New USB-C-to-HDMI spec will enable adapter-free display hookups for MacBooks
The company responsible for licensing the HDMI specification on Thursday introduced the "HDMI Alternate Mode" for USB-C, which should allow devices like Apple's 12-inch MacBook to connect displays without the help of an adapter.
Companies will have to manufacture specific USB-C-to-HDMI cables supporting the HDMI 1.4b standard, but these should support 4K resolutions on monitors, TVs, and projectors, said HDMI Licensing LLC. Previously 12-inch MacBooks have had to use an adapter to connect to any external display using HDMI.
When connecting to 4K screens, moreover, MacBooks have been limited to a 30-hertz refresh rate, half what most displays are capable of.
While 12-inch MacBooks aren't really powerful enough to push 4K content, the situation could change later this fall. Apple is expected to launch updated iMac, MacBook Pro, and/or MacBook Air models, all of which may support USB-C and be better equipped for 4K video. The company is also said to be building a new 5K display in cooperation with LG, though whether it will support USB-C, Thunderbolt 3, or both is unknown.
The previous 27-inch Thunderbolt Display was discontinued in June without a replacement. Even up to that point it was still priced at $999, despite being limited to 2560-by-1440 resolution and eclipsed by cheaper third-party monitors supporting 4K.
Companies will have to manufacture specific USB-C-to-HDMI cables supporting the HDMI 1.4b standard, but these should support 4K resolutions on monitors, TVs, and projectors, said HDMI Licensing LLC. Previously 12-inch MacBooks have had to use an adapter to connect to any external display using HDMI.
When connecting to 4K screens, moreover, MacBooks have been limited to a 30-hertz refresh rate, half what most displays are capable of.
While 12-inch MacBooks aren't really powerful enough to push 4K content, the situation could change later this fall. Apple is expected to launch updated iMac, MacBook Pro, and/or MacBook Air models, all of which may support USB-C and be better equipped for 4K video. The company is also said to be building a new 5K display in cooperation with LG, though whether it will support USB-C, Thunderbolt 3, or both is unknown.
The previous 27-inch Thunderbolt Display was discontinued in June without a replacement. Even up to that point it was still priced at $999, despite being limited to 2560-by-1440 resolution and eclipsed by cheaper third-party monitors supporting 4K.
Comments
An adapter would mean another device in the way facilitating the connection. Since it is port to port, then it is truly adapter-less. Both ends of the cable don't have to be the same connector type.
The interesting point here is USB-C's port being usable for 3 different standards, namely HDMI, USB and Thunderbolt.
It's just not a "dongle" that adapts one end of a cable.
I'm not certain, but I think there are fewer pins available via USB-C Alt Mode than are in an HDMI cable. Wouldn't this suggest that in the cable itself there is some switching going on and it's not just a simple passive pass-though of the signal from one pin layout (USB-C) to another (HDMI)? Of course, this is assuming that all of the HDMI pins are needed for this application. If only a subset are needed and that number is low enough, perhaps it could be handled by a direct mapping to the available Alt Mode pins.
Regardless, considering that you need to purchase a specialized cable that is only useful for one thing, I'd call that an adapter. If I created a device that was USB-C to HDMI female and then plugged in a standard HDMI cable to make the connection, wouldn't you call that device an adapter?
I mean, a typical micro-USB cable has different plugs on each end, but are still considered cables. TB-to-EN or TB-to-FW, on the other hand, are adaptors.
Is this ultimately why the TV 4 has a USB-C connection on the back? Can we expect the TV 5 to drop the HDMI connecter altogether?
This is just a cable but with different connectors on each end. Take a regular HDMI cable, cut off one end and then solder on a USB-C connector. Was a cable, still a cable.
This is native HDMI transmitted over a cable, no adapting or converting of signals required.
In my thinking, a cable is a passive connector between two ports. It might change the configuration of the wires/pins between the two ports, but it doesn't perform any conversion on the signal sent over those wires. An adapter performs some type of conversion on the signal. The length and connector ends have nothing to do with it, only the signal conversion or lack thereof.
http://forums.macrumors.com/threads/4k-at-60hz-on-12-rmb-hack-monitors-cables-adapters-that-work.1974167/
Sorry for shouting but this is beyond a joke, no one wants to plug in an external monitor and not have power.
They have a power supply and commonly an internet connection they could share.
Not just for hooking a laptop but set-top boxes could be reduced to the USB dongles on the back of the TV with on need for power.
Although at this point I don't know how I feel about Apple hanging on to the lightning connection. It may be a little bit smaller but doesn't seem to do as much as USB type C.
Probably the 'cable' is cheaper than an 'adopter', people should buy one.