Frequently Asked Questions

Questions about the HDMI Forum
Questions about the current version and the next version of the HDMI Specification
Questions about HDMI 1.x Adopters, the Annual Fee, and Royalties

Questions about the HDMI Forum

What is the HDMI Forum?
HDMI Forum, Inc, is a nonprofit, mutual benefit corporation established by the HDMI Founders whose purpose is to foster broader industry participation in the development of future versions of the HDMI Specification. Over 70 of the largest PC, CE and semiconductor companies have become Members of the HDMI Forum.

Why create an open organization now?
In a word: success. With over 2B HDMI-enabled devices having shipped since 2003, the rapid market growth of HDMI technology has extended into an increasingly wide array of devices, applications, and industries, including cell phones, automobiles and commercial applications such digital signage and airport installations. The HDMI Founders felt strongly that the next leap in growth in the development of the specification would arise with broader industry participation. Thus, in October, 2011, the HDMI Founders created an open organization where interested companies are an integral part of the development process.

Are there any tiers or levels of Membership in the HDMI Forum?
No. All Members have equal standing, including equal voting rights. If duly elected, any Member may sit on the Forum’s Board of Directors. All Members are also eligible to participate in the Forum’s Technical Working Group and other Working Groups. To download a membership packet, please click here.

What are the qualifications to become a Member of the HDMI Forum?
The Forum is open for participation by any entity. Interested entities must sign a Participation Agreement and pay an annual Membership Fee. There is no limit to the number of Members the Forum may admit. For a complete list of current Members of the HDMI Forum, please click here. To download a membership packet, please click here.

What is the cost to become a Member of the HDMI Forum?
Members pay an annual fee of USD $15,000.

Who oversees the HDMI Forum?
A Board of Directors oversees the administration and operation of the HDMI Forum. Please click here for the current Board of Directors.

What are the qualifications to become a Director?
The Board of Directors is elected every two years by a general vote of the Forum Members. Candidates must be employees of a Member organization and deemed suitable by that Member to perform the duties of a Director. Only Members may nominate candidates to serve as Directors, with nominations limited to one nominee per Member. There is an annual fee of USD $5,000 for Members who are elected and serve on the Board of Directors.

 

Questions about the current version and the next version of the HDMI Specification

When does the HDMI Forum expect to release the next version of the HDMI Specification?
The HDMI Forum Members and the Board of Directors intend to have the next version of the HDMI Specification available for release sometime in late-2012.

Who is responsible for developing the next HDMI Specification?
All Forum Members can participate in the development of future HDMI Specifications, most directly though the Forum’s Technical Working Group.

Is this a new Specification? What is its relationship to the HDMI Specification v1.4b?
Yes. While the next version of the HDMI Specification will refer to the HDMI Specification v 1.4b and be backwards compatible to it, it is a new specification.

What will happen to the current HDMI Specification v1.4b?
There will be no more development to the HDMI Specification v1.4b. The HDMI Forum will be responsible for all future developments to the HDMI Specification and the future versions of the HDMI Specification will build upon all functions and features of the HDMI Specification v1.4b.

Will the next version of the HDMI Specification be backwards compatible with the HDMI Specification v1.4b?
Yes. Backward-compatibility has always been an essential feature of HDMI technology. This will not change in future versions of the HDMI Specification.

Will there be CTS and ATC testing requirements established similar to the current setup?
Yes. Compliance testing will continue to be an essential aspect to the success of the HDMI Specifications. When the new version of the Specification is released, it will be accompanied by a new Compliance Testing Specification (CTS). All v1.x products will continue to be tested to CTS 1.4b.

When does the HDMI Forum expect work to begin on the next version of the HDMI Specification?
The Technology Working Group is currently working on the next version of the HDMI Specification with a late-2012 target release date.

 

Questions about HDMI 1.x Adopters, the Annual Fee, and Royalties

How does this affect the current HDMI v1.x License?
The HDMI Consortium continues to operate and manage all licenses of the HDMI Specification v1.4b.

How does this affect current HDMI Adopters?
There has been no change in the HDMI Adopters’ day-to-day relationship with HDMI Licensing, LLC. There is no plan to raise the Annual Fee or change procedures. The Annual Fee is separate from membership fees to join the HDMI Forum.

Current HDMI Adopters have the opportunity to participate in the future development of the HDMI Specification by becoming a Member of the HDMI Forum, but are not required to do so.

Will current Adopters be required to sign a new Adopter Agreement?
Current HDMI Adopters are required to sign an addendum to their current Adopter Agreement if they choose to adopt the next version of the HDMI Specification, but are not required to do so.

Will current Adopters be required to pay an additional Annual Fee if they choose to adopt the next version of the HDMI Specification?
No. There is no additional Annual Fee for HDMI Adopters who choose to license the next version of the HDMI Specification.

Will there an increase in royalties for current HDMI Adopters?
HDMI Adopters will continue to pay the same royalties on HDMI 1.x products in accordance with the existing Adopter Agreement.

Can non-HDMI Adopters license only the next version of the HDMI Specification?
No. The next version of the HDMI Specification will refer to the HDMI Specification v 1.4b and backwards-compatibility is required. Therefore, any company seeking to develop HDMI-enabled products using the new Specification must also license the HDMI Specification v.1x.

Will there be additional royalties?
The HDMI Forum will decide whether there will be any additional royalty for products built using the next version of the HDMI Specification.