USB - Is it UNIVERSAL anymore?

[neorichieb1971]

I'm throwing this thread out there to learn more than preach. I am not up to date with standards with such things.

So I have bought 2 USB hubs recently - 2 of these - (Link 1, sitting right of center under the TV) https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0C65C46B9? ... asin_title

And one of these - (Link 2) https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0CNCD24BV? ... asin_title (This is plugged in the center cavity under the TV, you can see the UK multi way)

My Bravia TV from 2008 recently popped so I replaced it with a cheapish Samsung TV, I bought a TV center stand for it (it came with end legs which I don't like), and placed one of the first linked hubs to the base of the TV with the intention of having a mass charging station for my wireless controllers, Analogue consoles (which are USB Micro) and anything else. I bought a host of cables with different ends to fit everything I have.

So going back a bit I bought the PC engine Analogue Duo and it says on that, that you need an 18W charging point otherwise it doesn't work properly, so I managed to find a place I can power that from.

The hub in link 1 doesn't power the Analogue Duo, and doesn't even charge the Switch Pro controller. But IT DOES power everything else, including the other Analogue concoles I have an the respective wireless controllers.


Then yesterday I went to the Milton Keynes gaming market and bought an IPS GBA Mk1 handheld and the seller stated you need a USB A to USB C cable to power it. That using USB-C to USB-C will not work.

The link 2 product has 40W, and I just check if it works with the Switch pro controller and it does. It has a 40W rating so I am starting to figure its a power rating problem with some products rather than a compatibilitiy issue with cables or what not. But would still like to know what you think about where USB is, where its going and if "Universal" means universal anymore?

I took this picture whilst work was in progress. -

[Fudoh]

There's "dumb" USB and there're USB ports that will require a handshake with the connected devices.

Once you start to mix those you can run into troubles. Dumb USB is much easier to handle. You get a PSU with 5V and 4A and it will power your Analogue Duo any day. Many "intelligent" USB chargers won't exceed the USB regular 5V/2A limited, unless it's a PD mode that's negotiated between the devices. It's got better over the past years, but I do indeed have "big" chargers here that will successfully power a 65W device, but are not able to power a Pi5, as the 5V output can't deliver a measely 3 amps.

I'd say USB is still pretty universal for anything that doesn't require much power, but for anything exceeding 10W on a 5V USB port I wouldn't rely on it.