Shared USB-C dual monitor dock between MBP and a PC without Thunderbolt? [closed]
I'm having a hard time understanding the magic between DisplayPort, USB-C, and Thunderbolt. I'm trying to learn if it's supported by the protocols to have 2 monitors over USB-C both with and without Thunderbolt support. I'm not an expert on the USB-C protocols but here are my assumptions:
On the laptop with USB-C, a DisplayPort adapter is actually sending display data over the wire, not USB protocol data. The DisplayPort website hints that this functionality uses "Alternate Mode Functional Extension," and I'm assuming there's only one channel available for this. I assume that this functionality means a USB-C to DisplayPort adapter can be fully passive?
I'm assuming on the MBP, Thunderbolt just has massive raw throughput and each display adaptor is converting some thunderbolt-formatted data to the video signal being sent to the displays. These Thunderbolt to DisplayPort adapters would in that case be active adapters.
I'm assuming thunderbolt should be able to downgrade to be fully USB-C, so if I find a solution that works with regular USB-C, I should be able to use both the MacBook and PC.
I'm assuming that "Alternate Mode Functional Extension" can send video to one screen, that there should be enough bandwidth left in USB 3.0 itself to fuel another 1080p display.
I'm assuming that if I get a "dock" that has USB-C w/ Power Delivery, DisplayPort, and a USB-A 3.0 port, I can plug a USB-A 3.0 to HDMI adapter into the dock, and end up with 2 functional displays.
Is the above correct? Does this work as I'm assuming?
usb multiple-monitors thunderbolt usb-c
asked Dec 26 '18 at 3:08
kavisiegelkavisiegel
1318
closed as off-topic by JakeGould, music2myear, K7AAY, Twisty Impersonator, Rajesh S Jan 1 at 5:46
This question appears to be off-topic. The users who voted to close gave this specific reason:
- "Questions seeking for hardware shopping recommendations are off-topic because they are often relevant only to the question author at the time the question was asked and tend to become obsolete quickly. Instead of asking what to buy, try asking how to find out what suits your needs." – Twisty Impersonator, Rajesh S
If this question can be reworded to fit the rules in the help center, please edit the question.
add a comment |
I'm having a hard time understanding the magic between DisplayPort, USB-C, and Thunderbolt. I'm trying to learn if it's supported by the protocols to have 2 monitors over USB-C both with and without Thunderbolt support. I'm not an expert on the USB-C protocols but here are my assumptions:
On the laptop with USB-C, a DisplayPort adapter is actually sending display data over the wire, not USB protocol data. The DisplayPort website hints that this functionality uses "Alternate Mode Functional Extension," and I'm assuming there's only one channel available for this. I assume that this functionality means a USB-C to DisplayPort adapter can be fully passive?
I'm assuming on the MBP, Thunderbolt just has massive raw throughput and each display adaptor is converting some thunderbolt-formatted data to the video signal being sent to the displays. These Thunderbolt to DisplayPort adapters would in that case be active adapters.
I'm assuming thunderbolt should be able to downgrade to be fully USB-C, so if I find a solution that works with regular USB-C, I should be able to use both the MacBook and PC.
I'm assuming that "Alternate Mode Functional Extension" can send video to one screen, that there should be enough bandwidth left in USB 3.0 itself to fuel another 1080p display.
I'm assuming that if I get a "dock" that has USB-C w/ Power Delivery, DisplayPort, and a USB-A 3.0 port, I can plug a USB-A 3.0 to HDMI adapter into the dock, and end up with 2 functional displays.
Is the above correct? Does this work as I'm assuming?
usb multiple-monitors thunderbolt usb-c
asked Dec 26 '18 at 3:08
kavisiegelkavisiegel
1318
closed as off-topic by JakeGould, music2myear, K7AAY, Twisty Impersonator, Rajesh S Jan 1 at 5:46
This question appears to be off-topic. The users who voted to close gave this specific reason:
- "Questions seeking for hardware shopping recommendations are off-topic because they are often relevant only to the question author at the time the question was asked and tend to become obsolete quickly. Instead of asking what to buy, try asking how to find out what suits your needs." – Twisty Impersonator, Rajesh S
If this question can be reworded to fit the rules in the help center, please edit the question.
