At the start of the year, HDMI 2.2 was announced – a new generation of the display and TV connection interface widely used in consumer video tech and PCs. Despite the deceptively minor version number bump, it actually brings major changes, just like HDMI 2.1 before. HDMI 2.2 delivers up to double the bandwidth. The interface now rivals and even outpaces DisplayPort 2.1, becoming the most powerful method to link a PC with a screen.
The HDMI 2.2 specification was pre-announced during January’s CES 2025 trade show. It has now been finalized, with the official release of the finished version announced today. HDMI 2.2 also introduces a new cable standard called Ultra96, specifically designed to handle the interface’s increased speed. Every Ultra96 cable, regardless of length, will undergo individual testing and certification to bear the logo.
Together with Ultra96 cables, HDMI 2.2 will support three different operating speeds—64 Gb/s, 80 Gb/s, and 96 Gb/s (for comparison, HDMI 2.1 maxes out at 48 Gb/s). The rate that will be implemented will likely vary depending on the specific monitor or television and the capabilities of its internal electronics. Early indications—from Linux driver code—suggest that AMD’s upcoming RDNA 5 GPU generation will support the 64Gb/s and 80Gb/s modes, though no signs yet point to 96Gb/s support.
This tiered approach mirrors the structure of DisplayPort 2.0/2.1, which also offers three speeds: UHBR10, UHBR13.5, and UHBR20, with physical transfer speeds of 40 Gb/s, 54 Gb/s, and 80 Gb/s respectively (net usable data speeds being 38.69, 52.22, and 77.37 Gb/s). The speed between source and display will be auto-negotiated to the highest mutually supported rate.
Despite the new speeds and cables, HDMI 2.2 maintains backward compatibility, allowing connection to older devices.
Up to 16K Resolution
HDMI 2.2 also officially supports higher resolutions and frame rates. While actual support may vary based on graphics or SoC’s display output block’s capabilities, the standard allows for resolutions up to 12K at 120 Hz or 16K—quadruple the pixel count of 8K, i.e., 15,360 × 8640 pixels—at 60 Hz. At lower resolutions, refresh rates can reach higher, for example up to 480 Hz in 4K resolution. The standard also enables 16-bit color depth per channel, albeit only with 4:2:0 chroma subsampling and up to 10K resolution.
Beyond the increased speeds, HDMI 2.2 introduces a new feature called Latency Indication Protocol. This is designed to automatically synchronize audio and video between connected devices—such as when a TV is linked via HDMI to a receiver with speakers and/or a soundbar. The technology allows devices to communicate their processing latency with each other, enabling the TV or monitor to time its video output to be precisely in sync with audio playback, all without the need for manual calibration or measurement.
Unfortunately, there’s no word yet on when HDMI 2.2-capable monitors and TVs will hit the market. The next generation of GPUs, mentioned earlier, could arrive in about two years. It remains to be seen whether only AMD’s Radeon GPUs will support HDMI 2.2 or if Nvidia’s next generation of chips will also include support around the same time.
Source: HDMI Forum
English translation and edit by Jozef Dudáš
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