Ah, HDMI 2.1, the tech equivalent of that party guest who shows up just as everyone else is leaving. Despite a sluggish rollout and general adoption, HDMI 2.1 is already feeling the heat with HDMI Forum, Inc. eagerly jumping to announce the impending release of HDMI 2.2. Because, why not leapfrog straight to the next big thing when the current version has barely found its footing, right?
HDMI Forum, Inc. last week unveiled HDMI 2.2, boasting a roster of features so dazzling, it makes HDMI 2.1 look like an outdated VHS tape. This new specification promises to enhance options for the sprawling HDMI ecosystem, showering content producers—ranging from TV and movie studios to game developers—with the technological equivalent of a Swiss Army knife. Think higher quality and futuristic distribution solutions galore.
At the heart of HDMI 2.2’s charm offensive is its 96Gbps bandwidth and next-gen HDMI Fixed Rate Link technology. These innovations promise to deliver optimal audio and video for a bewildering variety of devices, assuring end-users that their displays will support native video formats in the best way possible. Basically, it’s HDMI’s way of saying, “We’ve got your back, you tech-savvy mavens.”
The HDMI Forum’s continuing mission is to develop specifications to meet the HDMI eco-system’s growing demand for high-performance capabilities and features. This new specification supports the fast-evolving landscape for amazing new technologies and products entering the markets now and in the future.
Chandlee Harrell, HDMI Forum President
Under the glossy sheen of HDMI 2.2, expect support for higher resolutions and refresh rates, ensuring more high-quality options than your eyeballs can handle. The faster 96Gbps bandwidth is poised to tackle the most demanding, data-intensive, immersive applications—think AR, VR, MR, spatial reality, and light field displays. It’s also primed for commercial heavyweights like large-scale digital signage, medical imaging, and machine vision.
Enter the Latency Indication Protocol (LIP), HDMI 2.2’s answer to audio and video synchronization woes. Whether you’re juggling an AV receiver or soundbar, expect improved sync, especially across multi-hop system configurations. Finally, meet the Ultra96 HDMI® Cable, strutting into the scene with its 96Gbps bandwidth to enable all the HDMI 2.2 Specification features. Each cable will undergo rigorous testing and certification, proudly flaunting a Certification Label to ensure authenticity.
Ready or not, HDMI 2.2 is set to descend upon us in H1 2025. Meanwhile, HDMI 2.1 will just have to shake off its dust and make way for its shinier, faster, and slightly smug successor.
aks the question of whether device makers were stalling with the adotpion of HDMI 2.1 while waiting for broader support from HDMI 2.2
While there isn’t direct evidence suggesting device makers were intentionally stalling the adoption of HDMI 2.1, it’s possible that they were waiting for broader support and more advanced features that HDMI 2.2 offers. HDMI 2.2 significantly boosts bandwidth enabling higher resolutions and refresh rates, as well as improved audio-video synchronization.
The gap between HDMI 2.1’s announcement and its widespread adoption was about two years, and it took around four years for it to gain broader support. Given this timeline, it’s likely that device makers were cautious and wanted to ensure that the new standard would be widely supported before fully committing to it3.
What do you think about the new features HDMI 2.2 brings to the table?
