In an exciting development for the tech industry, an alliance of Chinese companies has unveiled a new audio and video wired interface standard known as the General Purpose Media Interface or GPMI. This groundbreaking standard is designed to meet the evolving demands of high-definition content, boasting an impressive bandwidth of up to 192 Gbps and a powerful 480W power delivery capability. The Shenzhen 8K UHD Video Industry Cooperation Alliance, which is spearheading this initiative, emphasizes that the GPMI standard will significantly enhance multimedia experiences.
The GPMI standard is equipped with two distinct connectors: the Type-C connector, which is compatible with existing USB Type-C ports, and the Type-B connector, which utilizes a proprietary design. The Type-C connector offers a bandwidth of 96 Gbps and a power transfer capacity of 240W, making it a powerful option for various applications. On the other hand, the Type-B connector can fully utilize the standard’s capabilities, delivering the maximum 192 Gbps and 480W power output.
When compared to other current technologies, GPMI stands out remarkably. For instance, while the HDMI 2.1 standard achieves a maximum bandwidth of 48 Gbps without any power delivery, and Thunderbolt 4 provides 40 Gbps with 100W power delivery, GPMI's capabilities far exceed these limits. Notably, GPMI Type-C offers bandwidth more than double that of the USB4, which caps at 40 Gbps under the Extended Power Range (EPR) of USB PD 3.1.
The introduction of GPMI is set to revolutionize connections across various devices, especially laptops that utilize external GPUs. The standard boasts seven key advantages over existing interface technologies, including:
Bidirectional Multi-Stream: Supports multiple data streams simultaneously. Bidirectional Control: Enables control signals to be sent in both directions. High-Power Supply: Delivers significant power through a single connection. Ecological Compatibility: Designed with environmental considerations in mind. Ultra-Fast Transmission: Facilitates rapid data transfer rates. Fast Wake-Up: Offers quick activation times for connected devices. Full-Chain Security: Ensures secure data transmission across all devices.Moreover, GPMI can be daisy chained, which allows users to connect multiple devices and control them with a single remote through HDMI-CEC functionality. The Type-C version has already received licensing approval from the USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF), indicating a significant step towards widespread adoption.
Over 50 Chinese companies are collaborating to develop and standardize GPMI, with notable participants including TCL, HiSilicon, Hisense, and Huawei. While the timeline for GPMI’s integration into consumer products remains uncertain, there is a clear roadmap for its phased release. Initially, GPMI will target home entertainment devices, followed by applications in the automotive and transport sectors, and eventually into industrial settings.
However, critical details such as the maximum cable lengths supported by GPMI have yet to be disclosed. As the industry progresses, the anticipation surrounding GPMI continues to build, promising to redefine connectivity standards in the near future.
