USB Extenders

Cavallino · 20 Aug 2010 at 16:49

So I would like to extend my iPhone 3GS docking station, can I use a USB extender? Or is there some disadvantage?
Also same for my Sony PSP.

Thanks!

xJcBx · 20 Aug 2010 at 16:49

Don't see why not, any loss in data speed would be very minimal.

Tealc · 20 Aug 2010 at 17:00

No disadvantage other than having all that extra lead to hide somewhere. You can only extend USB leads so far before they wont work.

Cavallino · 20 Aug 2010 at 17:00

Many thanks folks.

admoo · 20 Aug 2010 at 17:22

I've got a five meter Belkin one, and it's fine, no slowdown or anything. I use it for my phone dock too

Cavallino · 20 Aug 2010 at 17:38

admoo said:
I've got a five meter Belkin one, and it's fine, no slowdown or anything. I use it for my phone dock too

Blimey 5 meters?!? Who so long?

SupermotoMX · 20 Aug 2010 at 17:50

anything past 5 meters and it can make your devices not work properly (loss of signal i expect)

Grumbledook · 20 Aug 2010 at 17:50

Cavallino said:
Blimey 5 meters?!? Who so long?

I am

admoo · 20 Aug 2010 at 18:19

Cavallino said:
Blimey 5 meters?!? Who so long?

Because I wanted the dock near by bed, and my computer is the opposite end of the room. So I have a 5m one routed round the back of my wardrobe and near my bedside table.

Grumbledook said:
I am

JamesTuc · 20 Aug 2010 at 18:46

I can vouch for 5m ones too, mine are cheapo ones and they work fine.

Skyrunner · 20 Aug 2010 at 19:23

SupermotoMX said:
anything past 5 meters and it can make your devices not work properly (loss of signal i expect)

It's actually for signal timing, USB times out if a response isn't received in a given period and over 5m the timings become tight for signal propagation, cable delays are in the region of 25ns, which is roughly that of 5M of copper in USB 2.0's spec.

Well worth reading the Advanced Black Magic, very long book on the subject!

johnny sublime · 20 Aug 2010 at 20:27

could try a usb hub if you want to connect a few things

Cavallino · 20 Aug 2010 at 22:53

Ive connected a couple of extenders. No problems! Thanks all!

mothermachine · 20 Aug 2010 at 23:12

just a word of caution - don't do any syncing or anything important with your iphone on the extended cables... do it straight into your machine.

don't want to risk bricking it.

Cavallino · 20 Aug 2010 at 23:58

Can that reall happen?
Also I only extended it by like 30cms or so.