Why is the number of USB-C compatible monitors increasing?

I thought it was organized by HDMI

It's been a long time since HDMI has become widespread in TVs and monitors. The shape of the port can be a bit annoying, but with an HDMI cable you can now connect most monitors to your TV or other device, but that's changing little by little. Eh! I thought I didn't have to worry about it! David Nield of Gizmodo in the US explains.

I think that the entire industry has finally come together with one standard for video input and output, and there are various complicated phenomena. USB-C is currently competing with HDMI and other ports for the output port of modern PCs and gaming monitors. This time I would like to explain why it is happening and what the advantages and disadvantages are in the long run.

One thing to understand about the rise of USB-C monitors is that USB-C is, strictly speaking, a standard for the physical interface of a port, a standard for transferring data to a port using a cable (a standard that transfers data to the port using a cable. It is completely different from the protocol). This means that most cables to the USB-C port use USB technology, but not necessarily for video and monitors (because USB isn't good at that).

The USB-C port is compatible with various output standards and is easy to handle.

Some USB-C ports support cables that carry a variety of audio and display protocols. For example, Thunderbolt, DisplayPort, and HDMI (although rarer than the former two) are also possible. This versatility is one of the reasons manufacturers want to use the USB-C port instead of HDMI.

There are other reasons. The USB-C port is smaller than the HDMI port, so it doesn't take up that much space (though this is more important for laptops than monitors). And unlike HDMI, USB-C doesn't care about the up and down direction when plugged in. USB-C is more convenient when you try to plug it in by turning your hand behind the monitor. Besides, the USB-C cable works well over long distances.

And as a bonus, you can use the USB-C port to convey more than just video and audio. For example, you can connect the laptop to the monitor and transfer the input information to the monitor's touch screen to the laptop. Also, the USB-C cable connected to the monitor can be used like a USB-C hub because it can charge other devices and exchange data.

Versatility, compactness, and ease of use. Because of these advantages of USB-C, USB-C is very popular on laptops, especially thin and light models. And since monitor manufacturers are also trying to make products for the largest user base, the adoption of USB-C ports will naturally increase on the monitor side as well.

You should check the standard supported by the USB-C port.

Recent MacBooks can output video with Thunderbolt 3 via USB-C, while modern Surfaces can also output with DisplayPort 1.4 via USB-C. With a full-size HDMI port, it's difficult to make your laptop smaller.

Video output over USB-C has given users more choices, but it has also added confusion. If you are choosing a USB-C monitor or are wondering whether to use a USB-C or HDMI monitor, please be careful, but the correspondence is very complicated, so a preliminary survey Please do it firmly. First, find out how you can output your video from the video source (probably your laptop).

The source of confusion is that not all USB-C ports are the same. Just because the outlets are the same, that alone is not helpful. Not all USB-C ports can charge other devices and output (or input) video. It all depends on the manufacturer's design.

The same is true for cables. A USB-C cable that can charge your smartphone does not always output video from your laptop to your monitor. I would like you to write it clearly when selecting a product, but since it is often not written, please be careful when purchasing. (Supplement: The USB-C port of the MacBook Pro is compatible with Thunderbolt 3, so if you want to use it for monitor output, you need to buy a cable that also supports Thunderbolt 3 etc.)

In other words, just because you have a USB-C port that can output video doesn't mean you just need to connect it directly to your USB-C monitor. For example, the Google Pixelbook is a good example, and you need to bite the adapter on the way.

When looking for laptops, cables and monitors, pay attention to the word "Alt Mode". This is required to communicate non-USB data over a USB-C connection (including Thunderbolt, DisplayPort audio, and video output). If you're lucky, you can connect with a single USB-C cable, but if not, you'll need an adapter.

Complex situations may change as USB-C becomes more widespread

Of course, HDMI also has problems due to differences in versions and cables, hardware support, etc., but USB-C seems to be intentionally going beyond HDMI in terms of complexity. For example, take a look at this bewildering (and well-researched) guide to Microsoft Surface's USB-C video output. Or see a (very esoteric) guide that explains in great detail how adding a hub can affect the quality of video over USB-C.

Aside from the frustration and confusion of shopping, the HDMI standard will not disappear from monitors (and TVs) for some time. There are tons of devices that require the HDMI standard, such as game consoles, Blu-ray players, and cable boxes. But what will HDMI be like from a laptop? Manufacturers want more space and know that there are plenty of USB-C dongles and hubs if users need them.

As a result of enabling the exchange of video data, it is a pity that the standard, which was very simple and easy to connect and charge devices, has become so complicated. But I hope it will be easier to understand as older devices go away and USB-C becomes more widespread. One thing to keep in mind right now is the USB-C port on your laptop or monitor, which may seem easy at first glance, but it can have a variety of roles, so look at the instructions and take a closer look.