Doable? 20-32' active USB extension for PC controllers

[YoshiM]

I 'd like to play PC games on my LCD TV in the living room. My PC is next door in the bedroom and I can get a long HDMI cable. Thing is I want to use either my Xbox 360 wired controller or my flight stick to play games so a USB extension is the only option. I know I can get an "active" USB extension cable which I've read would theoretically work but I'm wondering if anyone else has a similar set up and how they get their PC game on with a big screen.

Thanks!

[dendawg]

It could theoretically work, but I'd be worried about signal degradation in a cable that long. Maybe relocate your PC closer to the tv?

[YoshiM]

It could theoretically work, but I'd be worried about signal degradation in a cable that long. Maybe relocate your PC closer to the tv?

I thought of that but I really don't want to for a myriad of minor reasons.

I know if I get a wireless xbox 360 controller for Windows that would probably solve my problem but I don't really want to drop the $50 or so dollars on another controller when the corded works so well. I'd almost have to measure as it has to go along half my back bedroom wall (6 feet?), out the door and around the corner, behind the stereo (on a microwave cart I think I've had for about 22 years-still solid!), behind the TV stand, through the shelving and maybe enough so I can connect the 9' cord of the controller from my chair.

[WCP]

I have two long usb extensions from Monoprice. They are powered USB repeater things. Unfortunately, if I use the Xbox 360 controller with certain games and one of these extensions, I'll sometimes get problems. Usually one of the extenders will work fine, but once in awhile, there will be a game that will cause the controller to freak out and loose connection.

When I try to daisy chain the two extenders together, I typically encounter even more issues.

It's kinda game by game.

[Jorpho]

I know if I get a wireless xbox 360 controller for Windows that would probably solve my problem but I don't really want to drop the $50 or so dollars on another controller when the corded works so well. I'd almost have to measure as it has to go along half my back bedroom wall (6 feet?), out the door and around the corner, behind the stereo (on a microwave cart I think I've had for about 22 years-still solid!), behind the TV stand, through the shelving and maybe enough so I can connect the 9' cord of the controller from my chair.You can also use a PS3 controller in Windows with unofficial drivers. It works with a standard Bluetooth receiver.

[BetaWolf47]

I'd be more worried about input lag at that distance than anything else.

[camarotuner]

If you're going to do this, have the cable made to length don't try and chain them together. Everytime you would chain one usb to another that's one more potential place for the connection to fail. If you have the cable made to length it will (theoretically) give you a more stable connection. It'll also leave you with a 30 foot long usb cord to reel back in, I don't have a good idea for that one.

[WCP]

If you're going to do this, have the cable made to length don't try and chain them together. Everytime you would chain one usb to another that's one more potential place for the connection to fail. If you have the cable made to length it will (theoretically) give you a more stable connection. It'll also leave you with a 30 foot long usb cord to reel back in, I don't have a good idea for that one.

Supposedly, if they are powered usb repeaters, they should work daisy chained, but the controller will sometimes freak out.

Standard usb only works for like 20 feet, and then you pretty much have to use powered repeaters I think. Although, it's been awhile since I was looking into the same kind of solution.

[camarotuner]

Supposedly, if they are powered usb repeaters, they should work daisy chained, but the controller will sometimes freak out.

Standard usb only works for like 20 feet, and then you pretty much have to use powered repeaters I think. Although, it's been awhile since I was looking into the same kind of solution.

You know to be honest I'm not sure the maximum length you can make a USB cable, so that's a fair point. I know I personally used longer than 20 foot cables to attach accessories to a computer in an office we set up but I'm guessing there is a difference between a printer and a controller.

[Gameguy]

From what I can find the maximum length for USB cable to still be usable is 5 meters, which is about 16 feet.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USB#Cabling