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[HUELEN10]

I am excited about the next generation of Xbox, a lot of us are, but doesn't this seem like a glaring omission?

To my knowledge, like its predecessor, it has no Bluetooth so wireless audio requires dongles; this wasn't a surprise. USB though is essential I/O. Now, I know storage-wise, 9th gen games must be ran off SSD or SSD card, but storing all content and moving content can and hound be done via external USB drives. Even without being able to run some of that content off a USB disk, why bottleneck it at all? The new controller released alongside the console has type C to charge, so why not have even one port on the console?

it makes no sense to me. Realistically though, other than bottlenecking transfers to and from, which in itself is shitty, is there anything down the line that might give lack of type-C a disadvantage?

It's just weird. Come this holiday, it will be the only current console being sold lacking this port. Has Microsoft said anything about this?

 

[Warnen]

Not really all I would plug into the Xbox would be a controller to update.

 

[Jigga117]

The controllers have USB C connection just like the Series 2 controller. Beyond that what is C needed for? Sony has C but I would assume your connecting your controller to it with both ends being C verses Series S/X with USB to type C. Have you not paid attention to the previews that people have gotten their hands on with the Series X? They seem to think the transfer from HDD to SSD seems pretty fast for what it does.

 

[Warnen]

Doesn't have a SD card reader like the switch to, is that a concern as well?

 

[HUELEN10]

The controllers have USB C connection just like the Series 2 controller. Beyond that what is C needed for? Sony has C but I would assume your connecting your controller to it with both ends being C verses Series S/X with USB to type C. Have you not paid attention to the previews that people have gotten their hands on with the Series X? They seem to think the transfer from HDD to SSD seems pretty fast for what it does.

A bottleneck is a bottleneck. Tons of USB SSD that use Type C like the Samsung T line. I know some people even here were thinking of doing new stuff on SSD and SSD cards, and rest off of USB SSD. It might not be as fast as it could have been, you know?

And it's not just money and saving and compromising by doing that, some people have very large libraries and want access to everything at once. Before it wasn't an issue due too connecting multiple HDDs at the then fastest connection available. With no such thing as an SSD Card hub, the only way to avoid physical swap-outs would be unloading off external storage, which could always be faster.

 

[ipukespiders]

I'm not against more options, but why do I need USB C?

 

[HUELEN10]

I'm not against more options, but why do I need USB C?

There's always video out and future accessories that may have been possible due to it. That was kinda my question too. Other than bottlenecking speeds, what could we have lost due to this?

 

[Warnen]

There's always video out and future accessories that may have been possible due to it. That was kinda my question too. Other than bottlenecking speeds, what could we have lost due to this?

dual monitor Xbox gaming, the future!

 

[MrFunSocks]

Not at all. Why do you need USB-C on a game console?

And before people say it - no, USB-C doesn't mean faster speeds. USB-C is the shape, not the speed.

 

[nikolino840]

Isn't enough? If you wait a couple of minutes more is not the end of the world



One of them comes from GamesBeat's Jeff Grubb who tested how long it takes to transfer files between various drives. In the video embedded above, Grubb moves Assassin's Creed Origins (which is a 49GB file) around his storage locations in different configurations. Here's what the tests found.

Moving Origins from an external SSD to an internal SSD took only 2 minutes and 18 seconds. The inverse, going from internal SSD to external SSD, took 4 minutes and 33 seconds. Probably most important, transferring from an external HDD to an internal SSD took 7 minutes and 46 seconds. Finally, moving from internal SSD to external HDD took 10 minutes and 36 seconds.

 

[HUELEN10]

Not at all. Why do you need USB on a game console?

And before people say it - no, USB-C doesn't mean faster speeds. USB-C is the shape, not the speed.

Not entirely true.

SuperSpeed USB 20Gbps which is part of the same 3.2 spec the Xbox Series X has, can only reach this speed with the Type-C connector. USB 3.0 - Wikipedia en.m.wikipedia.org

 

[MrFunSocks]

Not true.

SuperSpeed USB 20Gbps which is part of the same 3.2 spec the Xbox Series X has, can only reach this speed with the Type-C connector. USB 3.0 - Wikipedia en.m.wikipedia.org

That's great, but what are you needing to plug in to your console that requires USB 3.2 Gen 2×2?

Everything up to USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 can be done with USB-A. The number of products on the market that need 3.2 Gen 2x2 can probably be counted on 1 finger, and you'll still have 1 finger to spare.

