Non interchangeable standard parts

[StephenM]

I have a cheap phone, £15 from a supermarket, that charges via USB C. I have a Samsung Galaxy tablet that also charges via USB C. They require different USB C cables because they aren't the same. Which means I find identical names meaningless for the purposes on interchangeably in the computer hardware field.

Now the question. My computer has a GTX 750ti graphics card, two DVI outputs (same name, but require different cables) and a mini HDMI 1.4a output. I have a mini HDMI cable, but it apears to be a different size to the connectors on the card. So, are there different versions of mini HDMI connectors, or should I just push with confidence? I had problems using a cable on the Sony a7r until a Sony rep at a show assured me it was standard - he was right, I was too afraid of damage to try hard enough. So I know it may well be my fault.

And before anyone asks, I have two monitors connected and a third standing at the side unused.

 

[Levina de Ruijter]

Oh gosh, the cable nomenclature! That's hell!!!

However, it seems to me that a mini HDMI cable only comes in one flavour. I would just push through. Having said that, I just bought a diffuser for macro photography. It came with a focus light that you can connect to a small powerbank. Well, I put the lid back on the little lamp and pushed too hard and I think I kinda broke that end. Or just dislodged something... yep...

 

[LtDave]

I have a cheap phone, £15 from a supermarket, that charges via USB C. I have a Samsung Galaxy tablet that also charges via USB C. They require different USB C cables because they aren't the same. Which means I find identical names meaningless for the purposes on interchangeably in the computer hardware field.

Now the question. My computer has a GTX 750ti graphics card, two DVI outputs (same name, but require different cables) and a mini HDMI 1.4a output. I have a mini HDMI cable, but it apears to be a different size to the connectors on the card. So, are there different versions of mini HDMI connectors, or should I just push with confidence? I had problems using a cable on the Sony a7r until a Sony rep at a show assured me it was standard - he was right, I was too afraid of damage to try hard enough. So I know it may well be my fault.

And before anyone asks, I have two monitors connected and a third standing at the side unused.

wow. i wasnt aware of different usb C connectors, other than for speed of transfer, they should all be the same profile. USB 2.0, 3.1 and i guess now theres USB 4.

different B connectors yes, like 2.0 that looks like a tombstone (square-ish with two tapered sides at the top) and 3.0 that looks a lot like an RJ45 phone/network connector. there is also mini-B that is similar to the C but instead of having rounded ends, its a trapezoid profile with the top shorter than the bottom. there was another B that looked kind of like a hat. the bottom was wider but had more of a 'wing' on either side of the main center part.

ive got a portable hdd that has a USB-C but its a combination standard and what looks a bit like a B all in the same connection

 

[StephenM]

This is the cable I use to charge phone and tablet. The grey end attaches to the tablet, but is too large for the phone, so it's plugged into the mustard connector to fit the phone. The gray is wider and fatter - USB C inflation I suppose

It's one of the corollaries of Murphy's Law - interchangeable parts don't.

 

[LtDave]

that Orange cap doesnt have a USB C plug on it. thats a Lightning plug. it was proprietary for Apple until discontinued in 2012.

the EU told Apple that they had to use a IEEE standard USB-C plug for their phones and devices if they wanted to continue selling them in the EU. Apple said bugger off. weve got millions of these proprietary cords and connectors, were doing what we want. then they were clamped down on and Apple then started shipping USB-C cords with the Lightning plug dongle for their devices. now, Apple uses the standard USB-C.


*correction to this: "ive got a portable hdd that has a USB-C but its a combination standard and what looks a bit like a B all in the same connection"

it is a Super B connector that i have on that hdd...