HDMI Forum Unveils HDMI 2.2 Specification with Increased Bandwidth of 96 Gbps, Doubling HDMI 2.1 Capacity

The recent introduction of the Ultra96 certified cables in the HDMI 2.2 interface marks a significant advancement in visual technology, allowing for an impressive bandwidth of up to 96 Gbps. This enhancement facilitates the transmission of uncompressed video at extraordinary resolutions and refresh rates.

Introducing HDMI 2.2: A Leap Forward with Ultra96 Certification

HDMI technology, which emerged in the early 2000s, initially provided a reliable visual experience at 1080p. Over the years, it has evolved to support higher resolutions and an array of audio streams. While the HDMI 2.1 standard has sufficiently met the demands of many enthusiasts, the HDMI Forum’s rollout of HDMI 2.2 represents a new frontier in display technology.

The HDMI 2.2 standard incorporates Ultra96 certification, delivering a remarkable bandwidth of up to 96 Gbps. This surpasses the DisplayPort 2.1’s bandwidth limit of 80 Gbps. To put it into perspective, HDMI 2.1 had a bandwidth cap of 48 Gbps, meaning HDMI 2.2 effectively doubles this capability. This expansive bandwidth supports configurations such as 4K at 480Hz, achieving nearly uncompressed visuals on screen.

16K vs 8K vs 4K vs FHD — Image Credit: dataton.com

In addition to supporting 4K@480Hz, HDMI 2.2 can handle 8K@240Hz, 10K@120Hz, and even 16K@60Hz formats. While such capabilities are currently more suited to specialized applications rather than mainstream use, we can anticipate ongoing adoption by hardware manufacturers as they did with DisplayPort 2.1, which remains slightly behind HDMI 2.2.

The cable supports all HDMI 2.2 features and is part of the Ultra Cable Certification Program. Every model and length requires testing and certification along with on-cable identification printing. Official HDMI anti-counterfeiting labels must be affixed to all packages, and cables also undergo lifetime product compliance audit testing.

– HDMI Forum

For cable manufacturers to achieve the HDMI 2.2 Ultra96 certification, they must ensure that the Ultra96 label is clearly indicated on their products. Without this labeling, the promised 96 Gbps bandwidth is not guaranteed, even if the product is marketed as HDMI 2.2. Importantly, these Ultra96 cables are backward compatible, which allows usage with HDMI 2.1 and earlier versions, though the full 96 Gbps capabilities will not be realized in older devices.

As for HDMI 2.2-compatible products, the most notable mention so far is AMD’s upcoming UDNA GPUs. Although these will utilize a bandwidth limit of 64 Gbps, speculation exists regarding an 80 Gbps capability as well. Meanwhile, HDMI 2.1 continues to serve effectively for high-resolution and high-frame-rate applications unless you possess cutting-edge display technology that supports resolutions up to 16K.

For additional details, you can visit the official HDMI website.

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