For those that can remember, we used to talk about scart sockets and how many there were on a TV for connecting external devices. Now scart sockets are disappearing fast as HDMI takes over. Short for High Definition Multimedia Interface, HDMI is an uncompressed, all-digital audio/video interface. HDMI provides a high definition (HD) interface between your TV and any audio/video source, such as a set-top box, DVD player, or games console.

HDMI technology transmits crystal-clear digital video, multi-channel surround audio, and advanced control data through a single cable. One HDMI cable can, without compromise,  replace multiple cables from older technology, which in today’s world of ever increasing gadgets and streaming boxes is crucially important.

HDMI is built to accommodate Full HD 1080p video, with bandwidth to spare for the next generation of 4K Ultra HD equipment and beyond.

In addition, HDMI connected devices have the ability to query each other’s capabilities and automatically adjust themselves for optimal viewing. For example, a television and a DVD player can auto-negotiate settings like resolution and aspect ratio.

The benefits of HDMI are clear and with future proofing built-in we believe it will be the industry standard for many years to come. So, when buying your next TV we recommend you think carefully about how many HDMI inputs the TV has, and make sure you are well prepared for any new and advancing technologies.