At this year’s Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, the HDMI Forum officially launched the much-anticipated HDMI 2.2 specification, signaling a significant advancement in connectivity standards for audio and video.
The latest update provides new features to enhance the viewing and listening experience across various devices and will be rolled out in the next few months.
Revolutionary increase in bandwidth
One of the headline features of HDMI 2.2 is its increased bandwidth, now reaching up to 96 Gbps. This monumental jump from the previous specification supports resolutions up to 16K, although current consumer markets see little practical use for such high resolutions.
However, it sets the stage for future technological developments and ensures compatibility with emerging display technologies.
New Ultra96 HDMI cables
HDMI 2.2 introduces a new line of ‘Ultra96’ branded cables to harness this increased bandwidth.
These cables are designed to be backward compatible but are necessary to fully leverage the new standard’s capabilities, particularly with resolutions like 12K at 120 frames per second. This could mean consumers must invest in new hardware to enjoy the full spectrum of HDMI 2.2’s benefits.
Enhanced audio synchronization
HDMI 2.2 also addresses a common issue in home entertainment systems – audio-video synchronization.
With the new fixed rate link signaling technology, HDMI 2.2 will fix the lip-sync issues at higher resolutions and frame rates, and will provide a seamless experience for movies, TV shows, and gaming.
Implications for consumers and the industry
While the announcement has been exciting, there’s skepticism regarding the immediate need for such high bandwidth in consumer goods.
Current devices and content largely do not require the capabilities that HDMI 2.2 offers, leading some to question if this is a solution in search of a problem. However, for industries like professional video production, broadcast, and high-end gaming, HDMI 2.2 represents a forward-thinking investment into future-proofing technology.
Licensing and development challenges
The HDMI Forum maintains its control over the licensing of HDMI technology, which has historically posed challenges for open-source driver development. This aspect of HDMI 2.2’s rollout remains a contention, particularly among developers and enthusiasts who advocate for more open standards.
