The body that licenses HDMI technology today announced that it is releasing HDMI Alternate Mode. This mode, also known as 'HDMI Alt Mode' will allow HDMI source devices to utilize a USB Type-C connector to directly connect to HDMI-enabled displays. The HDMI cable will utilize the USB Type-C connector on the source side and any HDMI connector on the display side.
This makes it possible to deliver native HDMI signals over a simple cable without the need for cumbersome protocol and connector adapters or dongles. HDMI Alt Mode follows other standards like MHL and DisplayPort that also allow USB Type-C on one side and their usual connector on the other site. According to the HDMI licensing body it took some time for HDMI because HDMI Alt Mode requires convertors in a cable to convert signals.
HDMI Alt Mode will support the full range of HDMI 1.4b features such as: resolutions up to 4K, Audio Return Channel (ARC), 3D, HDMI Ethernet Channel, and Consumer Electronic Control (CEC). However support for the newer HDMI 2.0b is not implemented.
It's unclear when the new cables will become available.