I'm voting to close this question as off-topic because it might be better to move it to hardwarerecs.stackexchange.com
– K7AAY
Dec 27 '18 at 21:09
Every time I see a comment like this, nsync plays in my head: "why you gotta try... to classify.. the type of thing we do." Anyways, I respectfully disagree as there's a dozen Thunderbolt/USB-C questions popping up in the "related" column to the right and the intent of my question was to clarify exactly the protocols moving across usb-c vs thunderbolt, not quite "what hardware should I buy?" However if it must be moved, that's up to your discretion, and I appreciate you spending time to moderate this forum.
– kavisiegel
Dec 28 '18 at 16:32
add a comment |
I'm having a hard time understanding the magic between DisplayPort, USB-C, and Thunderbolt. I'm trying to learn if it's supported by the protocols to have 2 monitors over USB-C both with and without Thunderbolt support. I'm not an expert on the USB-C protocols but here are my assumptions:
On the laptop with USB-C, a DisplayPort adapter is actually sending display data over the wire, not USB protocol data. The DisplayPort website hints that this functionality uses "Alternate Mode Functional Extension," and I'm assuming there's only one channel available for this. I assume that this functionality means a USB-C to DisplayPort adapter can be fully passive?
I'm assuming on the MBP, Thunderbolt just has massive raw throughput and each display adaptor is converting some thunderbolt-formatted data to the video signal being sent to the displays. These Thunderbolt to DisplayPort adapters would in that case be active adapters.
I'm assuming thunderbolt should be able to downgrade to be fully USB-C, so if I find a solution that works with regular USB-C, I should be able to use both the MacBook and PC.
I'm assuming that "Alternate Mode Functional Extension" can send video to one screen, that there should be enough bandwidth left in USB 3.0 itself to fuel another 1080p display.
I'm assuming that if I get a "dock" that has USB-C w/ Power Delivery, DisplayPort, and a USB-A 3.0 port, I can plug a USB-A 3.0 to HDMI adapter into the dock, and end up with 2 functional displays.
Is the above correct? Does this work as I'm assuming?
usb multiple-monitors thunderbolt usb-c
asked Dec 26 '18 at 3:08
kavisiegelkavisiegel
1318
I'm having a hard time understanding the magic between DisplayPort, USB-C, and Thunderbolt. I'm trying to learn if it's supported by the protocols to have 2 monitors over USB-C both with and without Thunderbolt support. I'm not an expert on the USB-C protocols but here are my assumptions:
On the laptop with USB-C, a DisplayPort adapter is actually sending display data over the wire, not USB protocol data. The DisplayPort website hints that this functionality uses "Alternate Mode Functional Extension," and I'm assuming there's only one channel available for this. I assume that this functionality means a USB-C to DisplayPort adapter can be fully passive?
I'm assuming on the MBP, Thunderbolt just has massive raw throughput and each display adaptor is converting some thunderbolt-formatted data to the video signal being sent to the displays. These Thunderbolt to DisplayPort adapters would in that case be active adapters.
I'm assuming thunderbolt should be able to downgrade to be fully USB-C, so if I find a solution that works with regular USB-C, I should be able to use both the MacBook and PC.
I'm assuming that "Alternate Mode Functional Extension" can send video to one screen, that there should be enough bandwidth left in USB 3.0 itself to fuel another 1080p display.
I'm assuming that if I get a "dock" that has USB-C w/ Power Delivery, DisplayPort, and a USB-A 3.0 port, I can plug a USB-A 3.0 to HDMI adapter into the dock, and end up with 2 functional displays.
