HDMI 2.0 announced, bodes well for 4K gaming

The HDMI forum has announced the release of version 2.0 of the HDMI specification.

HDMI 2.0 will offer a significant increase in bandwidth (up to 18Gbps) to support new features such as: 4K (2160p), which is 4 times the resolution of 1080p/60 ; 32 audio channels; dynamic auto lip-sync and extensions to CEC.

“The introduction of the HDMI 2.0 Specification represents a major milestone for the HDMI Forum,” said Robert Blanchard of Sony Corporation, president of the HDMI Forum. “Our members collaborated closely to take the highly successful HDMI Specification to the next level by expanding audio and video features for consumer electronics applications.”

HDMI 2.0 doesn’t replace current HDMI cables and connectors, and instead uses the existing cables (category 2 cables) which are capable of such specs already. The HDMI 2.0 spec needs to be downloaded and applied to devices capable of outputting 4K video and higher audio frequencies.

“HDMI 2.0 is built on top of HDMI 1.x and any device that wants to implement HDMI 2.0 must first implement HDMI 1.x as a baseline requirement,” explains the HDMI forum’s FAQ.

So, if you have an Ultra HD TV, the HDMI 2.0 specification can be downloaded from the Adopter Extranet only by HDMI Adopters who have signed the HDMI 2.0 addendum.

The HDMI Version 2.0 spec will undoubtedly come into play when the 4K generation of resolution reaches the gaming industry.

HDMI 2.0 features:

Resolutions up to 4K@50/60 (2160p), which is 4 times the clarity of 1080p/60 video resolution, for the ultimate video experience;
Up to 32 audio channels for a multi-dimensional immersive audio experience;
Up to 1536kHz audio sample frequency for the highest audio fidelity;
Simultaneous delivery of dual video streams to multiple users on the same screen;
Simultaneous delivery of multi-stream audio to multiple users (Up to 4);
Support for the wide angle theatrical 21:9 video aspect ratio;
Dynamic synchronization of video and audio streams;
CEC extensions provide more expanded command and control of consumer electronics devices through a single control point.