Hi folks. It's my first post here. This isn't a specific tech problem I'm experiencing; I'm trying to learn and advise others.
Lots of vendors offer ways to transmit video over USB-C. The NY Times' Wirecutter recently published a list of The Best USB-C Video Cables and Adapters. However, nowhere in that article, or in many of the descriptions of these vendors' cables/adapters/docks/etc., is the implementation mentioned. As far a I can tell, DisplayPort Alt Mode is the most common implementation of video over USB-C, either as part of the Thunderbolt spec or separately. However since USB-C is so flexible, there are myriad other ways to do it, from software solutions like Synaptics' DisplayLink to other alt modes (though HDMI Alt Mode apparently never got off the ground).
When considering a specific vendor's USB-C dock with a video output, I of course look at their published specs, but I also try to determine whether they provide a video driver to be downloaded and installed on the source system. If they do, I presume (or I suspect) they use something like DisplayLink, and can connect to a plain USB-C data port. But for a dock/adapter that doesn't mention the implementation, I think I must assume they require DP Alt Mode in the source device. Am I wrong? Isn't it somewhat irresponsible of the vendors not to provide this info? Thanks...
Lots of vendors offer ways to transmit video over USB-C. The NY Times' Wirecutter recently published a list of The Best USB-C Video Cables and Adapters. However, nowhere in that article, or in many of the descriptions of these vendors' cables/adapters/docks/etc., is the implementation mentioned. As far a I can tell, DisplayPort Alt Mode is the most common implementation of video over USB-C, either as part of the Thunderbolt spec or separately. However since USB-C is so flexible, there are myriad other ways to do it, from software solutions like Synaptics' DisplayLink to other alt modes (though HDMI Alt Mode apparently never got off the ground).
When considering a specific vendor's USB-C dock with a video output, I of course look at their published specs, but I also try to determine whether they provide a video driver to be downloaded and installed on the source system. If they do, I presume (or I suspect) they use something like DisplayLink, and can connect to a plain USB-C data port. But for a dock/adapter that doesn't mention the implementation, I think I must assume they require DP Alt Mode in the source device. Am I wrong? Isn't it somewhat irresponsible of the vendors not to provide this info? Thanks...
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