HDMI (which stands for High-Definition Multimedia Interface) ports generally facilitate video playback on the factory infotainment system, but they usually necessitate that the vehicle be in park. So, what was the reason for including HDMI ports in these vehicles initially?
While Honda wasn’t the sole manufacturer to equip its cars with HDMI ports, this feature was prevalent in the automaker’s lineup around 2010. Instead of serving entertainment purposes, the integration of HDMI ports seems to have been linked to a pre-Android Auto and Apple CarPlay system designed to replicate your phone’s functionalities on the vehicle’s infotainment screen. Reports indicate that this feature received various responses, and it’s clear it didn’t gain traction, as evidenced by the current popularity of Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.