Oculus DK2 HDMI/USB Extension Configurations

[smadansingh]

Hey all,

I'm looking for some advice from anyone who has successfully extended their cables on the Oculus DK2 for use in a standing/walking environment.

From what I understand online, there's been plenty of hits-and-misses when it comes to specific HDMI extenders (active v. passive), and of specific lengths.

If you've had success (or failures) extending your Oculus setup, do you mind sharing the specific components that were used, and to what end?

• How far did you run the cables?
• What adapters/repeaters did you use? (Model no. and/or links)
• Did you have any problems?
• Etc.

Any assistance is greatly appreciated! Thank you!

[performlabrit]

Good question! I've just purchased these hi speed hdmi cables in 10 ft and 30 ft. The 10 ft work fine, but the 30 foot are not recognized by the Rift Runtime.

Aurum Ultra Series - High Speed HDMI Extension Cable Male - Female (1.5 Ft) With Ethernet - CL2 Certified - Supports 3D & Audio Return Channel [Latest Version] - 1.5 Feet


I would be curious to try HDMI extenders via ethernet out. Ethernet cables are lighter than HDMI, and will interfere with movement less. I've done this before with HDMI, on an NVIS rig that required two cables with great success.

I'm also curious about wireless options, but shy away from the added latency.

[mape2k]

We've been using an 30m DVI extension cable along with the DK1. We recently upgraded to the DK2 and are awaiting an HDMI -> DVI adapter to test it out. I will post here once we could test our setup.

[Erikvdb]

Originally Posted by performlabrit

I'm also curious about wireless options, but shy away from the added latency.

Wireless is a big no-go with the DK2, unfortunately, because the screen has a native resolution of 1080x1920 (1080p in portrait), which isn't supported by any HDMI streaming device on the market <_<.
The latency would be pretty manageable, by the way, I have a wireless setup for the DK1 and that works fine.

In regards to a wired setup, I know a DVI extension cable (with HDMI adapter at the end) will work fine like mape2k suggested, but like performlabrit I'm also curious about the ethernet option. That would be a great lightweight alternative.

[performlabrit]

I've also tried extension over the ATEN CAT5 DVI Extender:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

This works with a shorter cable of approximately 12 feet, but not for a cable of 25 feet.

[performlabrit]

Also, I've just tried using a rather long DVI extension with HDMI adapter, and it does not work. Not sure of cable length, but I'll estimate at 30 feet.

[mape2k]

We could not get the DK2 to run with our HDMI->DVI extension cable.

We will switch to an ethernet option, will keep you guys posted on the progress!

[performlabrit]

Got a blue light on the Oculus with a 15 feet ethernet extension through the ATEN CAT5 extender . I haven't played with it yet - I will report on image quality issues (if any) later.

Note that this setup also requires an hdmi female to dvi female couple.

[smadansingh]

performlabrit and mape2k

Any luck with your ethernet extension experiments? Many thanks!

[mape2k]

Sorry for the late reply, totally forgot to post here!

Soo, we were successful with an active HDMI extension cable of 15m length:

http://www.conrad.de/ce/de/product/8...150325094556:s

We also used an active USB extension cable, I would think that those are not as crucial as the HDMI extension.

Best,
mape

[smadansingh]

Just to follow up, we purchased a 15ft Aurum cable from the amazon link above (reposted at the end) and it is working splendidly.

Thanks everyone for their help!

SM

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[zorgblaubaer]

How are you all extending usb and the camera link cable?

I already tried 3 different (active and passive) usb extender cables, but only a very short one of maybe 30cm seems to work for me.

[performlabrit]

For USB:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004AGX4YO/

For the camera, I suggest you combine a USB extender with this:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B009C3CJG4/

I use this solution to extend my integrated SMI eye-tracker.

[envi253]

Originally Posted by mape2k

Sorry for the late reply, totally forgot to post here!

Soo, we were successful with an active HDMI extension cable of 15m length:

http://www.conrad.de/ce/de/product/8...150325094556:s

We also used an active USB extension cable, I would think that those are not as crucial as the HDMI extension.

Best,
mape

Hey mape2k,
Excited to hear your solution is working for you.
What else did you use in the setup? Do I need a female-female adaptor or some kind of other adaptor to connect it to the oculus?

best regards,
envi253

[performlabrit]

I've had some intermittent trouble with the Aurum cable.

Good news, though: a friend turned me onto a more reliable solution: an HDMI cable with redmere technology. These cables are available on Amazon.com, and can come in the ultra-thin variety (as thin as the oculus style cable).

I've only tried this 20 ft cable with success. This one is standard thickness, though.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...ilpage_o01_s00

Note that it's a male/male, so you will need a coupler:

http://www.amazon.com/Cable-Matters%...s=hdmi+coupler

Thanks!

[lancetabak]

I would recommend using active HDMI Extender units over cat6 cable. I have used a few HDMI Extender products from KVMSwitchTech and they work well.

[willpower2727]

We use 25 foot usb/hmdi cables with repeaters on our DK2, no issues whatsoever. We do use a DVI to hdmi adapter right at the PC.

Here's links to the cables we use:

USB: https://www.amazon.com/C2G-Cables-Go.../dp/B00B3329AW

The usb cable has its' own built in adapter. The HDMI is a regular 25' HDMI and we purchased a repeater...

HDMI repeater: https://www.amazon.com/Tripp-Lite-Eq.../dp/B000N5YF9Y

We do not have to provide external power for the hdmi repeater.

[emilymartin986]

You can use a HDBaseT HDMI extender for your application. These units support full 1080p up to 330ft. I would check Part # HDMIEXT3D-100M .

[demoonlee]

For USB 3.0 extender, I use FireNEX-uLINK from Newnex: https://www.newnex.com/firenex-ulink...ater-cable.php

They can do USB 3.0+2.0 active extension for up to 50 ft.