HDMI Forum Inc has announced Version 2.0 of the HDMI Specification, the first to be developed by the HDMI Forum, offers an increase in bandwidth of up to 18Gbps.
This includes support for 4K@50/60 (2160p, which is 4 times the clarity of 1080p/60 video resolution); 32 audio channels; as well as dynamic auto lip-sync and extensions to CEC.
Version 2.0 of the HDMI Specification, which is backward compatible with earlier versions of the Specification, was developed by the HDMI Forum’s Technical Working Group whose members represent some of the world’s leading manufacturers of consumer electronics, personal computers, mobile devices, cables and components. The HDMI Forum currently has a membership of 88 companies.
“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.”
Version 2.0 of the HDMI Specification does not define new cables or new connectors. Current High Speed cables (category 2 cables) are capable of carrying the increased bandwidth.
The HDMI 2.0 Compliance Test Specification (CTS) is expected to be released before the end of 2013.