475 USB-C Tutorial for Everybody (Connector, Cable, PD, Data Transfer, Devices)

Charging and transferring data over USB cables has become much faster over the past years. With the standardization of USB-C connectors, it also became easier, right? Wrong. Because, without precautions, you still will encounter low transfer speeds and slow or even no charging at all.
Because the topic is complex, I will divide it into two parts. Today, we will start with Power Delivery. After the two videos, you will understand this new technology and will be able to avoid pitfalls.

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[davidwitten]

Thanks for this video. This has become an insanely complex subject. Every time the USB-IF tries to make stuff simpler, our lives get exponentially more difficult. A standardized 'one cable to rule them all' seems a worthy goal, but that kind of thing never comes without consequences.

[SheeplessNW]

Lots of good and useful information here, but for me the major revelation was the existence of cheaply printable heat-shrink tubing. This could be life-changing for me!

[hquest]

6AM and the guy with a Swiss accent has schooled me on more things than I thought I knew. Dang great video!

[otter-pro]

This tutorial is exactly what I needed. Until now I have a pile of usb-c cables and had no idea which cable could do what, so I wasted a lot of time trying different cable on usb-c devices until it worked properly. I will definitely get the usb-c tester. Also, avoid the cheap $1 usb-c cable found at the dollar store. I bought bunch of them, and it doesn't handle power well, and also data transfer is slow.

[just_saw_dust]

I just bought a FNIRSI 48P and have begun delving into the darkness of all my cables and chargers. This has helped me to grasp some of the concepts. Thank you. Very timely video.

[dudlesstheking]

Oh man, it does not happen often I am given the opportunity to come across such well put together clips where author goes in such detail. Love all the devices you use and how you exemplify your findings. Sooo can't wait to digest the rest of your content! Thank you for your channel and for taking the time to make this video!!!

[michalrzmichalrz]

That Austrian "Christmas lights" cable test board is incredibly cool and useful. Kudos for mentioning it Sir

[ErickBuildsStuff]

Right video at the right time to watch. Now I understood why my project failed. I will revisit the issues and post video of my completed project.

[KohrakGKOH]

I randomly stumbled across this video. Luckily and without really knowing the details I've been checking both power and data speeds on all USB cables I'm buying (after I found out my 100w cables were only USB 2.0). But I struggle sometimes to tell my cables apart so knowing that the testers devices exist and how to used them is a great lesson learned. Absolute brilliant content there

[absurdengineering]

I understand the need for clikbait-y thumbnails, the algorithm has conditioned us :) USB-C "sucks" until you sit down and think about what it would take to develop something similar, starting with what USB 2, USB 3, USB BC, and a few other specs left us with. If you think about it long enough, you'll come to the same conclusions as the engineers who work on the USB-C and related specifications. There aren't all that many ways one could do it without throwing away the very expensive IP that's already built up for past standards. By IP I mean HDL designs for FPGAs and silicon, software libraries, cable designs and tooling. Add to that HDMI IP, DP IP, Thunderbolt IP, and it's a whole lot the lowly spec has to deal with. How big of a lot? About 10k pages worth of USB-IF and other specs make up USB-C. IMHO, USB-C did very well with the relative mess it had to start with, and it is a standard that encompasses a wide range of performance and features. And you can still run the most basic USB 2 low-speed peripherals on it, without any new hardware other than the connector and cable assembly. Sort of like the lowly RJ-48 connector that can carry 10BASE-T, 100BASE-T, 1GBASE-T, 2.5GBASE-T, ..., PoE added into the mix, link layer out of band signaling, etc.

[QRhgI]

USB is definitely not user-friendly on multiple levels. Many consumers who blame their USB device for transferring data at slow speeds may never suspect their cable is to blame. Thank you for this clear and informative video! *subbed*

[LeicaM]

USB-C always sucks, because it plugs immediately, you do not have the joy of having to turn the plug twice, before it fits😂

[carty]

Extremely useful, several mysteries solved for me via this video. Only 3 out of the myriad usb c cables I owned turned out to be dual lane. So many only had legacy data speeds.

[zyghom]

I bought the USB cable tester and... as you said: almost all were slow. But now at least I know wich one is which and more high speed cables are in my lab. Very important if you want video over USB-C cable.

[cwlbroeders]

Excellent timing, just working on using usb-c and pd, but have not ordered anything to be made yet.
Now going to watch and see how close i got and change what i got wrong :)

[craiglarson]

Thank you for another excellent video. I'll have to watch it a dozen times to absorb the dense info within. I'm paralyzed with the advancements and am longing for 9-pin serial ports and cave-man ways. You say “USB-C is here to stay.” Good, because my little mind would explode if USB-D were ever developed!
Proud Patreon supporter,
Craig

[hitmanhite]

Explains a lot on what I thought were slow speed across USC-C.

[dermick]

I have at least one (expensive) device that needs to be charged by a "dumb" USB charger, because even though it has a USB-C connector, it does not implement what's needed for a USB-C charger to know it's there. I find the "dumb" Ikea USB-A 3-port chargers to be very solid. What's frustrating with this device is that a LED lights up when it's connected, but it doesn't charge. The more people learn about the complexities of USB-C, the better, so thanks @AndreasSpiess for this very clear video!

[dougbas]

Yes I support the channel and man did that pay off with this video. Almost everything was new info for me. Thank you.

[marcbarilla]

Hi Andreas. I made similiar experience and have also that cool cable tester from austria since autumn 2022. I understand now why the one LED is dimmed. 😊 best video on the internet that explains this topic. Thanks