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HDMI Announces USB-C to HDMI Cables for 4K Displays and TVs

Thursday September 1, 2016 6:31 am PDT by Joe Rossignol
The licensing group behind the HDMI interface has introduced a new HDMI Alternate Mode that will allow for USB-C devices like the 12-inch MacBook, smartphones, and tablets to connect to HDMI-enabled 4K displays and TVs over a single cable, with no adapters or dongles required.

12-inch-macbook-4K-monitor
The new specification will lead to the release of simple HDMI to USB-C cables that support the full range of HDMI 1.4b features, including 3D, Ethernet, and CEC. Connecting an HDMI-enabled 4K display or TV to a 12-inch MacBook currently requires using Apple's $79 USB-C Digital AV Multiport Adapter.

HDMI-USB-C-cable
Thunderbolt remains the more popular I/O protocol for connecting 4K displays and TVs to Macs, since existing models are unable to drive 4K displays or TVs at 60Hz over HDMI by default. HDMI-enabled 4K displays and TVs connected to a 12-inch MacBook via adapter, for example, only support a 30Hz refresh rate.

In addition to the 12-inch MacBook, Apple is rumored to release updated MacBook Pro and MacBook Air models featuring USB-C ports with Thunderbolt 3 as early as October. Those notebooks would support HDMI to USB-C cables, providing Mac users with another option for connecting 4K displays and TVs.

Tags: USB-C, 4K displays, HDMI
[ 122 comments ]


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jmh600cbr
35 months ago
Hopefully this doesn't lead to a lack of HDMI on the MBP. The reason I love it so much is when I'm at a random place and I can just unplug their BRplayer or random or cable box or android box and just plug in.
Rating: 16 Votes
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TurboPGT!
35 months ago

This sounds unequivocally good. Waiting for everyone to explain why it sucks.

Only 30 Hz. Which means, its just another thing thats possible, that no one wants to use.
Rating: 15 Votes
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bjjp2
35 months ago
This sounds unequivocally good. Waiting for everyone to explain why it sucks.
Rating: 12 Votes
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bluespark
35 months ago
This is yet another reason why Lightning should be replaced with USB-C on iPhones/iPads.
Rating: 10 Votes
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Bkxmnr
35 months ago
So does the power from the display keep the MacBook charged? Or can you only use the external display for as long as the MacBook stay powered by its battery?
Rating: 8 Votes
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bluespark
35 months ago

Oh my! More dongles.... >_<


The is the exact opposite of a dongle. It keeps a dongle from being required.
Rating: 7 Votes
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iamgalt
35 months ago

Oh my! More dongles.... >_<

It's not a dongle, its a wire. A wire that removes the need for a dongle.
Rating: 7 Votes
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PatriotInvasion
35 months ago

30hz is fine for people to do their presentations with - no one should be using HDMI out to connect an actual monitor for work.


HDMI out to a monitor can do 60hz and is just fine as long as it's 2560x1600 or below. 4K is the only issue. Aside from that, 1.4 is a fine standard.
Rating: 6 Votes
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jblagden
35 months ago

Only 30 Hz. Which means, its just another thing thats possible, that no one wants to use.

Actually, that 30Hz is only for 4K. If you just want to drive a 1080p monitor or maybe even a 2K monitor, you should be able to get 60 Hz. Not too long ago, HDMI could only handle 4K at 24 Hz.
Rating: 5 Votes
Avatar
robeddie
35 months ago

Hopefully this doesn't lead to a lack of HDMI on the MBP. The reason I love it so much is when I'm at a random place and I can just unplug their BRplayer or random or cable box or android box and just plug in.


Oh come on, get with the times. Who needs all that convenience and functionality when you can get a laptop that's a couple mm thinner?!?
Rating: 5 Votes

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