The specifications of the next USB4 have been official since last year but the news is not over yet. In fact, it has only recently been announced support for the 8K standard, a function that makes USB4 even more ready for the future.
This was not enough, thanks to the huge bandwidth allowed it will also be possible to carry 16K signals. This is possible thanks to the introduction of the DisplayPort Alt Mode 2.0 specifications, which allow finer management of the available bandwidth.
Much more bandwidth
The new USB4 reproduce almost all the characteristics of the Thunderbolt 3, it is no coincidence that there is full compatibility with this standard. The difference is that the USB4 can be used without the payment of royalties, a nice advantage for producers. Compatibility is also guaranteed with the previous USB, the connector is the same Type C, more and more popular on smartphones and PCs, but obviously with reduced transfer speed.
The most important novelty obviously concerns the passband, which can reach the 40 Gbps, against the 20 Gbps of USB 3.2 Gen 2. The 40 Gbps are available only in the presence of certified cables to achieve this speed, therefore you will have to pay more attention to the type of connector you buy.
But what to do with all this gang? The USB, although not widespread in this area, also convey the video signal and are candidates to become a real one alternative to HDMI and DisplayPort. In this regard, the USB4s have recently integrated the DisplayPort Alt Mode 2.0 specifications, which allow it to transmit video signals up to 8K with HDR active without compression, while 16K in HDR are possible but only by activating color compression. In fact, the USB4 are also DisplayPort 2.0 but with a different connector.
The implementation of this new function has been possible thanks to the use of the dual communication channel of the USB4, which can carry 40 Gbps in and out. Using the band in one direction, this is doubled, reaching about 80 Gbps, in fact a speed similar to that of DisplayPort 2.0.
It remains to be seen where all this band will be used, certainly not in the consumer sector, because 8K displays are little used and televisions, as far as available, cannot rely on sources external to this resolution.
Beyond the speed of data transfer therefore the new possibilities offered by DisplayPort Alt Mode 2.0 are intended for a professional audience. For all the others, however, the current 20 Gbps USB Type C 3.2 Gen 2 are more than enough for any type of use.