Is HDMI our friend or foe?

Cost
Maybe you agree that there is an existing set of video and data protocols that will do HD video over longer distances, that would support encryption and EDID, and that would be as easy as connecting one BNC connector and one RJ45 between the dreaded “Source” and “sink” devices. Maybe you are starting to get a glimpse of how easy it all could have been, but think SDI devices are expensive. You would be right, but I would ask you to think about two things:

1. When we bought a gesture tracking IR camera before Microsoft Kinect was released, it was over $2500 and we had to write the software to boot. Now you can buy a Kinect, camera and PC software for under $150. Market pressure by large companies drive down costs dramatically. SDI gear is expensive because it is niche market stuff.

2. How much money has been sunk into developing and redeveloping HDMI, which is now on the fourth version? How much do we have to charge the customer for HDMI extenders that work? How much do we have to add in labor (or lose money if we don’t) to account for potential troubleshooting on site?

As an industry, we were slighted. The pros in the cinema business and broadcast world know what gives them the best quality, reliability, and security. And if it were HDMI, you can bet they would use it. But they don’t.

The desire to sell more devices directly to consumers and make it easier for them to connect themselves (which means without us) was a greater priority. The lower initial introduction cost to make those devices be adopted quicker was a greater priority. It was the same spirit that rushed 3D in all its different reiterations to market to try and spur sales with a concept that was “still doughy” in the middle.

So, is HDMI our friend or foe?  I think of it as the in-law you have to tolerate to keep the peace, but if you had your druthers, you’d lock them out of the house. What is your take?