With the Ultra96 certified cables, the HDMI interface can now offer an incredible bandwidth of up to 96 Gbps for uncompressed visuals at high resolutions and refresh rates.

HDMI 2.2 Ultra96 Introduced with 96 Gbps Bandwidth, Surpassing DP 2.1 UHBR20’s Bandwidth by 16 Gbps

HDMI started in the early 2000s as a standard that could offer a decent visual experience at 1080p, eventually expanding its domain by offering higher resolution support and multiple audio streams support later. While the current HDMI 2.1 standard is sufficient even for enthusiasts, the HDMI Forum has introduced the latest HDMI 2.2 interface.

The HDMI 2.2 brings the Ultra96 certification, which allows these cables to offer up to 96 Gbps of bandwidth, exceeding the 80 Gbps bandwidth limit of the DisplayPort 2.1 interface. The HDMI 2.1 was limited to 48 Gbps, and the HDMI 2.2 doubles that bandwidth, unlocking support for even higher resolutions at higher refresh rates. With such a high bandwidth, HDMI 2.2 can offer support for up to a 4K@480Hz configuration, bringing almost uncompressed visuals to the screen.

Image Credit: dataton.com

The interface can also support up to 8K@240Hz or 10K@120Hz modes and even makes 16K@60Hz possible. So, it’s definitely not something that is going to become the norm for the masses anytime soon, although hardware manufacturers will still try to adopt the new interface as they already did with the DP 2.1, which is slightly below HDMI 2.2.

The cable supports all HDMI 2.2 features and is part of the Ultra Cable Certification Program. Every model and length requires testing and certification along with on-cable identification printing.Official HDMI anti-counterfeiting labels must be affixed to all packages and cables also go through lifetime product compliance audit testing. – HDMI Forum

To gain the HDMI 2.2 Ultra96 certification, cable manufacturers must have the Ultra96 labeled on their cables; otherwise, 96 Gbps bandwidth isn’t guaranteed even if they release HDMI 2.2-branded cables. The HDMI 2.2 Ultra96 cables will also be backwards compatible, which means you can use them on a display with HDMI 2.1 and older ports, although you won’t be unlocking the 96 Gbps speed.

As far as HDMI 2.2-compliant products are concerned, we have only heard about AMD’s next-gen UDNA GPUs, which will restrict the interface to 64 Gbps, but an 80 Gbps limit might also exist. Nonetheless, the current HDMI 2.1 will still be sufficient for high resolution, high frame-rate gameplay and visuals, unless you own state-of-the-art display technology, which supports up to 16K resolution.

News Source: HDMI