GetUSB.info researches USB products every day from every corner of the internet. Although we don’t publish about those finds each day the research goes on with a filter geared towards bring value to our visitors.
Over the past six weeks we have seen an increased number of products listed as a USB splitter and it’s worth posting an explanation about what a USB splitter is, or might be.
A USB splitter does not split the USB signal. The most common use of the term “splitter” is a phone splitter for an analog signal. Meaning you can take a single phone line and use a splitter to get the same analog signal on two phones, at the same time. A USB splitter is not this – at all.
A USB splitter should truly be called a USB hub. A USB hub is comprised of an upstream port and multiple down-stream ports. The upstream port is the signal coming into the hub, the down-stream port(s) are the ports available to get that information. Key word here is “available to get” because not all ports are equally available to get the same upstream signal, simultaneously.
For example, if you have audio playing from your PC to a USB speaker, a hub will not automatically split that audio signal to multiple USB speakers connected to that hub. Same would go for video and data. You cannot split USB signals to multiple devices automatically.
To call a USB hub a USB splitter is a very poor choice of words. In fact, we would consider this a red flag for not buying product from a supplier who uses such a term to describe a USB hub.
There is a USB-Y cable which is the closest thing which could be considered a splitter. A USB-Y cable has two connectors from the upstream port to a single downstream port; however, both of those upstream ports do not transmit data. One connector transmits the data and power and the second connector transmits only power. For example, it is very common to get an external hard drive (a disk drive, not solid state) which comes with a USB-Y cable. This setup is designed to pull the maximum power from the host (your PC) using two connections and send as much power as possible to the device, the external hard drive.
Looking at the image above, the idea would be connecting two USB A cables to two USB ports on the host computer and the single USB-A connector to the device. This setup will provide additional power to the USB peripheral device.
Did you buy one of those ultra-thin laptops and fall in love with the light weight, sleek size and powerful processor? Yet, sit there not be able to use all its power because you don’t have the ports to connect what you want? The 9 in 1 USB-C hub will solve your problems. You can do almost anything with it, just like your desktop.
The USB-C hub allows you to connect a monitor, speakers, headphones, SD card and 10BseT network cable at home (very useful). The hardwired Ethernet cable connection is clutch, but the other thing which is valuable to me is connecting a spare VGA monitor for a second screen.
The 9 in 1 hub is compact, lightweight (like my laptop) and well built. The hub consists of wedged shaped aluminum tube with the taller side featuring the video ports. A circuit board is suspended inside by plastic inserts that also serve to align and cover the gaps in each port. The two end caps are press fitted into the tube without any additional adhesive. I doubt the device will fall apart if dropped, but if it does, easy enough to snap back together.
Understanding the quality of a product requires one to take it apart and see how it’s manufacturer. The hub disassembles easily by popping off the plastic cap over the Ethernet port. The board inside then slides out without effort. The cap on the cable end can be removed to complete disassembly but is not required to full access the board. The USB-C cable is wired to the board through some form of displacement connector and secured with adhesive. The shielding on the cable is also ungrounded thus add minimal functional. Fortunately the cable is short enough it should have minimal effect on signal reliability.
All major components, other than the DAC, are older but from recognized manufacturers. The hub is wired with 2 of the 4 USB-C high speed lanes assigned to USB and the remaining lanes assigned to Display Port. This means USB operates without compromise while DP is limited to 2 lanes. This means higher bandwidth operation such as 4K 60Hz is not possible. The on-board 3A DC converter should supply ample power to all components. There should be no issues operating all ports simultaneously assuming low power USB devices are used.
The USB hub supports 2.4A fast charging; thus charging a single device quickly maybe possible. However, the hub itself is limited to 3A so charging multiple devices at high speeds will not work.
The HDMI output is limited to HDMI 1.4. But all non-3D HDMI display modes within the spec should be supported.
VGA output works in both widescreen (16:9) 1080p and 4:3 UXGA
Card reader functions simultaneously with both Micro SD and full size
2-Ch DAC functions requires output from HDMI. It converts HDMI audio to analog 2-ch output.
Ethernet uses both link detection and EEE to conserve power both when idle and while operating. Shorter Ethernet cables/connection should result in less heat generated. Ethernet also supports various wake functions.
Satechi, a company based in San Diego California unveils a new USB hub for the 2018 iPad Pro.
Designed specifically for 2018 iPad Pro to conveniently access peripheral devices while on the go.
Featuring stunning 4K 30Hz HDMI display (2K 60Hz limitation for iPad Pro), USB-C PD 3.0 charging, USB 3.0 (up to 5 Gb/s) and 3.5mm headphone jack, all over a single USB-C connection. The USB 3.0 socket is the only USB port which transmits data, the USB-C socket sends only power. It’s worth noting the power features USB-C Power Delivery 3.0 charging, so it will deliver optimal power to the connected device while your iPad is churning through 4K video on some other application.
The hub is well designed an in-line with Apple’s design standards. This isn’t a chunking add on to your new iPad.
Satechi is offering the USB hub at $59 and you have the option of two colors while ordering: Silver or Space Grey.
With the single USB-C port of the new MacBook laptop we knew a power station and/or dock station was right behind. Here is a Kickstarter compaign to address the single port computer and connecting all your peripheral gadgets to your new computer.
The ultimate dock station will power and charge your system using USB’s new Power Delivery specification, while providing an additional alternate mode video output up to 4K resolution, gigabit Ethernet, audio input/output, and 4 USB ports. The tall slender design of the dock station packs a number of sockets to support any type of peripheral you need to connect.
