HDTV Rewind Episode #11: DVRs and the Netflix/Epix Deal
HDTV and Home Theater Podcast
On this episode of the Rewind show we go back to August 13 2010 where we read your emails, look at a news story or two, discuss DVRs and the Netflix/Epix deal.
info_outline
HDTV Rewind Episode #11: DVRs and the Netflix/Epix Deal
HDTV and Home Theater Podcast
On this episode of the Rewind show we go back to August 13 2010 where we read your emails, look at a news story or two, discuss DVRs and the Netflix/Epix deal.
info_outline
Podcast #1213: 2025 Value Electronics TV Shootout
HDTV and Home Theater Podcast
On this week’s show we discuss the 2025 Value Electronics TV Shootout. We also read your emails and take a look at the week’s news. News: Other: Sony Crowned King of TVs for the Seventh Year Running at the 2025 Value Electronics TV Shootout For the seventh consecutive year, Sony has claimed the title of “King of TVs” at the , held at their Scarsdale, New York showroom. The winning model, the $3000, emerged victorious in a fiercely competitive field of flagship OLED TVs from LG, Samsung, and Panasonic. This annual event, now in its 21st year, is a benchmark for videophiles,...
info_outline
Podcast # 1212: Where is the Ring Indoor Security Drone and Top 10 Streaming Shows of the First Half of 2025
HDTV and Home Theater Podcast
On this week’s show we ask what ever happened to the Ring Indoor Security Drone and we take a look at the Top Ten Streaming shows for the first half of 2025. We also read your emails and take a look at the week’s news. News: What Ever Happened to the Ring Indoor Security Drone? I was thinking about all the cool stuff that had been introduced at CES over the years and remembered one that I really wanted to use, the Ring Indoor Security Drone. It's perfect for those who own a home and may want to check in on parts of it without placing cameras everywhere. So what happened to it?...
info_outline
Podcast #1211: Why Are Consumers Skipping New Streaming Devices
HDTV and Home Theater Podcast
On this week’s show we take a look at why people are not upgrading their set top boxes and we read your emails and take a look at the week’s news. News: Why Are Consumers Skipping New Streaming Devices We are big fans of streaming devices for a bunch of reasons like; they have the latest hardware so streamers can take advantage and give you higher quality. Or apps are updated more frequently, Or even that you can have identical experience across different manufacturers. Regardless of why we love them, a recent report by , said that devices like Roku, Amazon’s Fire TV, Apple...
info_outline
HDTV Rewind Episode #10: Blu-ray VS DVD
HDTV and Home Theater Podcast
On this episode of the Rewind show we go back to July 23rd 2010 where we read your emails, look at a news story or two, discuss how to pick an AV Receiver and why Bluray was not selling like hotcakes.
info_outline
Podcast #1210: Rokus Secret Menus
HDTV and Home Theater Podcast
On this week’s show we look at what the posters at AVS forum have spent on their home theaters and we look at the Roku Secret Menu options. We also read your emails and take a look at the week’s news. News: Your Roku has secret menus and settings here's how to access them Roku devices have hidden menus for advanced users, offering diagnostic tools, customization options, and more. Full article at ZD Net - . Here's how to access them using your Roku remote: 1. Developer Settings How to Access: Home × 3 > Up × 2 > Right > Left > Right > Left > Right What It Does:...
info_outline
Podcast #1209: Money is No Object Home Theater - Within Reason
HDTV and Home Theater Podcast
On this week’s show we design a high end home theater but one that is within reason because we are not going to spend your money just for the sake of spending money. We also read your emails and the week’s news. News: Other: Money is No Object Home Theater - Within Reason We have designed a budget based home theater system before so for this episode we decided to design a money is no object system. This high-end home theater system is centered around an 85" television and a 7.1.2 speaker configuration, optimized for premium performance since budget is not a constraint. We...
