USB 2 + network cable

sjk123

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5 Dec 2007 - 5:50 PM

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Hi all,
strange question but after a bit of advice before i unpack the second HD .
i have a media system that i use on the t.v linked to the computer .
it runs on my netgear router as i want the HD as a network drive aswell to store stuff . and to play on the tv.
i have it linked at the moment using a network cable ,but it seems to be a bit slow .
today i got a second HD that plugs in to my router and has a usb to plug in the back of the media system . .
what i'm asking is will this be a better way of running the media system or will it be the same as using the network cable.
thanks.
simon

Badger

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5 Dec 2007 - 8:23 PM

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Quote: Usb2 and network cable (rj45) are almost the same, i think rj45 has the edge and is better over a longer distance

Steve, USB cables are not made from CAT5 cabling, which is the cable normally used for network cabling. CAT5 has 4 pairs, each twisted together, then twisted around each other to reduce interference and terminated with the RJ45 connector, where as the cable used in USB leads is shielded to reduce inteference. Two very different types of connection.

Simon, for home installs using a wireless router I'd suggest the USB option to connect locally stored devices, as it is quicker than CAT5 cable terminated with RJ45 connectors.

The speed of transfer will always be that of the slowest point in the connection, likely to be the wireless section.

Just my humble opinion.

steve_kershaw

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5 Dec 2007 - 9:02 PM

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mat
in the trade you refer to it as cat5 or cat5udp, i put the reference rj45 as most laypersons (and shop assistants) have never herd of cat5, but you ask for a rj45 lead or rj45 patch lead and you will get one
you can get shielded cat5 cable,
the pairs are terminated crossing the pairs, 3&5 if i remember, to reduce bleeding,
you are correct about the speed, the cat5 is governed by the ethernet card and router, probably 100mbs, whereas usb2 can supposedly run up to 400mbs, i had been told in reality the speeds for file trance fares run very similar

i have never seen long (20/30m) usb wires for sale, and have always done my own cat5, so i suppose i dismissed the usb :-(

anyway gigabit switches/routers are now becoming common and cat6 is available, all we need is a gigabit Internet connection lol

dougv (Site Moderator)

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5 Dec 2007 - 10:01 PM

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CAT6?
Got a roll in my garage.

GPTek (e2 Member)

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5 Dec 2007 - 11:42 PM

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Quote: i have never seen long (20/30m) usb wires for sale

You won't (or shouldn't) - the spec for USB is a max cable length of 5m without a repeater. I've seen USB1 to Cat5 converters work well, but they're effectively just repeaters at each end of the Cat5

Geoff

sjk123

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6 Dec 2007 - 8:50 AM

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i only have one problem with the set up now . and that is you have to unplug the usb to use the network connection .
bit of a pain but i don't need it working on the t.v all the time but do on the computer .
is there a HD out there that switches between the two with out unplugging the usb . then i can put it in the loft and forget about it .