In addition, the USB 3.1 Type-C specification supports a feature called “VESA Alternate Mode” which works with the built-in graphics processor on supported systems to provide video output at resolutions up to 4K. This is particularly important given the up-tick in TVs and monitors which are being released with a 4K specification. The other two display outputs in the Ultimate Dock are enabled by the DisplayLink DL-3900 graphics processor, which can support two additional 1080P displays at 60Hz. The DisplayLink driver is still in development, but the Kickstarter campaign claims the driver will have a final release by the time the dock station hits full production.
The Plugable Ultimate USB-C Universal Docking Station supports:
The Alesis IO Dock is a great product for iPad musicians – this small hack makes it even greater. It overcomes one limitation of the IO Dock: You can’t simply hook it to a USB hub. So I decided to build in an additional hub – which allows me to hook up additional class-compliant interfaces like my M-Audio Axiom master keyboard, and power them via the hub.
Yes, it works. No, it hasn’t been thoroughly tested yet. So try at your own risk.
Full Tutorial (nice)
Continue Reading
Satechi introduces a very nice looking four port USB 2.0 hub. Not much to announce as for technology inovation when it comes to USB hubs, but at least this gives the user a fresh, clean look to the peripheral and matches the Mac sh!t to a tee.
Source:Â Satechi online store.
Continue Reading
Just last week GetUSB.info reported on a solar charging USB hub and a USB power strip and for noting more than to recharge your gadgets. It’s clear that USB is the common thread in recharging – and moving forward I only expect this trend to continue.
Speaking of continue, now we have a 13 port USB hub which fits right into your 5.25″ computer bay. I do say, the picture is inviting enough to get this add-on component and integrate it into your tower, but then we’ve got two questions for you. 1) Don’t most people use laptops these days and 2) Imagine all the cables coming out of this thing. I say this because you’ll quickly realize the ports are much too close for anything but cables. Even the most slim USB stick would have a hard time fitting into each port.
What I do like about the design is the power connection you can make to the internal power supply of your PC. This means the 13 port USB hub will support larger devices with more power thurst…say hard drives and large 64GB flash drives.
The 13 port hub isn’t on sale yet, but will be in late August 2010. Pricing was not given. Here is a link you can bookmark to check availability.
Will this USB hub give you chub? With 13 ports all rolled up into one case, it’s a gadget lovers dream to power all those things USB. In addition iMONO went green with giving us the ability to turn off a port and save energy going to a device.
A quick glance through the specifications shows that an external power adapter is not available so you might run low on the bus powered juice if you’ve got too many power hungry gadgets [say several USB hard drives], but for powering your MP3 players, sticks, and humping dogs, should be ideal.
The 13 port hub runs for $30.
Continue Reading
We’ve seen the first step in USB 3.0 which is the USB host controller. This gives motherboards the opportunity for USB 3.0 devices to connect. Now we are starting to see other system support peripherals such as the USB 3.0 hub.
VIA announced their USB 3.0 four port hub this week just days before CES 2010. We fully expect others to make a similar announcement during the CES show, but VIA, thus far, has beat everyone to the punch.
The USB 3.0 hub supports 4 downstream ports and one upstream port. The board is powered via AC and VIA claims to have improved the power management in the USB 3.0 hubs to allow attached devices to enter into a lower power state when not being used. The chip itself is based on advanced 80nm CMOS technology which makes it a more power efficient USB hub controller.
VIA did indicate the USB 3.0 hub is not only backward compatible, but also supports the full 5Gb/s transfer rate USB 3.0 calls for. No word on price, but I’m forecasting a 50% increase in price over traditional USB hubs.
If Nexcopy where to make a movie about USB duplicators and data loading USB flash drives, this would be the movie trailer to draw in attention.
Clearly, it would be ‘the most boring’ movie in the world, but I’ll have to admit the movie trailer is quite impressive given the mundane product.
Nexcopy did a good job of putting a unique spin on their product announcement for the new 40 and 60 port USB duplicators via a movie trailer. The 1 minute video gives you just enough information to peak your interest, yet doesn’t bore you enough to click away.
The high definition version is posted on youtube, but you’ll get the point from this:
Click to learn more about the Nexcopy USB duplicator and SD duplicator solutions and their all new 40 and 60 port solutions.
Source: Zedomax.
Continue Reading
Nexcopy just released two large USB duplicator systems that are 40 and 60 ports. Geared towards in-house USB duplication from fortune 500 companies, schools, universities and service bureaus, the Nexcopy units offer the largest PC based systems on the market.
It would be interesting to know how they got past the Windows drive letter limitation to reach the larger capacities. The two new USB duplicator systems are modular in design. Meaning you can start with a 20 port duplicator and expand it to 40 or 60 ports by simply adding more boxes. I like this feature because it allows the user to grow as their duplication requirements increase.
Nexcopy also mentions their new Data Collection feature. This is an interesting concept as it does the reverse of what you would think a USB duplicator is designed for. The Data Collection feature allows you to suck data OFF the USB stick and put the content to the host computer.
Continue Reading
Wouldn’t it be cool that whenever you plug in a USB device your computer would make an awesome artillery sound? I think it would – for at least the first 30 times – and so I found a solution for you. The USB hub artillery gun.
This hub looks very cool and plays a three second sound effect upon connection of a USB device. This really had me…until I read it was USB 1.1 compliant. I didn’t know China was still cranking out USB with ONLY 1.1 support…especially with USB SuperSpeed just around the corner.
The 1.1 spec means this USB hub artillery gun is really only good for mice, keyboards and other slow input devices. Meaning you wont get the awesome sound effects all that often. Still, it might be worth the
Continue Reading