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Does USB 2.0 Hi-Speed devices REQUIRES special USB cable?

post #1 of 10
8/24/09 at 9:35pm
Thread Starter 
I just bought a new Western Digital My Passport 750GB portable HDD. It came with a USB cable (as usual), but on it it said "HIGH SPEED USB REVISION 2.0".

Does this means that ALL USB 2.0 Hi-Speed devices (CD-ROM, HDD, etc.) requires cable that state the above to achieve the highest speed?

I have tons of USB cables laying around from devices I bought from 2000 onward and most of them didn't state anything like the above.

The last thing I want is bought a USB 2.0 Hi-Speed devices but suffer the performance due to the cable.
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post #2 of 10
8/24/09 at 11:00pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by lanwarrior View Post
I just bought a new Western Digital My Passport 750GB portable HDD. It came with a USB cable (as usual), but on it it said "HIGH SPEED USB REVISION 2.0".

Does this means that ALL USB 2.0 Hi-Speed devices (CD-ROM, HDD, etc.) requires cable that state the above to achieve the highest speed?

I have tons of USB cables laying around from devices I bought from 2000 onward and most of them didn't state anything like the above.

The last thing I want is bought a USB 2.0 Hi-Speed devices but suffer the performance due to the cable.
I don't know for sure because I haven't investigated it, but yes. There are some specifications that the cables require to meet in order to work properly.
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post #3 of 10
8/24/09 at 11:05pm
Thread Starter 
I just went through the piles of USB cables I had And none of em state te above. Crap, now I don't know which one is which, given that I have 5 Hi-Speed USB 2.0 device. I have been using the device's original cables interchangeably.
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post #4 of 10
8/24/09 at 11:13pm
OK, I researched a little bit and apparently...

In the USB 1.x specification:
There are full speed cables and low speed cables.

In the USB 2.0 specification:
All cables are high speed.

Both USB specifications (1.x and 2.0) use the same type of cable (same internal construction). So as long as your USB 1.x cables are Full Speed, they should work with USB 2.0 devices.

Cheers!
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post #5 of 10
8/24/09 at 11:22pm
Thread Starter 
Hey, thanks for the information! That's really helpful. Hopefully your post can help others as well!
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post #6 of 10
8/25/09 at 12:54am
OK I researched hours ago. If you are talking less than 3 meters no it does not matter. The real answer is no. If you are doing multiple connections, sure. But why would you even ask? If you knew such a specialized application.
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post #7 of 10
8/25/09 at 8:11am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by powerpack View Post
OK I researched hours ago. If you are talking less than 3 meters no it does not matter. The real answer is no. If you are doing multiple connections, sure. But why would you even ask? If you knew such a specialized application.
I am not sure what you meant. My question was: if I connect a USB cable that did not state Hi-Speed USB 2.0 to a USB 2.0 device, would the speed decreased.

Of course, I am connecting far less than 3 meters.
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post #8 of 10
8/25/09 at 8:52am
I go with powerpack regarding the speed would not make any differences (decreasing) if less than 3m; but I personally would think that the device attached to the other end might have a hard time of being recognized.

cheers ...
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post #9 of 10
8/25/09 at 1:44pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by lanwarrior View Post
I am not sure what you meant. My question was: if I connect a USB cable that did not state Hi-Speed USB 2.0 to a USB 2.0 device, would the speed decreased.

Of course, I am connecting far less than 3 meters.
In my first answer I was just covering myself so if someone came in with a bunch of specifics/exceptions I would not be shot down.

I know this from the past when the 1.1/2.0 transition was new. The answer to your question is no. Having said that I researched and yes there are or at least can be differences. It has to do with the rated resistance. That is why the 3 meter is brought up. If you stay at or under you should get the same performance. The USB 2.0 cables though should let you go 5 meters. That said a cable that does not say USB 2.0 might in fact work fine. But at least was not tested or spec'd as such at 5 meters.

So no real world it does not matter you will get the same performance for the most part USB 2.0 cables are a gimmick to charge more. Just tested at greater length than most of us would need, 3 meters is more than I need.

From my reading last night USB 3.0 is an entire different answer that I am currently not on top of.
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post #10 of 10
8/25/09 at 2:38pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by powerpack View Post
So no real world it does not matter you will get the same performance for the most part USB 2.0 cables are a gimmick to charge more. Just tested at greater length than most of us would need, 3 meters is more than I need.

From my reading last night USB 3.0 is an entire different answer that I am currently not on top of.
I think you are right. He shouldn't have any problems.

I think the quality of the cable could cause more problems than if it is for USB 1.x or 2.0.

And yes, USB 3.0 will use a different cable.
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