HDMI 2.2 promises 4K480 and more via 96Gbps bandwidth

The HDMI Forum has confirmed details of the new HDMI 2.2 spec which will offer support for resolutions up to 12K120 and will require the new Ultra96 HDMI cable.

As predicted, the HDMI Forum announced the details of the new HDMI 2.2 specification at CES 2025 and an increase in bandwidth to 96Gbps. This represents a big advance over HDMI 2.1b, which will only stretch to 10K resolution and up to 48bps bandwidth, and an even bigger leap over the widely used HDMI 2.0 whose 6Gbps might have impressed at launch but now seems positively quaint.

The higher 96Gbps bandwidth and next-gen HDMI Fixed Rate Link technology should
provide optimal audio and video for a wide range of device applications. As the Forum itself says in its launch announcement, "Faster 96Gbps bandwidth improves demanding data-intensive, immersive and virtual applications such as AR/VR/MR, spatial reality and light field displays as well as various commercial applications such as large scale digital signage, medical imaging and machine vision."

The specification includes a new Ultra96 HDMI Cable supporting 96Gbps bandwidth
and enabling all the HDMI 2.2 Specification features. It also includes 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.

Release is scheduled for the first half of the year, meaning we should see the first devices supporting it at CES 2026.

tl;dr

• The HDMI 2.2 specification supports resolutions up to 12K120 and requires the new Ultra96 HDMI cable for optimal performance.
• It features an increased bandwidth of 96Gbps, significantly improving upon HDMI 2.1b's 48Gbps and HDMI 2.0's 6Gbps capabilities.
• The new HDMI Fixed Rate Link technology enhances audio and video quality for demanding applications like AR/VR and commercial uses such as digital signage and medical imaging.
• The release is expected in the first half of the year, with the first compatible devices anticipated at CES 2026.