HDMI 2.2 to be unveiled at CES, offering higher bandwidth, resolutions, and refresh rates

[midian182]

Something to look forward to: CES is just a few weeks away, and it turns out that one of the many new tech products on show will be the new HDMI 2.2 standard. The next version of HDMI will offer increased bandwidth, supporting a wide range of higher resolutions and refresh rates, though you might need a new cable. The new standard could also be supported in the next generation of graphics cards from Nvidia and AMD.

It's been seven years since the HDMI Forum announced HDMI 2.1. On January 6, 2025, one day before CES officially starts in Las Vegas, the organization will announce a new standard.

There's no mention of the term HDMI 2.2 in the Forum's press release, suggesting it could be another revision of HDMI 2.1. However, the email notes that the HDMI Licensing Administrator, which two of the planned speakers at the event represent, is appointed to license Version 2.2 of the HDMI specification.

HDMI 2.1 supports bandwidth up to 48 Gbps and resolutions up to 10,240 x 4,320 at 120Hz with Display Stream Compression (DSC). Increasing the bandwidth in the next standard should allow for even higher resolutions and refresh rates without the need for DSC.

While a new cable is mentioned in the release, it's very unlikely that the port itself will change, and older cables will probably still work with the next spec. Being able to get the most from HDMI 2.2 might require one of the new cables, though.

The fact that the announcement takes place just before CES might mean that the new HDMI standard will be supported by Nvidia's RTX 5000 series and AMD's RX 8000 series desktop graphics cards, both of which are being revealed at the show.

Like AMD's RX 7000 series and the Radeon PRO W7000 Series, Nvidia's RTX 5000 cards are expected to support DisplayPort 2.1 There are only a handful of monitors that support DisplayPort 2.1 UHBR20 right now, so it will be a while before we start seeing HDMI 2.2 support in monitors and consumer televisions.

Masthead: Patrick Campanale | H/T: VideoCardz

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HDMI 2.2 to be unveiled at CES, offering higher bandwidth, resolutions, and refresh rates

 

[Felusy]

Why? Mostly to sell new cables? Considering 8K adoption failed hard I don't really see the point for TV's, however if someone uses HDMI for PC, then it might make sense - who does that tho?

My next monitor will be DP 2.1 UHBR20 for sure.

I only use HDMI for TVs and 2.1 offers me 4K/UHD at 144 Hz which is fine.

I read some TVs will offer 165 Hz next tho, is that the reason for HDMI 2.2? Seem rather pointless, as consoles run 120 Hz. Only because I have a PC hooked up to my TV I run 144 Hz instead of 120 Hz.

 

[HardwareHunt365]

RTX 5000 series will likely have Display Port 2.0 and HDMI 2.2. It's typical of Nvidia of "sticking to their guns" but eventually supporting a standard when they feel there's a real need for it. With all the next-gen talk, I think both standards will be in.

 

[Felusy]

RTX 5000 series will likely have Display Port 2.0 and HDMI 2.2. It's typical of Nvidia of "sticking to their guns" but eventually supporting a standard when they feel there's a real need for it. With all the next-gen talk, I think both standards will be in.

They will have DP 2.1 UHBR20 and this will be a first for consumer GPUs.

Radeon 7000 is only UHBR13.5 which is close to useless as you will be using DSC anyway in pretty much all cases. Looked good on the launch slide tho.

 

[Squid Surprise]

"The fact that the announcement takes place just before CES might mean that the new HDMI standard will be supported by Nvidia's RTX 5000 series and AMD's RX 8000 series desktop graphics cards"

There's a big difference between "supporting" and actually "using"... Often companies say they support something meaning: "You can use the cable with our card... but... it won't actually do anything different than the old cable."

I'd be shocked to see if next year's GPUs really take advantage of HDMI 2.2... they'll just be able to use the cable...

 

[wiyosaya]

"The fact that the announcement takes place just before CES might mean that the new HDMI standard will be supported by Nvidia's RTX 5000 series and AMD's RX 8000 series desktop graphics cards"

There's a big difference between "supporting" and actually "using"... Often companies say they support something meaning: "You can use the cable with our card... but... it won't actually do anything different than the old cable."

I'd be shocked to see if next year's GPUs really take advantage of HDMI 2.2... they'll just be able to use the cable...

Agreed! Take some of the current crop of AVRs, specifically, Yamaha's AXA series. If they fully supported HDMI 2.1, I would have bought one by now. However, the higher-end AXAs top out at 40GBPS instead of the max the spec supports 48GBPS.

 

[AnilD]

Ah, the HDMI lifecycle: just enough time for us to finally figure out which 2.1 cables are legit before 2.2 arrives to remind us that nothing we own is future-proof. Can't wait to see the $5 knockoff cables on Amazon claiming "Certified HDMI 2.3 Ultra."

