HDMI Alt Mode Allows For USB Type-C Connections

[Megalith]

The title says it all; you will be able to buy a USB Type-C to HDMI cable to easily connect devices to displays and forego things like additional adaptors. While this won’t change your life, more simplicity is good.

HDMI Licensing announced a new cable standard that connects USB-C and HDMI devices. HDMI Alt Mode supports the full range of HDMI 1.4b features, including up to 4K resolution, 3D video, ethernet over HDMI, HDCP 1.4/2.2 copy protection, Deep Color, Audio Return Channel, and the CEC (Consumer Electronic Control) protocol that automatically switches a display to the proper input source. One thing that’s missing: Support for HDR (high dynamic range) video. The idea, naturally enough, is to to develop an HDMI-to-USB Type-C cable that ties together the most common cabling protocols in both the PC and consumer electronics industries, eliminating the need for an adapter or special silicon.

 

[gunbust3r]

Lets take a journey into the past where the HDMI consortium said: "The HDMI specification defines an HDMI cable as having only HDMI connectors on the ends. Anything else is not a licensed use of the specification and therefore, not allowed."

Singing a new tune now huh?

 

[Rev Lemmon]

Even if this cable does come out its still going to be a pain in the ass since they left it up the manufactures on what they want to support.

 

[Alkado]

These cords and devices already exist. The phone I use now (LG G5) charges through a USB-C connector. I also own the USB-C to HDMI adaptor for mirroring the display onto the stereo screen in my truck. It works with no power cable like the other devices that use Micro USB.

 

[bearax]

"...buy a USB Type-C to HDMI cable to easily connect devices to displays and forego things like additional adaptors."

I wouldn't have to buy another adapter...but...I would have to buy this cable...so in effect I am buying an adapter....so I won't have to buy an adapter to fit my adapter? Maybe I am missing something?

 

[hardboner]

no hdmi 2.0 support. lame

I have a thunderbolt usb-c combo port on my laptop, and it's the only port that can do 60hz on 4k TV.

Need a hdmi 2.0 cable.

 

[Methadras]

The entire connector cabal is getting ridiculous. It's really about time that IEEE gets it's shit straight and connectors start becoming unified. This is just getting dumb.

 

[Deleted member 134608]

"...buy a USB Type-C to HDMI cable to easily connect devices to displays and forego things like additional adaptors."

I wouldn't have to buy another adapter...but...I would have to buy this cable...so in effect I am buying an adapter....so I won't have to buy an adapter to fit my adapter? Maybe I am missing something?

This was my thought as well. I guess they could potentially sell them cheap because there is no chip inside, but we all know they won't be, at least for quite some time.

 

[DoubleTap]

Would this make it easier/possible to run a USB-C connector to your receiver and send a blank/black video signal but send 8 channel surround audio?

My guess is that HDCP is the reason we have not seen this, but it's a feature that is long over due.