Tag: HDMI 2.2

  • HDMI 2.2 Specification Launches with 96Gb/s Bandwidth Support

    HDMI 2.2 Specification Launches with 96Gb/s Bandwidth Support

    Key Takeaways

    1. The new HDMI standard, Ultra96, supports bandwidth up to 96 Gb/s, doubling the 48 Gb/s of HDMI 2.1.
    2. Cables labeled as “Ultra96 HDMI Cable” must support all features of the HDMI 2.2 standard.
    3. Ultra96 allows for image playback at up to 16K at 60fps and 12K at 120fps, surpassing HDMI 2.1’s 8K at 60fps.
    4. It supports advanced video features like uncompressed 4:4:4 chroma subsampling and 4K at 240fps with high color depth.
    5. The new standard introduces the Latency Indication Protocol (LIP) to improve audio-video synchronization in home theater setups.


    Currently, some of the top-rated cables on Amazon, like this 6.6ft option from Anker, have the Ultra High Speed certification from the HDMI Forum. However, a new standard has emerged that you should keep an eye out for from the same independent organization.

    New Standard Unveiled

    The fresh term is Ultra96, which is now the official name related to HDMI 2.2. This name was chosen to show that the new standard allows for a bandwidth of up to 96 gigabits per second (Gb/s), compared to the 48Gb/s from HDMI 2.1.

    Understanding the Buzzword

    While the term may sound a bit misleading, it can still apply to cables that manage to achieve 64Gb/s or 80Gb/s. Still, the HDMI Forum insists that being able to label a new accessory with Ultra96 (or “Ultra96 HDMI Cable”) means it supports all the features of the new HDMI 2.2 standard.

    Enhanced Features

    These features include support for image playback at resolutions up to 16K at 60 frames per second (fps), as well as 12K at 120fps, 8K at 60fps, uncompressed 4:4:4 chroma subsampling, and 4K at 240fps at either 10-bit or 12-bit color. In contrast, HDMI 2.1 only supports up to 8K at 60fps.

    Additionally, the new standard also brings in the Latency Indication Protocol (LIP), which could enhance audio-video (AV) synchronization for home theater setups that may include devices like a soundbar or an AV receiver.

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  • Next-Gen AMD RDNA 5 GPUs to Feature HDMI 2.2 Without Full Bandwidth

    Next-Gen AMD RDNA 5 GPUs to Feature HDMI 2.2 Without Full Bandwidth

    Key Takeaways

    1. AMD has canceled the RDNA 4 GPU to focus resources on the RDNA 5 architecture, which is expected to show promising performance.

    2. The upcoming RDNA 5/UDNA architecture, known as “GFX13,” will support HDMI 2.2 with potential bandwidths of 64 Gbps and 80 Gbps.

    3. HDMI 2.2, unveiled at CES 2025, doubles the bandwidth of HDMI 2.1b and supports higher resolutions and refresh rates, but requires new “Ultra96” HDMI cables.

    4. AMD’s decision to implement HDMI 2.2 at lower bandwidths may be a cost-saving strategy, although the exact reasons are unclear.

    5. The RDNA 5 architecture is expected to launch in late 2026 or early 2027, with potential integration into the PS6.


    We have been receiving various reports about AMD’s upcoming RDNA 5 or UDNA technology since the year 2023. In August of that same year, we mentioned that AMD decided to cancel its top-tier RDNA 4 GPU in order to allocate resources for the RDNA 5 architecture, which was expected to deliver “promising early performance metrics.” Although AMD did not release a flagship RDNA 4 GPU, it’s unclear if this decision has positively influenced the progress of RDNA 5.

    New Hardware Insights

    Recently, we are beginning to obtain some hardware details about the RDNA 5/UDNA architecture. Kepler_L2 has released information regarding the potential HDMI setup for AMD’s upcoming GPUs.

    Kepler_L2 claims that the next-gen RDNA5/UDNA, known internally as “GFX13,” will have support for 64 Gbps and 80 Gbps HDMI 2.2. However, this does not represent the complete bandwidth capabilities of HDMI 2.2.

