What does HDMI stand for? It is short for High-Definition Multimedia Interface, the standard behind the flat, slightly trapezoid shaped cable that links a game console, streaming box, laptop or cable box to a TV, monitor or projector. One HDMI cable carries both the picture and the sound in digital form.
Before it arrived in the early 2000s, a home theater often needed a tangle of separate video and audio cables. HDMI folded all of that into one plug, which is why nearly every modern TV has two or more HDMI ports on the back or side.
Quick facts
Stands for
High-Definition Multimedia InterfaceType
Initialism, said H D M ICarries
Digital video and audio on one cablePlug sizes
Standard (Type A), Mini (Type C), Micro (Type D)Related terms
ARC, eARC, HDCP, 4KNot to be confused with
USB, VGA, DVI, DisplayPort
HDMI stands for High-Definition Multimedia Interface
| Letters | Words | What they mean |
|---|---|---|
| HD | High-Definition | Sharper pictures than older standard TV |
| M | Multimedia | Video and audio together |
| I | Interface | The connection between two devices |
The "high definition" part has aged well. The standard has been updated many times and now handles resolutions far beyond the HD sets it was named for, along with high refresh rates for gaming and wide color formats.
What does HDMI stand for on your TV ports?
On the back of a television you will often see labels like HDMI 1, HDMI 2 and HDMI 3. Each is an input. When you press the input or source button on the remote, you are choosing which HDMI port the screen shows.
- HDMI ARC: Audio Return Channel. This port can send sound from the TV back down the same cable to a soundbar or receiver.
- HDMI eARC: enhanced ARC, which can carry higher quality surround sound formats.
- HDMI CEC: Consumer Electronics Control lets one remote control several connected devices, such as turning on the TV and the soundbar together.
A setup guide line: "Connect the soundbar to the TV's HDMI ARC port." Use the port marked ARC or eARC, not any HDMI input, or the TV sound will not reach the speaker.
HDMI cables, versions and plug sizes
Most home cables use the full size plug, called Type A. Small cameras and some tablets use Mini HDMI (Type C) or Micro HDMI (Type D), which need a matching cable or adapter.
Versions such as HDMI 1.4, 2.0 and 2.1 describe what a port can do: higher resolution, faster refresh, better audio. The cable has its own rating, printed on the package with labels like High Speed or Ultra High Speed. To get the newest features, the source device, the cable and the TV all need to support them. If one link is older, the system falls back to what that link can handle.
Many laptops now send video over a USB Type C port and use an adapter to reach an HDMI screen.
HDMI vs other video connections
| Connector | Signal | Sound included |
|---|---|---|
| HDMI | Digital | Yes |
| VGA | Analog | No |
| DVI | Digital or analog | Usually no |
| DisplayPort | Digital | Yes |
VGA is the older blue plug with screws, still found on some projectors. DisplayPort is common on computer monitors. HDMI is the usual choice for TVs and home entertainment. Older formats like VHS players used separate analog plugs. For screen types, see LED and OLED.
How to say and write HDMI
- Say the letters: H D M I. It is never spoken as a single word.
- Use all capitals and skip periods.
- Use "an" before it, because the H is said "aitch": "an HDMI cable."
- The plural of the cable is HDMI cables. The plural of the port is HDMI ports.
A handshake system called HDCP, High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection, also runs over HDMI to guard against copying. When a screen shows a blank picture with a content error, a mismatch in HDCP support is a common cause. For more letters like these, see the tech acronyms section.
Questions people ask
What is HDMI used for?
It connects a video source, like a game console or laptop, to a display, like a TV or monitor, carrying sound and picture on one cable.
Do all HDMI cables work the same?
They all fit the same ports, but higher speed cables are needed for the highest resolutions and refresh rates. For a standard HD picture, almost any working cable is fine.
What does HDMI ARC mean?
ARC stands for Audio Return Channel. It lets the TV send audio back to a soundbar or receiver over the same HDMI cable.
Is HDMI better than USB?
They do different jobs. HDMI is built for video and audio to a screen, while USB handles data, charging and accessories, though some USB ports can also output video.
Can HDMI carry sound?
Yes. Sound and picture travel together on the same cable, so you usually do not need a separate audio cable.