HDMI Forum Releases Version 2.2 of the HDMI Specification

[Nomad76]

HDMI Forum, Inc. today announced the release of Version 2.2 of the HDMI Specification. Higher 96 Gbps bandwidth and next-gen HDMI Fixed Rate Link technology provide optimal audio and video for a wide range of device applications. An end-user can be assured that their displays support a native video format in the best
way possible and deliver a seamless and reliable experience. Higher resolutions and refresh rates are supported including up to 12K@120 and 16K@60. Additionally, more high-quality options are supported including uncompressed full chroma formats such as 8K@60/4:4:4 and 4K@240/4:4:4 at 10-bit and 12-bit color.

"The HDMI Forum is proud to release the new HDMI 2.2 Specification to enable higher performance capabilities and features for exciting and immersive new solutions and products," said Chandlee Harrell, president of the HDMI Forum. "And the introduction of the new Ultra96 feature name will help consumers and end-users ensure their product's maximum bandwidth is supported."



"Ultra96" is a feature name that manufacturers are encouraged to use to indicate a product supports a maximum of 64 Gbps, 80 Gbps or 96 Gbps bandwidth in compliance with the HDMI 2.2 Specification. Products that market or display the Ultra96 feature name require the Ultra96 HDMI Cable to ensure a product's maximum bandwidth is properly supported. The new Ultra96 HDMI Cable supports up to 96 Gbps and all HDMI 2.2 applications. The current Ultra High Speed HDMI Cable is applicable for system configurations supporting up to 48 Gbps maximum bandwidth.

The Ultra96 HDMI Cable, just like the Ultra High Speed HDMI Cable, is part of the HDMI Cable Certification Program requiring each model length to be tested and certified and display a Certification Label.

Also included in the new specification is Latency Indication Protocol (LIP) for improving audio and video synchronization, especially for multiple-hop system configurations such as those with an audio video receiver or soundbar.

View at TechPowerUp Main Site | Source

 

[cucol]

Great news, next year well get some 42 inch oled tv with hdmi 2.2 and 240hz for around 700$ to use as a pc gaming monitor.

 

[londiste]

Did they actually do the sane thing and want the HDMI 2.2 to be used with only the high bitrate and Ultra96 things and left the rest for HDMI 2.1?

 

[Daven]

It’s interesting how the video standards have consolidated down to just two. There were so many ways that video/audio were delivered in the very recent past. It’s also interesting that the two remaining standards continue to one up each other using two very different business models: DP with an open source type model and HDMI with a for profit licensing model.

I prefer DP but both standards have their advantages and disadvantages. I don’t see one winning out over the other anytime soon.

Great news, next year well get some 42 inch oled tv with hdmi 2.2 and 240hz for around 700$ to use as a pc gaming monitor.

Be careful when using SmartTVs as computer monitors. The Smart part has become so intrusive that it can be difficult to get the TV to behave like a monitor only. This will only get worse as TV manufacturers are pushed/willing to force streaming content ads and interfaces in front of you even though you just want to view your PC desktop.

I have this problem with a Samsung TV that removed the option to just load the last input used.

 

[cucol]

It’s interesting how the video standards have consolidated down to just two. There were so many ways that video/audio were delivered in the very recent past. It’s also interesting that the two remaining standards continue to one up each other using two very different business models: DP with an open source type model and HDMI with a for profit licensing model.

I prefer DP but both standards have their advantages and disadvantages. I don’t see one winning out over the other anytime soon.


Be careful when using SmartTVs as computer monitors. The Smart part has become so intrusive that it can be difficult to get the TV to behave like a monitor only. This will only get worse as TV manufacturers are pushed/willing to force streaming content ads and interfaces in front of you even though you just want to view your PC desktop.

I have this problem with a Samsung TV that removed the option to just load the last input used.

TY for the tip, but im using 42 oled lg tv as a monitor for years and never had any problems like this.
You can use software like lg companion to power up and power off tv with your PC so you dont even need to use the remote.

The only thing i missed was the 240hz, so i got a qd oled 32 one for this (and frame gen x4) to keep the native 60fps. But im missing the size of the 42 inch too much, and the true blacks, now on qd oled its like pinky blacks. I can live with this but ill switch back to a 42" oled TV when they come with hdmi 2.2 or dp 2.1 to get the 240hz

 

[Daven]

TY for the tip, but im using 42 oled lg tv as a monitor for years and never had any problems like this.
You can use software like lg companion to power up and power off tv with your PC so you dont even need to use the remote.

