Redakcja Choose TV
HDMI 2.2 is taking another step into our homes. Silkland has started taking orders for H96 cables with Ultra96 certification, and Elecom has also announced its own models. The new cables offer bandwidth up to 96 Gbps, twice that of the current Ultra High Speed HDMI (2.1). That's the headroom needed to carry 16K video at higher refresh rates. Of course, assuming the connected devices support it. 😉
Silkland has prepared 2-meter and 3-meter variants. Each has its own certificate, the authenticity of which can be verified via a QR code on the packaging. Orders are already available, but the manufacturer says shipments will begin the week of October 5. Elecom plans to introduce its cables in mid-November.
It's also worth being skeptical of marketing graphics that suggest a new cable will improve HDR or eliminate motion blur. Current HDMI cables already carry HDR video — if the cable is functioning and has enough bandwidth for the chosen resolution and refresh rate, swapping it for an Ultra96 won't improve color or motion clarity. So there's no need to replace a properly working cable just because the packaging of a newer one promises a better picture.
The two-meter Silkland H96 costs $32.99, while Elecom priced its same-length cable at 13,310 yen including tax on the Japanese market. For now, Ultra96 remains primarily a purchase with future devices in mind. If the new cables arrive in our stores at a large premium over 2.1 cables, most users will have no reason to pay extra. However, if prices are similar, when setting up a new home system you might consider a certified Ultra96: it will support current equipment, and the extra bandwidth headroom could come in handy when you replace that equipment later.
Source: Silkland, Elecom.
