Questions & Answers for USB-C Digital AV Multiport Adapter
214 Questions from the Community
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Answer
No. This adapter does not convert HDMI to USB-C DisplayPort alt mode.
This adapter takes an HDMI signal from a PC's USB-C port (probably using USB-C's HDMI Alt Mode or HDMI from DisplayPort dual mode from USB-C DisplayPort Alt Mode). HDMI alt mode is limited to 4K 30 Hz.
Since HDMI Alt Mode requires three of the four USB-C Super Speed+ lanes, there are not enough lanes for USB 3.0 (two lanes: one for receive, and one for transmit), therefore this adapter only supports High Speed USB (USB 2.0). It's sad that Apple doesn't mention what speed of USB is supported by this adapter.
There are adapters that can convert HDMI 1.4 to DisplayPort 1.2 but HDMI 1.4 only allows 4K at 30 Hz. I'm not sure if the LG UltraFine 4K supports 4K at 30 Hz. Those adapters require a USB connection for extra power, but the Apple TV doesn't have any USB ports, so you'll need another USB source.
There might be new adapters coming later in 2018 that can convert HDMI 2.0 to DisplayPort 1.2.
Then you can add a DisplayPort to USB-C cable to connect the adapter to the LG UltraFine 4K. However, the DisplayPort connection does not include USB, so any USB functions of the Display will not work (speakers, brightness control, USB ports). The display only supports USB 2.0, because all four USB-C Super Speed+ lanes are required for 4K at 60 Hz. Even if DisplayPort could pass USB (using the AUX lines), the HDMI 1.4 to DisplayPort 1.2 adapter would not include USB.
The LG UltraFine 5K display can support 5K at 60 Hz and USB 3.0 because Thunderbolt uses the USB-C cable's lanes at twice the speed of USB 3.1 gen 2. However, the LK UltraFine 5K display requires a Thunderbolt 3 connection.- Answered by Joseph V from Fort Langley
- Jan 3, 2018
- Flag as inappropriate Answer (Would this connect a 4th Gen Apple TV HDMI out to USB-C in on an LG UltraFine 4K display?)
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Can the usb-c digital AV multi port adapter be used with an iPad.?
- Asked by Gustavo S from Baldwin Park
- Mar 21, 2018
- Flag as inappropriate (Can the usb-c digital AV multi port adapter be used with an iPad.?)
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What is the version of HDMI supported by the Multiport Adapter? Does it support HDMI v1.4 specification (and 2560x1440 resolution)?
- Asked by Alex K from Chicago
- Apr 12, 2015
- Flag as inappropriate (What is the version of HDMI supported by the Multiport Adapter? Does it support HDMI v1.4 specification (and 2560x1440 resolution)?)
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Has anyone tried this adapter (or the similar VGA adapter) with an Android phone or tablet with USB-C connector?
I'd like to be able to have my Android phone being charged while having it connected to an external USB device that can't charge it (like an external disk or other peripheral). I realize that it's very unlikely that the video port could work, since that would require a specific driver in the phone/tablet, and I don't need that. But if this adapter could provide a standard USB port while allowing charging, that would be very useful.
- Asked by Michael G from Anaheim
- Apr 4, 2018
- Flag as inappropriate (Has anyone tried this adapter (or the similar VGA adapter) with an Android phone or tablet with USB-C connector?)
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Will a 2017 iMac -> USB-C Digital AV Multiport Adapter -> HDMI to Dual-Link DVI-D adapter -> Apple Cinema HD 30" Display work at 2560 X 1600 at 60Hz?
Will a 2017 iMac connected to a USB-C Digital AV Multiport Adapter connected to an HDMI to Dual-Link DVI-D adapter connected to an Apple Cinema HD 30" Display work at 2560 X 1600 at 60Hz?
What about a Macbook Pro?
Thanks
EricAnswerThat will only work at 1280 x 800 60 Hz (Single Link, not Dual Link).
