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GPMI (General Purpose Media Interface) is an emerging all-in-one AV connectivity standard developed by the Shenzhen 8K UHD Video Industry Collaboration Alliance (SUCA), a consortium of over 50 Chinese technology companies. Introduced in April 2025, GPMI is designed to transmit ultra-high-definition video, high-fidelity audio, data, control signals, and power through a single cable. 

This unified approach aims to simplify installations, reduce cable clutter, and support demanding applications such as 8K video, large-format digital signage, and AV-over-IP systems. If widely adopted, GPMI could significantly disrupt the AV and IT connectivity landscape by streamlining infrastructure, lowering equipment costs, and enabling faster, more scalable deployments, especially in enterprise and commercial AV environments.

Comparison with Current AV Standards: HDMI and USB-C

Unlike HDMI, which is primarily focused on video and audio transmission, GPMI expands its scope to include data networking, device control, and power delivery. While HDMI 2.1 supports 8K video and eARC for high-quality audio, it lacks native networking and significant power capabilities. GPMI, on the other hand, is designed to be a complete AV-over-IP-ready solution.

Compared to USB-C, which does offer power, data, and video in one connector (primarily through Thunderbolt 4 or DisplayPort Alt Mode), GPMI differentiates itself by being purpose-built for high-bandwidth AV systems and larger-scale commercial deployments. USB-C is more consumer-oriented and constrained by cable length, whereas GPMI targets enterprise-grade infrastructure with greater power delivery and longer cable runs.

In essence, GPMI combines the strengths of HDMI, USB-C, and PoE (Power over Ethernet) into a single, scalable interface—potentially redefining how AV systems are connected and controlled.

Check out "School Me: Will GPMI Replace HDMI?", to see AV industry veteran Joe Cornwall present GPMI as a potential long-term replacement for HDMI. 

Key Features of GPMI

Throughput and Speed

GPMI is engineered for high-performance AV demands, with Type‑B supporting data transfer rates up to 192 Gbps—a fourfold increase over HDMI 2.1 and DisplayPort 2.1. The Type‑C variant delivers up to 96 Gbps, effectively doubling the 40 Gbps offered by USB4 and outperforming most current USB-C-based AV solutions.

Power Capabilities

GPMI provides substantial power delivery. The Type‑B connector supports up to 480 watts, sufficient to power large 8K displays, workstations, or high-end gaming setups. Type‑C supports up to 240 watts, aligning with USB-C’s Extended Power Range (EPR) specifications and making it suitable for laptops and peripherals.

Advanced Security

GPMI integrates Advanced Digital Content Protection (ADCP), a Chinese-developed content security protocol. ADCP offers robust protection through frame-level encryption, fast authentication, and end-to-end secure transmission. It relies on national SM3 and SM4 cryptographic standards, enabling secure and high-bandwidth content delivery in both consumer and professional AV environments.

GPMI is available in two physical formats: The Type‑B connector introduces a new, proprietary plug designed for maximum performance and power. In contrast, Type‑C leverages the familiar USB-C form factor, allowing for broader compatibility with existing devices while delivering significant bandwidth and power advantages.

GPMI vs HDMI

GPMI (General Purpose Media Interface)

HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface)

GPMI vs USB‑C

GPMI (General Purpose Media Interface)

USB-C

GPMI vs HDMI vs USB-C Comparison Table

With its high-performance design and forward-looking architecture, GPMI is poised to redefine AV connectivity. Capable of delivering up to 192 Gbps of bandwidth and 480 watts of power over a single cable, GPMI streamlines even the most demanding installations. 

By integrating video, data, control signals, and power into a single unified connection, it simplifies infrastructure, reduces hardware requirements, and enhances reliability. Features like daisy-chaining and mesh networking enable seamless multi-display configurations without the complexity of matrix switchers, making GPMI especially suitable for high-impact, large-scale environments. The potential applications of GMPI include:

Display Environments

In large-scale display environments such as video walls, control rooms, and public-facing digital signage, GPMI’s unified cable architecture eliminates the need for separate power lines, control interfaces, and signal extenders. By delivering high-resolution video, network control, and substantial power through a single cable, GPMI enables cleaner, faster installations with fewer points of failure. 

Its daisy-chaining capability is especially advantageous in tiled LCD or LED video walls, where multiple displays can be linked directly without the need for external switchers or repeaters. This not only reduces hardware costs but also enhances reliability and scalability for integrators managing multi-display systems.

Conference Rooms 

Modern conference rooms demand seamless user experiences, minimal cabling, and support for BYOD workflows. GPMI meets these requirements by offering high-bandwidth video for 4K and 8K content sharing, power delivery for laptops, and data and control channels for USB peripherals, cameras, microphones, and touch displays. Its single-cable design reduces setup time and eliminates clutter, while daisy-chaining allows multiple displays or peripherals to be connected without the need for additional switchers or hubs. GPMI’s ability to support real-time collaboration tools and interactive systems makes it especially well-suited for hybrid meetings, where participants need smooth, low-latency video and device interoperability across physical and remote spaces.

Collaborative Spaces

In meeting rooms, classrooms, and hybrid work environments, GPMI offers a streamlined solution for powering and connecting interactive displays, conferencing gear, and control systems. With one cable managing video output, data exchange, peripheral control, and even power delivery, GPMI simplifies setup and minimizes cable clutter, making it ideal for flexible, modern spaces. 

Its support for real-time data transfer and control means users can seamlessly switch between presenters, share content across displays, and integrate touch or sensor-based inputs without relying on multiple adapters or dedicated AV processors. This makes GPMI especially compelling in environments where ease of use, quick deployment, and minimal maintenance are priorities.