A bottleneck is a bottleneck. Tons of USB SSD that use Type C like the Samsung T line. I know some people even here were thinking of doing new stuff on SSD and SSD cards, and rest off of USB SSD. It might not be as fast as it could have been, you know?

The USB SSD having a Type C connector on it doesn't mean you can't use a USB C -> A cable though. You don't lose any speed, there is no bottleneck. Sounds to me like you just don't understand the difference between the USB types and their connections to speeds.

There's always video out and future accessories that may have been possible due to it. That was kinda my question too. Other than bottlenecking speeds, what could we have lost due to this?

HDMI is there for display out lol.

 

[anothertech]

Series X ... Pro

"Revolutionary new technology ... USB C!!"

 

[Birdo]

Would be as pointless as adding a Displayport socket as well as the HDMI 2.1.

 

[The Fuzz damn you!]

Meh. The only real benefits, other than aesthetics and ease-of-use, are speed and power delivery. PS5 will offer 10Gb/s to Xbox's 5, but that's got nothing to do with the port -- they have 10Gbit USB-A ports as well. I don't think it's been mentioned whether the port will offer USB-PD. Maybe Sony expect people to do more plugging / unplugging on that port? Maybe they're preparing for the possibility of a high-throughput powered device like PSVR2? The latter would be my guess, in which case it would make sense that MS are offering USB-A only -- they have no interest in VR.

Other than that though, it'll make no practical difference. If USB-C becomes a necessity, MS will release an updated model.

 

[Warnen]

maybe the usb c will be an alternate power supply so you can charge the xbox like a phone for portable play.

 

[LordOfChaos]

Not entirely true.

SuperSpeed USB 20Gbps which is part of the same 3.2 spec the Xbox Series X has, can only reach this speed with the Type-C connector. USB 3.0 - Wikipedia en.m.wikipedia.org

I see no indication the PS5 is using 2x2 USB 3.2 (for 20Gbps), so they seem to be the same speed unless otherwise indicated. The shape of the port is a small extra convenience for future peripherals like external drives that use the port by default more in the future, sure.

You can also usually swap out the connector on external hard drives and such.

In fact, what does use 2x2 so far?

 

[captainraincoat]

I'm not against more options, but why do I need USB C?

So dumb people don't have to worry about which side up to plug in a USB

the old type are horrible though and I have at least 4 ps4 controllers that have a USB slot wider than a hookers vagina

USB c means every control stays tight and firm like 18 year old girl

 

[M1chl]

There's always video out and future accessories that may have been possible due to it. That was kinda my question too. Other than bottlenecking speeds, what could we have lost due to this?

You know that this is not up-to USB C, this is features given mainly by ThunderBolt which is not present in consoles. If it would be, it would cost more than double probably. Basic ass USB-C does not have any of those features you mentioned.

 

[TonberrysKnife]

I use my Panasonic Eneloops batteries and i just charge em up and I'm good.

 

[Ozzy Onya A2Z]

I'd rather they just give access to the file system via ethernet personally but that ain't gonna happen on consoles as they want to lock down modding/cheating/ripping etc.

 

[FeldMonster]

Other than an Android phone, what else even uses USB-C? USB-A is by FAR the more ubiquitous port shape.

I don't understand the infatuation people have with USB-C.

 

[sainraja]

Everything up to USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 can be done with USB-A. The number of products on the market that need 3.2 Gen 2x2 can probably be counted on 1 finger, and you'll still have 1 finger to spare.

Still, if USB-C is to become a standard, more devices need to start supporting it. I hope Sony uses USB-C ports over A.

The USB SSD having a Type C connector on it doens't mean you can't use a USB C -> A cable though. You don't lose any speed, there is no bottleneck. Sounds to me like you just don't understand the difference between the USB types and their connections to speeds.

So wouldn't it have been better to have USB-C on the console and using an adapter to connect anything that requires A?

HDMI is there for display out lol.

They could have used USB-C like Apple does with their MacBook Pros for display out.

 

[MrFunSocks]

Still, if USB-C is to become a standard, more devices need to start supporting it. I hope Sony uses USB-C ports over A.

So wouldn't it have been better to have USB-C on the console and using an adapter to connect anything that requires A?

They could have used USB-C like Apple does with their MacBook Pros for display out.

But why would they use USB-C for display out instead of HDMI?

