HP at CES 2019: Slim Envy USB-C Hub Debuts with Charging USB Type-A and HDMI 2.0
by Anton Shilov on January 6, 2019 1:00 PM EST- Posted in
- Peripherals
- HP
- Envy
- Trade Shows
- USB-C
- USB-C Hub
- CES 2019
Having already sold tens of millions of laptops that only feature USB Type-C ports, it would seem that PC makers are finally getting into the burgeoning market for USB Type-C multi-feature hubs. To that end, HP plans to unveil its Envy USB-C hub, which offers USB Type-A and HDMI connectivity.
The HP Envy USB-C hub features an ultra-slim form-factor to match style of contemporary consumer laptops and offers two charging USB Type-A ports, as well as an HDMI 2.0 display output that supports 4Kp60 output. The hub offers pass-through laptop charging and can charge two mobile devices at the same time (HP does not mention power ratings here though), which seems like a rare feature that may be useful for those who travel light and do not take chargers for their smartphones with them.
The uncommon capability comes at a price though. HP’s Envy USB-C hub will be available this March at $79.99. To add some context: Kingston’s Nucleum 7-in-1 USB-C dock with an HDMI 1.4 output and up to 60 W power input carries the same MSRP. So HP is entering an already well-stocked and potentially price sensitive market.
Related Reading:
- Silicon Power Has a Host of USB-C Peripherals: MicroSD Card Reader, Dongles & Docks
- Opro9 Introduces USB-C Dock & Adapters: from €29 to €109
- StarTech Launches Thunderbolt 3 USB Hub with 3 USB 3.1 Controllers & Power Delivery
- Kingston at CES 2018: Nucleum, a Portable 7-in-1 USB-C Dock for Notebooks
Source: HP
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name99 - Sunday, January 6, 2019 - link
Not to be a dick, because I know mine are not the only use cases, but are these HDMI ports (which these dongles ALWAYS provide) really that much in demand?Is this something to do with people needing to connect to slide projectors, and HDMI is the new expected way for doing that, finally replacing VGA?
mr_tawan - Sunday, January 6, 2019 - link
Well I think it becomes the de-facto standard for display. I know that display port is more superior than HDMI, but HDMI are more universally available on devices. Monitors, projectors, TVs (which somehow replacing projectors in smaller meeting rooms) have HDMI. DP are more difficult to find.In fact, none of my monitors has DP input.
PeachNCream - Sunday, January 6, 2019 - link
HDMI is the winning standard in external video interfaces these days. VGA is still around, but DVI surprisingly went the way of the dinosaur more quickly and DP was always just the awkward uncle that came over for a family reunion to get drunk and watch football as an excuse to scream obligatory nonsense at your TV about "my team" this and "we won" that from the comfort of your sofa.Kevin G - Monday, January 7, 2019 - link
The short answer is yes.The long answer is that the projector connection is actually HDBaseT using a shielded Cat6A cable which connects to a transmitter that has a HDMI port. The HDBaseT spec has no native support for DisplayPort or legacy VGA so those need logic to perform the conversion in the transmitter to HDMI internally. From an end user perspective, this is all HDMI.
Projectors that have DP tend to be more professional models and you are equally likely to encounter SDI (or SDI options) on the same units.
cygnus1 - Sunday, January 6, 2019 - link
Now, the question is, does that HDMI port hook up through the use of the USB C Alt mode DP output, or is it a questionably useful USB (DisplayLink) based video output...peterfares - Sunday, January 6, 2019 - link
I'm sure it's using DP Alt mode with a DP to HDMI 2.0 adapter. That's much better AND cheaper than a DisplayLink controller in there.