The future of display connectivity just got a massive upgrade. The HDMI Forum has officially released Version 2.2 of the HDMI specification to manufacturers, marking a significant leap forward in capabilities seven years after the debut of HDMI 2.1.
This new standard is designed to handle the demanding resolutions and refresh rates of tomorrow, primarily driven by a substantial increase in bandwidth.
Unprecedented Bandwidth & Performance
HDMI 2.2 effectively doubles the maximum bandwidth compared to its predecessor, jumping from HDMI 2.1’s 48Gbps to a staggering 96Gbps. This boost is facilitated by next-generation HDMI Fixed Rate Link (FRL) signaling, which promises improved reliability, especially in high-bandwidth scenarios.
This expanded capacity unlocks support for eye-watering video formats:
Up to 16K resolution at a 60Hz refresh rate
Up to 12K resolution at a 120Hz refresh rate
But it’s not just about raw resolution. For enthusiasts and professionals demanding the highest quality uncompressed video with full 4:4:4 chroma subsampling and rich 10-bit or 12-bit color depth, HDMI 2.2 can now handle:
4K resolution at an ultra-fast 240Hz
8K resolution at a smooth 60Hz
While competing standards like DisplayPort 2.1b UHBR 20 already offer uncompressed 4K 240Hz (with monitors available) using their 80Gbps bandwidth, HDMI 2.2’s 96Gbps provides an even higher ceiling for future advancements.
Introducing ‘Ultra96’: Identifying High-Bandwidth Products
To help consumers and manufacturers easily identify products capable of leveraging this increased performance, the HDMI Forum is introducing a new feature name: Ultra96.
Positioned as the successor to the current “Ultra High Speed” designation (which signifies support up to 48Gbps), the Ultra96 name indicates that a product complies with the HDMI 2.2 Specification and supports a maximum bandwidth of 64Gbps, 80Gbps, or the full 96Gbps.
Crucially, unlocking the maximum 96Gbps bandwidth requires a dedicated Ultra96 HDMI Cable. These cables are specifically designed and certified to support the full capabilities of HDMI 2.2. Similar to previous generations, Ultra96 HDMI Cables will be part of the established HDMI Cable Certification Program, requiring testing and displaying a Certification Label for consumer assurance.
Chandlee Harrell, president of the HDMI Forum, highlighted that the Ultra96 name will specifically assist consumers in confirming their product’s maximum bandwidth is supported.
Improved Audio/Video Synchronization
Beyond raw speed, HDMI 2.2 also brings the new Latency Indication Protocol (LIP). Building on existing sync improvements, LIP is designed to enhance audio and video synchronization, particularly in complex multi-hop system configurations involving devices like audio video receivers (AVRs) or soundbars, helping to reduce frustrating lip-sync issues.
Future-Proofing Connectivity
While breathtaking resolutions like 16K aren’t likely to appear on store shelves or in common content anytime soon, the release of HDMI 2.2 is primarily about future-proofing. It provides a robust standard for manufacturers as hardware capabilities and media content production continue their inexorable push towards higher resolutions and faster frame rates.
The first devices and Ultra96-certified cables supporting HDMI 2.2 are anticipated to start arriving later this year, likely towards late 2024 or early 2025. However, just like the adoption of HDMI 2.1 took time to reach its full potential in consumer devices and content, it may be a while before the extreme capabilities of HDMI 2.2, such as 16K, become mainstream.
Nevertheless, HDMI 2.2 represents a significant and necessary step forward, laying the groundwork for the immersive, high-performance visual and audio experiences of the coming years. HDMI 2.2 maintains backwards compatibility, ensuring new cables and ports will work with older HDMI gear, albeit at the lower speeds and feature sets of the legacy devices.
