Most digital enthusiasts know the Type-C interface. It is estimated that they started with Android phones in 2015.

But what many users don't know is that there is also a Type-C interface on the computer monitor.

If you are a friend who is just getting started and want to buy a monitor, you can take a look at the introduction of the most common interfaces of the monitor. Combining the equipment you own or plan to buy, you can be more at ease when buying a monitor.

What are the ports on the monitor?

Generally, there are several interfaces on new monitors: HDMI, DP, USB-A, USB-C, 3.5mm and power interface. Older interfaces such as VGA interface and DVI interface have rarely appeared in current displays.

Like the USB protocol, the HDMI interface also has several different protocols: HDMI 1.1/1.2, HDMI 1.3, HDMI 1.4, HDMI 2.0, HDMI 2.1.

The HDMI interfaces of newer displays are generally above the HDMI 1.4 protocol level. HDMI 1.4 supports up to 10.2Gbps bandwidth of 3840x2160p/30Hz or 4096x2160p/24Hz video specifications.

HDMI 2.0 adds a 4K/60 Hz video transmission with a bandwidth of 18Gbps, and the latest HDMI 2.1 adds a 10K/120 Hz video transmission with a bandwidth of 48Gbps.

The DP interface has evolved a 7-generation update iteration since its birth in 2006. As early as 2009, DP 1.2 already supports 21.6Gbps DCI-4K (4096X2160) 60 Hz video.

DP 1.3 supports 4K (3840X2160) 120hz, 5K (5120X2880) 60hz and 8K (7680X4320) 30hz, DP 1.4 supports 8K level (7680x4320) 60Hz output.

The latest DP 2.0 is a step up from the previous generation, supporting full-color 4:4:4 resolution, including 30 bits per pixel (bpp), and HDR-10.

Type-C interface is not equal to USB 3.0 interface

The first thing to know is that not all Type-C interfaces are USB 3.0 interfaces.

Type-C interface is an interface form, an external physical form, while USB 3.0 is a transmission protocol, an internal transmission protocol. For example, the Type-C interface on many mobile phones still only supports the USB 2.0 protocol.

Let me talk about the most common protocols of USB. Since the release of USB 1.0 in 1996, the USB interface has gone through 24 years.

Among the iterations of so many versions, the most common ones are currently USB 2.0, USB 3.0, and USB 3.1. USB 2.0 supports a transfer rate of 480Mbps (now called Hi-Speed, about 57MB/s).

While USB 3.0 supports 5Gbps transmission, USB 3.1 goes to 10Gbps, and the power supply capacity has reached 100W, which is a fast charging interface. In fact, USB 3.1 is divided into Gen1 and Gen2, and the speed will be slightly different, so I won't go into it here.

With so many interfaces introduced above, why do we need to introduce the transmission rate?

Because in addition to the computer output terminal, the display terminal like the monitor and the wire connected to the computer to the monitor must meet the corresponding bandwidth and video specifications to ensure you have a complete experience.

Since the release of the USB-C specification in 2014, many Android phones, laptops, desktops, monitors and even game consoles such as Nintendo Swtich and other electronic devices have begun to use this interface.

In terms of transmission rate, in addition to the most common USB 2.0 and 3.0 mentioned above, the latest USB 4.0 that supports a large bandwidth of 40Gbps and the Thunderbolt 3 protocol with the same 40Gbps bandwidth can also be integrated in the Type-C interface.

In addition to being able to use large bandwidth to transfer files, audio and video, it also supports a charging power of up to 100W (20V/5A), plus the small size and plug-gable features.

So this is a very good solution, and many mobile phone and computer manufacturers are also working on this interface, so back to the display, what specific application scenarios are there for the display?

What are the application scenarios of the Type-C interface of the display?

The most convenient application scenario is to connect the Type-C interface of the monitor to the Type-C interface of the notebook through a CC wire. Now in addition to Apple's MacBook, many Windows camp notebooks also support Type-C interface -C interface for 65W charging.

If you have a monitor with a Type-C interface at home or in your company, you can buy one less HDMI cable and one less laptop charger when you go home or back to the company.

This is very practical for friends who are pursuing a tidy desktop. Otherwise, why are so many people using wireless keyboards and wireless mice?

One less wire is a contribution to the wireless and simplified desktop. Of course, the Type-C interface mentioned above needs to be a fully functional interface.

The second application scenario is to transmit video signals and power supply to the iPad through the Type-C interface, allowing the iPad to improve productivity to a certain extent.

When we talk about the iPad as a productivity tool, it is often questioned in terms of product performance, screen size, and keyboard touch experience.

If a large screen is extended to the iPad, then the productivity will be improved to a certain extent.

The third application scenario can extend a large screen to an Android mobile phone through the Type-C interface and C-C cable. There are generally two modes for this kind of mobile phone to project the display: mobile phone mode and computer mode.

The mobile phone mode means that the screen displayed on the display is consistent with the content on the mobile phone. The computer mode is similar to the "extended mode" in the dual screen of the computer. At this time, you can use the mobile phone screen as the touchpad of a mouse and operate like computer software,mobile APP.

This application scenario is estimated to be used by fewer people, but in some large meetings, you can use this to project the content of the mobile phone to the big screen for people in the meeting room to watch it. This is an application scenario I think of.

Summary:

For a monitor, the most common types of interfaces are briefly introduced to you. For some relatively high-end or more productive and commercial monitors, it will also be equipped with a full-featured Type-C interface.

Whether it is to promote desktop wireless, or to improve the productivity of notebooks and iPads, this interface is powerful and compact.