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I want to have my server in the basement do double duty and install XBMC on it for use in my bedroom upstairs. The basement is unfinished so I can run some hdmi/spdif/usb cables without too much of an issue. The problem is they need to go almost 30 feet. That shouldn't be a problem for the hdmi and optical digital cables but it seems the maximum length for USB cable specs is 15 feet. I can't even find cables over 15 feet so I'll have to buy a couple and hook them together.
Before I waste my time buying all the cables and running them only to find out it won't work, is anyone successfully running a usb cable twice the max recommended distance and using it for a mce remote/keyboard/mouse?
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I had a 20M run from one room to the next working ok
I was using three 5m Usb repeaters plus the lead on the usb receiver was very long as well.
Andy
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Do repeaters or cat5 extenders cause a delay? Like will you push a button on the remote and then it takes half a second for it to respond?
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Livin
Posting Freak
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Any length of wire, technically, will cause a delay - that is just physics... so yes.
The better question is will you notice it... not likely. Delay will be measured in milliseconds.
I'm not an expert but I play one at work.
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Just toss a cheap ass hub between the cables and you should be fine. The delay should be significantly below 1ms.
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There are unpowered ones? Seems useless... I've honestly never used a USB hub.
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Topher
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Another option is an IR repeater (not an extender). If you keep an eye on ebay, they can be found pretty cheap.
My htpc, receiver & satellite stb are at the back of my home theatre. I tried those IR extenders, but they worked hit & miss. I then purchased a Xantech repeater system.
You place a small IR sensor in an inconspicuous spot (I placed mine behind the grill of my centre speaker) & run cheap cat-5 cable to a powered distribution block. The run can be up to 500'. IR emitters are plugged into that & stuck over the IR sensors of your equipment. More IR sensors can be added so your system can be controlled from multiple locations.
I use mine to control the htpc, receiver, satellite box, X10 controlled lights & hopefully soon, the front door. Since it's wired & not RF, it always works.
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Livin
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I have a few IR repeaters for sale if you want to go that route I'll sell it to you cheap.
let me know.
I'm not an expert but I play one at work.
