• edgemaster72@lemmy.world
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    125
    arrow-down
    1
    ·
    1 year ago

    Somewhat understandable, but they could’ve also done something like HDMI and DisplayPort and gone with a shape that could only plug in one way. It might not have been “as cheap as possible” but probably not as much added expense as the extra wiring and stuff. (maybe, idk shit about manufacturing)

    • Puzzle_Sluts_4Ever@lemmy.world
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      70
      arrow-down
      4
      ·
      1 year ago

      Asymmetry for ergonomics in these cases is very overrated.

      Try to unplug and replug monitor or tv cables while reaching around behind. Even the big chonky power cable starts gettng usb a properties as it takes two rotations to get it to fit.

      • lolcatnip@reddthat.com
        link
        fedilink
        English
        arrow-up
        25
        ·
        1 year ago

        The problem there is at least as much from how hard it is to twist the cables as it is from the connector shape. The asymmetric connector is still better than nothing.

        I can think of some examples of asymmetric connectors that work great: mini USB; North American 3-prong power plugs; old school PC video, serial, and game ports; original NES controller connections, etc.

    • nocturne213@lemm.ee
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      33
      ·
      1 year ago

      I really wish hdmi was symmetrical. (Peer behind tv, “which way goes up?” Tries to plug it in, “fml it was the other way” flips it drops it)

      • sverit@feddit.de
        link
        fedilink
        English
        arrow-up
        1
        ·
        1 year ago

        Unfortunately HDMI already uses pins on both sides of the connector, so you would have to shrink them to half their size first, then double them.

    • ChaoticNeutralCzech@feddit.de
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      12
      ·
      1 year ago

      Not all asymmetric port designs are good. SCART was capable – HDMI of the 1990s-2000s – but you cannot really feel where one ends and another begins with 2-3 of them in the rear of almost every TV and VCR sold in Europe back then. They carried flawless RGB video, two-way composite A/V, remote control signals etc. However, they were bulky (why 21 individually shielded wires instead of twisted pairs?), expensive and got loose easily. This was before digital technology that enabled error correction and multiplexing.