a few ?'s regarding how long of a USB cable i can use and running stuff on it

ummagawd · 02-11-2005, 02:17 AM

I'm planning to place my system in the trunk and running extended USB cabling to the front to run a DVD player (is that even possible?) as well as just for the sake of being able to hook up anything USB inside the car... will i have any problems with this?

Blue ZX3 · 02-11-2005, 02:31 AM

It should be fine as long as you keep the dist no more than 16ft, form what i've read...beyond that you might need an active cable. Meaning that it has built in repeaters at one end...

Trazer · 02-11-2005, 02:46 AM

You probable should be fine. I've got things connected via an usb hub and a 5m extension cable to the pc in the trunk. I haven't had any problems so far.

Squid · 02-11-2005, 03:06 AM

Same here.. I have laptop in the rear and everything else up front...
16ft usb extension attached to another 3 foot extension to powered hub...
never had a usb malfunction. I'd say its a midrange cable quality wise...
Got it from tigerdirect pretty cheap...

Good luck..

bobs987 · 02-11-2005, 08:14 AM

I just ran some cables the other day, they had a warning sticker saying that you should stay under 10ft for low speed devices im guessing USB 1? and under 16ft for hi speed USB 2

lerandell · 02-11-2005, 08:42 AM

I have used one of the active USB cables. It has a mini built in hub. you can string them together to get up to 80ft on some brands.

RedGTiVR6 · 02-11-2005, 08:50 AM

I'll say the same as bobs987....

the cables we use here at work have the same warning....it makes sense too once you think about it....
=]

I've got a few USB cables run up the middle of the car. My touchscreen is run like that and now that I have the DVD player running and working it too is run like that....shouldnt' be a problem....as long as we aren't talking about a suburban or something huge like that...lol

ummagawd · 02-11-2005, 08:16 PM

okay cool... yea i just want to run the TS, a USB hub, and a DVD player up front... the GPS and everything else can kick it in the trunk

TheLlama · 02-12-2005, 04:05 PM

I use a 30ft usb cable in my house (don't ask why) but it works fine. I actually made it myself because anything longer than 10 ft or so is pretty expensive. I just used CAT5 cabling and put USB termination on it. Be sure to put your Data0 and Data1 (sometimes labeled Data+ and Data-) on a twisted pair. This is actually a part of the USB specification, it helps with canceling interference (the same way an ethernet cable does)

Blue ZX3 · 02-13-2005, 12:23 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by TheLlama

I use a 30ft usb cable in my house (don't ask why) but it works fine. I actually made it myself because anything longer than 10 ft or so is pretty expensive. I just used CAT5 cabling and put USB termination on it. Be sure to put your Data0 and Data1 (sometimes labeled Data+ and Data-) on a twisted pair. This is actually a part of the USB specification, it helps with canceling interference (the same way an ethernet cable does)

just courious, which usb 1.1 or 2 are you using?

cavramair · 02-13-2005, 11:01 AM

I have a 2000 Pontiac Grand Am GT. The pc is mounted in the trunk. I have an active usb repeater cable run from the pc, under the carpet, up to the front. From that I have plugged in a 4 port hub to feed the devices in the front. I have no problems, all devices function as they should, and recieve full USB 2.0 speeds. I aquired the usb repeater cable off ebay for under 20 dollars.

TheLlama · 02-13-2005, 01:48 PM

Well its usb1.1, I'll test it with my 2.0 drive when I get back home. One thing to note is, if you want to hook multiple units to the end, you must have an active hub. But I think that is required anyways. I think CAT5 is actually lower gauge (thicker) than the wires in a USB cable. In addition, if you use STP instead of UTP you will be all set. Oh yeah, and since USB is 4 conductor and CAT5 is 8, you can theoretically run 2 USB lines in one cable.

n8scstm · 02-13-2005, 01:59 PM

Ive done this same thing. I have a crew cab so the distance is pretty large. I have a cable running from behind the rear seat where the computer is all the way up front. Then I have a usb hub attached to it where my lilli touch screen, dvd, and gps are all plugged in and it all works fine. Its usb 2.0 and the hub is not powered.

n8scstm · 02-13-2005, 02:00 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by TheLlama

I use a 30ft usb cable in my house (don't ask why) but it works fine. I actually made it myself because anything longer than 10 ft or so is pretty expensive. I just used CAT5 cabling and put USB termination on it. Be sure to put your Data0 and Data1 (sometimes labeled Data+ and Data-) on a twisted pair. This is actually a part of the USB specification, it helps with canceling interference (the same way an ethernet cable does)

Sounds like someone has some hidden cams going on.

ummagawd · 02-15-2005, 12:24 AM

so some of you are running a USB repeater while the rest of you aren't?

n8scstm... you are able to successfully run all of those components to a non-powered hub?!?! so in essence all you are using from the PC itself is 1 USB connection, leading to an active USB hub (i'm assuming a 4-port), in which connects your TS, DVD, and GPS?

how long of a USB cable are you using?

and what are you using to power the DVD player?