Long USB Cable Help

[sthapns247]

I am looking to run a long USB cable (about 20ft) from my computer to an area I have set up to run Twitch streams from. Ideally I want to have an audio interface, webcam, and Elgato Stream Deck connected to this USB cable through a HUB. Obviously my biggest concern is power as all of these devices will be drawing power from the HUB. Because of the length (and lack of USB ports on the host machine) I don't really want to run multiple cables, so I am looking for single-cable solutions.

It can be either USB2 or USB3. I have an opportunity along the run to boost the power over the cable through a wall outlet (if I got some sort of powered repeater), but don't know if that will help or be enough. I could run a separate power cable to the HUB, but this isn't an ideal solution as I want to limit the number of cable I have running under/around/behind furniture etc... but it is an option.

I'm also open to non-USB solutions, if any exist.

Here are the devices I am looking to plug in:
Audio Interface:
https://www.amazon.com/Behringer-UMC202HD-BEHRINGER-U-PHORIA/dp/B00QHURUBE?pd_rd_wg=hiSWe&pd_rd_r=f48e05e6-8ee4-4892-a756-178c92eebaed&pd_rd_w=TsKRX&ref_=pd_gw_cartx&pf_rd_r=XDTV1EG62R9F4X92H3RM&pf_rd_p=6b27b606-ba71-500d-b5f8-3510f86504b4

Camera:
https://www.amazon.com/Logitech-Widescreen-Calling-Recording-Desktop/dp/B006JH8T3S/ref=sr_1_2?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1527002876&sr=1-2&keywords=logitech+c920+hd+pro+webcam

Stream Deck:
https://www.amazon.com/Elgato-Stream-Deck-Controller-customizable/dp/B06XKNZT1P/ref=sr_1_3?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1527002909&sr=1-3&keywords=stream+deck

They are all USB2, so any one of them alone will run fine, but together they exceed the power output of the USB cable (I have tried running the interface and the stream deck together already and it's a no-go even on a short cable run).

Any advice would be appreciate!

 

[InvalidError]

If you want to remain within the USB specs, you can't use cables longer than 15' between the host and a hub. To reduce the likelihood of running into cable length issues, you'll have to use an extra hub around the 10' mark to regenerate the USB signals. This middle hub can be bus-powered, just make sure your "streaming desk" hub is self-powered from its own adapter so it doesn't load the long cable down.

 

[10tacle]

I concur with InvalidError: there is no single cable solution here in your application. This is why powered USB hubs exist.

 

[sthapns247]

I concur with InvalidError: there is no single cable solution here in your application. This is why powered USB hubs exist.

I already said I know I'm going to need a USB HUB at the end of the run (already have one), but right now it's not powered because I'd need to run a 15ft power cable. Is this my only real solution outside of running 3 separate USB cables for each device?

Anything outside of USB, like a converter or something?

 

[InvalidError]

I already said I know I'm going to need a USB HUB at the end of the run (already have one), but right now it's not powered because I'd need to run a 15ft power cable. Is this my only real solution outside of running 3 separate USB cables for each device?

Running three separate 20' USB cables may not work at all for some devices due to signal integrity and USB bus voltage droop issues on the excessively long cables.

As for converters, range extenders and other similar devices, those usually require auxiliary power at the far end, so you aren't getting away from needing to run some form of additional or custom wiring for remote site power.

 

[10tacle]

I already said I know I'm going to need a USB HUB at the end of the run (already have one), but right now it's not powered because I'd need to run a 15ft power cable. Is this my only real solution outside of running 3 separate USB cables for each device? Anything outside of USB, like a converter or something?

You have two other non-powered options:

1) USB repeater cable from your PC which effectively acts like a single port USB hub. You can connect a 10' 3.0 cable or 15' 2.0 cable to it (them). But that's still one cable per device.

2) USB over Ethernet adapter kit where you can connect both USB points with an Ethernet patch cable for whatever length you need. They are affordable too: https://www.amazon.com/HDE-over-Extension-Cable-Adapter/dp/B004XYEXX4

Now regarding #2, what I do not know is if you can use that connection with a non-powered USB hub from the source or next to the devices and then plug in all your devices running them on a single Ethernet line without performance degradation (or if it would work at all). If your devices are USB only powered, meaning they do not have their own power adapter, that may not work for you.