Thunderbolt 4 heads-up

mark_m

Dear Isadorables,

TL;DR: Thunderbolt 4 isn't backwards compatible with Thunderbolt 2: to get TB2 devices working on TB4 equipped computers you need a dock and adaptors.

POST UPDATED 9 SEPTEMBER TO REPORT ON SOLUTION

Many of you use Thunderbolt accessories. Here's a caution for the future.

I recently purchased a new laptop, a Gigabyte Aero (see my sig) which has an 11th generation Intel CPU. It's great: works well with Isadora, video from the HDMI and MiniDP are from the NVidia card, etc. Bit noisy, but livable with. However like all 11Gen machines it has Thunderbolt 4.

Thunderbolt 4 is supposed to be backwards compatible. But it's not. Well, it is: backwards compatible to Thunderbolt 3 only, not Thunderbolt 1 and 2. With my NUC (see sig) which has Thunderbolt 3, I could use the Startech and Apple TB3->TB2 adaptors to allow all my TB2 kit (Blackmagic Mini Recorders, Shuttles, sound card, HDD arrays etc etc) to work with TB3. With this new Aero and TB4 none of it functions.

There is a workaround, and this is to attach the computer to a TB4 or TB3 dock and use the downstream TB port to attach the TB3 to TB2 adaptor.

I'd really been banging my head against the desk over this issue: luckily Presonus were paying attention and have detailed the process to get it working. Really worth a read @CitizenJoe and others who have / ordered TB4 machines.

UPDATE:
I purchased a Caldigit Element Thunderbolt 4 Dock, and an Apple Thunderbolt 3-> Thunderbolt 2 Adaptor. I already had 2 x Startech TB3->TB2 adaptors.

With the Caldigit Dock/Hub attached to the TB4 Port of my laptop, and the adaptors attached to the hub I was able to perfectly use my Blackmagic Mini Recorders and my Blackmagic Intensity Shuttle (Thunderbolt version). Great result, and Isadora happily saw the input from all the cameras I attached to them (except a GoPro 6 but that's a special case...).

Unfortunately the laptop didn't see any of my TB2 HDDs or RAID arrays, which is annoying. Even though it's a powered hub, my Lacie Tough TB2 drive wouldn't spin up properly. For example.

Just to return to the GoPro for a moment: as many people know GoPro managed to break the HDMI standard with the outputs from GoPro 6 and later, resulting in real problems getting them working with capture devices, including the Blackmagic ones I use. I could only reliably get my GoPro 6 working with Isadora by employing elaborate workarounds. I am happy to say the new Thunderbolt 3 Blackmagic Ultrastudio 3G recorder captures from the GoPro 6 and 8 (with media mod) just fine.

HTH

Mark (t'other one)

DusX

@mark_m said:

a new laptop, a Gigabyte Aero

Sounds like a sweet machine :)

Thanks for the TB4 info.. I wasn't aware of this problem.

CitizenJoe

Thanks for the heads-up. I'll report when I get my new machine (which won't be for a while...).

Cheers,

Hugh

mark_m

@citizenjoe @DusX

Just updated my post above with working solution. Hurrah!