Selecting an Acroname USB Host Switcher for AV Applications

In Pro AV, USB peripherals frequently need to be handed off between hosts. The common case is a BYOM room, where a guest laptop takes over the room's cameras and audio from the in-room PC. Acroname makes three USB host switchers for these applications. All three support automatic host-priority switching and can be controlled via Acroname's BrainStem API over USB, RS-232, or Ethernet depending on model. They differ in port count, power delivery, and reach.

None pass DisplayPort Alt Mode video. For BYOM, room display connection is handled separately or via DisplayLink-enabled peripherals.

* RS-232 control is an optional add-on feature on the USBHub3c and USBExt3c

Which to choose:

• USBHub3c — 6-port local USB-C with laptop charging over USB-PD
• USBExt3c — 100m extension, hosts and peripherals can be on either end.  Laptop charging over USB-PD.
• USBExt3c + USBHub3c —Increases host or device count on one end of the extension.
• USBHub3+ — 2-host switching with high USB-A port density for many peripherals, no USB PD.

USBHub3c: local USB-C with PD

Features 6 USB-C ports at 10 Gbps. AnyPort architecture means any port can be assigned as the active host: the same unit works as a 5:1 host switch, a 1:5 hub, or any split between. It supports USB-C Power Delivery, so a laptop charges over the same cable that carries its data.  Host switching can be automatic by port priority or managed via dedicated USB-C port or RS232 (add-on feature). With a standard 100 W PD supply it delivers up to 90 W shared across ports; a high-power DC supply brings it to 100 W per port.

USBHub3c in a BYOM conference room

USBExt3c: switching plus extension

Unlike most USB extension systems, hosts and peripherals can be placed on either end of the extension. A room PC at the front of the room and a guest laptop at the table can trade off as hosts while controlling peripherals attached at either or both locations. USBExt3c uses a pair of identical units, one at each end, carrying USB data and power over Cat 6A using HDBaseT-USB3. Each unit has two numbered USB-C ports (0 and 1) plus a control-only port.

Data extension runs at 5 Gbps up to 100 m, local ports run at 10 Gbps.  Only one end of the extension needs to be powered: the unpowered extender provides up to 60 W shared (locally-powered extenders can provide up to 90 W shared).

USBExt3c in a BYOM conference room (power extension shown)

USBExt3c with USBHub3c: extension plus aggregation

USBExt3c provides two USB-C ports per end. When additional hosts or peripherals are needed at one end of the extension, add a USBHub3c.  This is common in boardrooms, training rooms, and divisible spaces where equipment is concentrated in a rack but BYOM connectivity is needed at the table.

USBExt3c and USBHub3c in a BYOM conference room

USBHub3+: high port density

USBHub3+ provides 8 switched downstream ports and can be cascaded to support up to 32 peripherals. Switching can be externally managed or automatic via port priority.  Unlike USBHub3c and USBExt3c, host and peripheral roles are fixed. The ports are USB-A; USB-C peripherals connect through A-to-C cables, and it supplies up to 5 V, 5 A per port for charging.  Data rate is 5 Gbps.  It is the highest-density USB host switch in the lineup.

Which one is best?

Choose USBHub3c for local USB-C switching with Power Delivery. Pick USBExt3c for extension and switching when hosts and peripherals are separated by distance. Add a USBHub3c when more ports are needed at one end of the extension. Choose USBHub3+ for very high port counts where USB-C and PD aren't needed.