The HDMI Forum has officially released version 2.2 of the HDMI specification, bringing support for video resolutions up to 16K at 60Hz and boosting maximum bandwidth to 96Gbps. Alongside the spec, there’s a new cable designation called Ultra96. Here are the details.
The nerdy part
The HDMI 2.2 spec now supports up to a whopping 16K at 60Hz, and 12K at 120Hz.
For uncompressed formats with full 4:4:4 chroma and 10-bit and 12-bit color, it can handle 4K at 240Hz, and 8K at 60Hz. That is thanks to the expanded 96Gbps bandwidth and next-gen FRL signaling, which promises to improve reliability in high-bandwidth cases.
Here’s Chandlee Harrell, president of the HDMI Forum:
“The HDMI Forum is proud to release the new HDMI 2.2 Specification to enable higher performance capabilities and features for exciting and immersive new solutions and products. (…) And the introduction of the new Ultra96 feature name will help consumers and end-users ensure their product’s maximum bandwidth is supported.”
What is Ultra96?
The HDMI Forum is positioning Ultra96 as the next step after the current “Ultra High Speed” cables, which top out at 48Gbps.
As the HDMI Forum explains it:
“’Ultra96′ is a feature name that manufacturers are encouraged to use to indicate a product supports a maximum of 64Gbps, 80Gbps or 96Gbps bandwidth in compliance with the HDMI 2.2 Specification. (…) The new Ultra96 HDMI Cable supports up to 96Gbps and all HDMI 2.2 applications.”
Top comment by IndomitableSlake
Now if only manufacturers would put HDMI ports on their products are capable of actually using their products. I have a display from LG with an HDMI port that cannot push the display’s full resolution. This is absolute madness. I wouldn’t complain except this entire display line also has a manufacturing defect whereupon DisplayPort video and audio output CUTS OFF for five seconds, randomly, dozens of times a day. And this only happens with Macs. And they refuse to acknowledge it or push a firmware update.
As noted by The Verge, Ultra96-certified HDMI cables and supporting devices are expected to start arriving later this year.
Also new in HDMI 2.2 is the Latency Indication Protocol (LIP), aimed at improving audio/video sync across systems where the signal hops through more than one device before reaching the final display.
Of course, 16K displays aren’t exactly lining store shelves just yet. And while most content currently tops out at 4K or maybe 8K, HDMI 2.2 is more about long-term support and ensuring manufacturers have a standard at hand, as hardware and media continue pushing frame rates and resolutions upward.
Via Tecnoblog
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