The only thing i missed was the 240hz, so i got a qd oled 32 one for this (and frame gen x4) to keep the native 60fps. But im missing the size of the 42 inch too much, and the true blacks, now on qd oled its like pinky blacks. I can live with this but ill switch back to a 42" oled TV when they come with hdmi 2.2 or dp 2.1 to get the 240hz

My worry is TVs made now and into the future. I've seen the ability to bypass the smart TV functionality on older models. It's the newer models that might be getting more restrictive to force ads on us. I hope this is not the case and I'm happy to be wrong.

 

[TheinsanegamerN]

My worry is TVs made now and into the future. I've seen the ability to bypass the smart TV functionality on older models. It's the newer models that might be getting more restrictive to force ads on us. I hope this is not the case and I'm happy to be wrong.

Solution: NEVER connect the stupid things to the internet. Seems to correct this behavior.

 

[Francoporto]

Ok but where are 8k 144Hz monitor now ?

 

[Daven]

Solution: NEVER connect the stupid things to the internet. Seems to correct this behavior.

Yes, I turn the WIFI connection of my Smart TV to off as the first thing I do.

 

[tsunami2311]

so are we gona have 2.2 device that dont actual support full bandwidth and features? like we did with 2.1. The certifications on what is "2.1" device is to loose I expect 2.2 to be same.

We have 2.0 device labeled at 2.1 simply cause it has vrr support

 

[Tek-Check]

Did they actually do the sane thing and want the HDMI 2.2 to be used with only the high bitrate and Ultra96 things and left the rest for HDMI 2.1?

Any device that needs more than 48 Gbps signal should get a new port. So, any display above 4K/144Hz 10-bit and above 5K/120Hz 10-bit.

 

[Daven]

Any device that needs more than 48 Gbps signal should get a new port. So, any display above 4K/144Hz 10-bit and above 5K/120Hz 10-bit.

We went through a mess with ports before. I think there were like five different HDMI ports: standard, Apple Mini HDMI, regular mini HDMI and maybe another one. I'm not sure we want to go through that again.

Edit: Oh wait, the Apple one was for DP. Here are the different HDMI ones:

 

[Alan Smithee]

I read all of the details on their site and the level of consumer confusion is beyond belief.

HDMI 2.2 Ultra High Speed is 48 Gbps
HDMI 2.2 Ultra96 is 64, 80 or 96 Gbps (yes, Ultra96 doesn't imply 96)

And all of the other features, e.g. ALLM, VRR, eARC, are still optional, so not present unless specifically listed by the device manufacturer

So "HDMI 2.2" is meaningless and only serves to deceive

 

[Tek-Check]

Edit: Oh wait, the Apple one was for DP. Here are the different HDMI ones:

A will be on most devices - standard, full size HDMI port
B is not used
C will be in use on slim portable displays. I have one at home.
D is largely phased out, but features in some small devices, such as Raspberry Pi single-board computer

I read all of the details on their site and the level of consumer confusion is beyond belief.

HDMI 2.2 Ultra High Speed is 48 Gbps
HDMI 2.2 Ultra96 is 64, 80 or 96 Gbps (yes, Ultra96 doesn't imply 96)

And all of the other features, e.g. ALLM, VRR, eARC, are still optional, so not present unless specifically listed by the device manufacturer

So "HDMI 2.2" is meaningless and only serves to deceive

Not all devices need all features.
Ultra96 is a label for cables. Each cable must support maximum speed, regardless of the speed specific devices support.

 

[trsttte]

I read all of the details on their site and the level of consumer confusion is beyond belief.

HDMI 2.2 Ultra High Speed is 48 Gbps
HDMI 2.2 Ultra96 is 64, 80 or 96 Gbps (yes, Ultra96 doesn't imply 96)

And all of the other features, e.g. ALLM, VRR, eARC, are still optional, so not present unless specifically listed by the device manufacturer

So "HDMI 2.2" is meaningless and only serves to deceive

They learned nothing from the HDMI 2.1 debacle and are now borrowing further problems (the variable speed) from USB and DP - though to be fair they also did that already, HDMI 2.1 FRL didn't mean you 48gbit/s, some devices, notably some gigabyte monitors, only allowed for less bandwidth, in a manner even more confusing than what Display Port does.

So progress?

 

[Rightness_1]

Finally, HDMI has caught up with what the public wants. I guess it will be another 4 years until AMD and nGreedia follow the standard fully. Drip, drip, drip. But at least the new consoles should support this from day 1.

 

[_roman_]

I see it more like HDMIgreedia and not AMDgreedia or Ngreedia.

HDMI can not be used by myself. It belongs to television as a low value and bad hardware quality successor for the SCART connector.

