HDMI 2.2 delivers up to 96 Gbps bandwidth for 8K, 16K, VR and more. The higher bandwidth requires a new cable. There are also a new AV sync feature.

Eight years after HDMI 2.1 was announced in January 2017, the HDMI organization has today at CES 2025 announced HDMI 2.2.

The announcement of the specification is the first big step towards commercialization but it will take some time still before HDMI 2.2 shows up in consumer devices.


Higher bandwidth up to 96 Gbps
HDMI 2.2 delivers up to 96Gbps bandwidth as compared to HDMI 2.1's 48 Gbps link and DisplayPort 2.1's 80 Gbps. To achieve this, HDMI 2.2 uses a new 'Ultra96' cable.

- "HDMI Forum, Inc. today announced the upcoming release of Version 2.2 of the HDMI Specification" the HDMI organisation announced. "New technology enables higher quality options now and in the future for content producers such as TV, movie and game studios, while enabling multiple distribution platforms. Higher 96Gbps bandwidth and next-gen HDMI Fixed Rate Link technology provide optimal audio and video for a wide range of device applications. An end-user can be assured that their displays support a native video format in the best way possible and can deliver a seamless and reliable experience."

Besides future use cases such as 8K and 16K, the higher 96Gbps bandwidth also allows for something like 4K 240Hz and some variants of 4K 480Hz without signal compression (DSC) on TVs. See the table outlining resolution/Hz combinations further down. The HDMI group teased that Samsung will have a prototype of some kind to show off at CES later.


 Photo: FlatpanelsHD

Improved AV sync
Also included is Latency Indication Protocol (LIP) for improving audio and video synchronization, especially for configurations with a video receiver or soundbar

- "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," said Chandlee Harrell, president of the HDMI Forum. "This new specification supports the fast-evolving landscape for amazing new technologies and products entering the markets now and in the future."


When to expect HDMI 2.2 devices
After the announcement in January 2017, HDMI 2.1 did not show up in TVs until 2019 with LG's OLED TVs and not until 2020 for other major TV markers.

The first playback devices with HDMI 2.1 were the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X consoles in late 2020. At this time, no media players are equipped with HDMI 2.1-bandwidth output ports.

The HDMI group said that the HDMI 2.2 specification will be available to all HDMI adopters, meaning TV makers and so on, in the first half of 2025. The Ultra96 cable is expected to be ready in late 2025, the HDMI organization said, but that does not necessarily mean that products will too. No estimate for consumer devices was provided. 

More technical information on HDMI 2.2 below.

Updating...

HDMI 2.2 – new features
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