New ultra high definition formats, and high frame rates, require increasing data rates in image transport. The 3Gb/s standard no longer satisfies these requirements. This paper describes a hierarchical approach to increased SDI data rates, allowing affordable steps towards extended data rates, including those needed for UHDTV-2. It describes technical and standards work towards multiple 3Gb/s links to carry some of these signals, leading into proposals for single-link interfaces at 6Gb/s and 12Gb/s ¹, using protocols which enable easy compatibility between data rates. It also shows the performance that can be expected at these data rates over copper and optical interfaces, and introduces coding concepts to improve the reliability of serial video.