The HDMI Forum, responsible for HDMI connection specifications, revealed version 2.2 of the protocol on Monday. Known as HDMI 2.2, this update boosts bandwidth and significantly lessens audio latency. Continue reading as we explore the specific changes introduced by the new HDMI 2.2 standard.
What’s new in HDMI 2.2?
“The HDMI Forum’s ongoing goal is to create specifications that fulfill the HDMI ecosystem’s increasing demand for top-tier capabilities and functionalities,” stated Chandlee Harrell, president of the HDMI Forum. “This new specification is designed to keep pace with the rapidly changing landscape of innovative technologies and products emerging today and in the future.”
HDMI 2.2 arrives nearly eight years after HDMI 2.1 was introduced, which brought support for 4K120 and 8K60 resolutions.
The upgraded protocol enhances bandwidth to 96Gbps, which is particularly beneficial for AR/VR devices that have substantial data requirements. The HDMI Forum mentions that this increased bandwidth also supports “numerous commercial applications like large-scale digital signage, medical imaging, and machine vision.”
Even if you don’t own an AR/VR device, HDMI 2.2 has an additional feature that many users will appreciate. It introduces a new Latency Indication Protocol (LIP) designed to enhance audio and video synchronization, which should substantially lower audio latency—especially when connected to an audio video receiver or soundbar. HDMI 2.2 also supports higher resolutions and refresh rates.
However, it will take some time before HDMI 2.2 devices become available. The new protocol is still pending launch for adoption, which is expected in the first half of 2025. Nevertheless, most users with HDMI 2.1 supporting 4K at 120Hz likely won’t rush to upgrade.
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