No cables are required to transmit USB 2.0 signals up to 100 feet in distance with the new Wireless USB Extender from Gefen.
This sender/receiver system delivers cable-free USB connectivity and is designed to offer a useful, plug and play method of removing USB devices from the computer station. It is effective in extending typical computer peripherals such as keyboard/mouse and printer with full operational functionality using a radio transmission based on 802.11a, b, g, n and Extreme USB technologies.
A solution for accessing the computer and powering devices in remote locations where running wires is undesirable, the cable-free extension solution transmits data at speeds up to 54 Mbps, providing an alternative to wired solutions.
The product requires no installation of USB drivers so the set-up is simplified, requiring a short cable connection of the sender to the computer, and the wireless 4-port hub/receiver to the extended USB devices. A wireless transmission between sender and receiver replaces the cables of yesterday; 5v power supplies drive local and remote operation.
The Gefen Wireless USB Extender works well for cross-platform computer systems including Mac OSX, Windows XP, Windows VISTA and Linux.
Features:
• Provides the freedom to operate up to four USB 2.0 peripherals away from the USB source
• Extends any USB device up to 100 feet away from the USB source
• Saves space on your desktop
• Supports both low and hi-speed USB peripherals (1.1 and 2.0)
• Supports PC platforms XP, Vista, Unix, Linux and Mac OSX
• Eliminates computer noise in the work area
Specifications
• USB speeds up to 54Mbps
• USB Connections: USB type A
• 2x Power Supply 5V DC
• Power Consumption: 10 watts (max)
• Dimensions (Sender): 4.33″W x 1.10″H x 2.72″D
• Dimensions (Receiver): 4.33″W x 1.10″H x 2.72″D
• Shipping Weight: 4 lbs.
The MSRP is US$399.
More information here.
or just do the same thing through an airport extreme…
and yet another reason why USB 2 will not be subdued by Firewire.
No mention whatsoever of encryption on their webpage and tech specs. Hmmm… I’ll hold off on purchasing just yet.
$399 is ridiculous….
One problem, most people cant see what they are doing on a monitor 100 feet away unless the screen is projected and really big or you are using binoculars. So you won’t be using keyboards and mice on it. If you aren’t using a projector then you’ll have to run the monitor cable (though yes there are a few ways to send a signal wirelessly to a screen). So the only sound reason I see for this is to wirelessly connect to a printer, and in that case just get airport express, its cheaper.
“No cables are required to transmit USB 2.0 signals up to 100 feet in distance with the new Wireless USB Extender from Gefen.”
No cables, that is, but for the one you attach to your computer to the receiver…
“• Eliminates computer noise in the work area”
Good. I can finally get rid of all thoes noisy cables I have running all over the place!
We have had this built into every PC for the past 8.25 years!
http://fakesteveballmer.blogspot.com
Probably more of a proof-of-concept at this stage, than viable consumer product. $399 is just to expensive, but I applaud the creativity is converting USB2 signals into wi-fi and back again. Very smart.
Ridiculous price
Yeah, but the product sounds good to me. And plugging into an Airport Extreme does not seem to be the same to me, unless you can plug this thing into an Airport Extreme. I can see that being functional for me. Airport Extreme in the attic. Printer in the office. Wireless connection to AE. And four perihperals connected to AE wirelessly and then shared on the network? Would a hard drive remote from an AE also work? Price does seem too high, but, if this really works, sounds pretty good to me.
Wonder how much MDN got paid for putting this “news story” up…
Clever idea… great way to hide a printer, but a wireless printserver, or airport extreme will do just fine for a fraction of the price.
I for one don’t mind having my peripherals close to my computer, so a 7 port high-speed hub for $30 is more my taste.
Airport Extreme does 2 printers and a 1 TB hard drive at about 35 feet just fine for me.