Type C Data and Video

[OneWorld]

Now I sort of get it, the Type C signifies it is the physical connection type and Thunderbolt is the speed it will run at

No - Type C is the connection type, but doesn't tell you what the port supports on your computer. Like said above, USB will always work (although not necessarily gen 2 USB, so whether you get 5 or 10Gbps may be variable). Video/displayport may or may not work. Thunderbolt may or may not work (there are plenty of Type C USB ports, but they don't necessarily support Thunderbolt, in whatever flavours of TB). Charging, both power out, and charging in may or may not work, depending on several things and how much power the port can supply.

If you're thinking this is all needlessly confusing, you're quite correct. Using the same connector for multiple, different types of connections has some advantages, but it means you can't just look at the connector and know what will work when you plug something in to it.

But the description says Type C - USB 3.2 (data and video) - so that 'does' tell me what the port supports, doesn't it?

However, from what you say, because I see an audio interface with a Type C connector, it doesn't follow that it is USB 3/Thunderbolt, but in fact is most likely USB 2.0 but uses TYPE C connector

I now understand that USB4.0 is Thunderbolt and is 40GB transfer and not just the 20GB that USB 3.2 allows. ANyway enough for an audio interface

[muzines]

But the description says Type C - USB 3.2 (data and video) - so that 'does' tell me what the port supports, doesn't it?

Yes, the description listing what it supports does - that's the point of having the description. My point was you can't just tell by *looking at the port*, to know what it supports - unlike with standard USB A, FW, etc etc ports back in the day, which instantly informs at a glance you what you can, and cannot plugin. Eg you can plug a monitor into a USB-C port, with no guarantee it will work. Same for a Thunderbolt device, unless you have the specs to tell you which interfaces that Type-C connector supports on your machine.

However, from what you say, because I see an audio interface with a Type C connector, it doesn't follow that it is USB 3/Thunderbolt, but in fact is most likely USB 2.0 but uses TYPE C connector

If it's a USC-C connector, it will pretty much always support USB3 (and lower, USB2 and 1), but it won't necessarily support USB 3.2 gen 2 (a faster connection), and it certainly won't necessarily support Thunderbolt (which isn't well supported on PC's anyway I understand). If it supports Thunderbolt, the ports are usually described as "Thunderbolt ports", and generally will support more or less everythying.

I now understand that USB4.0 is Thunderbolt

USB is not Thunderbolt - different things. Which is why many USC-C ports don't support it. On my MBP, all the Type-C ports are Thunderbolt and support basically everything - so I have a monitor connected to one (video via DisplayPort), a UBC-C 3.2 gen 2 hub connected to another (SSDs, and other USB 3 hubs for general USB devices) and a third for miscelleous occasional stuff, ranging from USB2, to USB 3.2 gen 2, or another monitor, or a thunderbolt device (hub, adaptor card) etc.

[OneWorld]

But the description says Type C - USB 3.2 (data and video) - so that 'does' tell me what the port supports, doesn't it?

Yes, the description listing what it supports does - that's the point of having the description. My point was you can't just tell by *looking at the port*, to know what it supports - unlike with standard USB A, FW, etc etc ports back in the day, which instantly informs at a glance you what you can, and cannot plugin. Eg you can plug a monitor into a USB-C port, with no guarantee it will work. Same for a Thunderbolt device, unless you have the specs to tell you which interfaces that Type-C connector supports on your machine.

However, from what you say, because I see an audio interface with a Type C connector, it doesn't follow that it is USB 3/Thunderbolt, but in fact is most likely USB 2.0 but uses TYPE C connector

If it's a USC-C connector, it will pretty much always support USB3 (and lower, USB2 and 1), but it won't necessarily support USB 3.2 gen 2 (a faster connection), and it certainly won't necessarily support Thunderbolt (which isn't well supported on PC's anyway I understand). If it supports Thunderbolt, the ports are usually described as "Thunderbolt ports", and generally will support more or less everythying.

I now understand that USB4.0 is Thunderbolt

USB is not Thunderbolt - different things. Which is why many USC-C ports don't support it. On my MBP, all the Type-C ports are Thunderbolt and support basically everything - so I have a monitor connected to one (video via DisplayPort), a UBC-C 3.2 gen 2 hub connected to another (SSDs, and other USB 3 hubs for general USB devices) and a third for miscelleous occasional stuff, ranging from USB2, to USB 3.2 gen 2, or another monitor, or a thunderbolt device (hub, adaptor card) etc.

I'm sorry, I'm just not getting it, you write........

USB is not Thunderbolt.........

Which is why many USC-C (USB - C???)ports don't support it.

On my MBP, all the Type-C ports are Thunderbolt........

So the advert I am looking at which says "TYPE - C USB3.2" says basically what you are saying........"On my MBP, all the Type-C ports are Thunderbolt........and support basically everything........."

I think I might just get the thing anyway and take a punt, it has USB2 + USB3 and the Type C connector. I note that RME, and other esteemed interfaces get by with USB2 and that's good enough for me.

Thanks for all your help

[muzines]

I'm sorry, I'm just not getting it

Let's keep it simple then: just because a computer has a USB-C port, it doesn't mean you can always connect a Thunderbolt device and have it work.

[S.Crow]

The problem with USB4 and USB 3.x is that there are optional features.
You add to that the confusing naming for USB 3.x and the different connector types and the room for confusion grows.

I suggest to differentiate clearly between the physical port connector type and the protocols that the controller behind the port supports.

Type C connectors are used by USB 2.0, 3.x, 4 and also thunderbolt 3 or 4 controllers.

Thunderbolt is straightforward as there are no optional features and they are described as thunderbolt ports.

For USB Type C ports, you need to check the detailed specs for the device.

There is also power delivery via Type C ports which I have ignored.
That can vary a lot and even for thunderbolt.

[merlyn]

Going past the first yard of nine ...

The USB audio protocol is exactly the same for USB 2 and USB 3. There is no improvement in latency from using USB 3 with the USB audio protocol. However there are RME interfaces that can get better latency from USB 3. To do this RME treat the USB cable as a bit of wire, and use their own USB audio protocol for which a USB controller is implemented on the FPGA.

Or if that's too much ... ask The Audio Gnomes.

[Guest]

Yes but exactly what do they mean when they write “data and video” ? Surely video is data isn’t it? And if the USB C communicates at USB2 level, would that be enough to handle 4K video (eg same as HDMI?)

Hi guys
When they mention "data and video," they are likely referring to different types of data transmission. While video is indeed a form of data, it may require specific protocols and bandwidth for optimal transmission

[OneWorld]

Yes but exactly what do they mean when they write “data and video” ? Surely video is data isn’t it? And if the USB C communicates at USB2 level, would that be enough to handle 4K video (eg same as HDMI?)

Hi guys
When they mention "data and video," they are likely referring to different types of data transmission. While video is indeed a form of data, it may require specific protocols and bandwidth for optimal transmission

I'm sure they're just doing it to confuse me - 2B or not 2USB