HDMI 2.2 standard introduced with twice the bandwidth of HDMI 2.1 and special cables

The HDMI Forum has announced the HDMI 2.2 standard specifications. It provides twice the bandwidth of its predecessor, HDMI 2.1.

Image Source: VideoCardz/HDMI Forum

According to the official HDMI Forum press release, HDMI 2.2 specifications support data transfer rates of 96 Gbps, which is double the 48 Gbps of HDMI 2.1. The new standard also introduces a new Latency Indication Protocol (LIP), designed to improve audio and video synchronization in systems with multiple connection points, such as displays with separate AV receivers or soundbars.

In addition, the HDMI Forum introduced a new cable type, Ultra96, certified to support higher bandwidth. These cables must be HDMI certified to be labeled as such. The new marking will help distinguish high-end cables from products marked “2.2”, which are already presented on various trading platforms. According to the HDMI Forum presentation, the new cables will be at least two meters long and will be available in the third or fourth quarter of this year.

«The specification also includes the Latency Indication Protocol (LIP) to improve audio and video synchronization, especially in systems with multiple communication channels, such as an AV receiver or soundbar. Additionally, the specification includes a new Ultra96 HDMI Cable that supports 96 Gbps bandwidth and provides full HDMI 2.2 capabilities. This is part of the HDMI cable certification program, which requires that every cable model be tested and certified and carry a certification label,” according to the HDMI Forum.

HDMI 2.2 specifications will be available to all manufacturers that use HDMI 2.x and are scheduled for release in the first half of 2025. At the moment, it is unknown whether the new generation Nvidia and AMD video cards will receive support for the new standard.