Are HDMI cables hot swapable?

If you unplug a USB drive without "ejecting" it first, it's problematic, which is why you're supposed to eject it BEFORE removing it. Unplugging a HDMI cable while in use doesn't make sense, you're killing the handshake and video in mid stream, plus the voltage that can be present.

These are sensitive circuits and softwares, do so at your own risk.

Voltage is present in both interfaces and both are defined as hot swappable - that's why many attempt this "risky move"

SATA, Firewire, Ethernet are all hot swappable. If anything HDMI is designed better than USB, since it has separate pin #19 "Hot Swap Detect" while pin #18 carrying +5V supply is shorter to cut power earlier. Lockup, that Al described, is most likely "CMOS Latchup" - no longer problem in modern electronics.

If you unplug a USB drive without "ejecting" it first, it's problematic, which is why you're supposed to eject it BEFORE removing it. Unplugging a HDMI cable while in use doesn't make sense, you're killing the handshake and video in mid stream, plus the voltage that can be present.

These are sensitive circuits and softwares, do so at your own risk.

Agreed If the USB device is in use including viewing the contents. I lost data on thumb drives when leaving a folder open for viewing. Close everything and I have not had a problem since.

That said I have no HDMI