Double Controller Extensions?

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SirJoshuaTimothy
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Double Controller Extensions?

Post by SirJoshuaTimothy »

Does anyone know if you can double up on controller extenders for various systems? I have a gap of 15' between my consoles and couch and I'm afraid of signal loss.
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Erik_Twice
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Re: Double Controller Extensions?

Post by Erik_Twice »

I guess you can. Also there's no such thing as signal loss, the console will increase the amperage needed.
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Inazuma
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Re: Double Controller Extensions?

Post by Inazuma »

I've used double controller extensions for various systems myself and all of them worked perfectly. I think I have a gap of about 15' as well.
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Re: Double Controller Extensions?

Post by Limewater »

General_Norris wrote:Also there's no such thing as signal loss, the console will increase the amperage needed.
This is not true at all. Signal loss is a very real concern in a lot of applications.

Increasing current through a signal line from the controller would actually make signal loss more likely. What you really want is as little current as possible.

Anyway, two extensions on a controller is probably alright. They aren't typically high speed devices, so they should be pretty tolerant of long signal paths.
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Re: Double Controller Extensions?

Post by Hobie-wan »

Indeed, there might be a little more lag but it will likely still work. I doubt it will be a problem unless you're a frame accurate fighting game monster.
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Re: Double Controller Extensions?

Post by Niode »

Hobie-wan wrote:Indeed, there might be a little more lag but it will likely still work. I doubt it will be a problem unless you're a frame accurate fighting game monster.
Lag is probably still less than what is seen on current wireless controllers.

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SirJoshuaTimothy
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Re: Double Controller Extensions?

Post by SirJoshuaTimothy »

Thanks everyone, I'm going to go ahead and order the cables. I was a little hesitant because I once hooked up two headphone jack extenders and the audio dropped out.
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Re: Double Controller Extensions?

Post by Erik_Twice »

Limewater wrote:Increasing current through a signal line from the controller would actually make signal loss more likely. What you really want is as little current as possible.
And what would cause that signal loss? Because you are not going to see interferences on a digital format until you are frying the controller.

He can hook up ten extensions and the amperage would barely raise anyways.


@Hobie-wan

I doubt that adding one meter to something that runs at the speed of light is noticiable.
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Re: Double Controller Extensions?

Post by Limewater »

General_Norris wrote: And what would cause that signal loss? Because you are not going to see interferences on a digital format until you are frying the controller.
V = IR.

The controller cable has a resistance, and each connector has a lot more. With enough cable and connectors, the "high" voltage (either 5V or 3.3V) will be below the "high" threshold when it hits the console and won't register.

That's, of course, assuming that they aren't doing any phase coding on the contoller signal, but I think that's a safe assumption. IIRC, phase coding would make things a little more robust.
He can hook up ten extensions and the amperage would barely raise anyways.
Again, higher current through the control line would cause MORE signal loss, not less.

I doubt that adding one meter to something that runs at the speed of light is noticiable.
It doesn't actually travel at the speed of light, but I think you're right here. The control is likely only polled 50 or 60 times per second. There won't be any real extra lag.
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