Whether you say “accadiemmei” or “eicdiemai” (a reason for continuous technological debate), the HDMI cable is now part of our lives. Whether used for computers or for televisions, decoders, consoles and soundbars, they are an essential component of our multimedia experience, which will now be renewed with the arrival of the HDMI 2.2 standard, officially presented these days at CES 2025 in Las Vegas. But what changes?
The main turning point of HDMI 2.2 is the increase in bandwidth, which doubles compared to the previous version, going from 48 Gbit/s to 96 Gbit/s. An increase is made possible by a new generation of Fixed Rate Link transmission technology, initially introduced with HDMI 2.1 and now further optimized. This means that it will now be possible to transmit video with a maximum resolution of 12K, equal to 12,880×6,480 pixels, at 60 Hz and with a color depth of 12 bits. In short: technical details that translate into over 4,000 possible shades for each primary color in each pixel. For a goal that opens the doors to new applications, such as augmented, virtual and mixed reality, as well as new generation displays, including light fields and large commercial screens. In the domestic context, the new technology paves the way for televisions with resolutions higher than 8K, a resolution that has been talked about for too long without having had an actual implementation. But who knows: the introduction of 12K resolutions could represent a challenge that reawakens a sector, the TV sector, which is somewhat at a standstill. Especially for a use that brings cinema and video game viewing to a definition never seen before, practically real.
Another significant innovation in HDMI 2.2 is the introduction of the Latency Indication Protocol, a function designed to eliminate audio-video synchronization problems. When connecting a chain of devices such as televisions, soundbars and amplifiers, LIP ensures perfect synchronization between audio and video, regardless of the complexity of the setup, significantly improving the fluidity of communication between connected devices via eARC (i.e. Enhanced Audio Return Channel) . However, to take full advantage of this feature, all devices in the chain must be compatible with the HDMI 2.2 standard, which may require a gradual upgrade of existing equipment. Given that the change in input port has as a secondary effect the introduction of a new standard for cables, called HDMI Ultra 96, designed precisely to support the full bandwidth of 96 Gbit/s and which will be ready for the second half of 2025. And if anyone had any doubts regarding the environmental aspect and the growth of electronic waste, the solution is already there: backward compatibility is envisaged, and therefore with the simple HDMI, which will be able to continue to function even if without reaching the levels of its successor.
Finally, returning to technologies such as virtual and augmented reality, the future could soon see the arrival of mixed reality displays and light field devices, products used in professional sectors such as the medical, advertising and automotive sectors which will see a notable advantage, thanks to
possibility of using very high resolution screens and high frame rates for specialist applications. And so, in practice, everything is ready for the next video revolution. However you pronounce it.