Michał Stekla
During this year's CES trade show, 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 development of technology always sparks interest, the question of the practical application of the new standard arises naturally.
What does HDMI 2.2 introduce?
Double the bandwidth
HDMI 2.2 offers a bandwidth of 96 Gb/s, which means double the data transmission capabilities compared to HDMI 2.1.Support for higher refresh rates
The new standard enables the display of images at higher frequencies 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 synchronization
The introduced Latency Indication Protocol (LIP) improves the synchronization of sound and image, especially in more complex AV configurations, such as with receivers or soundbars.New possibilities for VR and future content
HDMI 2.2 supports more advanced applications, such as virtual reality and spatial video, opening the door to new technology applications.New cables required
To fully take advantage of HDMI 2.2, new cables marked as "Ultra96 HDMI" are necessary to meet the higher bandwidth and additional features.
Gigabits, Refresh Rate, and the Technology Race
HDMI 2.2 will enable support for higher resolutions, more frames per second, and more advanced image formats. Great. The problem is that most of us still do not fully utilize the capabilities offered by HDMI 2.1. 8K TVs were supposed to revolutionize the market – yet, content in this resolution is scarce, and the average user is more likely to watch 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 one hand?
Technology ahead of needs?
One of the main arguments for HDMI 2.2 is future-proofing – televisions, consoles, and even movies in increasingly higher resolutions will require greater bandwidth. But here arises the question: has that future actually arrived?
HDMI 2.1 was supposed to be a game-changer, but it is 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 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, and Latency Indication Protocol (LIP), which aims to improve the synchronization of sound with the image. It sounds great, but again – how many users will actually notice the difference? One must also not forget that HDMI 2.2 requires new cables, labeled as "Ultra96 HDMI." Their availability is expected in a matter of months, but knowing the realities, the initial prices may effectively discourage switching.
Is it a revolution or just evolution?
Looking realistically, HDMI 2.2 is more of a natural evolution than a revolution. It is worth remembering that although technology is moving forward, our needs and financial capabilities are not keeping pace with it. Indeed, in the future, when 8K televisions become the norm and games run smoothly at 120 Hz, HDMI 2.2 may prove necessary. 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 replacing equipment and cables en masse, it's worth asking ourselves: do we really need this right now? If the answer is "not really," then perhaps HDMI 2.2 is simply ahead of its time.
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