As the names suggest, the basic difference between Micro HDMI and Mini HDMI is their sizes and the other differences are associated to this. Before that, HDMI, which stands for High Definition Multimedia Interface, is an interface used to transmit multimedia. It can transmit both audio and video in digital format where the video stream is uncompressed and audio stream can be compressed or uncompressed. There are several types of HDMI ports, which differ in size under names type A, type B, type C and type D. Among them, HDMI type C is called the mini HDMI and type D is called the micro HDMI. Micro HDMI connector is the smallest available plug size for HDMI and it is extensively used in small devices such as smartphones. Mini HDMI is larger than micro HDMI, but it is smaller than the usually HDMI (type A) port found on monitors. Hence, mini HDMI is used in devices such as digital cameras, camcorders, and DSLRs, which have more space compared to small devices such as phones. The number of pins in both the plugs is 19, but the order of assignment of pins is different. Apart from that, there is no difference in features such as speed, bandwidth, bit rate, and protocol specifications.
What is Micro HDMI?
Micro HDMI refers to HDMI type D interface. This is the smallest available HDMI port so far. The size is only 6.4 mm × 2.8 mm. This port has a number of 19 pins. HDMI carries out differential transmission and, therefore, to transmit one data bit, there should be a pair of wires. In micro HDMI, there are 3 data lines as Data 0, Data 1, and Data 2. Data 0+, Data 1+, and Data 2+ are connected to pin numbers 9, 6 and 3 respectively and Data 0-, Data 1- and Data 2- are connected to pins 11, 8, and 5 respectively. Pin 10, 7, and 4 are connected to the shield for Data 0, Data 1, and Data 2. Pin 12, 13, and 14 are used for the clock and they are respectively used for Clock+, Clock shield, and Clock-. Pin number 15 is used for CEC (Consumer Electronics Control), which is a feature used to send user commands to control HDMI devices. Pin 2 is reserved and will be used in future standards. Pins 17 and 18 are used for something called DDC (Display Data Channel) and pin 16 is a shield for the CEC and DDC channels. Pin 19 is the power supply, which is connected to +5V. Pin 1 is the Hot Plug Detect, which is responsible for detecting connection and disconnection of devices while turned on. Because the size of this port is very small, it is extensively used in small devices such as mobile phones. In many smartphones of today, a micro HDMI output is available to connect the device to an external display.
What is Mini HDMI?
Mini HDMI refers to the HDMI type C interface. The dimensions of the connector are 10.42 mm × 2.42 mm. However, the special thing is that it has the same number of pins as micro HDMI, which is 19. The order of the pins is bit different with what is found on micro HDMI. Positive signal pins here are 8, 5, and 2 and negative signal pins are 9, 6, and 3. The shield for the data lines are 7, 4, and 1. Pins used for the clock are 11, 12, and 10. CEC (Consumer Electronics Control) is connected to pin 14 and for DDC pins 15 and 16 are used. Shield for the CEC and DDC channels is connected to pin 13. The reserved pin here is pin number 17. The hot plug detect is assigned to pin 19 and +5V power supply is connected to pin 18. The speed, bit rate and the protocol are exactly similar to the micro HDMI. As this is bit larger than micro HDMI, it is generally used in devices, which can accommodate more space when compared to just a micro HDMI. For example, devices such as Digital cameras, camcorders, DSLR use mini HDMI to provide a multimedia output.
What is the difference between Micro HDMI and Mini HDMI?
• Micro HDMI is known as HDMI type D while Mini HDMI is known as HDMI type C.
• The size of micro HDMI is 6.4 mm × 2.8 mm while the size of mini HDMI is 10.42 mm × 2.42 mm. So clearly, micro HDMI is much smaller than mini HDMI.
• Micro HDMI is used in devices like smartphones and mini HDMI is used on devices such as camcorders, digital camera and DSLR. However, there is no law like this specific port should be used for that specific device ; it depends on the preference of the vendor based on various factors.
• In Micro HDMI, Data 0+, Data 1+, and Data 2+ are connected to pin numbers 9, 6, and 3 respectively. In mini HDMI, respective pins are 8, 5, and 2.
• In micro HDMI, Data 0-, Data 1-, and Data 2- are connected to pins 11, 8, and 5 respectively while the respective pins on mini HDMI are 9, 6 and 3.
• In micro HDMI, shield for Data 0, Data 1, and Data 2 are connected to 10, 7, and 4 while, in mini HDMI, this is 7, 4, and 1. Likewise, the pin numbers assigned in each interface for each purpose is different.
Summary:
Mini HDMI vs Micro HDMI
Micro HDMI is the type D HDMI and Mini HDMI is type C HDMI. They refer to two port sizes that come under the HDMI specification. Micro HDMI is a port, which is smaller than Mini HDMI. Micro HDMI is used in devices such as smartphones while mini HDMI is used in devices such as digital camera, camcorder, and DSLR. Another difference is in the pin assignment. Both ports have the same number of 19 pins, but the order in which they have been assigned is different.
Images Courtesy:
- Micro HDMI by (CC BY-SA 4.0)
- Mini HDMI by CC BY-SA 3.0)