How many USB device are YOU using?

[WuNgUn]

Jeez...so far, I have;

Powermate
DLink BT dongle
DVD Drive
Lilliput touch screen
OBD-II scanner
TPMS
GPS reciever
(I feel like I'm missing something here!)

In the near future,

Phidget servo controller
maybe an Phidget interface device as well...
MadHacker CarButtons USB device

This is all thru 4 onboard USB ports (nForce2 chipset) and an Adaptec 4-port PCI adapter.

It seems the TPMS, when plugged in, cause severe missing/stuttering in the audio (I use AudioMulch and/or CONSOLE as well) when the PC boots up/resumes. When it's unplugged, and the PC boots, the audio is fine...
The CPU meter in AudioMulch goes in and out of the red when this happens, but CPU utilization (in the task manager) usually only sees under 60% use, and rarely goes over that, and just briefly when it does...

I've tried all possible USB ports, swapping 'em around and retesting, but the best I can do is maybe get perfect audio once outta every three boots...maybe

I'm worried that adding more USB devices may make it worse...

Leaving the TPMS unplugged, and the audio is perfect every resume/boot...

[polo6979]

Here is my post on the same subject. This may help you a bit. I really need to find a good powered UBS hub. I am running out of USB ports.

Just how many USB connections do you have in your car?

[malaki86]

Hmmm - let's see:

Front of the truck (4 port unpowered hub with an active extension cable connected to sleeper hub):

BU-353 GPS Receiver
Sierra Wireless 395U Sprint Aircard
Keyboard/touchpad
Xenarc touchscreen

Truck sleeper (7 port powered hub):

HP Deskjet D1341 printer
4gig Thumbdrive
160gig portable hard drive
Media Center remote control
APC Backup (for monitoring)
XM-PCR XM receiver

When I do my system upgrade, I'll add another 4-port unpowered hub in the sleeper to plug in another keyboard/mouse and will probably move the MCE remote to that hub as well.

[Habious]

CarPC has 2 USB ports.

Powered hub up front in center console connected via active extension cable:
- Egronomic Touchpad
- Mini Keyboard
- Space Navigator
- Bluetooth adapter



Powered 8-port USB hub in rear, connected via "regular" USB cable;

- Turtle Beach Micro sound card (audio output)
- Generic USB sound card (used for HD Radio)
- USB-to-Serial adapter for HD Radio
- ELM 327 OBD-II-to-USB adapter
- MJS Gadgets Sirius-to-USB

I feel like I'm missing something (just doing this list from memory). I don't think I have 3 free ports in the rear but, I can only think of 5 things!

[polo6979]

How are you guys powering your USB hubs?

[WuNgUn]

Originally Posted by polo6979

How are you guys powering your USB hubs?

Since upgrading to a M4-ATX, I'm gonna use my left over M2-ATX up front for any 12V (touchscreen) and 5V (USB Hub) hardware...

[HiJack]

I am using all 8 onboard USB ports. Connected to one of those is a 7 port hub which is also full. I then have a PCI 2.0 USB card, and I am using 2 of those, and the other 2 are currently empty. So in total I have 20 USB ports, and I am using 17 of them. I will say though that the more devices you have the longer boot time you have. i have a fast system with fast post so it doesnt really bother me. About 6 seconds from hibernation, and about 12 seconds from cold boot.

[HiJack]

Originally Posted by WuNgUn

Jeez...so far, I have;

Powermate
DLink BT dongle
DVD Drive
Lilliput touch screen
OBD-II scanner
TPMS
GPS reciever
(I feel like I'm missing something here!)

In the near future,

Phidget servo controller
maybe an Phidget interface device as well...
MadHacker CarButtons USB device

This is all thru 4 onboard USB ports (nForce2 chipset) and an Adaptec 4-port PCI adapter.

It seems the TPMS, when plugged in, cause severe missing/stuttering in the audio (I use AudioMulch and/or CONSOLE as well) when the PC boots up/resumes. When it's unplugged, and the PC boots, the audio is fine...
The CPU meter in AudioMulch goes in and out of the red when this happens, but CPU utilization (in the task manager) usually only sees under 60% use, and rarely goes over that, and just briefly when it does...

I've tried all possible USB ports, swapping 'em around and retesting, but the best I can do is maybe get perfect audio once outta every three boots...maybe

I'm worried that adding more USB devices may make it worse...

Leaving the TPMS unplugged, and the audio is perfect every resume/boot...

About the stuttering..... I would put all the stuff that doesnt send alot of data and the soundcard on one usb area. The way i did mine is i put my sound blaster live on the PCI USB card, since it kept giving me a bandwidth error when i used with onboard ports. I then put everything else on the onboard usb ports. Only thing plugged into the PCI is also a BT dongle. The sound card is able to run at 24 bits. Where as before it would only run at 16 bits and sound like a record player.

So on the onboard card, I have all touchscreens (3), Ps3 thumpads (3), belkin wifi (1), sprint air card (1), GPS (1), TPMS (1), Line Selector (1), Logitech controllers (2), and a receiver for my mice (1).

On the PCI USB ports, Sound Blaster Live (1), and Kensington BT Dongle (1).... 2 ports left open.

I also plan on adding a webcam for instant messaging for the rear seats..... that will most likely go on the PCI card also....

[jdmagoo]

For those who want a powered solution for there USB hubs and other 5V dependant devices check this out.
USB Syncroized 5V@10A power supply POL. Now Taking Orders!!! - MP3Car.com

I have ordered mine and should be arriving in the next couple of weeks. I know $80.00 sounds a lot, but where else can you get a 12V to 5V power converter that outputs up to 10amps!!! for that size? Also, the switching occurs well above the audible range that we can here; so there shouldnt be any noise issues

Jesse is the name of the guy, and his email support is the best ive seen; he will be also selling them at mp3car but im sure the prices will be dearer.

[gto_paul]

Hi All,

I've got problems with devices sharing unpowered hubs as i'm up to 11 devices so far with one to be added soon.

I've had an idea, has anyone tried to power a hub from one of the spare harddisk/Cdrom power connectors? as one of these is 5V I think, it would also need to be extended and a different plug or hard wired into the hub.

I might try it over the weekend.

Just some food for thought......

Paul


USB DEVICES

Keyboard
Mouse/trackball
Steering Wheel Controls
USB Wifi
USB Broadband
GPS
DVD Writer
Radio
Bluetooth
USB Stick (now and again)
Mobile Phone (soon to be removed)
USB OBD Connection (To be added)