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Does HDMI 2.2 support 8K 120Hz without DSC? Chroma and bandwidth limits

By TechCompare · Updated · How we check

No, not at 10-bit 4:4:4. The mode needs 127.8 Gbps, which is over the 85.33 Gbps effective rate, so DSC is required.

Interface Bandwidth Analysis

See how much uncompressed and compressed bandwidth this resolution and refresh rate mode demands, compared to HDMI and DisplayPort connections.

Uncompressed Signal127.8 Gbps
With Display Stream Compression (DSC)34.1 Gbps

DSC uses visually lossless 3-to-1 compression, shrinking the required bandwidth so it fits through older cables.

Display Connection Reference
HDMI 2.0
14.4 Gbps
Not supported
HDMI 2.1 48G
42.6 Gbps
DSC required
HDMI 2.2 96G
85.3 Gbps
DSC required
DP 1.4
25.9 Gbps
Not supported
DP 2.1b UHBR 20
77.4 Gbps
DSC required
Other connections

Assumes display traffic only and four DisplayPort lanes for USB-C. USB4 and Thunderbolt figures are for one DisplayPort stream.

USB-C DP 1.4
25.9 Gbps
Not supported
Thunderbolt 5
77.4 Gbps
DSC required
USB4 v2 80G / 120G
77.4 Gbps
DSC required
Display Mode: 7680 × 4320 @ 120 Hz
Color depth: 10-bit 4:4:4
This exact 7680×4320 @ 120 Hz signal, pre-loaded. Swap the resolution, refresh, or chroma, or compare two modes.
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8K at 120 Hz with 10-bit 4:4:4 color needs 127.8 Gbps uncompressed. That's 150% of the 85.33 Gbps effective rate, so the mode needs DSC even on a top-tier HDMI 2.2 port. Dropping to 8-bit 4:4:4 doesn't change that.

Cables for your display settings

HDMI and DisplayPort cable options for these settings. Choose the connectors your devices support.

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Both device ports must support the required display mode. A cable won't upgrade a port. Options marked DSC require compression support on both devices.

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How this is calculated

This page assumes a 96 Gbps HDMI 2.2 port, the top tier. HDMI 2.2 also covers lower tiers. The HDMI Forum says the Ultra96 name covers products rated from 64 Gbps up to 96 Gbps, so check your product's rating. At 10-bit 4:4:4 the mode needs DSC. VESA describes DSC as visually lossless and low latency, and the calculator models the compressed stream at about 34.1 Gbps. Without DSC, 10-bit 4:2:0 (63.9 Gbps) fits natively, but it halves the color resolution across and down, so colored text and edges look softer. 10-bit 4:2:2 (85.2 Gbps) also fits, with 0.2 Gbps to spare, and it keeps full vertical color resolution.

Verdict

Use DSC for full 4:4:4 color at 8K 120 Hz. Without DSC, 10-bit 4:2:2 fits with only 0.2 Gbps to spare, and 10-bit 4:2:0 fits with more room but softer color. The DSC stream is 34.1 Gbps, inside the 85.33 Gbps effective rate. Either way, use a 96 Gbps port with an Ultra96 HDMI Cable, since the Ultra High Speed cable is for setups up to 48 Gbps.

More HDMI 2.2 scenarios

HDMI 2.1: 4K 60 Hz
4K at 60 Hz with 8-bit 4:4:4 color needs 14.3 Gbps of uncompressed bandwidth.
View details
HDMI 2.1: 4K 120 Hz HDR
4K 120 Hz with 10-bit 4:4:4 color HDR needs 35.6 Gbps, a mode HDMI 2.1 can carry without compression.
View details
HDMI 2.1: 4K 144 Hz HDR
4K 144 Hz with 10-bit 4:4:4 HDR needs 39.2 Gbps, within 8% of the calculator's effective 42.6 Gbps HDMI 2.1 model.
View details

Related guides

DSC explained
What DSC does, how much it compresses and which modes need it.
View guide
HDMI 2.1: 8K 60 Hz
The 8K 60 Hz mode on HDMI 2.1, for comparison with 8K 120 Hz.
View guide
DP 2.1: 8K 60 Hz HDR
The 8K 60 Hz mode on DisplayPort 2.1, for comparison.
View guide
HDMI 2.1 vs HDMI 2.2
The two HDMI links side by side, with the Ultra96 cable note.
View guide

Frequently asked questions

Does HDMI 2.2 support 8K 120Hz without DSC?
Not at full color. The 10-bit 4:4:4 mode needs 127.8 Gbps, and the 8-bit 4:4:4 mode still needs 102.2 Gbps. Both are above the 85.33 Gbps effective rate of a 96 Gbps port. Uncompressed 8K 120 Hz works at 10-bit 4:2:0 (63.9 Gbps) or 10-bit 4:2:2 (85.2 Gbps), and 4:2:2 is just under the limit.
Do all HDMI 2.2 ports reach the top tier?
No. The HDMI Forum says the Ultra96 name covers products rated from 64 Gbps up to 96 Gbps. This page models only the top tier, so a lower-rated product may not match these numbers. Products that use the name need the Ultra96 HDMI Cable to support their rating.
What cable do I need for HDMI 2.2 at 8K 120Hz?
Use an Ultra96 HDMI Cable. The HDMI Forum says it supports up to 96 Gbps and all HDMI 2.2 applications. The Ultra High Speed HDMI Cable is for setups up to 48 Gbps, which is too low for the uncompressed 10-bit 4:2:0 mode at 63.9 Gbps.
Is DSC bad for image quality?
VESA describes DSC as visually lossless and low latency. The calculator's DSC figure for this mode, 34.1 Gbps, assumes 8 bits per pixel after compression. Both the GPU and the display have to support DSC, so check each product's spec sheet.

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