Mini-HDMI connectors materialize in prototype

[Matt Vincent]

Nikkei’s Tech-On! reports that Molex and other companies, such as Japan's Yazaki Corp. and Japan Aviation Electronics Industry, have prototyped mini-HDMI connectors for compact applications such as mobile phones and digital cameras. Japan Aviation's prototype connector targets the automotive segment. Like current Type A HDMI connectors, the mini-HDMI Type D connector has 19 pins, but at half the size -- about the same size as the ubiquitous micro-USB connector. The mini-HDMI is also significantly smaller than the Type C HDMI connector. According to Tech-On, all mini HDMI connectors are in still prototype at this point, so don't expect compliant products to appear until at least the second half of 2009. Interestingly, considering that the Type D prototype mini-HDMI connectors are about the same size as a Micro USB connector, designers have incorporated features to ensure that users don't confuse the two connector types when plugging them into ports. The plug end of the Type D connector is slightly higher than the Micro USB receptable, while the Type D receptable/port is just narrower than the Micro USB plug.