How long would PC cables have to be for lag?

[Joe750]

Here is what I want to do. I am buying and converting an old arcade cabinet to MAME (TV and USB joystick), but I don't want to buy another PC to sit in it. This will be in my living room, and I want to run it from the PC in my bedroom. My question is, when playing games and such out there through a 50 ft keyboard/s-video cable, will this work instantly or will there be a lag? Does anyone have experience with cables this long? Is there any way to go wireless with s-video or usb or ps/2 signal?
Thanks.

One more thing, ps/2 cable will work for mouse and keyboard, and can be made to carry USB siganl with an adapter, right? Just making sure because ps/2 extension cable is 1/10th that of USB.

 

[ChefJoe]

Lag will not be a concern if you're using physical wires. You should, however, be concerned about signal strength and interference over such long distances.

 

[nimo]

Well a 50ft video cable may cause some problems
Wireless video under 100ft is not a problem
Here is one site:
www.rflinktech.com

 

[Joe750]

does anyone have any experience with 50 ft cables? I am more worried about the ps/2 having enough strength, I think the s-video should be ok, right?

 

[Joe750]

I anyone is wondering, I think I found my answer to at least one issue: USB without a booster are good for 16 feet. You can link up to 4 of these, bridging the 50 feet, at a cost of about $100. But ps/2, who know. I will dig deeper.

 

[mrman3k]

I doubt PS/2 would have enough strength to go for 50ft. Keep us posted!

 

[Joe750]

This company sells 100 ft ps/2, why would they sell it it if nobody could use it? Anybody?
Linky
And Belkin make a 50 that claims "excellent data transmission" and "no data loss"

Belkin

why would they sell it it if nobody could use it? Anybody?

I know s-video will travel, even if it gets fuzzy. I know audio will travel virtually forever. But this ps/2 thing, it's the last mystery! Some techie settle this once and for all!

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: Joe750
This company sells 100 ft ps/2, why would they sell it it if nobody could use it? Anybody?
Linky
And Belkin make a 50 that claims "excellent data transmission" and "no data loss"

Belkin

why would they sell it it if nobody could use it? Anybody?

I know s-video will travel, even if it gets fuzzy. I know audio will travel virtually forever. But this ps/2 thing, it's the last mystery! Some techie settle this once and for all!

I get poor data transmission from less than 10 ft with a wireless keyboard and mouse. Personally, I wouldn't put too much stock in the "excellent data transmission" and "no data loss" claims.

 

[ChefJoe]

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus

Originally posted by: Joe750
This company sells 100 ft ps/2, why would they sell it it if nobody could use it? Anybody?
Linky
And Belkin make a 50 that claims "excellent data transmission" and "no data loss"

Belkin

why would they sell it it if nobody could use it? Anybody?

I know s-video will travel, even if it gets fuzzy. I know audio will travel virtually forever. But this ps/2 thing, it's the last mystery! Some techie settle this once and for all!

I get poor data transmission from less than 10 ft with a wireless keyboard and mouse. Personally, I wouldn't put too much stock in the "excellent data transmission" and "no data loss" claims.

Those claims are for physical wires..... I think Joe's (reasonably) passed on the wireless and is considering physical wires.

Joe, I suggest you get the minimum cable length needed and see if that works for you. With video, I'd be concerned if it were a monitor, but for a TV, you may be ok. With keyboard and mouse, I would guess you'll be ok (these aren't very sophisticated interfaces) with PS2 but I wouldn't try it with a serial connection like USB.

 

[Joe750]

Thanks all, and I think this is the final wrappup (but don't hesitate to add!)

USB: Good for 16 feet (5m) unboosted, but every 5m after that you need a special "replicator", available for $15 on eBay.
PS/2: With lengths available up to 100 ft, it is hopeful that 50 ft will offer good response time
Audio: 1/8th cable audio should transmit for any reasonable distance, according to everyone I have talked to
S-video: Signal WILL get fuzzy after 20 ft or so, but when you are talking about PC to TV signal, it is fuzzy after 1 foot.

Hope this helps any would-be TheaterPC builders. I will keep everyone up to date, I am going to try this, it should only be about a $60 error if it fails. -Joe