Michał Stekla
During this year's CES, the HDMI Forum announced the introduction of HDMI 2.2 – a standard that is set to double the bandwidth to 96 Gb/s. Sounds impressive, right? But do we really need it? While the advancement of technology always sparks interest, the question of the practical application of this new standard arises on its own.
What does HDMI 2.2 introduce?
Doubled bandwidth
HDMI 2.2 offers a bandwidth of 96 Gb/s, which means twice the data transmission capabilities compared to HDMI 2.1.Support for higher refresh rates
The new standard allows for displaying images at higher refresh rates such as 4K@480Hz, 8K@240Hz, 12K@120Hz, or even 16K resolution.HDMI Fixed Rate Link (FRL)
The FRL technology ensures stable data transmission at the highest resolutions and video formats.Better audio and video synchronisation
The introduced Latency Indication Protocol (LIP) improves the synchronisation of sound and image, especially in more complex AV setups, such as with receivers or soundbars.New opportunities for VR and future content
HDMI 2.2 supports more advanced applications, such as virtual reality and spatial video, opening doors to new technology applications.New cables required
To fully benefit from HDMI 2.2, new cables marked as "Ultra96 HDMI" are necessary to handle the higher bandwidth and additional features.
Gigabits, refresh rates and the tech race
HDMI 2.2 will allow for support of higher resolutions, more frames per second, and more advanced image formats. Great. The problem is that most of us still don't fully utilise the capabilities that HDMI 2.1 offers. 8K TVs were supposed to revolutionise the market – yet content in that resolution is scarce, and the average user is more likely watching Netflix in Full HD or barely 4K.
The situation is similar with refresh rates. Higher refresh rates may be important for gamers, but even in 4K, most consoles or PCs barely hit 60 Hz. So why support 360 Hz or more when the hardware that can handle it is still a rarity, and the content that would truly benefit can be counted on one hand?
Technology ahead of needs?
One of the main arguments for HDMI 2.2 is future-proofing – televisions, consoles, and even films in increasingly higher resolutions will require greater bandwidth. But here lies the problem: has that future actually arrived?
HDMI 2.1 was meant to be a game-changer, but it's still not a standard in every new device, and 4K HDR content with refresh rates above 120 Hz is a luxury that few can afford. Meanwhile, HDMI 2.2 introduces more requirements: new cables, new equipment, more money spent on updates.
What does HDMI 2.2 bring?
The new standard has a few interesting features, such as Fixed Rate Link, which allows for more stable data transmission in the highest quality, or Latency Indication Protocol (LIP), aimed at improving audio-visual synchronisation. That sounds good, but again – how many users will actually notice the difference? It’s also important to note that HDMI 2.2 requires new cables, labelled as “Ultra96 HDMI”. Their availability is expected to be a matter of months, but given the reality, the initial prices could effectively deter people from making the switch.
Is it a revolution or just an evolution?
Realistically speaking, HDMI 2.2 is more of a natural evolution than a revolution. It’s important to remember that while technology is moving forward, our needs and financial capabilities aren’t keeping pace with it. Sure, in the future, when 8K televisions become the norm and games run smoothly at 120 Hz, HDMI 2.2 may prove to be essential. But for today? It’s hard to shake the feeling that most of us could comfortably stick with HDMI 2.1 for a few more years—and nothing would happen.
Summary
There is no doubt that HDMI 2.2 opens up new possibilities, but in practice, it is more of a gadget for enthusiasts than a daily solution. Before we start massively replacing equipment and cables, it's worth asking ourselves: do we really need this right now? If the answer is "not really," then perhaps HDMI 2.2 is just ahead of its time.
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