# Best way to connect a keyboard to a computer 40 feet away? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [July 31, 2005, 8:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-way-to-connect-a-keyboard-to-a-computer-40-feet-away/314995 "2005-07-31T08:33:04Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![rkts](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c4cdca/32.png) [@rkts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rkts)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2005, 8:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-way-to-connect-a-keyboard-to-a-computer-40-feet-away/314995/1 "2005-07-31T08:33:04Z")
It would actually require about 50 feet of cable, since it would have to go through the ceiling. ---
**Author:** ![David\_Simmons](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9de053/32.png) [@David\_Simmons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/David_Simmons)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2005, 1:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-way-to-connect-a-keyboard-to-a-computer-40-feet-away/314995/2 "2005-07-31T13:01:25Z")
> [@rkts](#): > > It would actually require about 50 feet of cable, since it would have to go through the ceiling. Radio? I have a Logitech wireless keyboard and mouse that weren’t all that expensive. ---
**Author:** ![Athena](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/35a633/32.png) [@Athena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Athena)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2005, 1:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-way-to-connect-a-keyboard-to-a-computer-40-feet-away/314995/3 "2005-07-31T13:38:16Z")
Why do you want to do such a thing? How are you going to read the monitor if you’re 40 feet away? ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2005, 1:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-way-to-connect-a-keyboard-to-a-computer-40-feet-away/314995/4 "2005-07-31T13:46:20Z")
> [@Athena](#): > > How are you going to read the monitor if you’re 40 feet away? Binoculars? ---
**Author:** ![don\_t\_ask](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@don\_t\_ask](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/don_t_ask)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2005, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-way-to-connect-a-keyboard-to-a-computer-40-feet-away/314995/5 "2005-07-31T14:20:49Z")
> [@Athena](#): > > Why do you want to do such a thing? How are you going to read the monitor if you’re 40 feet away? Servants I reckon, “James what the hell did Google come up with for my porn big busted twins query?” ---
**Author:** ![FatBaldGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ecd19e/32.png) [@FatBaldGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FatBaldGuy)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2005, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-way-to-connect-a-keyboard-to-a-computer-40-feet-away/314995/6 "2005-07-31T15:45:50Z")
> [@David Simmons](#): > > Radio? I have a Logitech wireless keyboard and mouse that weren’t all that expensive. 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?” ---
**Author:** ![MikeG](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mikeg/32/4329_2.png) [@MikeG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MikeG)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2005, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-way-to-connect-a-keyboard-to-a-computer-40-feet-away/314995/7 "2005-07-31T15:52:41Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Phnord\_Prephect](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/df705f/32.png) [@Phnord\_Prephect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Phnord_Prephect)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2005, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-way-to-connect-a-keyboard-to-a-computer-40-feet-away/314995/8 "2005-07-31T15:55:33Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2005, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-way-to-connect-a-keyboard-to-a-computer-40-feet-away/314995/9 "2005-07-31T16:26:53Z")
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](http://search.ebay.com/remote_Computers-Networking_W0QQsofocusZbsQQsbrftogZ1QQcatrefZC3QQcatrefZC6QQfromZR10QQsacatZ58058QQcatrefZC6QQsargnZ-1QQsaslcZ2QQsadisZ200QQfposZQ5AIPQ2FPostalQQftrtZ1QQftrvZ1QQfsopZ2QQfsooZ2) ---
**Author:** ![rkts](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c4cdca/32.png) [@rkts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rkts)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2005, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-way-to-connect-a-keyboard-to-a-computer-40-feet-away/314995/10 "2005-07-31T19:54:20Z")
> [@Athena](#): > > Why do you want to do such a thing? How are you going to read the monitor if you’re 40 feet away? 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](http://www.usb.org/developers/usbfaq/#cab3) seems to be saying (if I understand them) not to use them, and to use Ethernet or serial instead. ---
