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  HDMI was developed to meet the explosive demand for high-definition video and audio. With the release of HD content from broadcasters, studios and others, traditional ways to connect consumer electronics devices fall short of delivering the ultimate high-definition viewing and listening experience. To address this issue, leading consumer electronics manufacturers gathered to develop a next-generation digital interface that would meet the requirements for consumer electronics products today and in the future.

     In short, the use of HDMI to connect all of your high-definition devices, displays and components will enable you to maximize your home theater system and experience digital content the way it was intended.

     Backed by the industry's biggest names, the all-digital HDMI will enable true high-definition, audio/video content for consumers. Hollywood studios, cable and satellite operators, and consumer electronics manufacturers have rallied behind this standard that delivers on the long-awaited promises of HDTV.

Why HDMI?
Five Reasons to Connect your Home Theater system with HDMI

1. All-digital gives the highest quality available.
HDMI is the only interface in consumer electronics that can carry both uncompressed high-definition (HD) video and uncompressed multi-channel audio in all HD formats including 720p, 1080I and even upcoming 1080p. An all-digital, uncompressed signal translates into the highest quality video and audio, seen and heard, direct from the source.

2. A single cable connection means no more confusion, no more tangled cable mess
Since HDMI carries all channels on video and audio, there is only one cable to plug into any HDMI-enabled source and display device. No more complicated cable set-up when installing your home theater system, and no more ugly cable mess behind your components.

3. Integrated remote provides simple control of your system.
HDMI has built-in intelligence that can automatically configure your system on demand. When utilizing this feature, with the click of a single button, your remote control can tell your HDMI-linked system which components to turn on or off to view a DVD, listen to a CD, or watch cable or satellite TV.

4. Automatic format adjustment matches content to preferred viewing format.
Content comes in a variety of sizes, resolutions and formats. HDMI systems will automatically configure to display the content in the most effective format. If cable TV content jumps from 16:9 format to standard 4:3, an HDMI-enabled TV can automatically adjust to match the ideal format.

5. PC compatibility enables viewing of your PC data on you HDTV
HDMI-enabled devices are backwards compatible with the broad array of DVI-based PCs so you can display PC gaming or entertainment content on your HDTV.

HDMI is fully compatible with DVI (Digital Visual Interface).
TVs with HDMI will display video received from existing DVI-equipped products, and DVI-equipped TVs will display video from HDMI sources such as set-top boxes, DVD players, A/V receivers and other home theater and entertainment components.

Related Link: HDMI FAQ