This is a problem when you need to connect over longer distances, for example, extending AV equipment in a conference room, camera extension for computer vision, and integrating equipment in industrial and manufacturing setups.  Two common and frequently confused approaches for USB extension are USB over IP and CatX USB extenders.

Both use “Ethernet” Category cabling to extend USB, but they achieve this goal using different technologies, each with its strengths and limitations.

What Are CatX USB Extenders?

CatX USB extenders transmit USB signals over category (CatX) cables without converting them into IP packets. These extenders operate as point-to-point connections between a host (like a computer) and a device (like a camera or keyboard). High performance solutions like HDBaseT-USB3 use sophisticated encoding of USB data to make use of the full bandwidth of the cable, creating a  bi-directional 6 Gbps / 6 Gbps link for zero-latency USB 3.2 and 2.0 extension up to 100 m on cat 6a cable. HDBaseT-USB3 devices often provide a Power over Cable (PoC) feature to enable powering a connected device over the category cable, allowing installations where one end is not near an outlet.

What Is USB Over IP?

USB over IP, such as Digi USB Anywhere, enables USB devices to connect to hosts via standard IP networks. By converting USB signals into IP packets, it allows USB devices to communicate across a network using existing hubs and routers, simplifying deployment.  Because bandwidth is shared with other devices on the network, performance is dependent on network load.  This favors lower bandwidth devices that can tolerate higher latency, for example, retail POS, scanners, and software license key management.

Key Differences Between CatX USB Extenders and USB Over IP

1. Technology and Transmission

• CatX USB Extenders:
  • Dedicated, point-to-point connection.
  • Guaranteed bandwidth, Ideal for high-speed USB standards like USB 3.x.
  • Supports isochronous mode
• USB Over IP:
  • Converts USB signals into IP packets for transmission over Ethernet.
  • Relies on existing network infrastructure like routers and switches.
  • Enables device sharing and multi-remote-host access.

2. Performance

• CatX USB Extenders:
  • Provide consistent performance with minimal latency.
  • Handle high-bandwidth tasks like camera video streaming or real-time control.
  • Deliver full USB standards (e.g., USB 2.0 or 3.0) over long distances.
• USB Over IP:
  • Performance depends on network quality and traffic.
  • May experience bottlenecks and latency in shared or congested networks.
  • Better suited for asynchronous and non-latency-critical tasks

3. Distance

• CatX USB Extenders:
  • Up to 100 meters over CATx (depending on technology)
  • Performance remains stable over the maximum supported distance.
• USB Over IP:
  • Limited to 100 meters per Ethernet segment, but distances can be extended using network switches. 
  • Longer distances may introduce latency or reduced performance depending on the network.

4. Setup and Scalability

• CatX USB Extenders:
  • Simple, plug-and-play setup for a one-to-one connection.
  • No software or configuration required.
  • Limited to single host-device connections, which may restrict scalability.
• USB Over IP:
  • Flexible setup that allows USB devices to be accessed across a network.
  • Requires software installation on the host system.
  • Scales well for environments where non-colocated hosts need shared access to USB devices.

5. Use Cases

• CatX USB Extenders:
  • Ideal for high-performance, low-latency applications like computer vision, conference room AV,  live video production, industrial automation, and gaming.
  • Suitable for scenarios where a point-to point cable option is available.
• USB Over IP:
  • Great for sharing peripherals like printers, scanners, or storage devices across multiple computers in different rooms.
  • Best for environments where flexibility and remote access are key priorities.

6. Cost

IP and CatX USB  extender equipment is generally similar in cost. In commercial settings total cost is likely to be driven by installation and support.

• CatX USB Extenders:
  • May require a new cable run.
  • Offers set-and-forget reliability for performance-critical applications.
• USB Over IP:
  • Typically more affordable, especially if you already have an Ethernet network.
  • May incur additional costs for software licenses or network upgrades.

Which Solution Should You Choose?

Choose CatX USB Extenders If:

• You need consistent, low-latency performance.
• Your application involves real-time data, latency-sensitive, or high bandwidth data
• You can make a  dedicated connection from  host to device.

Choose USB Over IP If:

• You want to share USB devices across multiple hosts in different locations.
• You already have an Ethernet network that reaches the desired locations.
• Your application does not require low latency or high bandwidth.

Conclusion

Both CatX USB extenders and USB over IP are powerful tools for extending USB over Ethernet, but they serve different needs. CatX extenders deliver the best performance and reliability for demanding applications, while USB over IP excels in flexibility and multi-device sharing over a network.