What cable for this LG display?

[asiga]

I got this LG 4K display a couple of months ago, I’ve been using it with Macs though HDMI and I’m very happy with it: https://www.lg.com/es/monitores/myview-smart-monitor/32sr83u-w/

But now I want to connect it through USB-C instead, because I want to use the HDMI port for another display that supports HDMI only.

The thing is that if you browse the specifications for that display, it says “USB C 2.2”, which really shocks me: 2.2? What’s that? We are in 2025, can USB 2.2 deliver 4K at 60Hz?

I plan to use it with a new Mac Studio M4 Max, which has Thunderbolt 5, but this LG says it doesn’t support Thunderbolt. What cable should I get? USB C? What version? Or would I need Thunderbolt?

Thanks!

 

[asiga]

Nevermind, 2.2 is the HDCP version. It just doesn't say what USB-C standard it uses. I guess I'll try the first USB-C cable I find.

 

[PaulD-UK]

@asiga You missed out the vital bit in the middle...

• USB-C (HDCP Version) 2.2
  
  "HDCP 2.2 is the next generation of copy protection for the 4K era.
  Be sure to use Premium High Speed HDMI Cables for each link in the chain. Using a subpar cable for even one link may cause an HDCP 2.2 failure. Your TV must have an HDMI input that supports HDCP 2.2."
  
  
  https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/hdmi-web-shared/public-web/static-images/Premium_Cable_Identification_Sample.png
  
  
  So you need to use a USB-C to HDMI cable that has the Premium High Speed HDMI Cable logo.

 

[asiga]

@asiga You missed out the vital bit in the middle...

• USB-C (HDCP Version) 2.2
  
  "HDCP 2.2 is the next generation of copy protection for the 4K era.
  Be sure to use Premium High Speed HDMI Cables for each link in the chain. Using a subpar cable for even one link may cause an HDCP 2.2 failure. Your TV must have an HDMI input that supports HDCP 2.2."
  
  
  https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/hdmi-web-shared/public-web/static-images/Premium_Cable_Identification_Sample.png
  
  
  So you need to use a USB-C to HDMI cable that has the Premium High Speed HDMI Cable logo.

Thank you very much @PaulD-UK I'm sorry for having neglected that. Thanks!

 

[asiga]

BTW, sorry to bother again, but are Thunderbolt cables compatible with HDCP? I'm reading the specs of cables in the Apple store, and they don't mention HDCP compatibility...

Edit: Note that my idea is connecting purely through USB-C / TB, not HDMI.

 

[PaulD-UK]

@asiga "...are Thunderbolt cables compatible..."

Yes, TB 3/4/5 cables meet the highest specs in every way.
But for a non-Thunderbolt USB-C monitor, an ordinary USB-C cable that meets the Alt-Mode DisplayPort 1.4 specs is fine.
Just make sure the USB-C cable packaging mentions 4K video, or 8K for 4K at refresh rates higher than 60Hz.

The monitor webpage you linked to doesn't mention a USB-C input.

 

[asiga]

Thank you very much again. I'll be buying a USB-C cable with those specs. And yes, it does have USB-C "upstream" and "in". The former is for using it as monitor, and supports DP Alt mode, the later I'm not sure because it mentions USB 2.0, maybe it's for uploading some sort of data to the unit. Anyway, yes, the "upstream" port should work, I think.

 

[meson]

If you are using the monitor with a laptop, double check those usb c cable specs to be sure they include power delivery at a level suitable for your laptop as well. That will allow you to connect to the monitor and power the laptop with one cable. That monitor has one usb c port dedicated to receiving signal from the computer and supplying power back to the computer, if necessary (upstream). The other two usb c ports act as a hub, so you can connect keyboard, mouse, or other peripherals (in). I think you can likely attach a thumb drive with some photos and WebOS can use them as background images for the Home Screen when using the monitor as a smart tv.

When it comes to cables, a thunderbolt cable will work with devices of any usb specs meaning you can connect it to any two devices with usb c ports and it will work just like a usb cable that meets the required specs for those devices. Thunderbolt cables are expensive, but offer maximum compatibility. What does not work is putting a usb cable (even one that satisfies all of the highest usb 4 specs) between two devices that have thunderbolt ports. If a device requires thunderbolt input, only a certified thunderbolt cable will work and the device sending the signal has to do so over thunderbolt as well.

For your case an appropriate usb c to usb c cable will work just fine. Follow the advice on the video specs, and make sure it satisfies your power needs as well, and all will work out just fine.

 

[Fishrrman]

Did the display come with a USBc cable?
If so, try that one first.

 

[asiga]

Did the display come with a USBc cable?
If so, try that one first.

Nope. It came with HDMI cable. And the M4 Mac Studio came today by surprise, one week earlier than the original estimate, so today I’ll plug with HDMI and tomorrow I’ll get a USB-C. Thanks!

 

[jaytv111]

Thank you very much again. I'll be buying a USB-C cable with those specs. And yes, it does have USB-C "upstream" and "in". The former is for using it as monitor, and supports DP Alt mode, the later I'm not sure because it mentions USB 2.0, maybe it's for uploading some sort of data to the unit. Anyway, yes, the "upstream" port should work, I think.

The extra USB ports are for plugging in USB peripherals and having a quasi-dock. I don't see a mention of USB version of those ports, I think they're Superspeed (5 Gbps probably) but I don't have the monitor and again I don't see a direct mention of version.