Connecting surface Pro 11 to monitor using USBC -question

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lchiu7

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#317600 29-Oct-2024 13:10

I have got a new Surface Pro 11 (nice device BTW with the Snapdragon X Elite processor). Docs suggest that I should be able to connect it to a monitor that has a USB-C video input but when I try there is no signal no matter what settings I use. Is there a special USB-C cable I need to be using? I don't want buy the Microsoft Dock which seems a bit much since the laptop is supposed to support USB-C video.

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#3302720 29-Oct-2024 13:40

Oh I am expecting one of these today / tomorrow via courier for testing and will let you know when it shows up and will do some testing

ascroft

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#3302722 29-Oct-2024 13:56

Are you using the USB-C cable that came with the monitor? I had difficulties unless I did that.

Presume you can't test with a different laptop - or was it already working previously?

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lchiu7

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#3302723 29-Oct-2024 14:08

ascroft:

Are you using the USB-C cable that came with the monitor? I had difficulties unless I did that.

Presume you can't test with a different laptop - or was it already working previously?

I thought I had tested it before since I had a cable dangling from the port but I can't remember now. That was using a Chromebook but now I can't get that working either. Some Googling suggests I need a cable that support Thunderbolt 3/4 or a cable that supports DisplayPort Alt Mode:

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ascroft

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#3302725 29-Oct-2024 14:18

Make sure that the cable isn't just a USB-C charging cable - if it is, go out and get a USB-C to USB-C cable whose description explicitly says that it supports video transfer and that it supports USB Power Delivery - ideally from the supplier of the monitor........

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Oblivian

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#3302813 29-Oct-2024 17:22

ascroft:
Make sure that the cable isn't just a USB-C charging cable - if it is, go out and get a USB-C to USB-C cable whose description explicitly says that it supports video transfer and that it supports USB Power Delivery - ideally from the supplier of the monitor........

This.

I spent a good few hours last night comparing usbc cables before buying one that supports various 5W power. And the descriptions often has 'does not support video'. While some chunky short ones do. There's always loss over distance naturally. So not all can achieve high speed data/power needed.

And they seem you need a chip in the connector to advise the various QC/DP capabilities

Those new 100-200W cables look good on paper. Until you realise not all support video.

I just picked up the ugreen 100w from PB to expand my QC charging capabilities.
Hiding in the description is
"Complies with USB 2.0 standard and NOT support video output."
But I have no current need for video. So all is fine.

You'll be wanting one that mentions a 3.1/3.2 usb standard for video (also has a chip in the connector)

https://www.pbtech.co.nz/product/ADPUGR50751/UGREEN-50751-15m-USB-C-31-Male-To-Male-GEN1-3A-Dat

The price jumps a bit.

gehenna

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#3302814 29-Oct-2024 17:25

@lchiu7 - Need a cable that supports the required data bandwidth, not just power delivery. USB-C cables are a minefield. Cheap ones generally are just PD for charging. You'll want one that is thunderbolt certified.

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lchiu7

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#3302884 29-Oct-2024 19:09

gehenna:

@lchiu7 - Need a cable that supports the required data bandwidth, not just power delivery. USB-C cables are a minefield. Cheap ones generally are just PD for charging. You'll want one that is thunderbolt certified.

Well after all that I ended buying this cable

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005006116056278.html?spm=a2g0o.order_list.order_list_main.5.1f3818025bL4a7

Couild have got it a bit faster from TM and only abot $10 more but Ali these days is pretty quick (competing with Temu I guess)

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gehenna

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#3302892 29-Oct-2024 19:44

That'll last about a day

lchiu7

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#3302895 29-Oct-2024 20:15

gehenna:

That'll last about a day

Well 4000+ sold and over 800 reviews so if you even believe some of that, then there's lots of unhappy customers out there!

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gehenna

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#3302903 29-Oct-2024 20:22

I've had plenty of these imported cables. You get what you pay for. There's a reason they cost what they cost. It's not like how a $5 off brand HDMI cable was the same as a $250 Monster HDMI cable back in the day. There's also no way those cheap cables are legitimately thunderbolt certified. They wouldn't even break even on the license.

lchiu7

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#3302965 30-Oct-2024 08:09

gehenna:

I've had plenty of these imported cables. You get what you pay for. There's a reason they cost what they cost. It's not like how a $5 off brand HDMI cable was the same as a $250 Monster HDMI cable back in the day. There's also no way those cheap cables are legitimately thunderbolt certified. They wouldn't even break even on the license.

I only plan to use this cable infrequently as the Surface is not my daily driver. Be that as it may I wonder if something like this might be better

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005006897472362.html?spm=a2g0o.cart.0.0.b87538daOnusda&mp=1

I have enough HDMI ports on my monitor and with this unit I get additional USB-C ports as well as the card slots.

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