[Updated 2021/09/05 with additional cables and adapters]
If you search Amazon or other major retailers for USB-C -> DisplayPort or USB-C -> HDMI adapters, there are hundreds to choose from. But >99% only work in one direction with the USB-C side connected to the PC and the other end to the monitor.
What if you need the reverse? For example, how do you connect a USB-C-only monitor to a PC that only has DisplayPort or HDMI?
Get the right cable that supports bi-directional or reverse signaling. These cables are more expensive than typical cables since they have several integrated circuits inside to handle both directions. For example, the StarTech cables combine a Via VL170, a Chrontel CH7213C, and a TI TUSB544. Other models use the Cypress CYPD2119.
DP 1.4 <–> USB-C cables
With DP 1.4 / HBR3 support, these are the most capable and future-proof offerings capable of 4K120 or better. Particulars vary so read the fine print and user reviews.
- Accell U243C-006B-2 (2m length) (~$18)
- Cable Creation CD0738 (2m) (~$22)
- Club 3D CAC-1557 (2m) (~$30)
- Delock 85813 (1.5m) (based on Parade/Fresco chipset; may no longer be available)
- Infinnet 2m 8K / 0.5m 8K (2m or 0.5m) (may no longer be available)
- Moshi 99MO084102 (1.5m) (~$60)
- Startech CDP2DP141MBD / CDP2DP142MBD (1m or 2m) (~$35) (some customers report receiving uni-directional versions)
- VisionTek 901288 (2m) (~$30)
DP1.2 <–> USB-C adapters/cables
These are limited to 4K60.
Adapters
- DeLock 63928 (20cm) (~$30) (single direction only)
Cables
- AmazonBasics UTC-DP-B-L (1m or 2m) (~$16)
- Belkin cable for Huawei VR (4.5m) (~$95) (DP + 2x USB-A -> USB-C single direction only)
- MonoPrice 139240 (2m) (~$22)
- Startech CDP2DP1MBD / CDP2DP2MBD (1m or 2m) (~$34)
- Tripp Lite U444-066-DP-BD (2m) (~$33) (some customers report receiving uni-directional versions)
MiniDP -> USB-C adapters
- Use a generic MiniDP->DP adapter with one of the full-size DP options above
- Wacom Link ACK42719 (mDP + USB 2.0 -> USB-C – single direction only) (no longer available)
- Wacom Link Plus ACK42819 (HDMI/mDP + USB 2.0 -> USB-C – single direction only) (~$70)
HDMI 2.1 -> USB-C/DP 1.4a adapters/cables
Availability expected in Q1 2022; based on the Lontium LT6711GX chipset supporting 4K120.
HDMI 2.0 -> USB-C adapters (single direction)
Several brands offer HDMI -> USB-C or HDMI -> DP cables but they are single-direction aka “reverse” only. Many include a USB A plug for power (not data) and are based on the Lontium LT6711 chipset (datasheet). These are limited to DP 1.2 alt mode with 4K60 resolution.
- Club3D CAC-1332 (~$35) (requires MicroUSB power)
- DeLock 63251 (~$55) (requires MicroUSB power)
- Goovis Young HDMI adapter (~$50) (has USB-C power input port to send 10W PD (5V @ 2A) to the USB-C output for VR displays)
- Siig CB-H21711-S1 (requires microUSB power)
- UGreen CM323 (~$40) (requires microUSB power)
HDM 1.4 -> USB-C adapters (single direction)
- Wacom Link Plus ACK42819 (HDMI/mDP + USB 2.0 data -> USB-C – requires 45W+ USB-C power brick) (~$70)
HDMI 2.0 -> DP 1.2 adapters/cables (single direction)
Similar to the HDMI -> USB-C adapters, most of these are also based on the Lontium LT6711 chipset, require external USB power and are capable of up to 4K60.
Adapters
- Benfei 000308grey (~$27) (requires USB-A for power)
- Cable Connection CD0764 (~$30) (requires USB-A for power)
- Cable Matters 103099 (~$38) (requires USB-A for power)
- Club3D CAC-1331 (~$37) (requires USB-A for power)
- DeLock 63206 (~$38) (requires microUSB for power)
- Ferissa HDMIDP (~$29) (requires USB-A for power)
- Foinnex H-DPF (~$33) (requires USB-A for power)
- Siig CB-H21811-S1 (~$34) (requires microUSB for power)
Cables
- BolAAzul 0731630925103 (2m) (~$29) (requires USB-A for power)
- Foinnex H-DP (2m) (~$34) (requires USB-A for power)
HDMI 1.4 -> DP 1.2 cables/adapters (single direction)
These are limited to 4K30 or 1440p60. Most require external USB power. Those that do not require power are more likely to have compatibility issues.
