The HDMI Forum just released version 2.0 of the HDMI Specifications. This latest version, the first to be developed by the HDMI Forum, seems to be targeted at the new Ultra HDTV technology which is now making it way in Consumer Electronics stores around the world.
“The introduction of the HDMI 2.0 Specification represents a major milestone for 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.” —Robert Blanchard of Sony Corporation, president of the HDMI Forum
HDMI Improvements Target Ultra HDTV
These improvement include support for [email protected]/60 (2160p) which makes it about 4 times the resolution of a 1080p TV. Also in the release is support for a new theatrical aspect ratio 21:9, this would bring the Home Theater viewing experience in line with the ever-increasing costs of the Movie Theater experience.
Audio and Video
One of the more interesting improvements allow the delivery of a dual video stream to multiple users on the same TV Screen. This sound like what Sharp and Sony were talking about a few years back, but none of that talk ever turned into a real device.
Audio is improved with support for 32 Audio Channels. Sampling frequency is increase to 1536kHz providing very hi-fidelity sound.
Other HDMI Improvements
HDMI 2.0 will deliver multi-stream audio to 4 users. There is also improved command and control for your connected Consumer Electronic Devices.
All of this is done without changing the cable nor the connector so this new cable is backwardly compatible. Expect to see these cables start rolling out in 2014.
The HDMI Forum, Inc. currently has 88 member companies and is a non-profit, mutual benefit corporation based in Berlin, Germany. There will be a press conference to release additional details at the IFA 2013 conference in Berlin on Friday, September 6 at 12:00pm.
You can read the full press release here.