No it wouldn't have been better to have USB-C on the console, because the majority of things that you connect to a game console are USB-A. External HDDs are overwhelmingly USB-A. USB cables for chargers are overwhelmingly USB-A on one end.

Not everything needs to be USB-C just because it's newer. If it doesn't provide any real advantages and means that most people would need to then use an adapter then it's not a good idea to use it.

 

[Bluemaster77]

So dumb people don't have to worry about which side up to plug in a USB

the old type are horrible though and I have at least 4 ps4 controllers that have a USB slot wider than a hookers vagina

USB c means every control stays tight and firm like 18 year old girl

Youre a weirdo for that last comment

 

[skneogaf]

Yeah I'd prefer it to have usb c and WiFi 6 as why not!

 

[TheContact]

Usb C could benefit from external ssds but that's about it. I'm surprised the controller isn't usb C on both ends because it would reduce the charge times as well.

 

[MrFunSocks]

Yeah I'd prefer it to have usb c and WiFi 6 as why not!

Because they give pretty much zero benefit and drive up the cost?

Usb C could benefit from external ssds but that's about it. I'm surprised the controller isn't usb C on both ends because it would reduce the charge times as well.

Only if it's a USB 3.2 gen 2x2 external SSD, which it won't be.

 

[Hendrick's]

I won't miss it, but I agree it's a bit odd that they didn't go that route.

 

[alabtrosMyster]

dual monitor Xbox gaming, the future!

120fps variable refresh rate on dual 8k TVs it is!

 

[sainraja]

But why would they use USB-C for display out instead of HDMI?

No it wouldn't have been better to have USB-C on the console, because the majority of things that you connect to a game console are USB-A. External HDDs are overwhelmingly USB-A. USB cables for chargers are overwhelmingly USB-A on one end.

Not everything needs to be USB-C just because it's newer. If it doesn't provide any real advantages and means that most people would need to then use an adapter then it's not a good idea to use it.

1. Not saying they should, I was pointing out that you can do USB-C for display out. They would need to bundle the USB-C to HDMI cable but that shouldn't be an issue since they are bundling a cable with the console anyway.
2. They can easily ship the console with an adapter for USB-A. Many new products are beginning to support USB-C. So, Microsoft & Sony supporting it would increase its adoption even more.
3. USB-A is old. USB-C is new and was intended to replace A. USB-C can become the new A.

 

[The Fuzz damn you!]

I see no indication the PS5 is using 2x2 USB 3.2 (for 20Gbps), so they seem to be the same speed unless otherwise indicated.

PS5 is not 20Gb/s. PS5 has one 10 Gbit USB-C and two 10 Gbit USB-A. Straight from the horse's mouth:

PlayStation 5 Launches this November at $399 for PS5 Digital Edition, and $499 for PS5 with Ultra HD Blu-ray Disc Drive

SAN MATEO, Calif., Sept 16, 2020 – Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) today announced launch date and price details for its highly anticipated next-generation videogame system, PlayStation®5. SIE also revealed new updates to the PS5™ game portfolio, including Final Fantasy XVI, Fortnite...

www.sie.com

As far as I can see, MS haven't actually announced the speed of their USB ports.

 

[MrFunSocks]

1. USB-C to HDMI cable. Not saying they should, I was pointing out that you can do USB-C for display out.
2. They can easily ship the console with an adapter for USB-A. Many new products are beginning to support USB-C. So, Microsoft & Sony supporting it would increase its adoption even more.
3. USB-A is old. USB-C is new and was intended to replace A. USB-C can become the new A.

1. That doesn't answer my question though. Why would you do USB-C -> HDMI when you can just do the cheaper and easier HDMI->HDMI?
2. That adds cost, and it's a dongle that is wholly unnecessary. It doesn't need game consoles to increase adoption because people generally only plug 2 things into their consoles - HDDs and controllers.
3. Sure, but it hasn't yet and it offers literally zero advantages on game consoles. It has disadvantages though - cost and compatibility.

 

[SpartanN92]

Type C is the future. Not sure why they'd omit it but oh well. Not the end of the world but the sooner we end Type A the better.

 

[MarkMe2525]

A bottleneck is a bottleneck. Tons of USB SSD that use Type C like the Samsung T line. I know some people even here were thinking of doing new stuff on SSD and SSD cards, and rest off of USB SSD. It might not be as fast as it could have been, you know?

And it's not just money and saving and compromising by doing that, some people have very large libraries and want access to everything at once. Before it wasn't an issue due too connecting multiple HDDs at the then fastest connection available. With no such thing as an SSD Card hub, the only way to avoid physical swap-outs would be unloading off external storage, which could always be faster.

