USB and HDMI / Displayport interconnectors and wiring

[lesthegrngo]

I'm trying to put all the 12v and 5v power supplies, USB hubs, and power distribution via C13 sockets into the box structure I am making to raise the current screen to a level that isn't obscured by the dash. The intention is to cut down on wiring and rationalise everything to make it easy and avoid incorrect or reversed connections

I will also put in the master Mega, and make an interface board with keyed RS485 sockets, likewise the 12v and 5v sockets will be keyed plus I will make them in switchable banks to make it easy to connect what is needed 

The intention is also to do the same for the HDMI, Displayportand USB ports. The intention would be

HDMI - two HDMI inputs, from PC, then inside to HDMI out sockets; I will be using an HDMI splitter inside to port to at least four 1080p / 720p small screens

Displayport - two inputs and two output sockets

USB - this is more complicated. I want a dedicated Master Mega USB connection. I am assuming that USB 3 is not a prerequisite however I do want it to connect to the motherboard USB sockets to prevent hub issues. Unfortunately it seems that my PC will fail to boot if the Mega is connected, but I am not aware of any way to make this as a switchable socket so while it's not ideal it looks like that will have to remain a 'pull the plug' option

As for the remaing USB connections, I am assuming a good powered hub will be suffcicient, and again don't believe that there is any need for USB 3, although there is nothing stopping me from putting in one USB2.0 and one USB 3.0 hub.

This brings me to the question of the connectors for the DP / HDMI and USB. There are panel mount double ended sockets for all these, but I need to know whether they will cause any issues. For example, will the USB ones work equally for USB 2.0 and USB 30, or are they different somehow? 

Any advice on setups and what to avoid would be gratefully received, and if I have forgotten anything please let me know

 

Les

[Scott-S6]

USB3 is 9pin where USB2 is 4pin. You'll either need different panel connectors or you could go 9pin for all of them (they're backwards compatible).

HDMI splitters won't do what I think you're looking for. They duplicate the video feed, not extend it. You'll still have one display as far as your pc is concerned and all of the displays connected to the splitter will show the same duplicated output.

Re the pull the plug issue, you can get powered hubs that disconnect when turned off, rather than just turning off the power and leaving the devices connected like the cheap ones do (dangerous if you're using a powered hub because the devices attached will draw more than the port can supply). You could also wire the in and out ports to each other yourself with a switch between them.

Edited November 8, 2022 by Scott-S6

[lesthegrngo]

As it happens I was asking about splitters and extenders a short while back, and was directed to this

https://www.amazon.co.uk/StarTech-com-USB-HDMI-Adapter-Converter/dp/B09BJWGPXR/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=RNSVV5C3C0DO&keywords=startech%2Bquad%2Bhdmi&qid=1666526021&qu=eyJxc2MiOiIwLjAwIiwicXNhIjoiMC4wMCIsInFzcCI6IjAuMDAifQ%3D%3D&sprefix=startech%2Bquad%2Bhdmi%2Caps%2C74&sr=8-1-spons&th=1

it does actually extend, so maybe of use to you?

Thanks for the info on both the hub and the USB pin stuff. I'm actually struggling to think of any devices other than the extender that uses USB 3.0, so that may end up simplifying things

Cheers

 

Les

[Scott-S6]

I suggested that you, it's not an HDMI splitter.

In your OP you said you wanted to drive 4 HDMI displays from two HDMI connectors using splitters. That doesn't work. You'd have display1+2 showing the same thing and display3+4 showing the same thing. HDMI splitters ought to be called HDMI duplicators or something.

[lesthegrngo]

I suspect that we are at crossed purposes on the terminology, probably caused by me not explaining myself correctly.

I don't intend to split an HDMI signal, that's a misnomer; I intend to split the extended desktop, so what I should be looking at is the USB3.0 input from the PC to then output to the four small monitors, each one showing a different part of the desktop. I believe that the devise specified above does that, correct?

With the HDMI  (and Displayport) I want 6 panel mounted female sockets that are female to female, one each on the input panel and another located to optimise where the outputs for the HDMI /DP go. The extender jobbie above would connect to the inside of four of these HDMI sockets before short HDMI cables are attached between them and the small screens, while either the remaining HDMI or DP connectors would then have cables going to the main TV or monitor. That would be the original signal from the Graphics card

My worry is that the multiple connectors could be an issue for the smaller screens

Cheers

Les