Question Can you Use the Data Bandwidth of HDMI/DP as a USB Bandwidth ?

[Gamefreaknet]

(Basically the title) - Depending on the Version there is a good 16 - 20ish Gbps HDMI 2.0 or DP 1.4 which is a fair bit of data theoretically available. Whilst this is used for sending stuff like display data typically they are still all data lines.

Using something like this HDMI to USB C (Thunderbolt 3) Cable and something like this USB C Coupler - Thunderbolt 4 Speeds (Apparently) and you could theoretically even run a few external storage drives off that bandwidth as since the HDMI end will be converting the USB C data line. If the system will detect USB via HDMI I am not sure however.

If I have something wrong here, please correct me.

 

[bill001g]

Not going to be that simple. Maybe if you buy all apple stuff.

Most the parts you link are purely physical media converters. The data format that is carried on the wires is going to be controlled by the end devices.

Now in theory if the pc supports it and has a USBC connection you might be able to place some kind of hub device that splits out video and USB signals.

It would have to be some kind of port like you see in a laptop or phone that is designed for the purpose from the start. It is not likely even if you find a video card that has a USBC output it would be able to also somehow carry data.

The other way around is likely not possible. You are not going to carry data over a HDMI or DP. DP over USBC is not the samething as USBC over DP.

I am not so sure I would want other data mixed with my video output. Things like phone and laptops are putting out a fairly low quality video signal. When you are running high resolution at high frame rates it is going to eat a huge percentage of the bandwidth even a USBC cable has.

 

[Gamefreaknet]

Not going to be that simple. Maybe if you buy all apple stuff.

Most the parts you link are purely physical media converters. The data format that is carried on the wires is going to be controlled by the end devices.

Now in theory if the pc supports it and has a USBC connection you might be able to place some kind of hub device that splits out video and USB signals.

It would have to be some kind of port like you see in a laptop or phone that is designed for the purpose from the start. It is not likely even if you find a video card that has a USBC output it would be able to also somehow carry data.

The other way around is likely not possible. You are not going to carry data over a HDMI or DP. DP over USBC is not the samething as USBC over DP.

I am not so sure I would want other data mixed with my video output. Things like phone and laptops are putting out a fairly low quality video signal. When you are running high resolution at high frame rates it is going to eat a huge percentage of the bandwidth even a USBC cable has.

If I were to use the (spare) HDMI as a "data line" I would use a different HDMI port (likely from a dedicated card) for video.

 

[bill001g]

You might be able to cobble together a bunch of wires and adapters and use a HDMI cable to connect to USB-C ports. Both USB cables and HDMI cables are just copper metal and plastic so in theory at least you can adapter them.

You problem is the so called "spare" HDMI port is only connected to electronics inside the machine that can produce video output the electronic chips can not do say USB.

It is not a cable/wire problem.

This would be like you could chop the end off a electrical power cord off and solder on a USB-C connector. They both provide power to computers so what could possibly go wrong
It is not as simple as just converting the ends of the cables the stuff you plug them into must support what you are trying to do.

 

[SkyNetRising]

Using something like this HDMI to USB C (Thunderbolt 3) Cable and something like this USB C Coupler - Thunderbolt 4 Speeds (Apparently) and you could theoretically even run a few external storage drives off that bandwidth as since the HDMI end will be converting the USB C data line. If the system will detect USB via HDMI I am not sure however.

Note - that is USB-C to HDMI cable (not HDMI to USB-C).
USB-C to HDMI cable carries HDMI signal from USB-C port supporting HDMI alt mode.
It doesn't function in opposite direction.