I’ve written about this before but felt it was time to do it again as a) the needs are even greater and b) the tech has got better.
What am I talking about? USB-C and it’s now proliferation in all devices.
USB History
As a few may know, during COVID I spent a bit of time helping out in the local Jaycar store, mainly for the fun of it although the extra $ did help as during that time, magazine / websites etc subs and income was decimated.
In order to get the job, I had to go through some “exams” preceded by “lessons” on certain tech. And one of those was an in-depth look at USB technology.
Now those of us who have been around the traps for a bit will remember the advent of USB-1 – more correctly USB-A – and how it revolutionised connectivity of things like printers and early SSD drives at the time. Most printers I’d dare to say are still powered by a variation on the original USB-A in fact.
USB-A is pretty basic; improved flavours appeared over the years and some still are used quite widely. For example, my main data storage is via an 8TB USB-B Seagate connected drive. USB-B is basically a pair of USB plugs connected together to give a higher speed. The plug does have a habit of falling out which is a right PITA though.
If you want a potted history of USB, there is a good overview right here.
Anyway, on to USB-C. I was surprised to learn just how complex this version is, and it is in fact very clever indeed. Jointly designed by Intel, Apple, HP and Microsoft among others, those 24 little pins can carry a whole lot of information, and importantly, power. There is a more in-depth article on USB-C here.
The problem today is that with so many devices using the technology, generally the average PC or Mac just doesn’t have enough ports to cater for all needs. If all you run is a USB based printer, then you’re probably fine along with a wireless or Bluetooth mouse, but if you are into video and photography, then that’s a whole different world.
In my case for example, I have an Blackmagic Design ATEM Mini Pro, DaVinci Speed Editor console, RØDECaster Pro II, am testing a RØDECaster Video console, use a Loupedeck CT in my workflow, an Elgato USB-C Webcam, laser printer, colour Canon printer, USB sound system, Samsung T5 SSD … you get the idea (and that’s just for starters).
So this is where the USB hub comes into its own. I’ve had a powered 16 port USB-A one for years, but of course this doesn’t support today’s USB-C capabilities and is mainly in play to cater for dongles, Bluetooth transmitters and the like.
The Multiport Hub
Today I received the latest and greatest from Verbatim, their CMH-14 model which as the name suggests transform a single USB-C port into fourteen ports.
No less than less than 6 are top of the spec USB based. Others include a pair of HDMI for monitors, a VGA, Gigabit Ethernet, a pair of USB-2, a single 3.5mm audio and an SD micro card port.
Connection to the PC is via USB-C, and as many come with a pair of these, two of the Verbatim units will cover more than I suspect any self-satisfying gadget-file will need to have on tap.
The unit itself is quite small too, needing minimal desk space at 15cm x 5cm and 1cm thick.
The Verbatim CMH-14 costs around $135 which is a bargain for what you get.
I did need to get a couple of USB-A to USB-C adaptors at $15 from JB HiFi to satisfy my gadget needs, but that is s small price to pay for the convenience of not having to ever unplug anything ever again.