DP works and can be used in all of my scenarios. HDMI does not have any software support at all. HDMI is an useless connector. I wish mainboards and graphic cards would be sold with dedicated DP connectors and with no HDMI connectors. This topic will get interesting in around 5 years when I buy another screen. Finding a screen with multiple higher DP connectors will be a challenge most likely.

HDMI has to die. DP - the usual size - that's it.
I also dislike Mini HDMI. I had a screen with one mini hdmi connector.

 

[R-T-B]

Be careful when using SmartTVs as computer monitors. The Smart part has become so intrusive that it can be difficult to get the TV to behave like a monitor only. This will only get worse as TV manufacturers are pushed/willing to force streaming content ads and interfaces in front of you even though you just want to view your PC desktop.

I have this problem with a Samsung TV that removed the option to just load the last input used.

Just don't ever hook it up to wifi.

I see it more like HDMIgreedia and not AMDgreedia or Ngreedia.

HDMI can not be used by myself. It belongs to television as a low value and bad hardware quality successor for the SCART connector.

DP works and can be used in all of my scenarios. HDMI does not have any software support at all. HDMI is an useless connector. I wish mainboards and graphic cards would be sold with dedicated DP connectors and with no HDMI connectors. This topic will get interesting in around 5 years when I buy another screen. Finding a screen with multiple higher DP connectors will be a challenge most likely.

HDMI has to die. DP - the usual size - that's it.
I also dislike Mini HDMI. I had a screen with one mini hdmi connector.

I share your hatred of HDMI but as a LG B9 OLED user I sort of have to deal with it. It does suck.

 

[Tek-Check]

We have 2.0 device labeled at 2.1 simply cause it has vrr support

Yes. That's within the rules. HDMI LA allows the label as soon as a specific feature is supported.

I know... it's marketing abuse, but hey, no one has taken them to a court so far. People keep complaining, but no one take any action... that's the world we live in.

HDMI 2.2 Ultra96 is 64, 80 or 96 Gbps (yes, Ultra96 doesn't imply 96)

This will be a major issue and part of marketing abuse. Someone needs to make a complaint to consumer protection agencies.

They learned nothing from the HDMI 2.1 debacle

Don't be naive. They learnt that they can get away with anything. So, consumer lost here.

We, as consumers, learnt nothing from that debacle. No one has ever organised a consumer group to get legal representation and try to force HDMI LA and big companies behind it to start publishing transparent specifications on products that are not ambiguous.

HDMI is an useless connector. I wish mainboards and graphic cards would be sold with dedicated DP connectors and with no HDMI connectors

Almost every single monitor in the world has both connectors, to give users more connection choices. Get over yourself.

I share your hatred of HDMI but as a LG B9 OLED user I sort of have to deal with it. It does suck.

Write an email to LG and Samsung, and tell them that you want to see DP connectors on TVs too, just like recent Hisense that has USB-C with DP 1.4

 

[londiste]

Yes. That's within the rules. HDMI LA allows the label as soon as a specific feature is supported.

Err... not quite for the example you quoted. I really don't want to search for the HDMI Specifications document because this is behind a paywall and pita to find but afaik all the new stuff in 2.1 vs 2.0 was either an optional feature or "up to". The only thing I can think of that might have become required is DSC. Anything HDMI 2.0 is technically valid as HDMI 2.1. Decent manufacturers that also want some clarity of course only label HDMI 2.1 the stuff that has higher bitrate but that is not abusing the marketing on their part.

HDMI can not be used by myself. It belongs to television as a low value and bad hardware quality successor for the SCART connector.

DP works and can be used in all of my scenarios. HDMI does not have any software support at all. HDMI is an useless connector. I wish mainboards and graphic cards would be sold with dedicated DP connectors and with no HDMI connectors. This topic will get interesting in around 5 years when I buy another screen. Finding a screen with multiple higher DP connectors will be a challenge most likely.

HDMI has to die. DP - the usual size - that's it.
I also dislike Mini HDMI. I had a screen with one mini hdmi connector.

Why such hatred? HDMI 2.0 and HDMI 2.1 were and are pretty competitive in terms of bandwidth, more to the side of HDMI being the cutting edge while DP is catching up. There are ifs and buts there like DP often having higher possible bandwidth in spec but not in reality or similar problems on HDMI side (LG's 42Gbps ports come to mind) but this race has been going more the way of HDMI lately. DP 2.0 was a nice step up but the implementation just isn't there yet. I have a nagging feeling that HDMI 2.2 will get wider adoption first despite coming out that much later.

