“One cable to rule them all.” That phrase, normally associated with epic fantasies, may soon apply to high-resolution video transmission and power delivery. The Shenzhen 8K UHD Video Industry Cooperation Alliance recently tested the General Purpose Media Interface (GPMI), a new standard that could put a stake in HDMI and DisplayPort. By supporting up to 480 watts of power delivery and a staggering 192 Gbps of maximum bandwidth, GPMI could change the very fabric of our connections, content streaming, and system powering.
In September 2018, Shenzhen Semiconductor Technology Innovation Complex or Shenzhen 8K UHD Video Industry Cooperation Alliance a collaboration of more than 50 Chinese enterprises such as TCL, Hisense, and Huawei created the GPMI by adapting the increasingly pressing requests from firms for quicker provision of 8K video transport. At four times the pixel resolution of 4K and sixteen times that of 1080p, it demands a far higher bandwidth. GPMI addresses this need with two connector variants: Type-B, a proprietary design with 192 Gbps and 480W one\/one, and Type-C, compatible with USB-C and able to deliver 96 Gbps and 240W.
With 192 Gbps bandwidth, GPMI Type-B’s performance is unprecedented, well ahead of HDMI 2.1’s 48 Gbps and DisplayPort 2.1’s 80 Gbps. This incredible bandwidth allows for uncompressed 8K streams at high refresh rates, as well as next-gen resolutions like 16K, while its 480W power delivery could power gaming laptops outfitted with top-end graphics cards, relieving setups of several power cables.
And the Type-C version, while less powerful, still brings a lot to the table. It now provides twice the bandwidth of USB4 and Thunderbolt 4, opening the door to high-refresh-rate 8K monitors and TVs. The fact that it’s compatible with existing USB-C standards will help the broader adoption, HKEPC adds, thanks to the approval of the proposed USB Association for this type of connector.
In addition to bandwidth and power, GPMI adds a number of innovations. Bidirectional control corresponds to the standard where the video and other data are transmitted in both the upstream and downstream but are defined in each lane separately. It also features an HDCP alternative known as ADCP, which the Hisilicon white paper claims protects content significantly quicker thanks to utilizing China’s SM3 and SM4 security algorithms 200 milliseconds versus HDMI’s 2 seconds.
GPMI’s wake-up time is also significantly lower compared to existing standards, with just one-fourth of the delay. This improvement can come in handy for gamers as well as professionals who need instant device booting. That auxiliary link, which is able to send up to 12.5 Mbps, also provides some flexibility for data other than video and power.
GPMI’s own Type-B connector, however, raises questions about adoption globally. Its spec sheets are certainly impressive, but compatibility problems may preclude being accepted outside of China. HDMI and DisplayPort are both established, with ecosystems and manufacturer support, giving them a big leg up.
The lack of enthusiasm for GPMI adoption is not entirely without merit. Social media users, however, have cast doubt on its viability internationally, including on X. But others see GPMI more as a reaction to Western stagnation, arguing that China has a history of formingles traditional solutions to established players.
However, these challenges are not lost on GPMI. The ability to plug audio, video, data, control and power into a common interface could streamline setups for consumers and pros alike. Schmees spent years on refining the product currently used by Microsoft under their Xbox brand, turning it into a device that is designed to eliminate multiple devices and wires behind your TV or gaming desktop to just one cable.
It remains to be seen if GPMI take hold beyond China. Its success will hinge on partnerships with major manufacturers and the establishment of open standards to foster trust in the global tech community. Until then, GPMI heralds a new era in connectivity, where one cable to rule them all may finally be a reality.
Whether GPMI will change the way that devices connect or will languish in a niche of limited market appeal remains to be seen, but the industry will be watching closely. Either way, its arrival highlights the never-ending quest for innovation in the tech industry, extending horizons and undermining the status quo.