 

[brucek]

I'd be far more excited if they were announcing a new universal labeling scheme that would ensure I'd never again have to wonder if the cable in my hand or in the parts bin was sufficient for the current use case. But let me guess, the new cables will continue to have ambiguous descriptions like "HDMI" and "high speed" meaning I'll have to guess if they can do anything more than display a basic picture.

 

[Burty117]

Why?

Refresh rates most likely, Both DisplayPort 1.4a and HDMI 2.1 need to use DSC to reach 4k 240Hz HDR, which the latest high end monitors are. 1440p 360Hz HDR also comes in at roughly 48Gbps which is the max for HDMI 2.1

I assume they realise there are some drawbacks with DSC, mainly with Nvidia cards mind you, and if screens keep increasing with higher refresh rates and/or resolution, more bandwidth will be required.

 

[BabaYaga]

It's for 8k @ 240hz. These things have to come out first before there is a need and gives TV manufactureres time to implement them. This is a TV standard. DP is a PC standard. I'd rather have DP 2.1 UHBR20 in 2025 video cards. You won't need HDMI 2.2 for a long time in video cards. Most connect to a monitor with DP input. It would be really pointless to put them in video cards anytime soon. Most of us can't get 60fps in 4k in UE5.

 

[ChipBoundary]

Why? Mostly to sell new cables? Considering 8K adoption failed hard I don't really see the point for TV's, however if someone uses HDMI for PC, then it might make sense - who does that tho?

My next monitor will be DP 2.1 UHBR20 for sure.

I only use HDMI for TVs and 2.1 offers me 4K/UHD at 144 Hz which is fine.

I read some TVs will offer 165 Hz next tho, is that the reason for HDMI 2.2? Seem rather pointless, as consoles run 120 Hz. Only because I have a PC hooked up to my TV I run 144 Hz instead of 120 Hz.

I am a PC user and I EXCLUSIVELY use HDMI. DisplayPort is a buggy, unusable mess. Screens go black, HDR goes wonky, refresh rates fluctuate, cables fail regularly. I work in IT and every single display issue one of my IT users has ever had is solely related to DisplayPort.

 

[passwordistaco]

The HDMI Forum made their specs useless when they watered down the requirements for labeling an item "HDMI 2.1".

AV receivers do such a poor job at implementing HDMI 2.1 that I usually end up running directly from the PC to the display.

 

[ChipBoundary]

It's for 8k @ 240hz. These things have to come out first before there is a need and gives TV manufactureres time to implement them. This is a TV standard. DP is a PC standard. I'd rather have DP 2.1 UHBR20 in 2025 video cards. You won't need HDMI 2.2 for a long time in video cards. Most connect to a monitor with DP input. It would be really pointless to put them in video cards anytime soon. Most of us can't get 60fps in 4k in UE5.

Yeah, no. Gamer and PC user, I exclusively use HDMI. Also, your claims about PC/TV are both inaccurate and ridiculous. HDMI came out four years before DisplayPort and it used be on all PC's. DisplayPort sucks. It's unreliable and problematic on the best day.

 

[ChipBoundary]

Good, hopefully the put it on more video cards so I don't have to use that DisplayPort garbage.

 

[passwordistaco]

Good, hopefully the put it on more video cards so I don't have to use that DisplayPort garbage.

I wouldn't call DisplayPort "garbage". It is more user friendly in that it doesn't require a manufacturer to pay a royalty to a governing body to use the port. And, the specs actually mean something.

HDMI requires a payment to the HDMI Forum (I would guess that's why most video cards only have 1 HDMI), and since said forum allows devices with lesser bandwidth (previously labelled HDMI 2.0) to be sold as HDMI 2.1, their spec is rather meaningless.

HDMI typically leapfrogs the bandwidth of DisplayPort in new versions, but due to lax labelling, you have to dig in and research to find out if your HDMI device will do what you want it to do.

It would be fantastic if TV manufacturers would include DP on their displays, but they don't. Coincidentally, many TV manufacturers are members of the HDMI Forum.

 

[Mr Majestyk]

Coming to Nvidia RTX 8000 cards at earliest

 

[Athlonite69]

Yeah, no. Gamer and PC user, I exclusively use HDMI. Also, your claims about PC/TV are both inaccurate and ridiculous. HDMI came out four years before DisplayPort and it used be on all PC's. DisplayPort sucks. It's unreliable and problematic on the best day.

Problematic LOL I've had zero problems using DP I have had multiple problems with HDMI though

Good, hopefully the put it on more video cards so I don't have to use that DisplayPort garbage.

And what is it exactly that is garbage about Display Port I've not had any problems with it

 

[Squid Surprise]

I am a PC user and I EXCLUSIVELY use HDMI. DisplayPort is a buggy, unusable mess. Screens go black, HDR goes wonky, refresh rates fluctuate, cables fail regularly. I work in IT and every single display issue one of my IT users has ever had is solely related to DisplayPort.

Your loss I suppose... I used to work in IT and never had an issue with DP - but had PLENTY with HDMI.

Needless to say, neither your experiences or mine mean a thing - when something is used by millions, one person's anecdotal evidence is useless...

