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WD15 or DS1000 extension type-c cable
Hi to everybody.
I have some WD15 and DS1000 docking station, connected to many latitude. Basically they should be the same hardware. I have also a couple of WD19 docking station, a more recent hardware.
Because I need to add an half meter of length for connection, my question is: what is a type-c extension cable that is working by sure? Have you direct successfuly experience?
I tested a couple of extension cable namely described as Usb-c PD 100W 3.2 Gen 1 and Gen 2 (10 Gbps) 4k@60Hz and this kind of cable do not work on WD15/DS1000 permitting only the video transfer to both monitor and the network connectiob but no any usb perpherals (keyboard, mouse and webcam) and audio exit.
On the contrary, these cables work perfectly if used as extesion of the type c cable of the WD19 docking station.
Why? I always read that USB 3.2 shouls be fully retro compatible with the USB 3.1 and 3.0 (or 3.1 Gen 1, etc).
I also suspected the special feature of the WD15/DS1000 to allow to supply power up to 130W, even if I do kot need to go over 90W. So, maybe I could use an extension cable e-marked up to 240W as Power delivery, in addition to 10-20-40 Gbps and 8K@60Hz?
Finally, the power cord of my WD15 is already very long, enough long in some case: then, can I mount a WD15 cable on a DS1000 dock? I suppose no, because the propretary connector is different. But it demonstrates that a longer cable is technically possibile.
Thanks in advance to whom contribute to the discussion.
Tatolino
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February 22nd, 2024 15:40
@delvo_69
The problem lies with the interface cable: it's physically not able to carry any data signal further than 1m/3ft.
No matter what you add to its end, you can use the fastest and most capable extension cable and it won't work because the signal degrades too much beyond the first 1m/3ft distance. It won't be a problem for the video and ethernet signal, using a different frequency they can travel much further, that's why the setup works with your monitor. Data, ethernet and video even use different wires inside the cable.
What you need is a data signal repeater, something that can actively enhance the signal and relay it farther. That is what an ACTIVE cable does.
Are you absolutely positive that you have bought an ACTIVE cable?
Can you post here a link to the product you have purchased? Just to make absolutely sure it is the right kind of cable.
Again, I can't stress it enough, no matter how high performance your extension cable is, unless it's an active cable it won't make a difference.
And even then we'll have to pray it works, because the female-to-female adapter in between adds to the uncertainty.
While browsing for different solutions I came across this USB4 active cable:
40Gbps Active USB4 Cable - 3m (cablematters.com)
It seems to have an even broader compatibility than the TB4 cable I previously posted a link for.
Tatolino
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February 19th, 2024 14:53
Hi @delvo_69
unfortunately there is no way of extending the WD15 connection cable, due to the technical limitations of the USB cable used for the WD15 interface that do not allow data to transfer any further than that.
To reach any distance beyond that, an active extension cable will be needed, and it's something you could try.
However I am not aware of any active male-to-female USBC/TB cable, I was only able to find active male-to-male ones, so you would need to place a female-to-female adapter in between, adding a new obstacle to the signal... which is something that makes me question the feasibility.
But there are some female-to-female adapters (also called couplers) that allegedly offer even 240W PD compatibility, so there's at least some hope.
I couldn't find any active USBC cable that would support anything higher than 60W PD, but I suppose a TB cable should work just the same.
For instance, [Intel Certified] Braided Thunderbolt 4 (40Gbps) USB-C Cable with 100W Charging - 2m/6.6ft (cablematters.com)
And here where it states backward compatibility with USB-C and all of its features:
I have also looked up this very similar item from the highly reliable Startech.com:
6ft Thunderbolt 4 Cable, 40Gbps, 100W - Thunderbolt 3 Cables and Adapters | StarTech.com
As for the female-to-female adapter:
Amazon.com: Poyiccot USB C Female to Female Adapter, USB C Coupler 240W Power Delivery, 40Gbps USB C Female to Female Coupler with 8K@60Hz Video Display Compatible for iPad, MacBook,Thunderbolt 4/3 (2Pack) : Electronics
I haven't tested any of this myself, but I believe it's worth trying.
Keep in mind that anything you buy, you can return.
That being said, how long is the cable on your WD15?
Come to think of it, tt shouldn't be shorter than the one on the DS1000, it should be about 1m/3ft long. Although I don't have a DS1000 stand, so I can't be 100% sure.
Are you sure your WD15 is using the original cable, and it's not been replaced with a cable from a Thunderbolt model?
This is the cable from several TB docking stations (TB15, TB16) that is also backward compatible with the WD15 docking station, DP/N 05T73G:
It's about 0.5m/1.3ft long.
While the original WD15 cable, DP/N 0HFXN4 is this one and it's 1m/3ft long.
delvo_69
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February 19th, 2024 16:21
Hi @Tatolino and thank you very much for your replay and your contribution.
What you suggest is exactly what I have in mind and the only attempt I'm able to think as candidate to a possible solution of the problem. And I'm just waiting a male-male cable for 240W-40Gbps-8k@60Hz connection and a female-female adapter.
My main question is just wondering if somebody else had already tested this combination before me! being this need, maybe, not so rare!
I know very well the different possibilities about the length of the WD15 type-c cable but my problem is two DS1000 docking stations that have a very short cable, even if the hardware inside is identical to the WD15, and the cable is embedded and is not so straigth its replacemente such as in the WD15 case.
(Modificato)
Tatolino
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February 19th, 2024 17:08
@delvo_69
My bad, I completely misunderstood your question about the DS1000.
Unfortunately there is nothing you can do about it, cables cannot be replaced.
As for the cable extension you ordered, make sure it is an ACTIVE cable, the usual passive ones won't work.
And let us know how it goes!
delvo_69
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February 22nd, 2024 15:01
Then, I tried with a new cable, compatible and marked for 240W-8K@Hz-20Gbps connections , with a female-female adapter and......no way!
The cable combined with the adapter works perfectly with both a WD19 dock and a P2422HE monitor dock.
On the contrary, both with a WD15 dock and DS1000 dock, only video/monitors and network are ok (and, very strange!, only with a specific side of the type c connector!...if I turn upside down, it don't works again) but no USB and audio.
For me, it remains inexplicable. The WD15/DS1000 is stated as a USB 3.1 Gen 1 connection, why do not work with cable certified for this protocol and more?
If a cable works with the more recent WD19, it should works also with the previous model!
Why no any "official" info are available from Dell on this point? I believe to be not the first one to have the need to extend the cable of the WD15 dock, very popular since more than 10 years
delvo_69
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February 23rd, 2024 08:25
Ok, now I better understood your argumentation and discussion, and I agree that the best (and only!) candidate should be an active USB4 cable
I tried with some different cables, also with a good Cable Matters cable one, but it was not an active one!
I checked the one (3 meter) you suggest and I found it on Amzon, togheter with only another one 2 meter from Belkin, and both are priced about 70 euros!...it is really too much for my need to have about 20-30 cm extension! and only to have a better path of the cable! ....(and we do not have any warranty of success, even with this expensive solution!)
So, in this situation, the cable will stay in tha actual straigth path from the dock to the laptop, even if it is not perfect estetically!!!!
(Modificato)
Tatolino
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February 23rd, 2024 18:30
@delvo_69
I am really sorry, unfortunately active cables are always quite long... and pricey.