The new HDMI (2.2) is approaching: a cable change is expected

Launched in 2017, many users still don't have use for the maximum capabilities of the HDMI 2.1 standard. No matter, the HDMI Forum, the entity behind this essential technology in many everyday products (TV, soundbar, PC, etc.), is preparing to unveil the rest of the program. In an email to the media The Verge, the date of January 6 was in fact brought forward for the holding of a press conference around what should be HDMI 2.2.

What characteristics for HDMI 2.2?

For the record, HDMI 2.1 supports resolutions up to 10240 x 4320, a refresh rate of 120 Hz and 48 Gbps bandwidth. Enough to display video content in 4K at 120 frames per second, or in 8K at 60 frames per second. Largely sufficient for ordinary people, but perhaps soon limited for very demanding uses in sectors such as graphic design or video games. Remember that the DisplayPort 2.1 standard has a bandwidth of 80 Gbps.

Several clues suggest that it is indeed HDMI 2.2 which will be revealed in a few days. HDMI Forum promises “a wide range of resolutions and higher refresh rates“, while these new, currently unencrypted capacities will be supported via a new cable. While it is not impossible that old cables are compatible with the new standard, at least to a certain extent, to benefit from the best performance of HDMI 2.2 you will therefore have to go back to checkout.

Evolution or revolution?

But there is no hurry, equipment compatible with this standard should not arrive immediately. CES 2025 will probably be an opportunity for manufacturers to unveil their first products equipped with HDMI 2.2, like Nvidia with its new graphics cards RTX 5000. How to enjoy an 8K stream at 120 Hz or 4K at 240 Hz, with or without compression? The addition of new technologies, as was the case with VRR (Variable Refresh Rate) with version 2.1, is also possible.

Response in a few days!