Glossary / USB-C
DisplayPort Alt Mode
How a USB-C cable carries a monitor's video signal.
DisplayPort Alt Mode lets a USB-C cable carry a DisplayPort video signal to a monitor. The number of lanes assigned to video determines the maximum resolution and refresh rate the cable can drive. Cablyst's Display Diagnostics shows the active DisplayPort link and the resolution it supports, so you can tell whether the cable — or something else — is limiting your display.
See it on your own cable — install Cablyst, check a cable, or browse the full glossary.
Related: E-marker USB Power Delivery (USB-PD) Extended Power Range (EPR, 240 W) Thunderbolt 4 Thunderbolt 5 USB4 VDO (Vendor Defined Object) USB-IF (USB Implementers Forum) PDO (Power Delivery Object) SOP' (cable plug identity) UHBR (Ultra High Bit Rate) Active vs. passive cable