The thing that has been bothering me for a while is that the USB spec allows for software detection of capabilities. You can read the emarker data and see the supported protocols, speeds, voltages, etc.
But there is not standard for usb controllers to present this data to the OS. So it’s stuck in the low level firmware and never passed up. In theory we could have a popup box that tells you that both your computer and other device support higher speeds/more power, but your cable is limiting it.
Apple seems best able to do this since they control the hardware and OS, yet they aren’t doing it either. Users are just left to be confused about why things are slow.
It's fun to see the Treedix tester come up on HN. I got one a few months back and have quite enjoyed using it. One thing which I did find interesting was that one of the cables had the emarker data lie. IIRC, the emarker data would suggested it supported much higher speeds and wattage than it did. Fortunately, the other testing screens successfully detected it only had USB 2.0 wires even though it claimed to support 40 GB/s.
I can't believe I'm still swapping cables and ports, trial and error, trying to determine if the cable, the port (eg iPhone's charging port), or both, are failing.
Not knowing the USB specs; I assume each head of a cable can do a loop back test, determine if can even see its other head, etc.
One thing to realize is that especially for high resolution video cables these cheap testers can't really deliver. The way to test them is a eye diagram (see: https://incompliancemag.com/eye-diagram-part2/ ) and testers with that capsbility cost upwards of 10.000 Eurodollars.
I wasn't surprised to learn that when Linus Tech Tips released those new usb-c cables, that they all sold out almost instantly. They put their entire reputation on the line to claim (and label) the exact capabilities of their usb cables. Isn't that all we really want?
As someone who really doesn't care about learning the details, and just want one USB-C cable that does it ALL to put in my backpack what should I buy ?
Brilliant little device. I will be picking one up ASAP!. Didn't know that lying cables were a thing but I have a ton of charge only cables?!
I speculate USB B wasn't included because there are only really two types, 2.0 (regular size) and 3.0 (has an obvious extension on the connector). There also don't tend to be power-only A-B cables because they are usually found on printers, Arduino s, ... And not for charging devices.
Fun fact: A Xiaomi fast charge cable (with orange plugs) has an extra contact on the A end to support USB C PD out of a USB A charger.
I actually purchased one of these as this article has surfaced before.
It’s well worth the hype, I used it to audit all my cables (both for home and work) and it’s amazing how many thick and unwieldy cables are actually terrible for data.
For example I purchased a pair of B&W Px8 S2 noise cancelling headphones, which boast a DAC if you connect via USB-C directly, the cable it came with though was thick but only rated for USB 2.0 speeds. These headphones cost more than AirPods Max, which are themselves considered overpriced, and include comforts like nappa leather; so shipping with a chunky cable that doesn’t even carry decent data feels like a bizarre oversight. Apple’s own USB-C cables manage the same power delivery at less than half the thickness with a woven shell. You’d assume a premium product would at least match that.
Honourable mention to the USB-C cables that ship with Dell Ultrasharp monitors (both pre-USB4 and post). Those support basically everything except Thunderbolt 4 despite being unmarked.
What I'm looking for is a differential signal tester, where you can breakout any arbitrary cable or traces and test the properties of the wire with different frequencies. It should be able to measure interesting properties such as resistance, capacitance, inductance, phase/length difference, wire length, etc.
One of these devices for approximately $100 would sell all day long.
Similarly: Is there a USB-C power delivery adapter to force directionality? I needed to siphon off power from small batteries into a larger pack (that could supply more power out than the small packs) in a power outage. I absolutely could not force my larger power station to accept a charge and it kept pushing power back the wrong direction despite which ends of the cable I plugged in first.
For older cables there's a guy who's posted a large list of test stats somewhere... ah, here we go, I remember the "long thin resistor" comment: https://www.cs.auckland.ac.nz/~pgut001/pubs/usb_cable.html. tl;dr, you can't go wrong with Anker. Also, there's some absolute garbage out there.
Like the price point and portability of the base Treedix testers.
Talking about near perfect wishlist:
Some standard hardware with fail-safe power connections
a set of fully wired ports like in display-less Treedix USB platine tester version.
On the other side powered and extended diagnostics through USB-C can then be done from any smartphone or pc providing the display and updateable extended software layer.
Bonus for connectivity to some brother label printers.
> The only downside of the USB cable tester is that I would love to support more plugs on the B side: USB-A (for my Frankencables) and USB B (which everyone but seems to think extinct).
Music production peripherals, until the recent USB C transition, commonly used USB B for some reason. Anyone know why?
26 comments
[ 2.8 ms ] story [ 29.8 ms ] threadBut there is not standard for usb controllers to present this data to the OS. So it’s stuck in the low level firmware and never passed up. In theory we could have a popup box that tells you that both your computer and other device support higher speeds/more power, but your cable is limiting it.
Apple seems best able to do this since they control the hardware and OS, yet they aren’t doing it either. Users are just left to be confused about why things are slow.
I can't believe I'm still swapping cables and ports, trial and error, trying to determine if the cable, the port (eg iPhone's charging port), or both, are failing.
Not knowing the USB specs; I assume each head of a cable can do a loop back test, determine if can even see its other head, etc.
It seems to be a more comprehensive "Make sure the lines go where they are supposed to" tester. Looks pretty good.
But the devices that test things like transmission speed, are a lot more expensive.
I think that many of the issues that this device tests, can be mitigated by simply buying cables from reputable sources.
I speculate USB B wasn't included because there are only really two types, 2.0 (regular size) and 3.0 (has an obvious extension on the connector). There also don't tend to be power-only A-B cables because they are usually found on printers, Arduino s, ... And not for charging devices.
Fun fact: A Xiaomi fast charge cable (with orange plugs) has an extra contact on the A end to support USB C PD out of a USB A charger.
It’s well worth the hype, I used it to audit all my cables (both for home and work) and it’s amazing how many thick and unwieldy cables are actually terrible for data.
For example I purchased a pair of B&W Px8 S2 noise cancelling headphones, which boast a DAC if you connect via USB-C directly, the cable it came with though was thick but only rated for USB 2.0 speeds. These headphones cost more than AirPods Max, which are themselves considered overpriced, and include comforts like nappa leather; so shipping with a chunky cable that doesn’t even carry decent data feels like a bizarre oversight. Apple’s own USB-C cables manage the same power delivery at less than half the thickness with a woven shell. You’d assume a premium product would at least match that.
Honourable mention to the USB-C cables that ship with Dell Ultrasharp monitors (both pre-USB4 and post). Those support basically everything except Thunderbolt 4 despite being unmarked.
One of these devices for approximately $100 would sell all day long.
I didn't know there were cable testers like this, thank you.
> Access Denied
> Sorry, you do not currently have the necessary permissions to access this site, or this site may not be available in your region.
Are they geoblocking the USA from even viewing their site for some reason?
Talking about near perfect wishlist:
Some standard hardware with fail-safe power connections a set of fully wired ports like in display-less Treedix USB platine tester version.
On the other side powered and extended diagnostics through USB-C can then be done from any smartphone or pc providing the display and updateable extended software layer.
Bonus for connectivity to some brother label printers.
Music production peripherals, until the recent USB C transition, commonly used USB B for some reason. Anyone know why?
They can still provide some power, but between a MacBook and official Apple power supply, they’ll keep flicking between charging and not charging.