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Comment by safeimp

7 hours ago

Verge recently posted this (free) app for testing on Mac's: https://www.theverge.com/gadgets/963759/whatcable-usb-c-cabl...

7 comments

safeimp

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HDBaseT  5 hours ago

This effectively only tells you what the E-Marker reports though, the actual capabilities of the cable are still unknown.

You can say the cable can do whatever you want on the E-Marker, its not the source of truth.

The problem is, to actually benchmark everything, voltage drop, resistance, actual bandwidth (especially at Thunderbolt 5 speeds) requires a lot of hardware.

Using a USB-C Test Controller ($13,000), connected to a Pro Keysight Infiniium oscilloscope ($258,809) is the proper way to test it. https://www.keysight.com/au/en/product/N7018A/type-c-test-co...

  • j16sdiz  1 hour ago

    Yes and no..

    Oscilloscope is needed for things like frequency response.

    but most consumer care only the power loss and bandwidth only.

  • pmarreck  3 hours ago

    well, that's disappointing; someone needs to miniaturize that and reduce the cost massively

    • Kirby64  1 hour ago

      It’ll never happen. Measuring to the proper Thunderbolt spec is only possible on literally the most cutting edge measurement equipment. Physics just won’t permit that being a gadget you can buy for $20 of whatever.