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Thread: USB over twisted pair (CAT5)

  1. #1
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    Default USB over twisted pair (CAT5)

    To not further clutter SBK's for sale thread (http://www.photonlexicon.com/forums/...n-19-quot-rack), let's continue the discussion here.

  2. #2
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    how would you get say 6-8 fb3's working over a single cat5 cable
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  3. #3
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    The Startech extender is the only one that has been tested succesfully with the FB3. It has 4 USB ports, but if you connect a powered USB hub to it, I was told it can support up to 8 FB3s.

    I have since learned that the Startech extender is actually made by a company called Icron. Icron also sells under their own brand name.

    Coincidence has it that I'm actually in the process of building 2 Peli cases with inbuilt Icron receiver and 4 FB3s per case (see attached pics). I just need to make a couple of flat cables to extend the DB25 connectors.
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails image.jpg  

    image.jpg  


  4. #4
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    looks good but not cheap
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  5. #5
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    The time and trouble this saves is more than worth the money IMO
    (and good that it doesn't look cheap, that's what I was going for )

  6. #6
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    agree, just saying for a usb extender its not cheap
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  7. #7
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    I paid less than €300 for the extender so not all that expensive too.
    No point in buying a cheap one if it doesn't work anyway

  8. #8
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    indeed why would you buy something that doesn't work
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  9. #9
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    I had really great success with a software-based solution, which converts USB over a standard TCP/IP network : USB Redirector. Well it's not exactly cheap (109 USD for 3 devices), but it works flawlessly, you really doesn't notice the signal goes through a network.

    Of course you need two computers, but it was my idea : an small and inexpensive embedded computer in the control rack (with some FB3, router, power distribution etc), and a laptop to the other end, for live shows.

    Beyond is installed on both, workspaces are cloud replicated, so both computers are the same => if you don't need much length (just to play a timeline show, etc), you can use the embedded computer with a touchscreen and a keyboard, using the FB3's of the rack with a direct USB connection.

  10. #10
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    Sebastien, in your case you could even use the TCP communications in Beyond. Every action you perform on either of the PCs with beyond is replicated on the other PC.

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