How do I make a working usb extension cord to extend 16 feet to a usb camera to connect to my computer?

Question

How do I make a working usb extension cord to extend 16 feet to a usb camera to connect to my computer?
I have ran a wire with a male usb end on it and a female connecting end at the other end, through my floor to a room below me. everything is wired correctly with the four stranded wire it needs to work.. all i did was cut a small one foot usb extension in half and put a 16 foot four stranded wire to bind the gap in the two ends of the usb wire.. If this is wired correctly, would my camera work to run it on my macbook? i have a built in i sight on this macbook and the software for this laptop is 10.5.8... if i connect my usb camera into my laptop, and turn on photobooth, it will pick up the video live from the camera instead of the built in i sight, and if i unplug the camera, it goes to the i sight... now all i have done is basically put a 16 wire in between the usb port on my laptop to my camera and it wont work... I know it is wired corectly.. but when i plug the camera in 16 feet away, it wont work, though it will light up for a second (the light on it). also i have put a flash drive on the other end of the wire and it has worked.. i think i might have power on the other end but maybe the data is not being transferred.... i know they make 15 foot usb extenders and they work but why cant i run the camera that i know works but wont seem to work on the other end of this wire?? please help.. Would soldering these wires make a much better connection even if they are twisted together? would a smaller gauge wire work better?

Answer 1

To answer the first part of this question - there are USB extenders you can buy.



To answer the second part ("will this work") - no, unless you're lucky. USB 1.1 cables have to be able to allow a data transfer speed of up to 12 Mbps (IIRC), and USB 2.0 cables have to allow up to 480 Mbps. If they don't, the device might not work. Unless you're sure that the type of cable you used has low enough resistance that it can sustain the required rate, I wouldn't even try it. Especially because you could probably break both the computer and the camera if something goes wrong.



I'd recommend just getting a kit.



A quick search turned up a regular 36-foot USB 2.0 extension cable for less than $24.



For the record, I noticed on Wikipedia that although technically it IS possible to reach the required speeds with copper wires, the speed required is close to the maximum speed that copper wires can attain (meaning that you may luck out, but there's no guarantee that it'll work 100% of the time and your wires may be getting hot).



So I would say that if you don't care (and/or if you're absolutely certain you know what you're doing, both with the soldering and the choice of cable) go ahead - this might be a good learning experience, and it *can* work. But if you don't know what you're doing and you don't want to risk damaging your equipment, or don't want to spend the time, then just go get a cable.

Answer 2

Hi there,



See the link below for information about specs of you rUSB.



Your problem ismay be one of none or improper shielding of your extension cable.

Or could be caused by voltage drop in the extension.



The #16 gauge wire should be large enough to handle the current; and yes soldering will help.



I believe you might be wise to make sure you have shielded cable and be careful to connect the shield properly



Remember the shield can only be connected at one end or a "ground loop" will be created that will cause interference. The specs state the shield should be connected at the host end so be advised.



If this does not work you might be better off to purchase a longer USB cable or even a cable extension. http://www.cwol.com/usb/92731.htm



Hope this helps,

Al

Answer 3

If you wired it correctly, and you're lucky, it will work. If not, you'll have to buy a 16 foot USB extension (probably a 25 foot one - they come in discrete lengths). You can't use just any wire, but some 4-wire cables would work.