Many (or all) HDMI to Dual Link DVI-D adapters do not actually support Dual Link signals. The female Dual Link DVI-D connector of those adapters has a receptacle that accepts a Dual Link male cable (more pins than Single Link cable), but only the Single Link signal is passed (because HDMI is Single Link). They don't do any conversion at all.
You need a USB-C to mini DisplayPort female adapter. Then you can connect an Apple Mini DisplayPort to Dual-Link DVI Adapter. You can tell it's a real Dual-Link adapter because it requires extra power which it gets using a USB connection.
You could also use the mini DisplayPort output of a Thunderbolt 3 dock such as the OWC Thunderbolt 3 Dock.
Or you could use the mini DisplayPort output of a USB-C dock. Some support 4K 30 Hz and USB 3.0. Others may support 4K 60 Hz but only USB 2.0 (because USB-C is slower than Thunderbolt 3 so it can't support both 4K 60 Hz and USB 3.0). Either will work with 2560 x 1600 60 Hz.
The Thunderbolt 3 ports of the iMac and MacBook Pro support both USB-C docks and devices and Thunderbolt 3 docks and devices.- Answered by Joseph V from Fort Langley
- Dec 18, 2017
- Flag as inappropriate Answer (Will a 2017 iMac -> USB-C Digital AV Multiport Adapter -> HDMI to Dual-Link DVI-D adapter -> Apple Cinema HD 30" Display work at 2560 X 1600 at 60Hz?)
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Answer
Ran a system report with the USB-C Digital AV Multiport Adapter attached and it shows up under a USB 2 Hub attached to the USB-3 bus. The speed for the adapter is listed at 1.5 Mb/sec while the speed listed for the USB-3 hubs is listed at 5 Gb/sec.
- Answered by Michael M from Huntsville
- Nov 25, 2016
- Flag as inappropriate Answer (Is the USB port on this adapter operating at USB 2 speeds, or is it USB 3?)
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can the macbook charge while this is connected?
- Asked by Raul S from Anaheim
- Mar 22, 2015
- Flag as inappropriate (can the macbook charge while this is connected?)
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Answer
Good news: it is USB3.0
Looking in System Information can be confusing. It appears as a couple of devices: "USB-C Digital AV Multiport Adapter" shows as a device under USB2.0 Hub but it also adds a USB3.0 Hub device (which is that USB port).
I also confirmed by checking the pins in the port (it has the additional USB3.0 ones) and with some sample file transfers from a USB3 flashdrive (and I got the same speeds I get from a clearly labeled USB3.0 adapter).- Answered by Brendan D from Milford
- Mar 28, 2018
- Flag as inappropriate Answer (What type of "standard USB" port is on this adapter? USB 2.0, USB 3.0?)
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It is possible to use a USB Hub in addition to this adapter?
- Asked by Jason K from Asheville
- Aug 23, 2015
- Flag as inappropriate (It is possible to use a USB Hub in addition to this adapter?)
AnswerYes, it's possible to use a hub.
- Answered by Stefan W
- Jan 21, 2017
- Flag as inappropriate Answer (It is possible to use a USB Hub in addition to this adapter?)
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Will this allow connection to a printer (USB)?
- Asked by S H from Onancock
- Mar 19, 2015
- Flag as inappropriate (Will this allow connection to a printer (USB)?)
AnswerYes. You may use it to connect any USB device to the mac.
- Answered by Christopher S from Haddonfield
- Mar 24, 2015
- Flag as inappropriate Answer (Will this allow connection to a printer (USB)?)
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Does this adapter support digital audio that would be compatible with a 7.2 receiver?
- Asked by Alberto H from Winter Garden
- Mar 4, 2018
- Flag as inappropriate (Does this adapter support digital audio that would be compatible with a 7.2 receiver?)
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Answer
The iPad Pro has a single Lightning connector - it's not possible to plug a USB-C adapter into a Lightning connector.
