USB Cable Length

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hamisht

389 posts

Ultimate Geek

#32509 18-Apr-2009 18:01

Does anyone know how long a USB cable can be before video or data will start to crap out? I want to play media from an external hard drive, but keep it located in a differrent area of the room.

Also I need a USB extension cable, but cant find anything over 1.5m length, can USB cables be custom made?

My Blu-Ray Collection

Loftus

140 posts

Master Geek

#207815 18-Apr-2009 18:20

According to wikipedia: 5m without a regerating hub (for USB2.0)
Source:USB

Pock

156 posts

Master Geek

#208006 19-Apr-2009 20:33

Unless you use this

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.6640

hamisht

389 posts

Ultimate Geek

#208035 19-Apr-2009 22:24

cheers guys, appreciate it!

My Blu-Ray Collection

hashbrown

463 posts

Ultimate Geek

#208063 20-Apr-2009 07:59

Pock: Unless you use this

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.6640

That device only claims to be USB 1.0 (12Mbit/sec max) so may not meet your requirements for a hard disk. You can buy active 5m cables (then attach another 5m passive cable for 10m) but your hard disk will probably need an external power supply.

Pock

156 posts

Master Geek

#208209 20-Apr-2009 18:35

Here's a USB 2.0 one

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.23553

richms

28177 posts

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#208461 22-Apr-2009 00:21

Watch out for cheap USB cables - there are heaps around that are a 5m passive extension that will barely run a mouse at the best of times - an active one is not much more from deal extreme (about $12 US)

Just remember, that 2.0 is just a revision of USB specification, saying 2.0 doesnt mean that it supports 480 megabit speed - that is high speed USB - any one can say their thing will do full speed USB 2.0 and be correct when it only goes at 12 megs, because thats what full speed is.

Richard rich.ms