[deleted]
I stopped trusting USB-C cable labels and started testing them
171–180 of 266 posts
Re: I stopped trusting USB-C cable labels and started testing them
#172As always, these testers (the affordable ones) are capable of testing continuity, and, I guess, the cable chip report. If you want to test bandwidth, that's a five- or six-figure bit of gear.
It’s much cheaper to just buy your cables from Apple or LTT knowing they tested them on a 6 figure testing rig. I throw out every usb cable that comes bundled with devices because they are literal junk.
I use the ones provided by Apple and it’s been pretty good so far.
Re: I stopped trusting USB-C cable labels and started testing them
#173Earlier quoted context omitted.
So, call it USB-D or something, if one cable is significantly different (in purpose, performance, form factor) than another cable. Don't just call everything the same label, and let the non-technical buyer beware.
Okay, great, it’s called USB-D. Is this a new connector? Or do we now need to resort to labeling cables and checking the label? Do we do this for every new version and combination of versions for USB? USB-PD? Thunderbolt? DisplayPort?
Yes, a new connector would be great. It could be a notch on the standard usb-c form factor, so that usb-c connectors could fit into usb-d plugs.
Re: I stopped trusting USB-C cable labels and started testing them
#174LTT has created true spec cables with the actual spec mentioned on the cables but they can not keep up with demand despite being expensive get sold out as soon as new stock comes in. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hfovjw7Ts_U&t=974s
They are not TB5 compatible though, and if you are going to drive monitors through it, or connect external GPU, 120Gbit (TB5) is much better than 40Gbit TB4 gives you. If you are willing to pay a bit more, consider TB5 cables from CalDigit, StarTech, CableMatters, or Apple.
I used LTT's 40 Gbps cable to connect my ThinkPad X270 to a USB-C monitor and it worked fine. I guess neither device there is TB5, but just wanted to share that those cables do at least support DP-alt mode (or whatever it's called).
Re: I stopped trusting USB-C cable labels and started testing them
#175I'd like a HDMI cable tester as well, I can't seem to find one that works well with my high refresh monitor.
Are you buying ones that are "Ultra High Speed" HDMI certified? At least in theory, those should all be able to handle the maximum 48 Gbps bandwidth supported by HDMI 2.1
Re: I stopped trusting USB-C cable labels and started testing them
#176> But I shouldn't have had to do any of this. It's time cables came with a label of their own, or some sort of color coding. There shouldn't even need to be a label. A USB-C cable should be a USB-C cable should be a USB-C cable. There should be a single connectivity/performance spec, and if the cable meets it, it can be called a USB-C cable, and if it doesn't, it should have to be marketed as USB-JUNK or something. T…
USB-C is just a connector. A cable can be a USB-C connector USB 3.0, power delivery 3.1 cable, or it can be a USB-C connector Thunderbolt 4 cable, or it can be a USB-C connector DisplayPort 1.4 cable.
Yeah, and it also can be a RS-232 compliant serial link cable with 4 wires that are RX, TX, GND, and a +5V for good measure, attached to a USB-C head, can't it? I mean, that'd be totally fine, right?
Re: I stopped trusting USB-C cable labels and started testing them
#177Re: I stopped trusting USB-C cable labels and started testing them
#178It's interesting that I was downvoted on HN for saying the same thing about how frustrating it is that seemingly identical cables are not identical https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48908214#48917477
Re: I stopped trusting USB-C cable labels and started testing them
#179Earlier quoted context omitted.
The computer / phone should auto-detect and tell you on-screen
They've already done that afaik, like warning about charging at slower speed.
Some chargers will re-negotiate depending how many cables are plugged into the adapter. Which is fine, but sometimes makes it tricky to know if it's the cable, the plug, or the number of cables causing a slow charge
Re: I stopped trusting USB-C cable labels and started testing them
#180> But I shouldn't have had to do any of this. It's time cables came with a label of their own, or some sort of color coding. There shouldn't even need to be a label. A USB-C cable should be a USB-C cable should be a USB-C cable. There should be a single connectivity/performance spec, and if the cable meets it, it can be called a USB-C cable, and if it doesn't, it should have to be marketed as USB-JUNK or something. T…
Do people really not remember the hell of every device having it's own cable which was incompatible with all the others? Going around to a friend's house and finding out, no, they don't have the cable that can charge your phone. It is a strict improvement to be able to transfer data or charge at degraded speeds, compared to not being able to plug it in at all. Wanting all your cables to end up entirely incompatible j…
> they don't have the cable that can charge your phone.
Nokia was the USB-C of the 90's.
If you owned a Nokia someone in the room would always have a charger and offices would be full of spares at random desks.