Michał Stekla
During this year's CES trade shows, the HDMI Forum announced the introduction of HDMI 2.2 – a standard that aims to double the bandwidth to 96 Gb/s. Sounds impressive, doesn't it? But do we really need this? While the development of technology always generates interest, the question of the practical application of the new standard arises quite naturally.
What does HDMI 2.2 introduce?
Doubled bandwidth
HDMI 2.2 offers a bandwidth of 96 Gb/s, which means double the data transfer 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 configurations, 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 take advantage of HDMI 2.2, new cables designated as "Ultra96 HDMI" are necessary to handle the higher bandwidth and additional features.
Gigabits, refresh rates and the technology race
HDMI 2.2 will allow for the support of higher resolutions, more frames per second, and more advanced image formats. Great. The problem is that most of us still do not fully utilise the capabilities that HDMI 2.1 offers. After all, 8K televisions were supposed to revolutionise the market – meanwhile, content in that resolution is scarce, and the average user is more likely to be watching Netflix in Full HD or barely in 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 reach 60 Hz. So why support 360 Hz or more when the hardware that can handle it is still rare, and the content that would truly benefit from it can be counted on the fingers of 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 indeed require greater bandwidth. However, here arises the problem: has that future truly arrived?
HDMI 2.1 was meant to be a game-changer, but it still isn't the standard in every new device, and 4K HDR content with refresh rates above 120 Hz is a luxury that only a few can afford. Meanwhile, HDMI 2.2 introduces further requirements: new cables, new equipment, more money spent on upgrades.
What does HDMI 2.2 bring?
The new standard has several interesting features, such as Fixed Rate Link, which allows for more stable data transmission in the highest quality, or Latency Indication Protocol (LIP), designed to improve the synchronisation of audio with video. This sounds great, but again – how many users will actually notice the difference? One should not forget that HDMI 2.2 requires new cables, labelled as “Ultra96 HDMI”. Their availability is expected to be a matter of months, but knowing the reality, the initial prices could effectively deter users 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 is worth remembering that while technology advances, our needs and financial capabilities do not necessarily keep pace. Indeed, in the future, when 8K televisions become the norm, and games will run right away at 120 Hz, HDMI 2.2 may turn out to be essential. But as of today? It is 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 an everyday solution. Before we start replacing equipment and cables en masse, it is worth asking ourselves the question: do we really need this right now? If the answer is "not really," then perhaps HDMI 2.2 is simply ahead of its time.
See more on our YouTube channel!
If you are interested in technological news and detailed tests, be sure to check out our YouTube channel. In one of the videos, Maciej discusses whether the differences in HDMI cables actually matter and debunks many myths related to choosing the right cables. Check out what you should know before making a purchase!
