Alt Mode will allow HDMI over USB Type-C cables

[Shawn Knight]

HDMI Licensing, the licensing agent responsible for administering the licensing of the HDMI specification, recently announced the release of HDMI Alternate Mode (Alt Mode) for USB Type-C.

Developed by the HDMI Founder, the new specification allows cable manufacturers to create HDMI cables that terminate in a USB Type-C port. The HDMI cable will utilize the USB Type-C connector on the source side and any HDMI connector on the display side. This means you’ll be able to connect things like PCs, tablets, smartphones and laptops to TVs, PC monitors and projectors with a single cable, eliminating the need for clunky adapters or dongles.

Jeff Ravencraft, USB Implementers Forum President and COO, said being able to easily connect devices with USB Type-C to the huge installed base of HDMI-enabled TVs is a substantial benefit to consumers. The executive added that they’re also coordinating with HDMI Licensing to ensure consumers can recognize when HDMI Alt Mode is supported on USB Type-C devices.

HDMI Alt Mode will support the full range of HDMI 1.4b features including 4K resolutions, Audio Return Channel (ARC), 3D, HDMI Ethernet Channel and Consumer Electronic Control (CEC). Because it doesn’t support the newer HDMI 2.0b specification, however, the solution won’t offer amenities like HDR video transmission.

The specification is already available to licensees meaning we should see supporting hardware hit the market in the not-too-distant future.

Permalink to story.

https://www.techspot.com/news/66202-alt-mode-allow-hdmi-over-usb-type-c.html

 

[Lurker101]

This is nice and all but I already have a method of connecting a native HDMI source directly to an HDMI monitor. HDMI cables.

 

[Kotters]

This is nice and all but I already have a method of connecting a native HDMI source directly to an HDMI monitor. HDMI cables.

Somehow, I think you've missed the whole point.

 

[yRaz]

This is nice and all but I already have a method of connecting a native HDMI source directly to an HDMI monitor. HDMI cables.

Somehow, I think you've missed the whole point.

What is the point?

 

[BSim500]

What is the point?

Unnecessary duplication for the sake of marketing.

 

[SirDigby]

This is nice and all but I already have a method of connecting a native HDMI source directly to an HDMI monitor. HDMI cables.

It's meant for devices without a native HDMI source, like newer phones, tablets and ultrabook laptops.

 

[Kotters]

What is the point?

To have one less port on a device.

 

[BSim500]

To have one less port on a device.

So what happens when you want HDMI out over USB C whilst the USB C port is being used for charging or pulling data off a USB stick? Just like the removal of the 3.5mm headphone socket, you end up with either reduced functionality or "solve" the "problem" by adding a second USB C port at more expense than just keeping the existing dirt cheap micro-HDMI port for which everyone already owns a cable...

 

[Kotters]

So what happens when you want HDMI out over USB C whilst the USB C port is being used for charging or pulling data off a USB stick? Just like the removal of the 3.5mm headphone socket, you end up with either reduced functionality or "solve" the "problem" by adding a second USB C port at more expense than just keeping the existing dirt cheap micro-HDMI port for which everyone already owns a cable...

Don't buy Device A that implements only a USB C port.

Alternatively, buy USB C Hub.

HDMI over USB C is exactly what I'm missing in my Note 7.

 

[batsdude]

All of you naysayers forget that there are a GREAT many PC's that have only display ports and NOT HDMI which was co developed in a very rare meeting of co-cooperativeness among numerous PC companies, then installed in new (at the time) PC's, but support-ignored completely practically overnight, in favor of HDMI! And there are a helluva a lot of them out there! It's sad how negative people only look at 45 degrees of things and not the 360 degree big picture.

 

[yRaz]

All of you naysayers forget that there are a GREAT many PC's that have only display ports and NOT HDMI which was co developed in a very rare meeting of co-cooperativeness among numerous PC companies, then installed in new (at the time) PC's, but support-ignored completely practically overnight, in favor of HDMI! And there are a helluva a lot of them out there! It's sad how negative people only look at 45 degrees of things and not the 360 degree big picture.

Mind posting a few? I have never come across a device that only has display port.