The HDMI Forum announces HDMI 2.2 with bandwidth of up to 96 Gbps

At CES 2025, HDMI Forum, Inc. unveiled Version 2.2 of the HDMI Specification, marking a major milestone in display and connectivity technology. With a focus on delivering advanced features for immersive experiences and professional applications, HDMI 2.2 pushes the boundaries of what modern displays can achieve.

Key Features of HDMI 2.2

1. Increased Bandwidth to 96Gbps
   • HDMI 2.2 introduces an impressive 96 Gbps bandwidth, enabling higher resolutions and refresh rates. This upgrade supports demanding applications, including:
     • AR/VR/MR: Enhanced visuals for augmented, virtual, and mixed reality setups.
     • Spatial Reality & Light Field Displays: Next-gen displays with unparalleled depth and clarity.
     • Commercial Uses: From digital signage to medical imaging and machine vision, HDMI 2.2 aims to be a go-to standard for professionals.
2. Next-Gen HDMI Fixed Rate Link (FRL) Technology
   • Optimized for seamless delivery of high-quality audio and video across a range of devices, FRL ensures reliable performance even for the most data-intensive applications.
3. Latency Indication Protocol (LIP)
   • This feature improves audio-video synchronization, particularly in complex setups involving multiple devices like soundbars and AV receivers. It’s an upgrade for home theaters and professional audio-visual systems.
4. New Ultra96 HDMI Cable
   • To support the higher bandwidth and new features, HDMI 2.2 introduces the Ultra96 HDMI Cable. Part of the HDMI Cable Certification Program, these cables will feature a certification label to assure consumers of their quality and compatibility.

Applications Across Industries

The higher bandwidth and enhanced synchronization capabilities make HDMI 2.2 suitable for:

Advertisement – Continue reading below

• Gaming: Support for higher refresh rates and resolutions will delight gamers with ultra-smooth graphics.
• Entertainment: Future-proofed for 8K and beyond, making it ideal for streaming, movies, and television.
• Professional Displays: Revolutionizing medical imaging, machine vision, and large-scale digital signage.

HDMI 2.2 vs HDMI 2.1

HDMI 2.2 builds on the foundation of HDMI 2.1, bringing significant improvements and introducing features that cater to the next generation of audio-visual technology. HDMI 2.2 significantly advances over HDMI 2.1 by doubling the maximum bandwidth from 48Gbps to 96Gbps, supporting more demanding applications such as AR/VR, medical imaging, and digital signage. It introduces the Latency Indication Protocol (LIP) for superior audio-video synchronization in complex setups and features the new Ultra96 HDMI Cable, ensuring compatibility with all its features. While HDMI 2.1 focused on high-quality home entertainment and gaming, HDMI 2.2 expands the ecosystem to include next-generation technologies like spatial reality and light field displays, providing a future-ready solution for immersive and professional applications.

When should you expect HDMI 2.2 products?

As with any new technology, it will take some time before vendors start incorporating the new Tech in their products. So before you see HDMI 2.2 in your home theatre system, or smart TV or streaming player, wait at least a year or two.