# Connecting a pen display with USB-C

## Overview

{% hint style="info" %}
Read this first: [Connecting a pen display](https://docs.sevenpens.com/drawtab/guides/connecting/connecting-pen-display)
{% endhint %}

## Video

<https://youtu.be/eyHkd3kcOZk>

{% embed url="<https://youtu.be/eyHkd3kcOZk>" %}

## Considerations

Key things to keep in mind:

* Not all pen displays support this configuration - even if they do have USB C ports on the tablet
* Not all computers are capable of sending power and display signal over their USB C ports
* Not all USB C cables can be used for this purpose.

So, you have to do your research and plan carefully. Do not buy a pen display assuming that a single USB C cable connection will work.

## Verify with your manufacturer

The first thing you should do is verify whether the tablet supports a single USB C connection. Ideally you do this before you even purchase the tablet.

You can do this verification easily:

* Read the user manual for the tablet and see how it connects
* Or contact product support for the tablet and ask them specifically if it will work for that specific model.

## Summary of requirements

<figure><img src="https://1457921496-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FNde0PQIvNcFZNVxuTO0G%2Fuploads%2FuD1qCEeI9rGDzQ7Pu4jY%2FSlide_20240527_105643.png?alt=media&#x26;token=0c0d8396-32e6-47e7-be9e-93ace72da8e6" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

## **Video signal with DP alt mode support**

Your cable and ports MUST support DP alt mode. To find out if you ports and cables support DP alt mode, read thi&#x73;**:** [USB-C DisplayPort alt mode](https://docs.sevenpens.com/drawtab/guides/pen-displays/usbc-dp-alt-mode).

## Power support

* Cables
  * Thunderbolt USB-C cables can carry carrying enough power
* Ports
  * Even if the cable supports power, your computers USB-C port may not supply enough power.
* Power needed
* The size of the pen display affects how much power is needed.
  * It's very likely that if your USB-C port can deliver enough power a 13" pen display
  * At 16", some pen displays require additional power usually from a power adapter that is plugged into a wall.
  * Above 16" most often in my experience a single USB-C cable is not enough and these pen displays require additional power.

## USB-C Port preference

Often with tablets there are two USB-C ports.

Sometimes they are not interchangeable:

* Some tablets dedicate the top port for video and data, and the bottom to power
* Some tablets dedicate the bottom port for video and data, and the bottom to power
* Some tablets can any any combination of ports for video, data, and power

## USB-C Ports that are recessed

You should be aware that recessed USB-C ports on your pen display typically mean that only the manufacturer-provided USB-C cables will fit them.

More here: [Recessed USB-C ports](https://docs.sevenpens.com/drawtab/guides/connecting/recessed-usbc-ports)

<div align="left"><figure><img src="https://1457921496-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FNde0PQIvNcFZNVxuTO0G%2Fuploads%2ForMeUKfSSdVOqSEPQ7Ql%2FSlide_20250106_084310.jpg?alt=media&#x26;token=4bbc74bc-b304-4781-a0d6-2f228c86ad08" alt="" width="375"><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>

## Manufacturer cables vs third-party cables

I recommend you get the USB-C cables provided by the manufacturer for two reasons:

* These cables are known to work with your tablet
* The tablet may have recessed USB-C ports and these cables are designed to fit that port. Other cables may not even fit inside.
* I have personally experienced times where third-party USB-C cables just did not work with a tablet even though they may all the specs and worked with many other tablets.

More here: [Using 3rd-party cables with your drawing tablet](https://docs.sevenpens.com/drawtab/guides/connecting/3rd-party-cables-for-drawtab)

## Thunderbolt 3/4/5 cables

To keep it simple, I often just use Thunderbolt 3/4/5 cables since these are USB-C cables that are defined to support DP alt mode and enough power.

## The specific Thunderbolt 3 cable I use

I use a CableMatters Thunderbolt 3 cable. The exact cable and my testing results can be found here. [CableMatters Thunderbolt 3 cable](https://docs.sevenpens.com/drawtab/catalog/accessories/cables/cablematters-thunderbolt-3-cable).

## How to tell if a USB-C cable could be used as a single-cable for your pen display

Unfortunately, this can be very hard since there are reliable indicators for USB-C cables. The vast majority of USB-C cables are unmarked.

**Thunderbolt labeled USB-C cables**- if you see a thunderbolt logo on A USB-C cable. This means it is either a thunderbolt 3,4,or 5 cable. And this means it supports all the needed requirements

**USB4 labeled USB-C cables** - I've never seen a cable labelled USB4. But if you see one, it should support all the requirements needed.

**Unlabeled USB-C cables** - You will have to rely on manufacturer specs to determine this. Sometimes these cables are described as "Full-featured" USB-C cables.

## Adding a USB-C with DisplayPort to your computer

If you computer does not have a USB-C port that supports DP alt mode, it MAY be possible to add that to your computer.

This is apparently possible but will require a desktop computer that is capable of accepting an expansion card.

See: [Dan S Charlton: Add USB-C with DisplayPort-alt-mode to your PC](https://dancharblog.wordpress.com/2020-07-20/add-usb-c-with-dp-alt-mode-to-your-desktop-pc/) ([archive link](https://archive.is/WylTo))

## Resources

* Here is a list from Huion about devices that can use a single USB-C cable: <https://support.huion.com/en/support/solutions/articles/44002011098-list-of-compatible-devices-support-usb-c-to-usb-c-connection-with-huion-displays>
* Brad Colbow connecting the Huion Kamvas 13 with a single USB-C cable: See 6:00 in this video: <https://youtu.be/ku8x1q_nhFQ>
* Teoh on Tech connecting the XP-Pen Artist 13 (2nd gen) using a single USB-C cable. See 4:30 in the video: <https://youtu.be/Exj2PZu4MHM>


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