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