Saying that, there's a reason why most video cards have more DP ports than HDMI - it's not just cost, DP is better.

 

[BabaYaga]

https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/202...you-cant-make-an-open-source-hdmi-2-1-driver/

Yeah, no. Gamer and PC user, I exclusively use HDMI. Also, your claims about PC/TV are both inaccurate and ridiculous. HDMI came out four years before DisplayPort and it used be on all PC's. DisplayPort sucks. It's unreliable and problematic on the best day.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DisplayPort
DisplayPort (DP) is a proprietary digital display interface developed by a consortium of PC and chip manufacturers and standardized by the Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA).

What does it matter when HDMI came out? DVI came out before HDMI and VGA came out before DVI. So we should stick with the standard that came out first?

DP was made specifically for PCs. You don't want to use it, fine with me. Currently DP2.1 is the fastest standard until maybe HDMI 2.2. If I have a need for more than 240fps @ 4k or if there happens to be a 8k 32" monitor that needs more bandwidth than 75fps and DP is still on DP2.1, than I'll consider HDMI 2.2 or whatever is out.

 

[Antias]

Ah, the HDMI lifecycle: just enough time for us to finally figure out which 2.1 cables are legit before 2.2 arrives to remind us that nothing we own is future-proof. Can't wait to see the $5 knockoff cables on Amazon claiming "Certified HDMI 2.3 Ultra."

OMG isn't that so frustrating, bought 3 different branded "certified" DP 2.1 cables for my new monitor from Amazon, and none would display the native 32:9 resolution of 5120x1440 at 144hz. (Ironically in desperation I tried a few of my older good quality DP cables and one actually worked correctly)

(On that subject, I find it puzzling that 5120x1440=7372800 is less resolution than a standard 16:9 3840x2160=8294400, meaning slightly less stress on a GPU I would assume, yet is classed as a 5K for connection purposes and the HDMI 2.0 ports I have on my 3060Ti wont support it at even 120Hz, but the older DP ports will go up to 144Hz full resolution.... its all a little confusing to me)

 

[Felusy]

I am a PC user and I EXCLUSIVELY use HDMI. DisplayPort is a buggy, unusable mess. Screens go black, HDR goes wonky, refresh rates fluctuate, cables fail regularly. I work in IT and every single display issue one of my IT users has ever had is solely related to DisplayPort.

You must be joking.

I use DP on every PC and never have issues. Everything works flawlessly. HDMI is too bandwidth limited for me anyway, since I run 4K/UHD, 10 bit HDR at 240 Hz. Zero issues, just top tier image quality thanks to QD-OLED.

You must be new to IT if you think HDMI is the standard for PCs. DP is needed to run highest res with highest refresh rate and the spec is not prone to issues at all.

HDMI is not able to maximize refresh rate on most high res monitors due to bandwidth limitations.

HDMI is for TVs and consoles, or to hook up a laptop easily (however I prefer USB-C with charging, which is far better).

No-one should use HDMI for a gaming PC hooked up to a high refresh rate monitor. DP is the standard here and have much higher bandwidth.

 

[Felusy]

Refresh rates most likely, Both DisplayPort 1.4a and HDMI 2.1 need to use DSC to reach 4k 240Hz HDR, which the latest high end monitors are. 1440p 360Hz HDR also comes in at roughly 48Gbps which is the max for HDMI 2.1

I assume they realise there are some drawbacks with DSC, mainly with Nvidia cards mind you, and if screens keep increasing with higher refresh rates and/or resolution, more bandwidth will be required.

HDMI is mostly for TVs and consoles. Would never use it for PC -> Monitor, unless laptop.

My 4K/240 Hz QD-OLED monitor has DP 2.1 UHBR20 aka full 80 Gbps and I am using DSC currently, due to no consumer cards supporting DP 2.1 fully.

DSC drawback is not visual (lossless compression) but alt-tab takes 2 seconds or so, with my 4090, when using fullscreen / exclusive fullscreen that is. DLDSR/DSR works, even tho many claim it does not (might vary from monitor to monitor)

DP 2.1 still have DSC in the spec

 

[Fanboiism101]

DisplayPort sucks. It's unreliable and problematic on the best day.

Good, hopefully the put it on more video cards so I don't have to use that DisplayPort garbage.

HDMI 2.1 is not even widely supported yet.
Well, the forum refuse to support it.
This alone is enough to write them off as usable.

 

[loki1944]

Meanwhile huge swaths of military contracting are wasting money on DVI to HDMI passthrough bricks

 

[Felusy]

HDMI 2.1 is not even widely supported yet.
Well, the forum refuse to support it.
This alone is enough to write them off as usable.

True, HDMI will never replace DP for PC usage. DP is the standard for a reason.

HDMI is for TV/Console/Home Audio + option to hook up most laptops easily.
DP is for PCs and Monitors with higher demands for resolution and refresh rate + color depth. More bandwidth and less issues.