    HDMI 2.2 Overview

    Unveiled at CES 2025, HDMI 2.2 doubles the bandwidth compared to HDMI 2.1b’s 48 Gbps and brings support for 4K@480 Hz, 8K@240 Hz, and 10K@120 Hz. This is a major improvement over HDMI 2.1b, which maxes out at 4K@120 Hz and 8K@120 Hz. Nonetheless, to fully utilize the enhanced bandwidth, users will need to purchase the new “Ultra96” HDMI cables.

    According to reports, AMD is only implementing HDMI 2.2 at 80/64 Gbps for its next-generation Radeon GPUs. The exact reason behind this choice remains unclear, but it may be a strategy to save costs.

    Future Expectations

    AMD’s upcoming GPU architecture is being touted as a “Zen moment” for its graphics division. The architecture is anticipated to make its debut on desktop systems sometime in late 2026 or early 2027. There are also hints that an RDNA 5/UDNA-based Radeon iGPU could be featured in the PS6 around the same period.

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  • HDMI 2.2 Release: Should You Be Concerned About It?

    HDMI 2.2 Release: Should You Be Concerned About It?

    At CES 2025 in Las Vegas, the HDMI Forum introduced HDMI 2.2, the newest version of the widely used video and audio standard. It promises to be twice as fast as the previous version and improves the synchronization of audio and video. On the surface, HDMI 2.2 appears to offer significant advantages. But what does this mean for regular consumers? Let’s explore further.

    Doubling the Bandwidth

    To begin with, the standout feature of HDMI 2.2 is its increased bandwidth. It jumps from 48 Gbit/s in HDMI 2.1 to an impressive 96 Gbit/s. To put this in perspective, HDMI 2.1 already allows for 4K resolution at 144 frames per second (fps), which is more than sufficient for most gamers and movie enthusiasts.

    Now with HDMI 2.2, users can expect support for 8K resolution at 240 fps and 4K at an astonishing 480 fps. Additionally, while it’s technically feasible to support even 12K and 16K resolutions, these features seem more geared towards future marketing than anything immediately useful.

    Enhanced Applications

    The HDMI Forum states that this increased bandwidth will lead to enhancements in data-heavy applications like augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR), plus commercial uses such as large illuminated signage, medical imaging, and machine vision. These improvements could have significant impacts on various industries, making HDMI 2.2 a noteworthy advancement.

    In conclusion, while HDMI 2.2 brings exciting upgrades in speed and capability, it remains to see how much of an effect it will have on everyday consumers and their devices. The potential is certainly there, but practicality may take time to catch up.

  • New HDMI Standard: Higher Bandwidth for Better Resolutions

    New HDMI Standard: Higher Bandwidth for Better Resolutions

    After seven years since the launch of HDMI 2.1, the HDMI Forum is preparing to introduce the next significant update to its famous audio/video interface: HDMI 2.2.

    Announcement at CES

    According to media invites distributed by the HDMI Forum, the new HDMI standard is set to be revealed on January 6 at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. Although the official invitation does not confirm the exact name, it is largely anticipated that the new specification will be HDMI 2.2. Details on the technical aspects are still lacking, but we have been assured that the latest specification “will enable a variety of higher resolutions and refresh rates and will be supported with a new HDMI cable.”

    Next-Gen Features

    The press invitation from the HDMI organization states, “The HDMI Forum will announce a new version of the HDMI specification. The new specification, featuring next-generation HDMI technology and higher bandwidth, will enable a variety of higher resolutions and refresh rates and will be supported with a new HDMI cable. New technologies are enabling higher quality options for content producers such as television, film and game studios now and in the future, while also enabling multiple distribution platforms.”

    Currently, the HDMI 2.1b standard provides a maximum bandwidth of 48Gbps along with display resolutions reaching up to 8K at 60Hz and 5K at 120Hz using compression. It’s quite possible that HDMI 2.2 could either match or surpass the 80Gbps bandwidth offered by DisplayPort 2.1, potentially allowing for higher resolution and refresh rate combinations such as 8K at 120Hz and 10K at 60Hz, among others.

    Future GPU Compatibility

    There are rumors that the upcoming Nvidia GeForce RTX 50-series and AMD’s Radeon RX 8000 GPUs could launch with HDMI 2.2 support. However, there has been no confirmation from leaks or reports so far, and it seems unlikely that these new GPUs will include the latest HDMI standard right out of the box.