Among HDMI peers, eight of ten think it is just "send a sample, get a certificate." That is not wrong, but it misses half — the essence is trademark-licence management. The rules are written by HDMI Forum; who is allowed to print the mark and whether the product enters the database is all governed by HDMI LA. When we take a job, we first check whether the client is even in the system; the technical gate comes later, and how to print the mark is last. Here is the submission order.
1.1 Forum and LA are not the same
Forum owns the version and technical clauses. LA is the licence administrator designated by Forum; in practice a company deals almost entirely with LA.
1.2 The real hard gate is the CTS
Even without printing the mark, the moment you say "supports HDMI" to the outside, the CTS must be run at an authorised test centre. The mark can be skipped; the test cannot.
1.3 When you genuinely can skip it
If you only keep the HDMI socket, do not write HDMI in the spec, and use a custom internal interface name, it is not triggered. The instant HDMI appears on packaging or a webpage, you cross the line.
2. Step one: sign the Adopter Agreement
2.1 Sign first, not sample first
The first step is the Adopter Agreement. Only after signing are you an Adopter in the system, able to pull the full specification and obtain test-authorisation. Doing 2.2 also requires a separate 2.x version addendum — do not miss it.
2.2 Two membership tiers, by shipment not revenue
Over 10,000 units shipped a year is high-volume, with a 10,000 USD annual fee and no ceiling. Under 10,000 is low-volume, with a 5,000 USD annual fee and an extra 1 USD per unit above the threshold. The tier keys off shipment volume, not revenue. Some bodies describe the low tier as "revenue under 250,000 USD" — that is the wrong yardstick; check the LA fee schedule at project start.
2.3 When access opens
(1) The annual fee is paid in full at once; there is no monthly or quarterly instalment channel. (2) Access to test filing, product listing and trademark authorisation opens only after payment lands. ① Schedule the legal payment process early; many projects stall right at the finance step.
3. Step two: self-test, then submit to ATC
3.1 Self-test is a precondition
Before mass production, run the CTS yourself first — that is the prerequisite for formal submission. Source, sink and cable categories: get the runnable ones running first.
3.2 First-article submission, not every model
Many assume every new product must hit the ATC; not so. LA's test policy is clear: only the first unit of each type is mandatory; later same-type products are exempt. A TV passing the first unit can exempt the same series. LA only encourages continued submission for compatibility, not mandatory.
3.3 Pick the lab by category
An ATC is a Forum-authorised test centre, and capabilities differ. For automotive infotainment, also confirm whether they can do the automotive-grade add-on testing.
3.4 Test items and timing
(1) Physical layer looks at eye diagram, jitter, impedance; protocol layer tests EDID, SCDC, CEC; content protection requires HDCP link verification; cables add EMI. (2) One round is two to three weeks; with rectification re-test it can stretch to four to eight weeks. ① A basic cable and an 8K TV with the full set of advanced features are not the same order of test volume — do not force one number onto the schedule.
3.5 Put the HDMI 2.2 timeline straight
2.2 was officially announced at CES in January 2025 and formally released on 25 June; by 2026 it is hardly a brand-new rule. Bandwidth doubled from 48 Gbps to 96 Gbps, with the Ultra96 cable defined at the same time; first terminals are expected around 2027. New-version products focus on FRL link stability and signal integrity.
4. Step three: get the QDID and list it
4.1 QDID is the product identity number
The ATC produces the report and LA issues the product a dedicated number. Downstream partners verify against this number.
4.2 Hardware changes split into three classes
(1) Class A minor: PCB colour, silkscreen, peripheral resistors/capacitors that do not affect electrical performance — just archive internally, number unchanged. (2) Class B medium: swapping to a different-brand part of the same spec, or only changing the connector supplier without altering electrical parameters — usually a difference test, and the original QDID mostly survives without a full redo. (3) Class C major: changing the main controller chip or redrawing high-speed differential traces that move core function or compatibility — the original number is void and the full test repeats. ① Have the lab judge the class before the revision; cheaper than a rejected rework.
4.3 Trademark authorisation rides the membership
The number only says it was tested, not that you can print the mark freely. Size, colour, position and captions all have rules. Authorisation binds to membership status; it stops when membership lapses and must be renewed yearly.
5. Three common pitfalls
5.1 HDCP is a separate authorisation
Set-top boxes, TVs and automotive infotainment all carry content protection, which falls under DCP LLC — a completely different system from LA. Do not assume HDMI done means everything is done.
5.2 Do not treat cables as freebies
Cables that support 2.2 or use the related trademark must go through the cable certification programme and be labelled. Many finished-product makers treat the cable as a freebie; when regulators check, it still counts.
5.3 Royalties are declared by shipment
After certification you still report shipments quarterly, pay fees and renew the annual fee. This is a continuous state, not a one-off transaction.
BlueAsia works on multi-country certification and helps clients map HDMI licensing, connector approval and regional wireless compliance into one plan so the project does not stall at the test gate.
Contact: King Email: king.guo@cblueasia.comAddress: Building C, Hongjingda Industrial Park, No. 107 Beihuan Road, Shiyan Street, Bao'an District, Shenzhen, China BlueAsia delivers more than service!
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