Edit: Series S and X uses usb 3.1 so it could be either 5Gbps or 10Gbps

 

[LordOfChaos]

PS5 is not 20Gb/s. PS5 has one 10 Gbit USB-C and two 10 Gbit USB-A. Straight from the horse's mouth:

PlayStation 5 Launches this November at $399 for PS5 Digital Edition, and $499 for PS5 with Ultra HD Blu-ray Disc Drive

SAN MATEO, Calif., Sept 16, 2020 – Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) today announced launch date and price details for its highly anticipated next-generation videogame system, PlayStation®5. SIE also revealed new updates to the PS5™ game portfolio, including Final Fantasy XVI, Fortnite...

www.sie.com

As far as I can see, MS haven't actually announced the speed of their USB ports.

Thanks, that's what I was looking for.

I don't know much of anything that really uses 2x2. If you need more bandwidth, Thunderbolt is far better for being PCIe connected and avoiding USB's CPU overhead.

I would ass-ume the Series X also has 3.2 for 10Gbps ports, so the only real difference is probably the shape, a minor convenience having both. Without TB the two types of ports are no different on video output or anything.

 

[MarkMe2525]

Edit: i thought I knew something I didn't

 

[The Fuzz damn you!]

Thanks, that's what I was looking for.

I don't know much of anything that really uses 2x2. If you need more bandwidth, Thunderbolt is far better for being PCIe connected and avoiding USB's CPU overhead.

I would ass-ume the Series X also has 3.2 for 10Gbps ports, so the only real difference is probably the shape, a minor convenience having both. Without TB the two types of ports are no different on video output or anything.

USB-C alt mode allows for HDMI over USB. That's a pretty big difference for video output and why I think this is potentially tied to PSVR2.

 

[The Fuzz damn you!]

You're right. Series S and X have 3 10Gbps usb ports.

Was this announced somewhere?

 

[Golgo 13]

OP and first post are people rising from the dead like

 

[MarkMe2525]

Was this announced somewhere?

Yes

 

[reksveks]

Was this announced somewhere?

I blame the USB guys for this fucking confusion, why rename specs back to USB 3.1 gen 1 instead of just adding a new 3.3 spec I will never know.

 

[The Fuzz damn you!]

Yes

Helpful. Where? I had a look and couldn't see anything from Microsoft, just a whole lot of tech pundit speculation.

 

[MarkMe2525]

Helpful. Where? I had a look and couldn't see anything from Microsoft, just a whole lot of tech pundit speculation.

xbox wire. https://news.xbox.com/en-us/2020/09...xbox-series-s-custom-storage-solution-primer/

Sorry for being an ass

 

[MarkMe2525]

I blame the USB guys for this fucking confusion, why rename specs back to USB 3.1 gen 1 instead of just adding a new 3.3 spec I will never know.

That really is confusing. I didn't realize this.

 

[The Fuzz damn you!]

xbox wire. https://news.xbox.com/en-us/2020/09...xbox-series-s-custom-storage-solution-primer/

Sorry for being an ass

Cool, thanks.

That talks about the expansion card, which is NVME not USB (naturally), and USB 3.1 external storage. USB 3.1 could mean 5Gbit or 10.

 

[sainraja]

1. That doesn't answer my question though. Why would you do USB-C -> HDMI when you can just do the cheaper and easier HDMI->HDMI?
2. That adds cost, and it's a dongle that is wholly unnecessary. It doesn't need game consoles to increase adoption because people generally only plug 2 things into their consoles - HDDs and controllers.
3. Sure, but it hasn't yet and it offers literally zero advantages on game consoles. It has disadvantages though - cost and compatibility.

I just want there to be more support for USB-C and don't want to worry about USB-C/A anymore. I'd rather get devices that ship with C and have an adapter option for A. You don't have to agree with me on it. It's just what I would prefer to be the case.

 

[Ðuelist]

I'm not against more options, but why do I need USB C?

Bottleneck speed, faster charging, etc.

 

[MrFunSocks]

Bottleneck speed, faster charging, etc.

Those have nothing to do with type A or C.

 

[MarkMe2525]

Cool, thanks.

That talks about the expansion card, which is NVME not USB (naturally), and USB 3.1 external storage. USB 3.1 could mean 5Gbit or 10.

You're right. We will see soon.