethernet connectivity
• High Speed HDMI Cable with Ethernet – includes Ethernet connectivity
• Automotive HDMI Cable – allows the connection of external HDMI-enabled devices to an in-vehicle HDMI device

The HDMI specification 1.4 will be available for download at www.hdmi.org no later than June 30th, 2009. Until then, you can grab the full press release here.