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USB-C Could Potentially Replace HDMI and DisplayPort (piefed.ca)
submitted 1 year ago by to c/showerthoughts@lemmy.ca
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Just had an oh-shit! moment at the library.

Depending on how things go, if the USB Implementers Forum can:

  • get the naming debacle figured out to where it's useful to people without sounding like gibberish.
  • develop USB-C to be more powerful than HDMI & DisplayPort.
  • lower licensing fees.

then USB-C could potentially overtake HDMI and DisplayPort in the graphics display cable market.

The reason I'm saying this is cause:

  • USB-C just_works.™️ for external/multi-monitor displays (it even works on my current dogshit NixOS laptop).
  • some manufacturers have already previously experimented/and sold graphics cards (GPUs) with USB-C as a display option.

As manufacturers already have to pay for HDMI/DisplayPort licensing fees, now it's just a matter of who can provide the most with the least overhead costs.

While it's not guranteed that USB-C is the true end solution, it does provide manufacturers with another option, which technically should lower costs for them to manufacture GPUs.

all 21 comments

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[–] 18 points 1 year ago* (2 children)

The current implementation is problematic, with specific edge cases causing DisplayPort synchronization issues. This results in intermittent black screens lasting 5 to 20 seconds.

Driver updates often resolve the problem, though not consistently.

Signed an IT professional managing an environment with 4000 USB-C docks.

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  • [–] 8 points 1 year ago

    God fucking damnit. I'm an electrician, I'm not supposed to do IT, but they call me for IT because computers are electricity. My number 1 call is USB-C dock related, usually a destroyed cable because it's been folded over 10k times or the port on the laptop because it has been plugged and unplugged 5x the MTF.

    I feel your pain, we only have a dozen docks.

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    • [–] 12 points 1 year ago (1 child)

    USB-C is just the form factor. As somebody mentioned already Thunderbolt 4 is what you mean, and it is here already.

    https://www.pcworld.com/article/394346/should-you-buy-a-thunderbolt-display-pros-cons-and-what-to-buy.html

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    • [+] 8 points 1 year ago (1 child)
    [deleted]
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    • [–] 4 points 1 year ago

    Hopefully some magical fix for compatibility too

    Even if it’s just spec printed on the cable (and maybe RFIDs we can scan with our phones to identify cables, while devices with screens can pop up warnings for any spec mismatches so we know they’ll charge slowly or w/e)

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    [–] 4 points 1 year ago

    Mum’s work has the abomination of vga to usb-c for display.

    Also DP doesn’t have licensing fees.

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    [–] 4 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (4 children)

    Yeah, power (power monitor via PC or power minpc via monitor) plus fast wake-up (HDMI CEC/DP alt mode?), passthrough capability etc looks cool if you can get both sides of the hardware (plus the cable) to support it.

    Fantastech II sale is today, prices will determine if I see any of this or keep using a 1050Ti and cheap old HDTV. EDIT: Not looking great for my chances so far...

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  • [–] 1 point 1 year ago (3 children)

    We have display already using USB-C cable with thunderbolt 4 protocol.

    https://www.pcworld.com/article/394346/should-you-buy-a-thunderbolt-display-pros-cons-and-what-to-buy.html

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  • [–] 1 point 1 year ago (2 children)

    Nowhere in my comment did I say it didn't exist. Also, from your link:

    Cons: Expensive and relatively unavailable

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  • [–] 1 point 1 year ago (1 child)

    That article is 2021. Relarively Unavailable has changed

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  • [–] 2 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

    I was looking at options, one brand listed Thunderbolt 3.0 but others just listed alt-mode.

    Prices weren't too bad for monitors (if the specs make sense for your setup), but I went with an older monitor (HDMI 1.4, even though the monitor itself isn't that old) because it was a lower price for larger size (+better contrast ratio, known brand) considering I didn't upgrade my GPU anyway.

    EDIT: Rushed a bit, I'm seeing now could've made a (very similar) better choice for the same price, but can't change order now...

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    • [–] 3 points 1 year ago (4 children)

    They'll have to come up with a better connector, though. USB-C is just way too flimsy.

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  • [–] 3 points 1 year ago*

    Why come up with a new connector and not address the problem directly with a separate anchoring solution where needed? So far, solutions seem to go more rigid, but perhaps one that's more flexible and even automatically ejected when too much pressure is applied may be better for the cable and the connector. And if it isn't staying in, chances are you should probably be finding anchor points or alleviating tension for you longass/shortass cable.

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  • [–] 2 points 1 year ago (2 children)

    We already have display over this connector, the protocol is thunderbolt 4 over a USB-C form factor. You can buy computers and monitors with this already.

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  • [–] 2 points 1 year ago (1 child)

    Yes, I know. But I'm always scared of accidentally bending them out ripping them out. There should be some way to fasten the plug to the socket.

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  • [–] 1 point 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

    Are you using apple devices primarily?

    Good cables lock in nicely and are too stiff too bend at the connector. You can also get 90 degree ones if sticking out is a concern.

    Like the USB-C cable I have for display or high data transfer, is so thick/stiff it is hard to fold up. And the head around it is solid footprint so it resists pulling by putting force against the case it is in.

    Left is heavy duty for display or high data transfer, right is phone charger cord

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    • [–] 1 point 1 year ago

    There is a lot of "could" and "eventually" in this, actually.

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    [–] 1 point 1 year ago

    Pretty much already has for me.

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