So many devices, so few USB ports

JLemieux · 10-18-2007, 03:18 PM

I am in the process of laying out the wiring for my car PC. There are so many USB devices I would like to incorporate that a 4 port hub and 4 ports on the PC are not enough. I will need a second hub.
These are my questions:
Is there any difference/advantage in plugging into the ports directly on the PC instead of a hub?
Can a second hub be plugged into the first hub without problems?

I will be using the following USB devices:
DVD-RW, GPS, XM satelite adapter, 4 port hub, wireless keyboard, bluetooth phone, OBDII, touchscreen, USB dash board open port.

DarquePervert · 10-18-2007, 04:47 PM

Why not get a single 8-port hub?

Also, check your motherboard. There may be headers for additional USB ports.

JLemieux · 10-18-2007, 06:45 PM

I have no problem using a larger hub. What I whant to know is, for example, would the DVD drive work just as well connected to a hub with several other devices as it would connected straight to the mother board. I don't know how the bus works. My thought is that the one line coming from the hub is now carrying information from several devices on that one line coming from the hub. Is that increased traffic going to slow down all the devices? Would there be a problem watching a DVD with other devices running on the same hub?
As far as checking for additional usb ports on the motherboard I'll have to check the manual. I bought the beginner car computer from MP3Store. Mini ITX mother board? Maybe you know if that has extra usb ports.

Pint · 10-18-2007, 08:05 PM

From what I can see the begginner's kit comes with a voom PC - Jetway VIA C7 2.0GHz CN700 Mini-ITX Motherboard???. I have one of these and the motherboard does have headers for additional usb ports.

Have you considered running 2 x 4 port hubs of the back ports and distributing the devices so as not to have 2 high traffic devices on the same hub.

Alternativly the VooM PC has a slot for an internal DVD drive. It gets a bit cramped ( I shortened the ribbon cable to increase airflow), but there is room.

JLemieux · 10-18-2007, 08:34 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Pint

Have you considered running 2 x 4 port hubs of the back ports and distributing the devices so as not to have 2 high traffic devices on the same hub.

Alternativly the VooM PC has a slot for an internal DVD drive. It gets a bit cramped ( I shortened the ribbon cable to increase airflow), but there is room.

I had planned to run 2 - 4 port hubs as I already have one of them.

The PC will be mounted in an area not accessible while driving, so I had the DVD drive external.

Found some good info here: http://www.tomshardware.com/2003/09/...ogy/index.html
It's not exactly what I was looking for, but gave me some insight.

DodgeCummins · 10-18-2007, 09:54 PM

I would run a powered hub...and try to find one that uses +5...all the ones I have seen use +6...don't know how well that would do plugged into a computer power supply.