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HydraDock

cfedu/HydraDock people said:
There are people arguing on the web that we are confused about the specifications of our own product.
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- Who might that be, you think? ;)

HydraDock people said:
The DisplayPort v1.2 standard supports 4K video. But, USB 3.1 DisplayPort Alternate Mode v1.2 does not. It only supports 2560x1440 DisplayPort connections.
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- Which still runs counter to Ars Technica's practical proof of running 3840x2160 via DisplayPort... I quote again (link):

Ars Technica said:
Using a USB Type-C to DisplayPort cable (one of Google's, actually, hooray for standards), we were able to drive a 3840×2160 display at 30Hz. This is likely some limitation of the GPU, since the USB Type-C port supports DisplayPort 1.2.
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JTToft said:
- Who might that be, you think? ;)


- Which still runs counter to Ars Technica's practical proof of running 3840x2160 via DisplayPort... I quote again (link):
Click to expand...

Don't mean to defend them, as I am of the opinion that projects like this on KickStarter are a bit scammy to begin with, because they are basically just a way to see if they can get paid in advance and don't have to risk their own money to release a product on the market.

But, are the folks at Ars Technica getting 60Hz refresh rate? Nope, they talk a lot about only having 30Hz as the only option. This is addressed in Hydradock's response, as they have made the active decision to only support 60Hz refresh rate resolutions, which rules out 4k.
 
MyopicPaideia said:
But, are the folks at Ars Technica getting 60Hz refresh rate? Nope, they talk a lot about only having 30Hz as the only option. This is addressed in Hydradock's response, as they have made the active decision to only support 60Hz refresh rate resolutions, which rules out 4k.
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- No, Ars Technica only got 30Hz. But HydraDock's response stated that 3840x2160 at 30Hz was possible only via HDMI, and that the maximum for DisplayPort via the MacBook's USB-C is 2560x1440. And that claim is quite clearly disproved by Ars Techinica achieving 3840x2160 via DisplayPort (which is more than twice the resolution of their claimed maximum of 2560x1440).
 
JTToft said:
- No, Ars Technica only got 30Hz. But HydraDock's response stated that 3840x2160 at 30Hz was possible only via HDMI, and that the maximum for DisplayPort via the MacBook's USB-C is 2560x1440. And that claim is quite clearly disproved by Ars Techinica achieving 3840x2160 via DisplayPort (which is more than twice the resolution of their claimed maximum of 2560x1440).
Click to expand...

Agreed, it is a curious assertion that it is only supported via HDMI, when it clearly is also supportered via mDP. They could have just said they are only supporting 60Hz refresh rate configurations and called it a day.
 
cfedu said:
They updated their FAQ, not sure exactly what they mean. It's not looking too good IMO

"There are three similar-sounding factors at play here with the MacBook + HydraDock video resolution support topic. One is the maximum resolution supported by the DisplayPort 1.2 standard, which is 4K. Another is the video resolution supported by the USB 3.1 Displayport Alternate Mode standard, which is 2560x1440. Another is the resolution supported by the GPU in the Apple MacBook, which is 3840x2160 over HDMI and 2560x1440 over USB 3.1 DisplayPort Alternate Mode.

There are people arguing on the web that we are confused about the specifications of our own product. We are not. The confusion is that the MacBook does not have a native DisplayPort connector — it pipes out video over the USB-C jack using USB 3.1 DisplayPort Alternate Mode.

The DisplayPort v1.2 standard supports 4K video. But, USB 3.1 DisplayPort Alternate Mode v1.2 does not. It only supports 2560x1440 DisplayPort connections. There is an included method for configuring HDMI over Alternate Mode DisplayPort out of the new MacBook that supports either 1920x1080 HDMI video at a 60Hz refresh rate, or 4K (3840x2160) HDMI video at only a 30Hz refresh rate. It is because of this capability of handling a 4K display over HDMI (only) at only a 30Hz refresh rate that Apple has chosen to state in their marketing and specifications for the MacBook that the product supports "4K displays!"

After nearly a year of development and engineering we clearly understand the capabilities of not only USB 3.1 Alternate Mode video, but of our own product. There was a cost-complexity choice we had to make involving one of the video processors in our product that required us to choose whether to support the 30Hz HDMI 4K mode from the MacBook or not. And, we decided to only support the 60Hz refresh rate modes, as this is a desktop computing product and 30Hz flicker is annoying — something we think constitutes "barely supporting" 4K video.

So, all that now said, the HydraDock supports one of the following at a time — not both: one Mini DisplayPort connection at up to 2560x1440 pixels, 60Hz refresh rate; or, one HDMI connection at up to 1920x1080 pixels, 60Hz refresh rate."

https://www.kickstarter.com/project...port-usb-c-dock-for-apple-macbook/description
Click to expand...

For the 1440 thing, clearly the standard says (on slide 14): For DP 1.2a (HBR2), this provides support for 2560x1600

http://www.displayport.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/DP-Alt-Mode-Overview-for-VESA-v1.pdf
 
dexterbell said:
I have a desk at home and a 27 inch iMac on it. The whole appeal of the MacBook is how thin, light and portable it is. Why would you buy an underpowered laptop to sit on a desk? You obviously aren't worried about size and weight, why not get a MBP?
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Many people want/can only afford one computer, not two. So this dock would be great for home or office use, but the portability/weight of the MacBook will be beneficial when on the road. It's not that hard to understand.