Have you tried DP at high bitrates with cables longer than for example 1.8m/6ft? HDMI cables, even certified 2.1 ones seem to be easier to find and work better. There are occasional problems but those seem to be quite a bit more frequent on DP side.

When talking about buying monitors - have you checked how many monitors are available with DP 2.0?

Connectors themselves are a different topic. Even on DP side the USB-C seems to gain more and more ground as the connector of choice...

 

[R-T-B]

Write an email to LG and Samsung, and tell them that you want to see DP connectors on TVs too, just like recent Hisense that has USB-C with DP 1.4

You act like they read those emails.

I have posted to their product feedback forum so close enough. A bot replied with a nice thank you.

Why such hatred?

It stems from how closed the standard is. So closed, they denied it being supported in AMDs linux driver because it is OSS.

 

[Tek-Check]

You act like they read those emails.
I have posted to their product feedback forum so close enough. A bot replied with a nice thank you.

I know. That's why more organized and coordinated action by consumer groups is needed. Individual cannot do much in such situations.

Err... not quite for the example you quoted. I really don't want to search for the HDMI Specifications document because this is behind a paywall and pita to find but afaik all the new stuff in 2.1 vs 2.0 was either an optional feature or "up to". The only thing I can think of that might have become required is DSC. Anything HDMI 2.0 is technically valid as HDMI 2.1. Decent manufacturers that also want some clarity of course only label HDMI 2.1 the stuff that has higher bitrate but that is not abusing the marketing on their part.

I will give you even more headache with absurd examples of their manipulative language used with the public. 2.1 spec is so watered down and often meaningless, that consumer groups need to take a legal action against companies behind HDMI LA. It's ridiculous what they do. Examples are below.

All 2.0 features became a subset of 2.1 spec, so 2.0 does not officially exist. When Asus say "HDMI 2.1 4K/60", it means nothing specific for 2.1 that did not exist before with 2.0. It's simply old 2.0 port with 18 Gbps. It's not listed as 2.0 because no device is certified for 2.0 anymore. So, it must have 2.1 label, even if it does not have anything new from 2.1 spec. That's how meaningless the label 2.1 is.

There was another example given above by other members. If a monitor supports VRR, but the physical port is still old 2.0 port with 18 Gbps and no support for FRL higher bandwidth signal, it can be listed as 2.1 because it support one new feature - VRR. That's how minimalist the 2.1 spec is.

 

[trsttte]

Yes. That's within the rules. HDMI LA allows the label as soon as a specific feature is supported.

I know... it's marketing abuse

There was another example given above by other members. If a monitor supports VRR, but the physical port is still old 2.0 port with 18 Gbps and no support for FRL higher bandwidth signal, it can be listed as 2.1 because it support one new feature - VRR. That's how minimalist the 2.1 spec is.

It doesn't need to support any feature at all, they had the genius idea of just discontinuing HDMI 2.0 and labelling everything as HDMI 2.1, regardless if it's even old TMDS or proper 2.1 with FRL.

Luckily they did this late enough that there wasn't that much abuse over it, but it's that bad, you have to rely on manufacturers to be honest and list the specific capabilities, i.e. Dell lists all their monitors as HDMI 2.1 but clearly labels if it's 2.1 TMDS (aka 2.0) or 2.1 FRL. Not everyone does (Xiaomi comes to mind)

HDMI 2.0 and HDMI 2.1 were and are pretty competitive in terms of bandwidth, more to the side of HDMI being the cutting edge while DP is catching up.

They really aren't, HDMI 2.0 released on 2013 does 18gbit raw bandwidth with just 14.4gbit data rate, while DP 1.2 released in 2010 was doing 21.60gbit with 17.28 effective. HDMI 2.1 released in 2017 surpassed Display Port 1.3 from 2014 by a bit (48/42gbit to 32/25.9) only to quickly be put in it's place by DP2.0 in 2019 with 80gbit raw - 77.37gbit data rate. 6 years later HDMI 2.2 is barely edging ahead of Display port with just 84gbit effective data rate while requiring a 96gbit link to do it - this is important to note, you pay for this 88% efficiency vs 96% on Display Port with higher cost interfaces, connectors and cables.

The hatred comes from the closed nature of the standard and the royaltees imposed, you pay HDMI LA per device and per port, Display port it's just free to use, you don't have to pay anything to Vesa.

 

[R-T-B]

They really aren't.

Honestly, I would say they are tech parity for the most part, leapfrogging eachother fairly regularly. Yes, displayport does a bit better in the leaps, but not enough to say anything like "HDMI is way behind" or anything.

The real issue is the HDMI forums licensing model, as you correctly observed.