info_outline
Podcast #1208: HDMI 2.2
HDTV and Home Theater Podcast
On this week’s show we take a first look at the proposed HDMI 2.2 specification. We also read your emails and take a look at the week’s news. News: HDMI 2.2 Specification The HDMI 2.2 specification, announced by the HDMI Forum at CES 2025, introduces several advanced features to support higher resolutions, refresh rates, and enhanced audio-visual performance. Below is a summary of the key features included in the HDMI 2.2 specification based on the information we have today: Increased Bandwidth (Up to 96 Gbps): HDMI 2.2 doubles the bandwidth of HDMI 2.1 (from 48 Gbps to 96...
info_outline
HDTV Rewind Episode #9: Room Acoustics
HDTV and Home Theater Podcast
On this episode of the Rewind show we go back to July 2nd 2010 where we read your emails, look at a news story or two, and discuss room acoustic treatments.
info_outlineOn this week’s show we take a first look at the proposed HDMI 2.2 specification. We also read your emails and take a look at the week’s news.
News:
HDMI 2.2 Specification
The HDMI 2.2 specification, announced by the HDMI Forum at CES 2025, introduces several advanced features to support higher resolutions, refresh rates, and enhanced audio-visual performance. Below is a summary of the key features included in the HDMI 2.2 specification based on the information we have today:
Increased Bandwidth (Up to 96 Gbps):
HDMI 2.2 doubles the bandwidth of HDMI 2.1 (from 48 Gbps to 96 Gbps), enabling support for higher resolution and refresh rate combinations, as well as data-intensive applications. This increased bandwidth supports uncompressed and compressed video formats, making it suitable for advanced applications like AR/VR, spatial reality, light field displays, medical imaging, and machine vision.
Support for Higher Resolutions and Refresh Rates:
Uncompressed Formats
-
4K at 240 Hz and 480 Hz (4:4:4 chroma sampling, 10-bit and 12-bit color).
-
8K at 60 Hz and 240 Hz (4:4:4 chroma sampling, 8-bit and 10-bit color).
-
10K at 120 Hz.
-
12K at 120 Hz.
-
16K at 60 Hz.
Compressed Formats (using Display Stream Compression or similar):
Supports higher refresh rates like 4K at 480 Hz, 8K at 240 Hz, and 10K at 120 Hz, which require compression to achieve these rates within the bandwidth constraints.
Next-Generation Fixed Rate Link (FRL) Technology:
HDMI 2.2 introduces an advanced version of Fixed Rate Link signaling technology, optimized for better support of uncompressed content at high resolutions and refresh rates, ensuring pristine image quality and low latency
Ultra96 HDMI Cable:
A new cable type, the Ultra96 HDMI Cable, is introduced to support the full 96 Gbps bandwidth and all HDMI 2.2 features. These cables are backward compatible with older HDMI devices but are required to fully utilize HDMI 2.2's capabilities.
The Ultra96 cables are part of the HDMI Cable Certification Program, requiring testing and certification with a visible Ultra96 certification label to ensure compliance. Features low electromagnetic interference (EMI) for stable and reliable data transmission.
Latency Indication Protocol (LIP):
A new feature designed to improve audio and video “‘video synchronization, particularly in multi-hop setups involving devices like AV receivers or soundbars. LIP enhances synchronization over existing methods, reducing issues like lip-sync lag, especially for fast-paced content or gaming.
Support for Advanced Color and Chroma Formats:
Supports high-quality color spaces like BT.2020 with 10-bit, 12-bit, and 16-bit color depth. Enables uncompressed full chroma formats (e.g., 4:4:4) at high resolutions, ensuring richer colors and pristine image quality.
Additional Notes
-
Availability: The HDMI 2.2 specification was announced at CES 2025, with Ultra96 cables expected to be available in Q3/Q4 2025. HDMI 2.2-compliant devices (e.g., TVs, monitors, GPUs) are expected to appear in late 2025 or 2026
-
Optional Features: Like previous HDMI versions, features such as Variable Refresh Rate (VRR), Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM), Quick Frame Transport (QFT), and Enhanced Audio Return Channel (eARC) remain optional and depend on device manufacturer implementation.
-
Consumer Guidance: The Ultra96 feature name helps consumers identify cables and devices capable of supporting 64 Gbps, 80 Gbps, or 96 Gbps bandwidth, ensuring optimal performance.