News Announcement: New Partnership Introduces GPMI - A Familiar Path Forward
In the world of audio-visual (AV) technology, a new player has emerged, challenging the reign of HDMI. The General Purpose Media Interface (GPMI), announced in April, offers a promising solution for high-resolution video and bandwidth-intensive applications, promising to simplify setup and device interconnectivity.
GPMI, backed by over 50 Chinese companies including Hisense and TCL, through the Shenzhen 8K UHD Video Industry Collaboration Alliance, offers two cable options: a USB-C cable supporting 96 Gbps and a proprietary Type-B cable supporting an impressive 192 Gbps. This surpasses HDMI 2.1’s maximum bandwidth of 48 Gbps, a significant advantage that could position GPMI as a potentially disruptive interface capable of handling future AV needs.
One of GPMI's key features is its integrated power delivery. It can deliver up to 240W (USB-C) or 480W (Type-B), enabling it to power large 8K displays or workstations through a single cable. HDMI, on the other hand, lacks this power delivery capability, which could be a significant advantage for GPMI.
Security is another area where GPMI shines. It incorporates Advanced Digital Content Protection (ADCP), a Chinese-developed encryption and authentication system based on national standards. This advanced security aims to protect high-bandwidth content transmission robustly in professional and consumer environments, an enhancement over HDMI’s existing content protection mechanisms.
However, GPMI's impact on HDMI's dominance remains uncertain due to early-stage development and adoption. HDMI 2.1 remains the industry standard, supported widely in TVs, consoles, and consumer devices, with a mature ecosystem and broad compatibility. GPMI, introduced recently, is still in the process of developing chipsets and gaining ecosystem adoption.
The outcome of this potential format war is uncertain. LG, Samsung, and Sony are not part of the GPMI alliance, suggesting that universal industry adoption is not a given. This development could lead to a format war between GPMI and HDMI over the next few years.
Ken Hong, head of corporate communications and public relations for Hisense Americas Region, recognises the potential of GPMI. Hisense, a member of the Shenzhen 8K UHD Video Industry Cooperation Alliance, is committed to contributing to the advancement of display interface technologies and exploring the possibilities for integrating GPMI into future products.
However, adoption of GPMI outside of China is not guaranteed. HDMI was a game-changer, as it could handle audio and video with one cable, and it has already supported 8K. Although 8K has yet to firmly plant its own flag in the consumer or professional mainstream, it is already a widely supported standard.
As we move forward, the entertainment center may see a shift from the tangled mess of various cables, including speaker wire, RCA audio cables, component cables, composite cables, coax, extra cables, and potentially tumbleweeds, to a more streamlined setup with GPMI or HDMI dominating the landscape. The author will provide an update on this potential format war in a few Black Fridays.
- The General Purpose Media Interface (GPMI), backed by major Chinese companies, offers a significant advantage over HDMI with its integrated power delivery capability, which can deliver up to 240W or 480W, potentially powering large 8K displays or workstations through a single cable, a feature that HDMI lacks.
- Security is another area where GPMI distinguishes itself, incorporating Advanced Digital Content Protection (ADCP), a Chinese-developed encryption and authentication system based on national standards, aiming to protect high-bandwidth content transmission robustly in both professional and consumer environments, a leap forward compared to HDMI’s existing content protection mechanisms.