Adapters
- Cable Connection CD0763 (~$25) (requires USB-A for power)
- Cable Matters 103069 (~$35) (requires USB-A for power)
- goFanco HDMIDP (~$35) (requires USB-A for power)
- QGeeM 4336291398 (~$27) (requires USB-A for power)
- Tripp Lite P130-06N-DP-V2 (~$40) (requires USB-A for power)
Cables
- BolAAzul DPHM6 (2m) (~$24) (No external power required)
- Visiontek 900822 (1m) (~$35) (No external power required)
What about DVI?
To use DVI, just combine on of the above options with a DVI->HDMI adapter.
Additional Resources:
Please let me know of any other bi-directional cables/adapters and what you’re using them for.
Hi Dan, I recently bought an HP EliteDisplay S14 which has a single USB-C port (for both power and video input). I need a cable/adapter to convert DisplayPort to USB-C and also provide power. As far as I know, DisplayPort does not provide power so I need something to work. Any suggestions are welcome. Thanks!
LikeLike
I think the best option is the Belkin adapter listed above. It has DP input plus 2x USB-A power injection (10 watts) and USB-C out. There is no competition in this market, so its quite expensive, but worth a shot IMHO.
LikeLike
I too wanted to limit cables to only one for DP -> USB-C with power delivery, but there are almost no products on the market. The Belkin is dedicated for VR and it doesn’t state what power it can deliver to the USB-C end and is also too expensive. Was looking for some kind of USB-C power injector (similarly to PoE injectors) or a USB-C powered hub (with external power supply for the hub) but no sensible products exist on the market. Any help?
LikeLike
Thanks for your research. Save me so much time sorting and looking through Amazon.
LikeLike
When selecting one of the listed cables be sure to double check the Displayport Alt Mode specifications of your USB-C device. Ex: the Monoprice cable is DP 1.4 spec but it’s DP Alt Mode is only 1.0 whereas most USB-C devices with DP Alt Mode use spec 1.2.
LikeLike
Hi Victor – what does a user miss with the Monoprice cable on today’s hardware? My understanding of the alt mode spec beyond 1.0a is that it addressed power delivery interop and to get any benefit for video you need to jump to alt mode 2.0 for which no products exist yet. So what does Alt mode 1.2 bring beyond 1.0a for video?
Unfortunately, many of the vesa specs are non-public and you need to pay the annual fee to get access. My subscription ran out quite a a while ago so I can no longer check this myself.
But I found this: https://www.anandtech.com/show/15752/displayport-alt-mode-20-spec-released
LikeLike
Hello! Great resource. Here’s a link to a Club3D branded HDMI to USB-C Converter to add to your list: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08SVPX9S5/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi! I’m looking into my options for connecting a Laptop Dock from an HP Elite x3. One thing I’m a bit worried about is that it will only work if it can connect to the device using USB Data as well. I noticed that the “product brief” for the Lontium LT6711 mentions a “high performance bi-directional Super-Speed switch”. Page two of the product brief actually shows a diagram with HDMI and USB 3.1 on the left side and USB-C (DP1.2/eDP) on the other side. Yet on all of the adapters listed here I only see a regular “USB micro-B” connector and the specs for all the adapters seem to imply it’s used for power only.
Are there any products that you know of that actually patch the USB-C data lines through to the “host” device as well? Honestly if it was only USB 2.0 signals I’d already be super happy.
LikeLike
Ugreen CM323 works fine with usb c hubs at usb 2.0 speeds (uses a micro usb for data connection), I tested it with a usb memory stick in my hub and it worked fine. $25 on Aliexpress
LikeLike
Thank you so much for takin the time to respond, much appreciated! I’ve ordered the CM323 and I’ll cross my fingers that it will work with the Elite x3 Lapdock! 😀
LikeLike
Hi Dan. Hope all is well! Don’t know if you remember, but I was using the Club3D HDMI>USB-C unidirectional adapter and connecting my Epson Moverio BT-40 Smartglasses via it’s USB-C cable. The image being projected in my smartglasses has a thin white line that flashes intermittently at the top of the image. I tried to contact Club3D, initially their support was trying to help & then now no response. I have two of these adapters doing the same thing. Seems that the Lontium LT6711A chip that does the conversion needs a filter of some sort to get rid of the overscanning. Would you be able to try & solve this?
LikeLike
Couldn’t make Tripplite https://hubsdocks.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/images/tripplite_bidir_package.jpg work in the “reverse” direction DP->USB-C DP at all (tried Radeon RX580 and GeForce 3090 into Lenovo M14 powered via separate USB-C charger). Works as unidirectional USB-C DP->DP only.
IMO worth a similar note “some customers report working as uni-directional only”.
LikeLiked by 1 person