HDMI 2.2 future-proofs with 16K video and 96Gbps bandwidth support, but don’t rush to buy new “Ultra96” cables just yet
HDMI 2.2 doubles the bandwidth and brings significant new features like 16K video and uncompressed chroma formats, but you’ll need new cables and devices.
The HDMI Forum yesterday announced and released the new HDMI 2.2 specification to manufacturers, but you’ll need new cables and external monitors (among other things) that are yet to arrive. The digital interface brings improvements like 16K resolution at 60Hz and memory bandwidth up to 96 gigabits per second (Gbps).
HDMI 2.2 also promises to fix audio delay by leveraging the new Latency Indication Protocol (LIP) to synchronize audio and video across devices. For this to work, all devices in a chain must support LIP, like AV receivers and soundbars.
HDMI 2.2 brings 16K video and 96Gbps bandwidth support
Other perks of HDMI 2.2 include support for 12K resolution at a smooth refresh rate of 120Hz and uncompressed formats with full 4:4:4 chroma and up to 12-bit color in 4K resolution at 240Hz and 8K resolution at 60Hz.
In comparison, the previous HDMI 2.1 specification that arrived in 2018 maxes out at 8K resolution at 60Hz and 4K resolution at 120Hz. Support for uncompressed formats is important for massive displays, where compression artifacts are more visible than on everyday monitors for the masses. With uncompressed formats, there’s no compression and therefore no compression artifacts.
When compatible displays arrive, home users will be able to upgrade their home theater to enjoy uncompressed video, including the 4:4:4 chroma mode in 4K or 8K and full 10-bit and 12-bit color. Of course, these higher-quality formats require additional data throughput, so that’s why HDMI 2.2 doubles memory bandwidth from HDMI 2.1’s 48Gbps to 96Gbps.
96Gbps cables: Do you need them?
The increased memory bandwidth will require new 96Gbps cables that can support it. These cables are only required to support advanced new features like uncompressed formats and increased resolutions. Your existing HDMI 2.1 cables will continue to work with HDMI 2.2 for any features not requiring higher bandwidths.
To that end, the HDMI Forum has proposed “Ultra96” labeling for manufacturers to use on packaging to make it easier for shoppers to pick the right cable for their needs. “The introduction of the new Ultra96 feature name will help consumers and end-users ensure their product’s maximum bandwidth is supported,” said Chandlee Harrell, the president of the HDMI Forum.
The problem with HDMI 2.2
As mentioned, you’ll need to buy new cables and monitors to take advantage of the HDMI 2.2 perks. The Verge reports that the first monitors compatible with the HDMI 2.2 specification are expected later this year. On top of that, you would also need ultra-high-resolution content which doesn’t exist today; most games and movies are in 4K, rarely in 8K. There are simply no games or movies in 12K or 16K. And you would also need devices with powerful GPUs capable of outputting HDMI 2.2.
Apple is not a member of the HDMI forum, but supports HDMI 2.1 on some of its devices, including the Apple TV, the 2023 and newer MacBook Pro and the Mac mini.
Source link: https://www.idownloadblog.com/2025/06/26/hdmi-2-2-features-16k-resolution-video-96gbps-memory-bandwidth/
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