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Thread ID: 44590 2004-04-23 22:43:00 Want to make my own USB cables! craigrob (1722) Press F1
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231660 2004-04-23 22:43:00 I would like to know if it's possible to make my own usb extension cables as I would like to make a couple of real long ones about 10mtrs. Have already looked at DickSmiths but he doesn't have any cable or plugs! craigrob (1722)
231661 2004-04-23 23:31:00 Are you aware of the physical limitations of USB cable length?

Over about 5 m its unlikely to work, as voltage support and signal timing tend to fail.

The data rate is quite high, so distance is short.

USB 2.0 would be shorter still from a timing perspective I would guess.

I have seen "active" USB cables that have built in repeaters to buffer and regenerate the signal, to avoid the timing issues. Expensive though. They allow up to 25 m using 5 such repeaters in a row.

www.starmount.co.uk
godfather (25)
231662 2004-04-24 02:35:00 couldn't you use a powered USB hub? just thinking it may act as a repeater as such?

- David
DangerousDave (697)
231663 2004-04-24 03:03:00 Just for my interest, why would you need/want to use a 10m long USB cable? ~~~~~ s y ~~~~~ (2054)
231664 2004-04-24 03:08:00 Jaycar have the plugs. DSE have the "engineering drawings" on their web site. The twisting of the data pair is probably critical. But the maximum length is probably the killer ... it will be specified for collision handling in the protocol. You might get away with it. Graham L (2)
231665 2004-04-25 20:58:00 Thanks everybody,
I wanted the extra length for game controllers so I could play my MAME games in the lounge on the TV. Doesn't look like I will be able to do it.....I wonder if there is another way.........
craigrob (1722)
231666 2004-04-25 22:52:00 i too would be very interested to know if you can make up your own usb cables?? I know about the limitations of usb but i cant seem to find the connectors and the cables?? does anyone know where to get these?? Budda (2736)
231667 2004-04-25 22:58:00 > Thanks everybody,
> I wanted the extra length for game controllers so I
> could play my MAME games in the lounge on the TV.
> Doesn't look like I will be able to do it.....I
> wonder if there is another way.........


Get a wireless gamepad.
metla (154)
231668 2004-04-26 03:38:00 There was a Q&A in atomic mag a while ago asking this question. The guy wanted to run his keyboard, mouse, sound and video from his computer to the lounge comprising of about 20m.

The solution for the USB cables... plug your USB cable into a USB-Ethernet converter and run ethernet cable (which lasts 200m) and reconvert it at the other end.

Better for permanent applications tho I think...
hamstar (4)
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