HODO USB C Docking Station User Manual

1. Product Overview

The HODO 8-in-1 USB C Docking Station is a versatile adapter designed to expand the connectivity of your USB Type-C enabled laptop. It provides multiple ports for external displays, data transfer, and power delivery, enhancing productivity for various computing environments.

Figure 1: HODO 8-in-1 USB C Docking Station with various cables and connectors.

2. Features and Ports

This docking station integrates 8 essential ports to meet diverse connectivity needs:

• Dual HDMI 4K: One port supports 4K@60Hz, and the other supports 4K@30Hz for high-resolution video output.
• DisplayPort (DP) 4K@60Hz: Provides an additional high-resolution display output.
• VGA 1080P: Supports 1080P resolution for legacy display connections.
• 3 x USB 2.0 Ports: For connecting peripherals like keyboards, mice, and USB flash drives with transfer speeds up to 480Mbps.
• USB C Power Charging Port (PD 100W): Allows power input up to 100W to charge your laptop, with a safe output of 87W. Requires a separate 65W or higher power adapter and power cord (not included).

Figure 2: Detailed diagram of the 8-in-1 docking station's ports and their specifications.

Figure 3: Illustration of 480Mbps data transfer speed via USB 2.0 ports.

3. Setup and Connection

To set up your HODO docking station, follow these steps:

1. Ensure your laptop has a full-featured USB Type-C port that supports DisplayPort Alternate Mode (DP Alt Mode), power delivery, and data transfer.
2. Connect the USB-C cable from the docking station to your laptop's USB-C port.
3. Connect your external monitors to the HDMI, DisplayPort, or VGA ports on the docking station using appropriate cables.
4. For power delivery to your laptop, connect a 65W or higher USB-C power adapter (not included) to the PD port on the docking station.
5. Connect any USB peripherals (keyboard, mouse, external hard drives) to the USB 2.0 ports.

Figure 4: Verify your laptop's USB-C port functionality for full compatibility.

Figure 5: Important notes regarding 100W Power Delivery (PD) charging.

4. Operating Multiple Displays

The HODO docking station supports various multi-display configurations depending on your operating system.

4.1. Windows Laptops

Windows laptops generally support extended display modes across multiple monitors.

• Dual Monitors: Connect to HDMI 1 (4K@60Hz) and DP (4K@59Hz) for extended display.
• Triple Monitors: Connect to HDMI 1 (4K@59Hz), HDMI 2 (4K@29Hz), and DP (2K@60Hz) for extended display.
• Quadruple Monitors: For quadruple display, Dual HDMI, DP, and VGA all operate at 1080@60Hz. Ensure your laptop supports DP1.4 signal output. Note: When connecting four monitors, the laptop screen may go black.

Figure 6: Dual monitor setup for Windows laptops in extended mode.

Figure 7: Triple monitor setup for Windows laptops in extended mode.

Figure 8: Quadruple monitor setup for Windows laptops using MST Extend Mode.

4.2. macOS Laptops

Due to macOS system limitations, external monitors will display the same screen content (mirror mode) regardless of whether they are set to mirror or extended mode. Multi-Stream Transport (MST) is not supported on macOS.

Figure 9: Triple monitor setup for macOS laptops, showing mirrored displays.

Figure 10: Quadruple monitor setup is not supported on macOS due to lack of MST support.

5. Compatibility

This USB C Dongle Adapter is specifically designed for laptops with a Full-featured USB Type-C port (supporting Display, charging, and data transfer protocols). Compatible devices include, but are not limited to:

• Dell: XPS 13/15/17, Latitude 5420/7420, Thinkpad, Yoga, Alienware series.
• HP: Elitebook 840, Envy, Spectre series.
• Microsoft Surface: Pro 7/8.
• Apple: MacBook Pro/Air (Note: macOS display limitations apply).
• Other devices with Thunderbolt 3/4 /USB-C 3.1 Gen1/Gen2 (with DP) / USB-C 3.2 Gen 1/Gen2 (with DP).

Figure 11: Overview of compatible devices and display types.

Figure 12: A more detailed list of compatible laptop models and operating systems.

6. Maintenance

To ensure the longevity and optimal performance of your HODO docking station:

• Keep the device clean and free from dust. Use a soft, dry cloth for cleaning.
• Avoid exposing the device to extreme temperatures or humidity.
• Do not drop or subject the device to strong impacts.
• Disconnect all cables when not in use for extended periods.

7. Troubleshooting

If you encounter issues with your docking station, refer to the following common solutions:

• No Display Output:
  • Ensure your laptop's USB-C port supports DisplayPort Alt Mode.
  • Check all cable connections (USB-C to dock, HDMI/DP/VGA to monitors).
  • Verify monitor input sources are correctly selected.
  • Restart your laptop.
• Resolution Issues / System Freezes:
  • The actual output resolution is determined by your computer's graphics card bandwidth.
  • If your graphics card's bandwidth is insufficient for the desired resolution, you may experience system freezes or an unresponsive cursor.
  • Reconnect the hub and lower the display resolution within your computer's settings to a level supported by your graphics card's bandwidth.
• No Power Delivery / Slow Charging:
  • Ensure your laptop's USB-C port supports Power Delivery (PD) protocol.
  • Use a power adapter of at least 65W (100W recommended for optimal performance) connected to the docking station's PD port.
  • The power cord is not included with the docking station.
  • A lower wattage power charger may cause a system warning or insufficient charging.
• USB Devices Not Recognized:
  • Ensure the USB devices are properly inserted into the USB 2.0 ports.
  • Try connecting the device directly to your laptop to confirm functionality.
• General Compatibility:
  • We do not recommend using any other converters with the docking station as we cannot guarantee compatibility.

Figure 13: Important information regarding display resolution and graphics card bandwidth.

Figure 14: Additional suggestions on power supply and compatibility.

8. Specifications

9. Warranty and Support

HODO is committed to providing professional products and enthusiastic after-sales support. If you experience any issues while using this USB C Hub, please reach out to us through the order page. We aim to solve problems within 24 hours.

For further assistance, please refer to the official HODO store or contact customer support.

This product comes with standard manufacturer's warranty. Please retain your proof of purchase for warranty claims.