The HDMI Forum announces the next generation of HDMI specification at IFA 2013-- with new features including 4K@50/60 (2160p) video, 32 audio channels, dynamic auto lip-sync and CEC extensions.
It also handles audio frequencies of up to 1536kHz, dual video streams (for multiple users on a single screen), multi-stream audio to 4 simultaneous users and 21:9 widescreen video.
HDMI 2.0 connectors and cables are backwards-compatible with the first generation, and current high speed (category 2) cables can carry the increased bandwidth.
"The introduction of the HDMI 2.0 Specification represents a major milestone for the HDMI Forum," the HDMI Forum says. "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 Compliance Test Specification (CTS) should be available by end 2013.