Cables, connectors, ports – in a highly tech-dependent world, multiple formats can confuse and frustrate.
It seems it’s one cable for this, another for that; one type of connector works here, but a different one is needed there.
Thankfully, standardisation IS now spreading. The USB-C format has evolved rapidly, and hardware manufacturers have responded accordingly. The latest iteration – USB-C 3.2 – goes another step towards eradicating that annoying (and counter-productive) multiplicity. However, when it comes to professional audio and video, it is about SO much more than simply having one connector that fits all devices.
Upgrading to USB-C 3.2 also enables organisations to leverage game-changing new cable smarts that can simultaneously carry an audiovisual signal, data, AND power – in huge volume, at high speed, and for long distances.
Not only does that enhance the art of the technologically-possible, it also delivers a stellar new user experience.
“It’s definitely an advantage for users to now have a standard, symmetric connector in their hand that works with all devices and which enables them to literally plug and play, but the real revolution is in the backend capability that comes with the new protocol,” says Yishai Mescheloff, Vice President of Product Management at leading global AV technology provider Kramer, whose extensive range of USB-C 3.2-enabled products are at the cutting edge.
“USB has been around for years and was originally used for exchanging data between keyboard, mouse, flash drive and so on at a speed of around 480 megabit per second. In 2008, USB 3 increased that speed to five gigabits per second.
Lately, 3.2 has doubled that to 10 gigabits per second as well as bringing new capability to not only send data but also rich audiovisual content and A/C input power. So, with this very small connector you can not only charge your cell phone but, depending on your cable, you can also use a docking station ‘hub’ to send data and video to a display monitor whilst at the same time powering up your laptop, MacBook, and even the monitor itself. One connector and one cable does it all. For users, there is no more sitting in a meeting room and seeing a USBC cable coming from the table but having no idea if it is connected to the network and can handle data, video and power; or at what capacity and speed. Instead, everything just works.”
Another enhanced feature of Kramer’s new professional-grade USB-C connectors is a clever, patented locking mechanism which differentiates them from less secure connectors designed for the consumer market.
It can be business-critical for pro AV hardware connected to a switcher or a router on a rack or in a computer to fail because a USB connector has become loose or dislodged. Kramer connectors have special patents which ensure they remain locked in place.
Also, Kramer USB-C 3.2-enabled fibre optic cabling can carry AV, data, and power for up to 20 metres without any negative impact on user experience.
“We are constantly striving to go further and faster,” says Mescheloff.
“We have passive cables which run for short distances; active cables which boost the signal up to five metres; and fibre optic cables that can run up to 20 metres. It means we can equip any indoor space in any size organisation in any vertical such as corporate, education and government, as well as large auditoriums and outdoor spaces too.”
For Kramer reseller partners, the opportunities are significant.
“We deliver it to our system integrators in a way which makes it easy to put it in front of their end user customers,” says Mescheloff.
“The messaging is clear: users will not have to think: ‘What do I do with this cable? How do I connect my device? Will everything just work?’ They simply need to know that there is one cable, and one way of connecting. They just plug in, and all the magic happens behind the scenes. They have control over it all – audio, video, network, power, peripherals; everything.
“Our aim is to continually enhance the audio video user experience, and to ensure that our partners benefit too.”
To learn more about how Kramer can help your and your customers’ businesses leverage the game-changing power of USB-C, click here.
