IFA 2013: HDMI version 2.0 unveiled; brings support for 4k video and 32 audio channels

Non-profit mutual benefit corporation HDMI Forum has unveiled a new specification for HDMI. Dubbed version 2.0, it will be the first one to be developed by the HDMI Forum and will be a significant upgrade from the earlier version. HDMI 2.0 offers up to 18 Gbps of bandwidth and supports new features, including 4k video, 32 audio channels and dynamic lip-sync and extensions to CEC. HDMI 2.0 is also going to be backward compatible with the earlier HDMI specification.

“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 is backward compatible with category 2 HDMI cables (image credit: Wikimedia Commons)

The HDMI Forum has chosen HDMI Licensing to be responsible for licensing version 2.0 of the HDMI Specification. In this role, HDMI Licensing will provide marketing, promotional, licensing and administrative services, as well as education on the benefits of the HDMI Specification to adopters, retailers, and consumers.

“We are pleased to continue our work in supporting the HDMI Adopter base as well as the entire HDMI ecosystem,” said Steve Venuti, President of HDMI Licensing. “Adopters can now continue to develop new product functionality over the HDMI interface as well as look to HDMI Licensing, LLC as their single contact for all their licensing and administrative needs.”

Version 2.0 of the HDMI Specification does not define new cables or new connectors. Current 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.

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