Is the above correct? Does this work as I'm assuming?
usb multiple-monitors thunderbolt usb-c
usb multiple-monitors thunderbolt usb-c
asked Dec 26 '18 at 3:08
kavisiegelkavisiegel
1318
asked Dec 26 '18 at 3:08
kavisiegelkavisiegel
1318
edited 2 days ago
kavisiegel
asked Dec 26 '18 at 3:08
kavisiegelkavisiegel
1318
asked Dec 26 '18 at 3:08
kavisiegelkavisiegel
1318
asked Dec 26 '18 at 3:08
kavisiegelkavisiegel
1318
1318
closed as off-topic by JakeGould, music2myear, K7AAY, Twisty Impersonator, Rajesh S Jan 1 at 5:46
This question appears to be off-topic. The users who voted to close gave this specific reason:
- "Questions seeking for hardware shopping recommendations are off-topic because they are often relevant only to the question author at the time the question was asked and tend to become obsolete quickly. Instead of asking what to buy, try asking how to find out what suits your needs." – Twisty Impersonator, Rajesh S
If this question can be reworded to fit the rules in the help center, please edit the question.
closed as off-topic by JakeGould, music2myear, K7AAY, Twisty Impersonator, Rajesh S Jan 1 at 5:46
This question appears to be off-topic. The users who voted to close gave this specific reason:
- "Questions seeking for hardware shopping recommendations are off-topic because they are often relevant only to the question author at the time the question was asked and tend to become obsolete quickly. Instead of asking what to buy, try asking how to find out what suits your needs." – Twisty Impersonator, Rajesh S
If this question can be reworded to fit the rules in the help center, please edit the question.
I'm voting to close this question as off-topic because it might be better to move it to hardwarerecs.stackexchange.com
– K7AAY
Dec 27 '18 at 21:09
Every time I see a comment like this, nsync plays in my head: "why you gotta try... to classify.. the type of thing we do." Anyways, I respectfully disagree as there's a dozen Thunderbolt/USB-C questions popping up in the "related" column to the right and the intent of my question was to clarify exactly the protocols moving across usb-c vs thunderbolt, not quite "what hardware should I buy?" However if it must be moved, that's up to your discretion, and I appreciate you spending time to moderate this forum.
– kavisiegel
Dec 28 '18 at 16:32
add a comment |
I'm voting to close this question as off-topic because it might be better to move it to hardwarerecs.stackexchange.com
– K7AAY
Dec 27 '18 at 21:09
Every time I see a comment like this, nsync plays in my head: "why you gotta try... to classify.. the type of thing we do." Anyways, I respectfully disagree as there's a dozen Thunderbolt/USB-C questions popping up in the "related" column to the right and the intent of my question was to clarify exactly the protocols moving across usb-c vs thunderbolt, not quite "what hardware should I buy?" However if it must be moved, that's up to your discretion, and I appreciate you spending time to moderate this forum.
– kavisiegel
Dec 28 '18 at 16:32
I'm voting to close this question as off-topic because it might be better to move it to hardwarerecs.stackexchange.com
– K7AAY
Dec 27 '18 at 21:09
I'm voting to close this question as off-topic because it might be better to move it to hardwarerecs.stackexchange.com
– K7AAY
Dec 27 '18 at 21:09
Every time I see a comment like this, nsync plays in my head: "why you gotta try... to classify.. the type of thing we do." Anyways, I respectfully disagree as there's a dozen Thunderbolt/USB-C questions popping up in the "related" column to the right and the intent of my question was to clarify exactly the protocols moving across usb-c vs thunderbolt, not quite "what hardware should I buy?" However if it must be moved, that's up to your discretion, and I appreciate you spending time to moderate this forum.
– kavisiegel
Dec 28 '18 at 16:32
Every time I see a comment like this, nsync plays in my head: "why you gotta try... to classify.. the type of thing we do." Anyways, I respectfully disagree as there's a dozen Thunderbolt/USB-C questions popping up in the "related" column to the right and the intent of my question was to clarify exactly the protocols moving across usb-c vs thunderbolt, not quite "what hardware should I buy?" However if it must be moved, that's up to your discretion, and I appreciate you spending time to moderate this forum.
