The future of high-resolution display connectivity just got clearer. The HDMI Forum, the body responsible for developing the HDMI specification, has officially finalized and launched the full specifications for HDMI version 2.2.
First revealed at CES 2025, this significant update was engineered with a primary goal: to make it substantially easier to transmit high-resolution, high refresh-rate video content to the latest generation of displays, including advanced 4K and 8K TVs and monitors.
Doubled Bandwidth with Ultra96
The most impactful upgrade in HDMI 2.2 is a dramatic increase in maximum bandwidth. The new standard supports a staggering 96Gbps, which is double the 48Gbps maximum offered by current ultra high-speed HDMI cables. This massive leap is facilitated by next-generation Fixed Rate Link (FRL) signaling technology and is crucial for unlocking the full potential of upcoming displays.
To help consumers easily identify cables capable of supporting this increased bandwidth and all HDMI 2.2 features, a new branding is being introduced: Ultra96. Cables certified under the HDMI 2.2 standard are required to carry this branding.
This certification process is rigorous, demanding testing for each specific cable model length to ensure compliance. The Ultra96 label must also be prominently displayed directly on the cable itself, providing a clear visual guarantee to buyers that they are purchasing a product capable of delivering the advertised performance for the most demanding audio-visual setups.
Unlocking Extreme Resolutions and Refresh Rates
The increased 96Gbps bandwidth empowers HDMI 2.2 to support previously unfeasible video formats over a single cable. The specification is capable of transmitting content at resolutions up to:
12K resolution at 120 frames per second (fps)
16K resolution at 60 fps
Beyond these extreme resolutions, HDMI 2.2 also provides robust support for uncompressed, high-fidelity full chroma formats essential for peak visual quality. This includes formats like:
8K resolution at 60 fps with 4:4:4 chroma subsampling
4K resolution at 240 fps with 4:4:4 chroma subsampling
Both of these high-demand formats are supported with 10-bit and 12-bit color depth, ensuring stunning clarity and accurate color representation. The 4:4:4 designation signifies that full color information is retained, without the compression used in more common 4:2:0 or 4:2:2 formats.
Improved Synchronization with Latency Indication Protocol (LIP)
HDMI 2.2 isn’t just about raw bandwidth; it also enhances system performance. A new feature called Latency Indication Protocol (LIP) is included in the specification. LIP is designed to significantly improve the synchronization between audio and video streams. This will prove especially beneficial in more complex system configurations, such as those involving audio-video receivers (AVRs) or soundbars, where achieving perfect sync can sometimes be challenging.
What Comes Next?
With the full HDMI Version 2.2 specs now officially released by the HDMI Forum, the focus shifts to product availability. The specification is planned for release to all existing HDMI 2.x adopters in the first half of 2025. Following this, device manufacturers will begin integrating the new standard into their products.
Consumers will need to wait for certified Ultra96 cables and compatible display devices, source devices (like gaming consoles or media players), and audio equipment that incorporates the new standard’s features. It will take some time for these products to reach the market, so there is no immediate need to upgrade existing equipment. However, the finalization of HDMI 2.2 marks a definitive step forward in connecting the next generation of high-performance displays.