**Author:** ![TokyoBayer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tokyobayer/32/13989_2.png) [@TokyoBayer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TokyoBayer)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2005, 2:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-way-to-connect-a-keyboard-to-a-computer-40-feet-away/314995/11 "2005-08-01T02:14:45Z")
Typically, an [KVM Extender](http://www.rose.com/datasheet/crystalview.pdf) video is used, which will also include the video. This particular one goes over cat 5 (twisted pair) cable. ---
**Author:** ![rkts](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c4cdca/32.png) [@rkts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rkts)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2005, 4:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-way-to-connect-a-keyboard-to-a-computer-40-feet-away/314995/12 "2005-08-01T04:03:34Z")
Thanks for the link, **TokyoPlayer**. That may be what I need. ---
**Author:** ![spinky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/59ef9b/32.png) [@spinky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/spinky)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2005, 6:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-way-to-connect-a-keyboard-to-a-computer-40-feet-away/314995/13 "2005-08-01T06:22:37Z")
You also might want to look into USB-over-CAT5 products like [this one](http://www.gefen.com/kvm/product.jsp?prod_id=2181). 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. ---
**Author:** ![ParentalAdvisory](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/53a042/32.png) [@ParentalAdvisory](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParentalAdvisory)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2005, 6:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-way-to-connect-a-keyboard-to-a-computer-40-feet-away/314995/14 "2005-08-01T06:24:37Z")
[DIN5 AT Cable](http://www.mc3llc.com/prodimages/CC330-50SX_LR.jpg) [Din5 Female to Mini6 PS/2](http://www.mc3llc.com/prodimages/CC322A_LR.jpg) [Din5 Male to Mini6 PS/2](http://www.mc3llc.com/prodimages/CC322R_LR.jpg) Found at [http://www.mc3llc.com/](http://www.mc3llc.com/) The part #'s are in the image names. ---
**Author:** ![Harmonix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Harmonix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harmonix)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2005, 6:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-way-to-connect-a-keyboard-to-a-computer-40-feet-away/314995/15 "2005-08-01T06:52:09Z")
Logitech makes a **bluetooth** keyboard(expensive! ~100$). My friend has used it through walls and such. 40 feet seems in reason. ---
**Author:** ![rkts](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c4cdca/32.png) [@rkts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rkts)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2005, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-way-to-connect-a-keyboard-to-a-computer-40-feet-away/314995/16 "2005-08-01T20:14:44Z")
Thanks all. I think **ParentalAdvisory** has found the cheapest solution. A Bluetooth keyboard may work, but does Linux support Bluetooth HIDs? ---
**Author:** ![rkts](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c4cdca/32.png) [@rkts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rkts)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2005, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-way-to-connect-a-keyboard-to-a-computer-40-feet-away/314995/17 "2005-08-01T22:49:28Z")
Hold on a minute. **ParentalAdvisory** , your site also sells a 50 foot PS2 cable ([CC321-50S](http://www.mc3llc.com/prodimages/CC321-S_LR.jpg)). Why can’t I use that? ---
**Author:** ![rkts](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c4cdca/32.png) [@rkts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rkts)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2005, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-way-to-connect-a-keyboard-to-a-computer-40-feet-away/314995/18 "2005-08-02T00:16:36Z")
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? ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2005, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-way-to-connect-a-keyboard-to-a-computer-40-feet-away/314995/19 "2005-08-02T00:24:06Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![nivlac](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/3bc359/32.png) [@nivlac](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nivlac)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2005, 12:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-way-to-connect-a-keyboard-to-a-computer-40-feet-away/314995/20 "2005-08-02T00:49:34Z")
> [@rkts](#): > > 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](http://www.usb.org/developers/usbfaq/#cab3) seems to be saying (if I understand them) not to use them, and to use Ethernet or serial instead. 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. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-way-to-connect-a-keyboard-to-a-computer-40-feet-away/314995.md?page=2)