– kavisiegel
Dec 28 '18 at 16:32
add a comment |
1 Answer
1
active
oldest
votes
After a bit of digging it appears that the USB 3.0 HDMI dongles do use onboard processing, but not to a full extent. It appears it's not as readily supported as USB-C/Thunderbolt -> DisplayPort, there are drivers, data compression issues, and oddities with resuming from certain power modes. I've decided to just live with 2 cables rather than deal with software/hardware hassles.
I can conclude that what I wanted is possible, workable, but not easy enough to be worth the convenience.
I hope this information is useful to anyone in the future who's trying to peel back the oddities between Thunderbolt, USB-C, and USB 3.
answered Dec 26 '18 at 4:59
kavisiegelkavisiegel
1318
add a comment |
1 Answer
1
active
oldest
votes
1 Answer
1
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
After a bit of digging it appears that the USB 3.0 HDMI dongles do use onboard processing, but not to a full extent. It appears it's not as readily supported as USB-C/Thunderbolt -> DisplayPort, there are drivers, data compression issues, and oddities with resuming from certain power modes. I've decided to just live with 2 cables rather than deal with software/hardware hassles.
I can conclude that what I wanted is possible, workable, but not easy enough to be worth the convenience.
I hope this information is useful to anyone in the future who's trying to peel back the oddities between Thunderbolt, USB-C, and USB 3.
answered Dec 26 '18 at 4:59
kavisiegelkavisiegel
1318
add a comment |
After a bit of digging it appears that the USB 3.0 HDMI dongles do use onboard processing, but not to a full extent. It appears it's not as readily supported as USB-C/Thunderbolt -> DisplayPort, there are drivers, data compression issues, and oddities with resuming from certain power modes. I've decided to just live with 2 cables rather than deal with software/hardware hassles.
I can conclude that what I wanted is possible, workable, but not easy enough to be worth the convenience.
I hope this information is useful to anyone in the future who's trying to peel back the oddities between Thunderbolt, USB-C, and USB 3.
answered Dec 26 '18 at 4:59
kavisiegelkavisiegel
1318
add a comment |
After a bit of digging it appears that the USB 3.0 HDMI dongles do use onboard processing, but not to a full extent. It appears it's not as readily supported as USB-C/Thunderbolt -> DisplayPort, there are drivers, data compression issues, and oddities with resuming from certain power modes. I've decided to just live with 2 cables rather than deal with software/hardware hassles.
I can conclude that what I wanted is possible, workable, but not easy enough to be worth the convenience.
I hope this information is useful to anyone in the future who's trying to peel back the oddities between Thunderbolt, USB-C, and USB 3.
answered Dec 26 '18 at 4:59
kavisiegelkavisiegel
1318
After a bit of digging it appears that the USB 3.0 HDMI dongles do use onboard processing, but not to a full extent. It appears it's not as readily supported as USB-C/Thunderbolt -> DisplayPort, there are drivers, data compression issues, and oddities with resuming from certain power modes. I've decided to just live with 2 cables rather than deal with software/hardware hassles.
I can conclude that what I wanted is possible, workable, but not easy enough to be worth the convenience.
I hope this information is useful to anyone in the future who's trying to peel back the oddities between Thunderbolt, USB-C, and USB 3.
answered Dec 26 '18 at 4:59
kavisiegelkavisiegel
1318
answered Dec 26 '18 at 4:59
kavisiegelkavisiegel
1318
answered Dec 26 '18 at 4:59
kavisiegelkavisiegel
1318
answered Dec 26 '18 at 4:59
kavisiegelkavisiegel
1318
1318
add a comment |
add a comment |
I'm voting to close this question as off-topic because it might be better to move it to hardwarerecs.stackexchange.com
– K7AAY
Dec 27 '18 at 21:09
Every time I see a comment like this, nsync plays in my head: "why you gotta try... to classify.. the type of thing we do." Anyways, I respectfully disagree as there's a dozen Thunderbolt/USB-C questions popping up in the "related" column to the right and the intent of my question was to clarify exactly the protocols moving across usb-c vs thunderbolt, not quite "what hardware should I buy?" However if it must be moved, that's up to your discretion, and I appreciate you spending time to moderate this forum.
– kavisiegel
Dec 28 '18 at 16:32