Can I Get 4k With USB-C to HDMI Cable or Hub?

January 15, 2024 3 min read

Yes, you can get 4K@ 30/60Hz with USB-C to HDMI Cable or USB C Hub. While word 4K is alluring, it involves the movement of 8.8 million pixels from source to receiver. So, The secret sauce to a seamless 4K experience lies in the details of your hardware, protocols used, and connections established to handle millions of pixels.

This short read addresses the following concerns:

• Can USB-C deliver a 4K display?

• Is 4K supported with USB-C to HDMI?

• Is a 4K HDMI cable necessary for a 4K TV?

• Is USB-C speed suitable for 4K?

Let's dive into the essential components that make brilliant 4K at 30/60Hz via USB-C to HDMI possible.

🔵 1 - Crystal-Clear 4K 30/60Hz Via USB-C to HDMI: Hardware

Specific crucial hardware components are necessary to attain a high-resolution display.

Graphics Support:

For an oxygenated video (like 4K at 60Hz), your computer's graphics chip matters. The good news is that the famous NVIDIA, AMD, 11th Gen Intel, and MacBook M1 chips handle 4K video without a hitch.

Screen Resolution Support:

Some screens need to be more capable of delivering more detailed or sharp images because they lack the necessary hardware and technology. High-resolution pictures have a lot of tiny details, and not all screens are designed to display them nicely. Hence, your screen should show 4K@30Hz or 4K@60Hz.

🔵 2 - Your Device Must Support USB-C Video Output

USB-C is the Jack of all (and the master of all). Its usage includes sending data files, AV output, fast charging, and carrying different protocols.

However, not all devices have the freedom to harness the full potential of USB-C. The manufacturer determines how much empowerment to give to the USB-C.

For a 4K video signal to escape through a USB-C port, it must need a protocol, DisplayPort or Thunderbolt 3/4, which are standards for video output over USB-C.

You can typically find a DisplayPort logo near the USB-C connector, but with the growing necessity of its functions, USB-C has become widely acknowledged nowadays. That means the latest devices inherently accept DisplayPort without adding a "logo"near the port.

If you want to confirm whether your device supports DP or not, check the manufacturer's website.

Or ask the wise saint, Google, "Does my [Device model, such as Pixel 6P, iPhone 15, etc.] USB-C support Video Output?"

Besides USB-C Video Output support, you must take notice of the Protocol Version it carries.

🔵 3 - Pay a Close Look at Protocol USB-C Supporting

As noted earlier, USB-C alone won't do anything unless armed with the required protocol to send Video Output.

Video or audio are forms of data. Sending a 4K (4096 x 2160) video signal means lifting a heavy payload of 8,847,360 pixelscontaining flavors of Red, Green, and Blue to display Sharp and crisp images and videos.

Hence, a Protocol must be powerful enough to carry a 4K video file from the USB-C port of the sender to the receiver's HDMI Port via cable or Hub.

In this connection, DisplayPort 1.3, thanks to its high 32 Gbps bandwidth, effectively transfers 8,847,360 pixels using DP Alt Mode technology from your source device to a receiver, Hub, or adapter, allowing you to then send this pixel-packed data to an external HDMI monitor or TV.

But DisplayPort 1.2 limits you to 4K@30Hz video output via USB-C to HDMI. If you desire 4K@60Hz or even 8K, you'll need DP 1.4 support.

Whatever the case is, the Video signal is now out running to hit the finish post. It needs a matching HDMI version to proceed with a 4K display on the screen.

To achieve 4K resolution using a USB-C to HDMI adapter or Hub, you need HDMI version 2.0 and a compatible cable (commonly known as 4K HDMI cable) in both cases. It's necessary for the best 4K experience.

❗️Point to Remember:

it's essential to ensure that all components in the chain, including the source device, the cable, and the display, can support this resolution and refresh rate.