The HDMI Forum has announced a press conference scheduled for January 6th, where it will reveal details about a new specification that will offer higher resolutions and refresh rates. This updated standard will be supported by a new cable, marking a significant advancement in HDMI technology aimed at improving audiovisual performance across devices.
It is widely speculated that the new specification will be HDMI 2.2, as suggested by hints in the HDMI Forum’s communication. The HDMI Licensing Administrator, responsible for licensing HDMI 2.2, is involved in the event, which points to this as the likely upgrade. This would represent a major step beyond HDMI 2.1, which was first introduced in 2017 and has only seen minor updates since then.
HDMI 2.1 currently supports impressive features such as 48Gbps bandwidth, 120Hz variable refresh rates, and resolutions up to 10240 x 4320. However, the new HDMI 2.2 spec is expected to push these capabilities further, possibly enabling even higher resolutions and frame rates without relying on Display Stream Compression, which could significantly improve performance for high-end displays and devices.
The mention of a new cable underscores the fact that not all HDMI cables are the same. While existing cables may still work with the updated specification, achieving its full potential may require upgraded cables. This reflects the ongoing evolution of HDMI technology, where consumers may need to consider purchasing new cables to take full advantage of the latest advancements.
