HDMI Forum Announces Upcoming HDMI 2.2 Specification Update

The HDMI Forum announced Version 2.2 of the High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) Specification. Originally created as a digital replacement for analog video standards, HDMI has evolved significantly since the first version in 2002, and HDMI 2.2 is now intended to deliver enhanced options for a vast ecosystem long detached from video standards. The new generation HDMI technology delivers higher bandwidth up to 96Gbps, enables a wide range of higher resolutions and refresh rates, and fixes critical latency issues.

As many HDMI 2.1 certified products are now on the market, HDMI Licensing Administrator announced the availability of Ultra High Speed cables, essential to creating end-to-end HDMI 2.1 systems. Now consumers can enjoy the latest high performance AV features including 4K@120Hz, 8K@60Hz, Dynamic HDR and eARC support. This development was made possible by the Ultra High Speed HDMI Cable Certification Program (UHS Program) launched by the HDMI Forum, enabling users to identify the cables that are guaranteed to deliver the full benefits of the HDMI 2.1 specification.

Since the HDMI 2.1 Specification was released in November 2017, manufacturers of several products including semiconductors, TVs, AVRs, soundbars, and game consoles have made announcements on upcoming releases supporting the specification. During CES 2019, the HDMI Licensing Administrator (HDMI LA) organization reported an increasing number of new product announcements covering a broad range of categories, and forecasted annual shipments with HDMI interface to reach almost 1 Billion devices in 2019.

Initially unveiled at CES 2017, Version 2.1 of the HDMI Specification is now published and brings so much more than just support for resolutions up to 10K and Dynamic HDR. In fact HDMI 2.1 is a huge leap forward, introducing a new Ultra High Speed HDMI Cable, which also supports Enhanced Audio Return Channel (eARC), multichannel uncompressed 24-bit/192 kHz audio, and support to advanced audio formats - including DTS Master, DTS:X, Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Atmos and more.