active usb cables?

[swagguy8]

hey guys, so i wanted to do a project that involved connecting a usb device to my home theater pc that draws significant power (>300ma). I want to be seated on my couch, and have freedom of movement while the cable is not lying in the middle of the room, so i need at least 50ft of usb cable. does anyone know what microchip i could use to make a repeater, or is a 5v source plainly enough for usb?

 

[Martaine2005]

Have a read of this.

Martin

 

[davenn]

Have a read of this.

Martin

nice link Marty

 

[swagguy8]

here is my research, can be used for later reference:
http://www.instructables.com/id/Usb-Dongles-for-USB-over-CAT5-connection/
so apparently a cat5 cable is a high signal-low loss cable, so i can just connect my usb over the ethernet cable.

 

[hevans1944]

here is my research, can be used for later reference:
http://www.instructables.com/id/Usb-Dongles-for-USB-over-CAT5-connection/
so apparently a cat5 cable is a high signal-low loss cable, so i can just connect my usb over the ethernet cable.

CAT5 is Ethernet cable. USB protocol is an entirely different animal. The Instructables web site is the blind trying to lead the blind; I would not consider it a reliable place for "research" information. The method cited in the link will not work to extend a USB cable.

 

[swagguy8]

CAT5 is Ethernet cable. USB protocol is an entirely different animal. The Instructables web site is the blind trying to lead the blind; I would not consider it a reliable place for "research" information. The method cited in the link will not work to extend a USB cable.

i found lots of websites though that said that it will work, like tom's hardware:
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/363050-28-cat5-webcam
i don't know if they are wrong but technically usb is only a digital signal, so as long as the wire isn't too shabby i don't see why it would work, the 5 volt however, i may need an external source.
what do you think, dave?

 

[bigone5500]

Here ya go!

http://www.cablestogo.com/category/pc/pc-usb/pc-usb-extenders-extensions/pc-usb-active-aa-cables

 

[davenn]

CAT5 is Ethernet cable. USB protocol is an entirely different animal. The Instructables web site is the blind trying to lead the blind; I would not consider it a reliable place for "research" information. The method cited in the link will not work to extend a USB cable.

its got nothing to do with USB or or CAT5 protocols
the CAT 5 cable was just being used as an extension lead

i found lots of websites though that said that it will work, like tom's hardware:
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/363050-28-cat5-webcam
i don't know if they are wrong but technically usb is only a digital signal, so as long as the wire isn't too shabby i don't see why it would work, the 5 volt however, i may need an external source.
what do you think, dave?

no its not likely to work as all that is being done is adding extension wire into the middle of the USB cable
no different to just using a long USB lead ... the cable limitation still applies

There is one awesome way to to it tho and I use this method

USB to CAT5 converter D-LINK make them ... I have them here in the workshop model: DUB-E100
2 of them back to back 2ith a long E-Net cable in between




2 of these back to back will give a long USB link .... max distance, I don't know, the spec sheet doesn't say
I have done 10m 33ft with no real problems

Dave

 

[swagguy8]

its got nothing to do with USB or or CAT5 protocols
the CAT 5 cable was just being used as an extension lead



no its not likely to work as all that is being done is adding extension wire into the middle of the USB cable
no different to just using a long USB lead ... the cable limitation still applies

There is one awesome way to to it tho and I use this method

USB to CAT5 converter D-LINK make them ... I have them here in the workshop model: DUB-E100
2 of them back to back 2ith a long E-Net cable in between


View attachment 23397

2 of these back to back will give a long USB link .... max distance, I don't know, the spec sheet doesn't say
I have done 10m 33ft with no real problems

Dave

cat 5 or lan has a huge distance, schools, offices and all sorts of places use them. i'll probably just use soldering hacks and yolo the tx and rx, while providing a power source, since i don't want to spend too much money. thanks for the replys guys