I'm planning to move my PC into the storage room where my other home server and NAS are located, which is about 35 feet away from my desk. I want to connect everything to a UPS and am wondering what the best solution would be. Should I go for a Caldigit TS4 dock, a simple USB dock, or something else? My monitor is a 4K HDR DolbyVision at 240Hz and I have peripherals like a USB DAC with Sennheiser 6xx, a Yeti microphone, a mechanical keyboard, a wireless mouse, and an Xbox controller.
If I choose the Caldigit dock, can I just connect all my peripherals to it and then link the dock to the PC via a Thunderbolt cable? Also, does the cable type matter if it's going to be that long? Are there any downsides to this setup? Just to note, I can't use anything that requires ethernet or coax ports since my house redesign blocked those off, and I'm not diving into that hassle now.
3 Answers
The video quality might not be great for long runs. To maintain high frame rates and resolution over that distance, you’d typically need video repeaters (not the best idea as they can fail) or switch to fiber optic, which can be pricey. Your peripherals besides the DAC shouldn't need high bandwidth, so you might be okay using just a long USB cable, but it will limit Thunderbolt 4 access unless you use a powered USB cable.
It sounds like this could get pricey and could affect your monitor's video quality. Check out this thread that talks about similar setups. You might want to consider timing this project toward the holidays when you can gather the necessary gear. Also, keep in mind that those optical DisplayPort cables can sometimes limit resolution or quality, so just be aware of that.
Those cables do seem expensive! Maybe I’ll wait until the right time too.
I’ve been down a similar path for connecting to a projector from a distance. Honestly, I ended up changing my workspace to avoid the hassle. Long video cables can be a hassle, and if you can find a way to keep the PC closer, it may save you a lot of trouble in the end.
Great point about keeping an eye on the costs! Good luck with your setup!