USB cable

[Craig]

How can I identify a USB cable is USB1.1 or USB 2.0 compliant? I have
several cables but couldn't figure out.
Craig

 

[GTS]

If they're not marked, there's no sure way to tell. A USB 2 cable can
always be used with USB 1. Most "USB 1" cables work fine with USB 2. The
difference is one of manufacturing quality. It is possible that a poor
quality older cable might have a problem with USB 2 speed, though it's not
that all that common.

 

[Alan]

How can I identify a USB cable is USB1.1 or USB 2.0 compliant? I have
several cables but couldn't figure out.
Craig

My understanding is that the cables are the same. USB 2.0 at the
"host/master end" has a greater power capacity, i.e. more watts, then USB
1.1.
Alan

 

[BigRedWingsFan]

My understanding is that the cables are the same. USB 2.0 at the
"host/master end" has a greater power capacity, i.e. more watts, then USB
1.1.

I have an older PC with USB 1. Can I use USB 2 products (i.e external CD-RW
drive, etc.)?

Marty

 

[Alan]

I have an older PC with USB 1. Can I use USB 2 products (i.e external CD-RW
drive, etc.)?

Marty

It very much depends how much power the device consumes and what else you
have connected to the other USB ports - mouse/keyboard etc. I suggest you
Google for both USB specs and then see if 1.1 is up to what the external
drive requires.
Alan

 

[BigRedWingsFan]

It very much depends how much power the device consumes and what else you
have connected to the other USB ports - mouse/keyboard etc. I suggest you
Google for both USB specs and then see if 1.1 is up to what the external
drive requires.

Would it make a difference since I have a 4-way USB hub with its own power
source?

Marty

 

[GTS]

My understanding is that the cables are the same. USB 2.0 at the
"host/master end" has a greater power capacity, i.e. more watts, then USB
1.1.
Alan

That's not correct. USB 2 cables tend to have better shielding and better
quality conductors to operate at the higher bandwidth. The issue is the
data signal, not the electrical capacity.

 

[GTS]

I have an older PC with USB 1. Can I use USB 2 products (i.e external
CD-RW
drive, etc.)?

Yes. USB 2 devices are backward compatible. Of course they will only run
at USB 1 speed in this situation. That limits external CD-RW burning to 4X,
for example. You can buy a USB 2 PCI card for about $15 to add USB 2
capability to an older PC.

 

[GTS]

I have an older PC with USB 1. Can I use USB 2 products (i.e external

Would it make a difference since I have a 4-way USB hub with its own power
source?

The issue of power supply for USB devices is basically the same with either
version of USB. It must be adequate for the devices attached. A powered
USB hub is generally fine (barring something unusual like using 4 power
heavy devices on the same hub).

 

[BigRedWingsFan]

The issue of power supply for USB devices is basically the same with
either version of USB. It must be adequate for the devices attached. A
powered USB hub is generally fine (barring something unusual like using 4
power heavy devices on the same hub).

Thanks! My CD-RW died and I was thinking of getting an external one but
wasn't sure of the compatibility with the USB 2.0 device. I only use the
hub for my scanner and digital camera (only when downloading pictures) so I
shouldn't have any problems I wouldn't think.

 

[BigRedWingsFan]

Yes. USB 2 devices are backward compatible. Of course they will only run
at USB 1 speed in this situation. That limits external CD-RW burning to
4X, for example. You can buy a USB 2 PCI card for about $15 to add USB 2
capability to an older PC.

Thank you very much.

 

[GTS]

USB

Thank you very much.

You're welcome.

 

[Craig]

.The issue is the data signal, not the electrical capacity

Could you please elaborate a little further what does the above line
mean (to novice).?
Thank you. Craig

 

[Craig]

----- Original Message -----
From: "GTS" <x>
Newsgroups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.newusers
Sent: Saturday, September 23, 2006 8:33 PM
Subject: Re: USB cable

 

[GTS]

Serial data communications involve sending bits (binary digits) 0's or 1's
by changing voltages on the line. That may involve thousands of transitions
per second. The ability to discretely encode and decode such signals
becomes more difficult at higher speeds and the quality of the cable becomes
increasingly important.

Reasons for that include vulnerability to interference, the fact that
voltage transitions through a wire generate an electromagnetic field that in
itself affect signals, etc. Issues like quality of the shielding of the
cable, twists per inch in the case of twisted pair network cables, and
others come into play. I'm not an engineer and this is quite an involved
issue, but I hope that's of some value in answering your question.
--