Home Theater and Gaming

In a home theater setup, GPMI enables a single cable to connect an AV receiver, display, source device, and power source—all while supporting frame-level encryption via ADCP for DRM-compliant content playback. For gamers, GPMI’s ultra-low latency and high refresh rate support make it ideal for next-gen consoles and GPUs. Power delivery simplifies docked setups by charging peripherals through the same connection used for AV. 

The ability to carry audio, video, control signals, and power through one cable streamlines installation and enhances aesthetics, reducing the tangle of wires behind entertainment centers. GPMI also enables future-proofing as content resolutions and bandwidth demands grow, making it an appealing upgrade for high-performance home entertainment systems.

Industrial and Mission Critical Applications

Cabling reliability is paramount in factory automation, robotics, and mission-critical control systems. GPMI’s robust design, mesh topology support, and real-time data and AV streaming capacity make it suitable for industrial deployments.

One GPMI cable can power sensors, actuators, or embedded controllers (up to 480 W), stream high-resolution imaging or real-time video feeds, and transmit bidirectional control signals for programmable logic controllers (PLCs) or SCADA systems. For example, one GPMI cable can simultaneously power a laptop, transmit presentation content to a display, carry back touchscreen data, and maintain a secure network tunnel without the need for adapters or separate cables.

Challenges and Considerations for GPMI Adoption

While GPMI offers a promising vision for unified AV connectivity, its path to widespread adoption faces several obstacles. As with any emerging standard, success will depend on industry alignment, ecosystem maturity, and real-world performance. Integrators, manufacturers, and end users must weigh the benefits of early adoption against the challenges of interoperability, infrastructure readiness, and support. Below are key categories that require consideration for GPMI to gain traction across both commercial and residential AV markets.

HDMI’s Licensing Model: A Global Advantage

HDMI’s global dominance is underpinned by its licensing model, which is managed by the HDMI Forum and the HDMI Licensing Administrator. This model features a stable royalty structure and widespread participation from manufacturers. The licensing consistency has enabled HDMI to build a robust and predictable ecosystem over the past two decades, with compliance testing, branding rules, and feature certification. 

GPMI’s Limited Standards Alignment

SUCA, a regional industry body with limited global presence, governs GPMI, and GPMI is not part of any formalized body of global standards such as USB-IF, VESA, or IEEE. Without international licensing standards or clear participation pathways for global OEMs, GPMI’s reach may be confined to companies already operating within China’s domestic market or selected Asian markets. 

Barriers to Global Adoption

The lack of an internationally recognized licensing framework poses a risk to global adoption for Western manufacturers, who rely on standardized supply chains and cross-border interoperability. The lack of these endorsements presents a technical and political barrier to the widespread inclusion of these products in mainstream consumer and commercial electronics. 

OEMs risk fragmentation, where devices may not interoperate with legacy ports, cables, or protocol stacks. Until GPMI specs are ratified or co-opted by a global standards body, adoption will require custom firmware, driver-level integration, and country-specific certifications—a major deterrent to multinational rollout.

Engineering and Integration Costs

Adopting GPMI in devices requires new chipsets capable of handling 96–192 Gbps throughput with multi-protocol support. It also requires firmware updates to support ADCP and non-HDCP DRM stacks, as well as redesigns of the port, particularly for the proprietary Type-B connector. This has high non-recurring engineering costs, especially for manufacturers not aligned with SUCA. 

In embedded systems, industrial devices, or all-in-one PCs, integrating new ports affects board layouts, shielding, thermal management, and power delivery subsystems. Additionally, supporting GPMI and legacy HDMI or DisplayPort interfaces in parallel may be physically or financially impractical for smaller devices such as laptops.

Brand Recognition and Market Trust

HDMI enjoys overwhelming brand recognition among consumers and integrators. Terms like "HDMI cable" are ubiquitous—even used generically. Marketing campaigns for HDMI 2.1 have reached mainstream buyers, cementing it as the default AV standard. To gain traction and explain use cases, advantages, and support from influential brands outside SUCA’s base, GPMI needs strong brand-building and educational outreach. Otherwise, GPMI risks being dismissed as a regional or proprietary alternative, especially in pro AV, where integrators prioritize established standards and long-term support.

Connector Confusion and Compatibility Challenges 

Having two connector types—GPMI Type-C (USB-C form factor) and GPMI Type-B (a new, proprietary type)—introduces uncertainty. Consumers and even tech-savvy pros may struggle to understand which version their device supports, whether a cable or port is backward compatible, or whether a USB-C device supports GPMI or standard USB4. Until the market agrees on a single connector with universal support, these two GPMI variants may hinder adoption or cause customers to default to familiar standards, such as HDMI or Thunderbolt.

The Future of GPMI in AV

Although still in its early stages of development, GPMI holds promise. Backed by major Chinese brands and designed to solve long-standing cabling challenges, it could become the go-to AV connector in Asia first, and globally later.

Industry analysts suggest GPMI could follow USB-C’s trajectory: slow initially, then explosive growth with the right ecosystem. If global OEMs begin integrating GPMI chipsets into laptops, displays, and pro AV gear, and if it receives USB-IF support, adoption could scale rapidly. GPMI radically rethinks how AV, data, control, and power can be unified through one interface. With massive bandwidth, high power delivery, mesh-ready connectivity, and advanced content protection, it’s built for the future of immersive media and integrated environments. 


Photo credit: Getty images/wasja