Best way to connect a keyboard to a computer 40 feet away?

Factual Questions
1

It would actually require about 50 feet of cable, since it would have to go through the ceiling.

2

Radio? I have a Logitech wireless keyboard and mouse that weren’t all that expensive.

3

Why do you want to do such a thing? How are you going to read the monitor if you’re 40 feet away?

4

Binoculars?

5

Servants I reckon, “James what the hell did Google come up with for my porn big busted twins query?”

6

Most of the wireless keyboard/mouse units I have seen advertise a range of about 10 feet. You may get lucky and have it work that far away, or you may be able to find some way to boost the range.

I have to ask, along with the others, “Why?”

7

My guess is to control iTunes or some other music program, I use my Logitech keyboard in the living room to control songs. The comp is in the dining room, but the couch is more comfy to listen on.

8

Wireless keyboard/mouse combo, with USB.

Add a USB extension cord.

Run cord from PC through ceiling to near location.

Install receiver unit for keyboard/mouse at location in convenient spot.

Use keyboard as normal.

9

If you want to control a program like iTunes or other media player, look into a remote control that works with your video card. eBay Link

10

Well, the monitor is 40 feet away, too; I just didn’t need help with that.

I have heard of USB extension cables, but this site seems to be saying (if I understand them) not to use them, and to use Ethernet or serial instead.

11

Typically, an KVM Extender video is used, which will also include the video. This particular one goes over cat 5 (twisted pair) cable.

12

Thanks for the link, TokyoPlayer. That may be what I need.

13

You also might want to look into USB-over-CAT5 products like this one. That way you can add a mouse or other peripheral at the far end easily without having to run more wires. Just use a USB hub.

14

DIN5 AT Cable
Din5 Female to Mini6 PS/2
Din5 Male to Mini6 PS/2

Found at http://www.mc3llc.com/

The part #'s are in the image names.

15

Logitech makes a bluetooth keyboard(expensive! ~100$). My friend has used it through walls and such. 40 feet seems in reason.

16

Thanks all. I think ParentalAdvisory has found the cheapest solution. A Bluetooth keyboard may work, but does Linux support Bluetooth HIDs?

17

Hold on a minute. ParentalAdvisory, your site also sells a 50 foot PS2 cable (CC321-50S). Why can’t I use that?

18

Now I’m confused. I really thought that cables like USB, PS2, and DIN5 couldn’t go more than a few feet, which is why I started this thread. Would a 50 foot cable require a booster or something?

19

PS/2 cables may be extended quite a length (as I found out when I ordered what I believed to be 1.5 metre keyboard extension cables, and they turned out to be 15 metre (they were listed as 15m, but they were cheaper than the 1.8m cables - I figured there was just a missing decimal point).

So I’ve used PS/2 mice and keyboards across 15 metres of extention cable (that’s ~45 feet). I can’t imagine another 5 feet would kill it - I’ll try plugging two together in series tomorrow.
USB has a rather short limit (5m or so), but there are various ways to extend it.

20

If your objective is to control a computer or monitor from afar using a keyboard, there are ways to do that without attaching a keyboard directly to the computer. pcAnywhere comes to mind.