Smith, Ryan (2018-07-17). "VirtualLink USB-C Alt Mode Announced: Standardized Connector for VR Headsets". AnandTech. Archived from the original on 2018-08-21 . Retrieved 2018-08-21. A device with a Type-C connector does not necessarily implement any USB transfer protocol, USB Power Delivery, or any of the Alternate Modes: the Type-C connector is common to several technologies while mandating only a few of them. [6] After entering debug accessory mode, optional orientation detection via the CC1 and CC2 is done via setting CC1 as a pullup of Rd resistance and CC2 pulled to ground via Ra resistance (from the test system Type-C plug). While optional, orientation detection is required if USB Power Delivery communication is to remain functional. USB-C Ethernet Alternate Mode". ieee. 2015-03-26. Archived from the original on 2016-10-03 . Retrieved 2015-11-06. Landing on a single standard to rule them all is an elusive aim in the realm of personal technology. At best, you end up in a format war, and one faction emerges victorious for a few years until an entirely new technology takes it out. VHS ate Betamax, then was ousted by DVD, which faded in the face of Blu-ray, itself now virtually extinct following the rise of online streaming services.

Li, Abner (2019-01-02). "USB-C Authentication Program could let OEMs clampdown on 'non-compliant' USB chargers". 9to5Google . Retrieved 2022-06-12. Confused yet? Further complicating matters: The number scheme around USB 3 has been in flux, which has made references to these ports something of a swamp. Until recently, many USB-C ports carried the USB 3.1 label ("USB 3.2" was not yet a thing) in Gen 1 and Gen 2 flavors, and some spec sheets continue to reference the older name, along with SuperSpeed branding. In a confusing twist, the USB-IF decided to eliminate the use of "USB 3.1" in favor of these various flavors of USB 3.2, as outlined below in this handy decoder chart...IEC 62680-1-3:2017 | IEC Webstore | energy, multimedia, cable, USB, LVDC". webstore.iec.ch. Archived from the original on 2018-11-04 . Retrieved 2018-11-03.

MHL – Expand Your World". MHLTech.org. Archived from the original on 2015-10-02 . Retrieved 2015-06-18.

The good news, though, is that if you invest in a couple of normal USB-C cables, they will work with anything and everything that supports USB-C, regardless of generation. Note, however, that that does not extend to Thunderbolt. Though Thunderbolt 3 and 4 use a USB-C physical connector, you'll need an appropriate Thunderbolt-specific cable to guarantee compatibility and full speed. This cable will have a USB-C connector at both ends but have a lightning-bolt symbol on each. It'll also be significantly pricier than a standard USB-C. (See our Thunderbolt 4 primer for more on the cable issues.) The plug has only one USB 2.0 high-speed differential pair, and one of the CC pins (CC2) is replaced by V CONN, to power optional electronics in the cable, and the other is used to actually carry the Configuration Channel (CC) signals. These signals are used to determine the orientation of the cable, as well as to carry USB Power Delivery communications.

USB Power Delivery uses one of CC1, CC2 pins for power negotiation between source device and sink device, up to 20V at 5A. It is transparent to any data transmission mode, and can therefore be used together with any of them as long as the CC pins are intact. There are two modes of audio output from devices: digital and analog. There are primarily two types of USB-C audio adapters: active, e.g. those with digital-to-analog converters (DACs), and passive, without electronics. [85] [86] Opam, Kwame (2015-11-05). "A Google Engineer is Testing USB Type-C Cables So You Don't Have To". The Verge. Archived from the original on 2017-10-24 . Retrieved 2017-10-23. USB-C is electrically compatible with older USB 3.0 ports. But because of the shape of the newer port, adapters or cables with appropriate plugs are indeed required if you want to connect anything that doesn't have the USB-C oval shape.DisplayPort Alternate Mode 2.0: DisplayPort 2.0 can run directly over USB-C alongside USB4. DisplayPort 2.0 can support 8K resolution at 60 Hz with HDR10 color and can use up to 80 Gbps, which is double the amount available to USB data. [53] All USB-C cables must be able to carry a minimum of 3A current (at 5 V, for 15 W) but some can carry 5A current (at 20 V, for 100 W). [10] USB-C to USB-C cables supporting 5 A current must contain e-marker chips (also marketed as E-Mark chips) programmed to identify the cable and its current capabilities. USB charging ports should be clearly marked with power capability. [11] Thunderbolt 3 is twice as fast and uses reversible USB-C". Archived from the original on 2015-06-03 . Retrieved 2015-06-02. Shilov, Anton. "USB-IF Publishes Audio over USB Type-C Specifications". Archived from the original on 2018-12-09 . Retrieved 2018-11-03.