And "underpowered" is a matter of what you're going to use it for.
 
I backed it on Kickstarter. Just please don't be delayed by like 6 months like every other freaking thing I've kickstarted. I bought this to have in pretty short order with my MacBook. I know delays happen with this sort of thing all the time, and I understand it's part of crowdfunding, but it sure would be nice if this thing shipped on time.
 
Dennison said:
...but... it does completely defeat the entire purpose....... :rolleyes:
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I'm not buying one personally since I have a mac mini for my desktop at home and at work, but I'm guessing that sometimes people want to park this think at their desk but still be able to have the benefits of small form factor for travel.

I would think this is especially true for people who are using this as their only computer.
 
I've backed this as it is basically the perfect compliment to the new Macbook I'm looking for..

I'm sure the Macbook Pro I currently use is over spec'd for what I actually need and I travel I lot so would love the lightness and compactness the new Macbook provides along with the retina screen which has been missing from the Air and has stopped me from jumping on that band wagon for so long..

I'd like to replace my Air at home which I'm sure this will do too but I do need the flexibility at work to plug in peripherals on a regular basis which this will enable.

This will basically sit on my desk at work enabling flexibility at work and portability at home and on travels.

Hope it all works out on time..
 
Can you tell us how you came to find his name from the project? Also why have you not added this information to the comments on the kick starter page?

----------

I see..


Domain Name: HYDRADOCK.COM
Registry Domain ID: 1911355138_DOMAIN_COM-VRSN
Registrar WHOIS Server: whois.enom.com
Registrar URL: www.enom.com
Updated Date: 2015-03-19T05:54:24.00Z
Creation Date: 2015-03-19T12:52:26.00Z
Registrar Registration Expiration Date: 2016-03-19T12:52:26.00Z
Registrar: ENOM, INC.
Registrar IANA ID: 48
Registrar Abuse Contact Email: abuse@enom.com
Registrar Abuse Contact Phone: +1.4252982646
Domain Status: clientTransferProhibited
Registry Registrant ID:
Registrant Name: JACK CAMPBELL
Registrant Organization:
Registrant Street: 149 LAKE TERRACE DRIVE
Registrant City: HENDERSONVILLE
Registrant State/Province: TN
Registrant Postal Code: 37075
Registrant Country: US
Registrant Phone: +1.6159736070
Registrant Phone Ext:
Registrant Fax:
Registrant Fax Ext:
Registrant Email: JACK@ABOUTJACK.COM

----------

I changed my pledge to $1 to add the information to the comments page.
 
kave said:
Its quite obvious here: https://www.kickstarter.com/project...port-usb-c-dock-for-apple-macbook/creator_bio
I can't believe why he doesn't use another name?
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Ha ha ha - I was skeptical about this KickStarter project from the beginning, but this is actually hilarious.

I feel bad for all those that have already backed it in hopes of having a solid docking solution for the MB.

Any way for backers to get their money back? Probably not - a quick $50k or more for him then? That's what the backing has already produced for him...
 
I don't know if this is vapourware or not, but in addition to looking ugly as sin (that white plastic body looks like it belongs on a $1 USS 2.0 hub), I also don't believe it is technically feasible for a single USB 3.1 port to provide enough power to 10 peripherals at the same time. Based on this alone I'm inclined to strongly believe this is either a fake product or will be a total bust.
 
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From the bio page look at his kickstarter projects. All un-funded.
The new one is not funded so you can cancel your pledge I believe.
 
MyopicPaideia said:
Ha ha ha - I was skeptical about this KickStarter project from the beginning, but this is actually hilarious.

I feel bad for all those that have already backed it in hopes of having a solid docking solution for the MB.

Any way for backers to get their money back? Probably not - a quick $50k or more for him then? That's what the backing has already produced for him...
Click to expand...

Kickstarter doesn't charge you until the product is funded and the number of days is over so anyone can still cancel before they're charged.
 
I'd be more scared about the fact that they already started production based on *expected* money from the Kickstarter. The developers write it in the Kickstarter comments.

Producing something without having funds is either a big no no, or he is just trying to sell something that isn't actually there ("Yes, the product is amazing and produced a head of time!").
 
Some people are asking for proof. Others are in denial. That's ok, just wait and see. :)

The creator of this product is a complete Jack $%#. Get your money back while you can....

"Hit the road Jack, don't you come back no more no more no more.... ♬♫♪♬"
 
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3bs said:
Kickstarter doesn't charge you until the product is funded and the number of days is over so anyone can still cancel before they're charged.
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Good...this is guy is probably anxiously counting the days...hope people see this here and elsewhere and withdraw their support. This guy is an obvious career conman.
 
Glad to see they didn't delete comment calling them out on this but I don't really know what to take from their response:

https://www.kickstarter.com/project...11-port-usb-c-dock-for-apple-macbook/comments

"Creator KickShark about 4 hours ago
Hi "tgwaste,"
Yes, Jack is one of our founding team members, and brings about 40 years of development and manufacturing skills to our program — and yes, some controversy from 12 to 15 years ago from a web based "war of words" that still lingers out there to be dug up.
Today, we're proud of the work Jack does for our KickShark clients and are proud to have him on our leadership team. If you have any issues you'd like to discuss, you may contact me directly at mike@kickshark.com .
Sincerely,
Mike Collins, General Manager
KickShark, Inc."
 
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