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    USB Extension question

    Discussion in 'Accessories' started by kafro, Jul 14, 2010.

  1. kafro

    kafro Notebook Geek

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    I bought a Logitech webcam but its USB cable is only 1ft long so I bought a 15ft USB extender. I have a 1ft USB extender that I use with the webcam now with no problems but with the 15ft extender my computer won't recognize the webcam. It says, "USB Device cannot be recognized." I'm guessing the reason it works with the 1ft but not the 15ft is the drop in voltage over the 15ft? I tried cutting out 5ft of the USB cable but cutting it in half, stripping the wires, and twisting them back together but getting the same problem. Should I try making it into a 5ft cable and see if that works or is the cable just crap?

    Any thoughts, ideas, or something that has worked for you guys in the past?

    Thanks!
     
    kafro, Jul 14, 2010
    #1
  2. metril

    metril Notebook Deity

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    Try the extender with a powered usb hub.
     
    metril, Jul 14, 2010
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  3. kafro

    kafro Notebook Geek

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    I'm broke so just working with what I have. Just curious about the voltage drop thing over 15ft and if cutting it down to 5ft would even work in theory...
     
    kafro, Jul 14, 2010
    #3
  4. Dakins

    Dakins Notebook Evangelist

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    What are you doing with your webcam that requires a 15ft extension?
     
    Dakins, Jul 15, 2010
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  5. ViciousXUSMC

    ViciousXUSMC Master Viking NBR Reviewer

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    I think that its 10ft or 8ft or something like that for max usb cable length.

    A powered hub may work but if your computer is already giving sufficient power its not like its going to boost it further.

    My suggestions

    A.) It could be a bad extension cable try another one

    B.) Get a device like this https://stuntcams.com/shop/images/usb-wall-charger.jpg and also a usb splitter (like the kind that come with a usb powered hard drive) so you can get power directly from the wall close to the camera and see if the data can make it the full 15ft via the splitter.

    C.) Get a wireless camera or a camera station that is made for long distance surveillance.
     
    ViciousXUSMC, Jul 15, 2010
    #5
  6. dimm0k

    dimm0k Notebook Consultant

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    I would go with ViciousXUSMC's first suggestion... can you try this cable with some other device?
     
    dimm0k, Jul 15, 2010
    #6