GPMI Officially Released: A New Standard for Data Transmission on the Horizon

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On 05/07/2025

In April 2025, the Shenzhen 8K Ultra High Definition Video Industry Collaboration Alliance, composed of over 50 leading Chinese companies including China Mobile, Sharp, Unilumin, Leyard, Huawei, Hisense, TCL, Skyworth, Hikvision, and HiSilicon Semiconductor, announced the official release of GPMI, a new interface cable designed to combine digital transmission and power supply into a single solution. The new GPMI (General Purpose Multimedia Interface) promises to offer up to 192Gbps bandwidth and 480W power supply, addressing the longstanding issue of needing separate power and data cables for display devices. Industry experts believe that, while the market does not necessarily require a new wired cable standard, the launch of GPMI will undoubtedly shake up the industry and potentially lead the way for future data transmission standards. It is expected to increase the adoption of 8K ultra-high-definition content and provide innovative solutions for large LED screens and high-data transmission visual applications.

Table of Contents

What is GPMI?

GPMI stands for General Purpose Multimedia Interface and was developed by the Shenzhen 8K Ultra HD Video Industry Collaboration Alliance, a coalition that includes major players like Skyworth, Hisense, Huawei, TCL, HiSilicon, the National UHD Video Innovation Center, and many others.

This new interface integrates four critical functionalities—audio and video transmission, data transfer, control signal communication, and power delivery—into one single cable, streamlining the setup of multimedia systems and lowering the overall installation costs. The GPMI interface is designed to support high-definition video signals such as 8K video, and it introduces a daisy-chain networking technology to link multiple devices through one connection, simplifying complex setups in home theater systems, outdoor digital signage, and more.

The Development Timeline of GPMI

● 2019: The Shenzhen International 8K Ultra HD Video Industry Collaboration Alliance established an ultra-high-definition interface working group and initiated the development of the GPMI interface.
● 2021: The core group of GPMI standards was officially released at the Second 8K Summit.
● 2023: The FPGA prototype of GPMI was showcased at the Third 8K Summit.
● 2024: The official industry standards for GPMI were released at the Fourth 8K Summit, and in November of the same year, GPMI was granted the SVID (0XFF10) by the USB organization, enabling deep integration with the Type-C ecosystem.
● April 2025: GPMI was officially launched, marking the completion of years of development and collaboration.

Main Features of GPMI

GPMI allows bidirectional communication of audio, video, data, and control signals between different devices. It also supports up to 128-node mesh networking. The GPMI interface is available in two main types—Type-B and Type-C:

● Type-C: This version is compatible with the USB Type-C interface and supports data transmission rates of up to 96Gbps and power transmission of up to 240W.
● Type-B: This interface supports reversible insertion and offers a higher data transmission capacity of 192Gbps, as well as a higher power delivery capability of up to 480W.

The main goal of GPMI is to create a “one-cable” solution that integrates all required functionalities—audio/video, data, control signals, and power supply—into a single connection. This not only supports the transmission of 8K ultra-HD video but also reduces installation costs in various scenarios such as home entertainment systems (e.g., gaming consoles, speakers), outdoor digital signage, and large LED screens, while ensuring low latency and high-quality visual output.

Comparing GPMI to Other Interface Standards

To understand how GPMI stacks up against other existing interface standards, we can compare key metrics such as data transmission rates and power delivery:

Interface	Data Rate	Power Supply
GPMI Type-C	96Gbps	240W
GPMI Type-B	192Gbps	480W
HDMI 2.1 TMDS	18Gbps	None
HDMI 2.1 FRL	48Gbps	None
DisplayPort 2.1	80Gbps	240W

From the comparison table, it is clear that GPMI outperforms most current standards in terms of both data rate and power supply, with the exception of DisplayPort 2.1, which also offers power transmission capabilities. GPMI’s advantages in both areas are significant and demonstrate its potential to serve as a comprehensive solution for modern multimedia systems.

Global Perspectives on GPMI

International experts have shared a variety of opinions on GPMI’s potential impact on the global market.

● Simon Forrest, Chief Technology Consultant at FutureSource Consulting, believes that GPMI, particularly the Type-B version, could meet the power supply needs of high-performance laptops and desktop computers. He predicts that GPMI might first be adopted by PC and display manufacturers. Additionally, he sees GPMI’s potential applications in emerging industries such as XR (Extended Reality), 360-degree panoramic video, automotive, and transportation, all of which require real-time data capture, transmission, and processing.

● Bob Raikes, Editor of the 8K Association, mentions that while HDMI 2.1b, which supports DSC (Display Stream Compression), has demonstrated 8K at 120Hz gaming at trade shows like NAB, the widespread acceptance of HDMI means GPMI will likely dominate in the domestic market first. Whether GPMI can gain traction internationally, however, remains uncertain.

● Paul Gray, Founder of Graypixel Limited, expressed skepticism about GPMI’s widespread adoption, particularly outside the realm of entertainment. He pointed out that only ultra-large screens (over 100 inches) could truly showcase the advantages of GPMI, making it unnecessary for most consumers. However, he acknowledges that GPMI could prove invaluable in high-power applications like video walls, signage, and LED arrays, where its ability to handle high power and bandwidth could be particularly beneficial.

GPMI's Core Advantages

While some international industry experts are cautious about the future of GPMI, there are several key benefits that make this interface particularly compelling:
● No Licensing Fees
Unlike previous standards, GPMI does not require hefty licensing fees, making it more accessible to manufacturers and developers.

● Highly Integrated Multimedia Support
GPMI simplifies system design by supporting multiple multimedia formats (video, audio, images, and data) through a single interface, reducing hardware complexity and cost.

● Versatility and Flexibility
As a “universal” interface, GPMI is compatible with a wide range of devices, including LED displays, embedded systems, and smart terminals, offering significant cross-platform compatibility and scalability.

● High Bandwidth and Low Latency
GPMI provides high-speed data transmission, meeting the demanding bandwidth and latency requirements of HD video, real-time audio-visual communications, and other professional multimedia applications.

● Modular Design for Easy System Integration
GPMI uses standardized, modular interfaces that make it easy to integrate with various control platforms such as FPGA, ARM, and GPU, speeding up product development.

● Applicable Across Multiple Industries
Whether in consumer electronics, industrial control systems, automotive applications, or professional audio-visual equipment, GPMI serves as a unified data exchange interface, improving system functionality and maintainability.

● Cost Reduction and Faster Development
By offering a standardized interface and reusable design, GPMI helps reduce development time and costs, benefiting manufacturers and developers alike.

● Superior Performance for Large LED Screens
GPMI’s advantages are especially clear in large-scale LED screens, supporting custom chips, multi-device coordination, and bidirectional data flow between screens, making it ideal for use in high-demand environments like digital signage, public displays, and entertainment.

Conclusion

As a next-generation connection standard jointly developed by China’s tech giants, GPMI promises to revolutionize the multimedia industry by offering superior bandwidth, power transmission, and functionality in a single interface. In China, the extensive ecosystem of manufacturers, universities, businesses, and research institutions will likely foster rapid adoption of GPMI. However, its success on the international stage will depend on overcoming geopolitical challenges, market inertia, and the eventual acceptance of new standards. Regardless of the path ahead, GPMI holds significant promise for the future of high-performance multimedia systems, particularly in large-scale LED screens, 8K content delivery, and beyond.