These fakes not only compromise your gear’s performance but also pose safety hazards and can cost you a bundle. But here’s the good news – HDMI Licensing Administrator Inc. (HDMI LA) has been taking some pretty bold steps to put a stop to this madness.
Let’s break down why these knockoffs are bad news:
Lackluster Performance: Those who churn out fake HDMI gear usually aren’t experts and definitely don’t have access to the HDMI Specifications. So, what you get is unreliable tech that can compromise audio and video quality and can’t get along with your other gear.
Safety Worries: These shady products often cut corners on materials and quality checks. That means you might end up with equipment that could be fire hazards or contain toxic materials that don’t comply with international requirements.
No Love After Purchase: Genuine HDMI products usually come with manufacturer warranties and support services. Counterfeiters? They won’t bother with any of that. So, if your knockoff gear goes bad, you’re probably on your own.
Sneaky Long-term Costs: Counterfeit products might seem like money-savers at first, but here’s the kicker – they tend to fail more often. So in the long run, you’re dishing out more cash for replacements and eating the costs for additional customer service calls.
Now, here’s where HDMI LA steps up in a big way:
Marketplaces Under Surveillance: Online marketplaces are an easy place for counterfeiters to sell their gear. HDMI LA and its partners are like the detectives of the tech world, scanning and hunting down these fakes. In the last three years, they’ve taken down over half a million shady product listings! Repeat – OVER HALF A MILLION!
Keeping Trade Shows Honest: Even at fancy tech expos, HDMI LA’s got its eyes peeled. If they spot counterfeits they’re on it. They make sure those fake products are pulled and even force booths to shut down.
Team Effort: It’s not just HDMI LA doing all the heavy lifting. HDMI Adopters, legit manufacturers, resellers, installers, and everyday consumers all pitch in. They’re like the neighborhood watch for the HDMI ecosystem, reporting suspicious products directly to HDMI LA (at hdmi.org/resource/infringe). And trust us, these cases don’t go ignored. So if you see something, report something.
The Cable Certification Power Move: HDMI LA knows that making sure HDMI Cables have rock solid performance is essential. So, they administer the HDMI® Cable Certification Program. This program covers both Premium High Speed and Ultra High Speed HDMI Cables. These cables have to pass some arduous HDMI Compliance Test Specification tests to attain certification and must sport an official anti-counterfeit label on their packaging. That way, you can confidently pick out cables that won’t let you down.
Ultra High Speed HDMI Cables for the Win: As tech gears up with the latest HDMI 2.1b Specification, you’ll want the right cables. Ultra High Speed HDMI Cables are the champs here, supporting all the HDMI 2.1b features and capabilities. The best part? Almost every big manufacturer and brand worldwide has you covered.
Join the Fight!
By supporting HDMI LA’s efforts and insisting on only genuine and certified HDMI gear, manufacturers, resellers, installers, and consumers like you make sure that the user experience is safe, seamless, and trouble-free.
The terms HDMI, HDMI High-Definition Multimedia Interface, HDMI Trade Dress and the HDMI Logos are trademarks or registered trademarks of HDMI Licensing Administrator, Inc.
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