Linus Tech Tips
1 HN recommender · recommended in 3 months, 2022–2023
11:22 · 1.8M views · Jan 22, 2022
Linus Tech Tips tests a large batch of DisplayPort cables with a Total Phase cable tester, checking bandwidth and signal quality. Many cables did not meet their claimed specs.
HN cites it as evidence that DisplayPort cable labeling is unreliable and that even major brands can fail, and for its explanation of version differences.
3 comments from Hacker News
Good and interesting video to explain the version diffs in spec: this video And even better, a calculator based on your monitor capabilities that helps you choose: [LINK] I ended up with a $15 2.0 10 foot cable from Monoprice. Fit my ultra wide Samsung G9 pixel pushing needs just fine.
Exactly. Yes. I'd also just say this is a low information environment. Traditionally, we'd rely on the media as a line of defense. Product reviews would tell us who to trust, what the good deals are. We trusted the media to review & find problems & surface issues in the past. But those institutions have undergone enormous revenue crunch, and there's very few left who can really go in depth & do the deep, thorough, intelligent exploration we ought trust them for. Online marketplaces in the world today are bedlam, and there are few trusted authorities. This is a general world condition, but with tech it's extra bad because when things don't work, we almost ever know why/who to blame, it's all just frustrating wizard-shit that's broken & not going, & we are left bereft utterly impotent in the face of these high tech system's mysterious failures. Honestly, I'd prefer not paying for USB-IF certification on my cables, and I don't care that none of the official logos designating certain compliances are met are embossed on my cables. But I also am a geek who will go spend 3 hours to find Benson (alas no longer active) or Linus's in-depth tech reviews[1], and who doesn't mind trying some cables (buy a couple different ones at a time), finding some not working, & returning those, to save a couple bucks at some hassle. For most people: just buy certified gear. [1] this video [LINK]
LTT got a TotalPhase cable tester and ran tests on a whole bunch of video cables. Lots of cables from major suppliers like Monoprice failed their tests. Here’s the video for DisplayPort: this video