HDMI 1.4 vs. 1.3

HDMI 1.4 is the latest standard as announced by HDMI.ORG but what does HDMI 1.4 do that 1.3 doesn’t?


Ethernet
The new HDMI 1.4 is capable of transferring Ethernet signal. But the newest LCD televisions do not support 1.4 yet. Even televisions with Net TV possibility only support HDMI 1.3.

3D TV
HDMI 1.4 can transfer 3D television signal. The first LCD televisions with 3D will be expected in the third quarter of 2010.

4k x 2k Resolution
4k x 2k Resolution is supported by HDMI 1.4. There is no hardware capable of supporting this resolution. One of the highest resolutions at the moment is the 21:9 LCD by Philips which has a resolution of 2560 x 1080. 

Compatiblity
HDMI 1.4 is backwards compatible with all hardware devices on the market at the moment. HDMI 1.4 at the moment will only work with HDMI to HDMI. For instance, HDMI to DVI is not possible with the 1.4.

Conclusion
HDMI 1.4 is a definite step up compared to the current HDMI 1.3, but none of the mentioned specifications can be used on any current hardware. Based on information known so far, it will take until at least the third quarter of 2010 before any 1.4 hardware will become commercially available.
Very important is the backwards compatibility. This means that HDMI 1.4 can smoothly be introduced without waiting for the new hardware to come out.