SmartAVLink Launches Next-Gen USB Type C Active Optical Cable

[btarunr]

SmartAVLink, a world-leading active optical cables (AOC) manufacturer, today announced the release of their next-generation USB type C Active Optical Cable available in a maximum length of 10 meters (33 feet).

With no external power needed, its built-in active circuitry is powered by both ends of the cable, eliminating external power supply costs. With power delivery of up to 60 watts, the next-gen AOC supports various voltage profiles up to 20 Volts at 3 Amps and is thus able to charge a wide range of devices. With a strong zinc alloy metal shell, the attractive gold-plated contacts maintain a long-lasting, reliable electrical connection. The next-gen cable is conveniently backwards compatible with previous USB standards and also works with Thunderbolt devices (With DP Alt Mode) and is available in 3-, 5-, 7.5-, and 10-meter (33 feet) lengths, with support available for extra customization.



Key features of this cable include:

• USB 3.2 compliant—supports a SuperSpeed USB data rate of 10 Gbps
• Transmits 4K/30 DisplayPort video and embedded audio signals—compatible with DisplayPort Alt mode-capable USB-C host devices, the unidirectional USB C cables transmit DisplayPort video and embedded audio signals from the host to the connected display device.
• Supports pass through of EDID and HDCP-encrypted signals.
• Ultra-flexible, ultra-thin 0.25" (6.5 mm) diameter cable—a narrow bend radius facilitates easier installation and reduces the possibility of cable damage.
• Bidirectional USB power flow—when connected to USB devices that support USB PD (Power Delivery), power flows both ways, enabling both host and peripheral devices to provide power to the far-end device.

Highly resistant to EMI/RFI Interference, the USB C full function (Data + Video + PD) can be used in high-interference environments, such as data centers and manufacturing facilities. Moreover, as the leading manufacturer of AOCs, SmartAVLink is currently preparing to apply for longer Type C full function cable in order to extend the range of super high-performance cable options available to clients.

View at TechPowerUp Main Site

 

[DeathtoGnomes]

I'll just say very nice.

 

[Mussels]

4K 30Hz and 60W?


The length might be nice, but the specs are poor

 

[TheLostSwede]

4K 30Hz and 60W?


The length might be nice, but the specs are poor

Saw this news and didn't bother posting it, as it's really not an interesting product.
Could be a chipset limitation though, but even so, it makes no sense buying one of these.

 

[Valantar]

4K 30Hz and 60W?


The length might be nice, but the specs are poor

4k30 is unimpressive, but 20V3A DC over a 10m wire is nothing to scoff at. Though I'm rather curious as to how the cable losses from that will be.

 

[Minus Infinity]

4K 30Hz and 60W?


The length might be nice, but the specs are poor

USB 3.2 can't handle higher. 4K30p is 6Gbs/s, so 4K60p is 12Gb/s.

 

[noel_fs]

maybe its ignorancy but that seems pretty fucking stupid

 

[Mussels]

USB 3.2 can't handle higher. 4K30p is 6Gbs/s, so 4K60p is 12Gb/s.

It sure can
I have some products here that do it just fine
DisplayPort over USB-C - DisplayPort (official link, 4k 60 etc etc)


This is all about the cable length, for us PC users 30hz is a simple no-no... Home cinema stuff may be fine with 24Hz/30Hz for BD

 

[Valantar]

USB 3.2 can't handle higher. 4K30p is 6Gbs/s, so 4K60p is 12Gb/s.

As @Mussels said above, DP Alt Mode can easily do 4k60 (and higher, as it supports 4 20Gbps lanes of DP with DP alt mode 2.0, though even 1.0 supports 4k120, or 8k60 with DSC). USB speeds are bidirectional; DP is unidirectional, and can thus double effective bandwidth by using RX lanes for TX (or vice versa). What it can't support is those bandwidths and USB data - that limits you to two lanes of DP AFAIK.

 

[LittleJohnT]

It sure can
I have some products here that do it just fine
DisplayPort over USB-C - DisplayPort (official link, 4k 60 etc etc)


This is all about the cable length, for us PC users 30hz is a simple no-no... Home cinema stuff may be fine with 24Hz/30Hz for BD

I would agree for gaming and what have you, but this is the cable I have been desperately looking for at work. We do not need a super high 4K Refresh rate in order to present powerpoint slides or watch youtube videos of classwork. However, only having one cable for a teacher to connect their interactive board to their laptop that would effectively turn it in to a docking station is brilliant. 33ft isn't quite enough for all of our scenarios, but it would make about half of my classrooms only need one wire instead of 3 in order to effectively teach using their laptop/touchscreen combo. I am raring to order about 20 of these immediately if they are $200 or less, because on cost alone it would beat the cables they are replacing.

 

[Mussels]

I would agree for gaming and what have you, but this is the cable I have been desperately looking for at work. We do not need a super high 4K Refresh rate in order to present powerpoint slides or watch youtube videos of classwork. However, only having one cable for a teacher to connect their interactive board to their laptop that would effectively turn it in to a docking station is brilliant. 33ft isn't quite enough for all of our scenarios, but it would make about half of my classrooms only need one wire instead of 3 in order to effectively teach using their laptop/touchscreen combo. I am raring to order about 20 of these immediately if they are $200 or less, because on cost alone it would beat the cables they are replacing.

As long as 30FPS does your needs, then absolutely. 30hz will break various functions however, like you cant use a duplicate mode without matching refresh rates - and some screens and projectors either dont work at, or dont work well, at 30Hz.

Using this for 1080p 60Hz would of course work fine, but you could definitely get cheaper solutions for that.
(USB-C docks with USB ports and HDMI/DP out would be ideal for your situation, whatever res/refresh is used)