HDMI are the acronym for High-Definition Multimedia Interface either High definition multimedia interfacethe first digital interface to transmit mass adoption video and audio in the consumer market. To better understand each other, the connector that since 2003 we found in TV, computers, video game consoles, streaming playersetc., and that owes its success, among other reasons, to need A single cable to transmit digital video and audio.
Replaced analog standards widely used until the first decade of this century as the Scart (Euroconector) and VGAas well as others halfway between digital and analog, case of DVIand it is the first thing you want when you want to connect an image and video source to a screen.
He has had five iterations in these 22 years and now the sixth arrives, which Increase the abilities of the previous 2.1. HDMI FORUMthe organization that defines the standard, presented it last January at the CES 2025 And today it has launched the specifications for manufacturers. Commercially, it will be known as HDMI Ultra96 And the first cables and devices that use it are expected to arrive this year.
This is HDMI 2.2 (Ultra96)
HDMI 2.2 offers a maximum bandwidth of 96 Gbpstwice the 48 of the previous version. It also admits higher resolutions with higher soda rates, reaching 12K at 120 Hz and 16K at 60 Hz. Before that maximum, 4K at 480 Hz, 8K at 240 Hz and 10K at 120 Hz.
In addition, it is compatible with formats without compression and complete chroma, such as 8K at 60 Hz in 4: 4: 4 and 4K at 240 Hz in 4: 4: 4with color options 10 and 12 bits.
The HDMI 2.2 specification also incorporates the Latency indication protocol (LIP)which improves synchronization between audio and video, especially in configurations with multiple chain devices (Multi-hop).
‘The HDMI Forum is proud to present the new HDMI 2.2 specification for enable capabilities of higher performance and functions that allow new solutions and productsexciting and immersive. In addition, the introduction of the new characteristic name Ultra96 It will help consumers and end users to ensure that their products are compatible with the maximum bandwidth, ‘he said Chandlee Harrellpresident of the HDMI Forum, on the occasion of the launch of the specifications.
The organization encourages manufacturers to adopt the brand Ultra96 In any HDMI 2.2 product that is compatible with bandwidths 64 Gbps, 80 Gbps or 96 Gbps. It will also be necessary to use the new HDMI ULTRA96 cablesince the current HDMI ultra high speed cable only admits a maximum of 48 Gbps and 10k resolution.
That said, it should be noted that an HDMI 2.2 cable can be compatible only with the mode of 64 Gbps And yet to carry the brand Ultra96which can be confusing and disappointing if you are wrong when choosing.
Take advantage of the capabilities it will take time, and not only the one that the manufacturers take to get devices with HDMI 2.2. HDMI 2.1 was released in 2017 and, although televisions with 8K resolution are not rare, the content to that resolution yes.
HDMI specifications from 2003 to 2025
- HDMI 1.0 (2003): Full HD video (1080p) + multichannel audio.
- HDMI 1.3 (2006): Greater bandwidth, Dolby Truehd and DTS-HD support.
- HDMI 1.4 (2009): 4K resolution support (at 30 Hz), audio return channel (ARC) and ability to share a Internet network connection between HDMI connected devices, without the need for an Ethernet cable.
- HDMI 2.0 (2013): 4K at 60 Hz, basic HDR, up to 32 audio channels.
- HDMI 2.1 (2017): Support for 8K at 60 Hz and 4K at 120 Hz, dynamic HDR, EARC, variable soda rate (VRR) for video games.
- HDMI 2.2 (2025): Up to 96 Gbps of bandwidth, compatible with resolutions of up to 16K at 60 Hz and 12K at 120 Hz, support for video without compression in 4: 4: 4 and up to 12 bits of color, and incorporates the LIP protocol to improve audio and video synchronization.