HDMI 2.2 and DisplayPort 2.1b introduced — better bandwidth and longer cables

At CES 2025, VESA introduced DisplayPort 2.1b with DP80LL cables over four lanes UHBR20, and HDMI Forum — HDMI 2.2 with Ultra96 cables at 96 Gbps with reduced latency.

HDMI 2.2 standard offers improved performance and greater bandwidth for transmitting high-quality and “heavy” content. At the same time, DisplayPort 2.1 received an update “b”, with noticeable improvements in cable length and flexibility.

The HDMI 2.2 connector physically remained the same, however, the bandwidth was increased to 96 Gbps thanks to the new HDMI Ultra96 cables. The increased bandwidth supports higher resolution and refresh rates, including 4K / 480 Hz, 8K up to 240 Hz, and even 10K at 120 Hz.

Although no existing displays have such extreme characteristics, the additional bandwidth of HDMI 2.2 will benefit demanding applications with intensive data volume, such as AR/VR/MR content, large digital signage, medical content, and machine vision.

HDMI 2.2 resolves longstanding issues of audio and video synchronization by introducing the Latency Indication Protocol (LIP). It improves signal alignment, especially in complex setups involving multiple devices, such as AV receivers or sound bars. The result should be a smoother and more comfortable user experience.

HDMI Forum certification for authenticity and quality of Ultra96 cables and measures to combat counterfeits. The final version of HDMI 2.2 is expected to be released in the first half of the year, although devices supporting the new standard are unlikely to appear on the market in significant numbers until next year. The standard is backward compatible, meaning it will work flawlessly with devices equipped with support for lower versions.

The update to the DisplayPort 2.1 specification is not as significant. VESA announced new active DP80LL “low loss” cables supporting connection speeds up to four lanes UHBR20, achieving a maximum bandwidth of 80 Gbps at lengths up to three meters.

The improvements triple the cable length for UHBR20 connections compared to existing passive DP80 cables, offering greater flexibility in device placement. Certified DP80LL cables are expected to hit the market in the coming months.

Although updates to HDMI 2.2 and DisplayPort 2.1b outline the direction of the industry towards higher quality content, most consumers currently will not feel their impact. Existing standards HDMI 2.1 and DisplayPort 2.0 are more than sufficient for usage.

Source: Tom’s Hardware