- Answered by Gabriele R
- Jun 15, 2016
- Flag as inappropriate Answer (Can the USB-C Digital AV Multiport Adapter be used with an iPad pro or is it only for macbooks?)
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will the USB port work with an external CD/DVD player
I have a Cocopa USB 3.0 External CD Drive, CD/DVD-RW Drive, CD-RW Rewriter Burner. It plugs into the USB port and the power lights up and the disc turns, but it does not appear in "Finder" . The player works fine plugging it into a USB port on an older Mac laptop.
- Asked by Scott D from Palm City
- Feb 4, 2018
- Flag as inappropriate (will the USB port work with an external CD/DVD player)
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Best Answer:
It only provides 55W of power. It's enough to keep the 2016 15" MBP charged under normal usage, but under heavy load, the battery will drain even while plugged in. I discovered this today while video editing.
- Answered by Mathew S from Eagle Mountain
- Mar 23, 2017
- Flag as inappropriate Answer (What wattage can the USB-C power delivery supply? Can it charge the 2016 15" MBP? (87W))
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The description says allows you to 'mirror your MacBook display' - does it not allow you to also extend your desktop or is it ONLY mirroring?
- Asked by Peter L from Victoria
- Mar 13, 2015
- Flag as inappropriate (The description says allows you to 'mirror your MacBook display' - does it not allow you to also extend your desktop or is it ONLY mirroring?)
AnswerYou can set the HDMI monitor to "Mirror" or to "Use As Separate Display" (to extend your desktop) in the Displays/AirPlay menu.
- Answered by Christian E from Medford
- Jan 26, 2017
- Flag as inappropriate Answer (The description says allows you to 'mirror your MacBook display' - does it not allow you to also extend your desktop or is it ONLY mirroring?)
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Answer
With my 2016 MacBook: yes! I've got a Dell 27" running at 2560 x 1440 @ 60Hz extending the MacBook's display.
- Answered by Jason D from Yaroomba
- May 15, 2016
- Flag as inappropriate Answer (The description says that this can be used to mirror a display, can it also be used to extend a display?)
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Can the USB-C ports on this be used interchangeably (reversed) and still provide full connectivity to the new Macbook?
I use and love my Rain Design mStand for ergonomic and thermal dissipation with my MBP. I have a dongle for the DisplayPort to hdmi for an external monitor. I have noticed that because of the mStand it seems to place vertical stress on the DisplayPort on the side of the MBP. The port bears the weight of the dongle and the cord that connects to it all day, every day.
I imagine this adapter was designed to have the single USB-C "tail" plug in to the port on the side of the MacBook and then have the various cords come out of the three ports on the opposite side to the various devices/power. I am wondering if it is possible to get a single USB-C cable that would run from the Macbook to the adapter and then have the adapter act as more of hub at the base of my external monitor. This setup would also improve cable management by keeping the clutter of three cables further away from where I would be connecting to the MacBook.- Asked by Brian M from Bayside
- Mar 10, 2015
- Flag as inappropriate (Can the USB-C ports on this be used interchangeably (reversed) and still provide full connectivity to the new Macbook?)
AnswerI tried something very similar and it did not seem to work. I plugged the tail into the Apple power brick and then connected the cable between the adapter and my MacBook. It didn't power USB-C or USB-A connections, and the laptop didn't seem to register the adapter at all, as far as I could tell. I didn't specifically test the HDMI, but it seems unlikely.
- Answered by Emily H from Portland
- May 12, 2016
- Flag as inappropriate Answer (Can the USB-C ports on this be used interchangeably (reversed) and still provide full connectivity to the new Macbook?)
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Answer
No, daisy-chaining multiple USB-C Digital AV Multiport Adaptors is not possible because the USB-C port on the adapter can only pass through power from a charger to the MacBook. It is not a full featured, bi-directional USB-C port. Power passthrough only.
- Answered by Harold Z from Honolulu
- Aug 31, 2016
- Flag as inappropriate Answer (Can you daisy-chain the adapter to output to multiple displays?)