| For the past ten years USB and FireWire have | | | | 80 feet between your computer and USB device. |
| struggled to dominate the desktop interface | | | | They are available in USB 1.1 (12 Mbps) and USB |
| market. Until five years ago, because of the | | | | 2.0 (480 Mbps). |
| relatively fast 400 Mbps offered by FireWire, | | | | For most USB extensions 80 feet is long enough, |
| USB, jokingly referred to as Ultra Slow Bandwidth, | | | | but what if you need to go further? Super USB |
| was relegated to low-bandwidth applications such | | | | Extenders allow you to extend the distance to |
| as keyboards and mice. At the end of 2001, | | | | your USB devices up to 150 feet with no loss in |
| however, USB dealt a fatal blow to FireWire with | | | | signal. The Super USB Extender uses similar |
| the release of the new USB 2.0 standard offering | | | | technology for the male and female interfaces, |
| a maximum speed of 480 Mbps, faster than the | | | | but rather than have a regular USB cable in the |
| theoretical limit of FireWire (though, in practice, | | | | middle, it uses a Cat 5 cable (also known as a |
| usually slower). | | | | networking cable). The advantage of Super USB |
| It seems that USB has essentially won the | | | | Extenders, other than the increased maximum |
| standards battle with FireWire because of its | | | | distance, is the ability to create a custom length. |
| relative low-cost and high availability. The limitation | | | | If you need to go 63 feet, for example, you can |
| of USB (both the 1.1 and 2.0 standards popular | | | | simply use a Super USB Extender with a 63 foot |
| today) is the 16 foot limit. When you have more | | | | Cat 5 Cable between the booster and receiver. |
| than 16 feet between your computer and your | | | | Super USB Extenders are also available in USB 1.1 |
| USB device you will see significant degradation in | | | | and 2.0 interfaces. |
| the signal that can cause problems ranging from | | | | If you are looking for a connection beyond 150 |
| slower transmission speeds to an entirely dropped | | | | feet, many manufacturers offer a special Super |
| connection. This causes problems for people who | | | | USB Extender capable of USB transfer with no |
| want to run a USB cable to a printer located in | | | | signal loss at 330 feet, though this is limited to |
| another room, to a presentation keyboard/mouse | | | | USB 1.1. Black Box has created a USB 1.1 |
| combo or any other USB device that may be in a | | | | extender capable of transmission up to 1000 feet |
| remote location. | | | | without signal loss, perfect for connecting your |
| The cheapest (and arguably easiest) way to | | | | computer to a security camera or webcam |
| extend the distance to your USB device is by | | | | hundreds of feet away from your computer. |
| using a USB Active Extension Cable. These cables | | | | Another exciting innovation for USB extension |
| have built-in USB repeaters that actually boost the | | | | technology is the pending release of Wireless USB. |
| USB signal, allowing you to go further than the 16 | | | | Wireless USB hubs and devices are anticipated to |
| foot maximum distance. The most common | | | | show up in early 2006 with maximum distances |
| length for these cables is 16 feet and you can | | | | over 100 feet. Keep in mind that this is the first |
| chain up to four of these together with no loss in | | | | release and as the technology matures this |
| signal. Assuming you are using the longest USB | | | | distance limitation will inevitably be lifted in favor |
| device cable available (also 16 feet), USB Active | | | | of much further distances. |
| Extension Cables allow for a maximum distance of | | | | |