Review: Newnex FireNEX-UDC USB3 Extender

I think we can all agree: USB3 has a lot going for it. It has the potential to be the answer to a bunch of AV questions. A wallplate or connection hub that might once have featured USB-A ports, power, HDMI and network connections could conceivably be replaced by a single USB-C port with high-bandwith USB3 behind it, taking care of data and power needs.

The fly in the ointment for AV people is very often USB3’s short maximum cable distance. The recommended maximum cable length of USB3.0 is only three metres and a lot shorter for USB3.2. What we need is a commercial-grade extender that provides the sort of cable distances required to neatly integrate USB3 into meeting rooms, control rooms and a whole host of other spaces. So hello to the FireNEX-UDC from Newnex. It extends USB-C cables up to 10 metres – boosting USB 3.2 Gen 2 and DisplayPort signals, preserving transfer speeds and signal integrity. That’s up to 10Gbps over 10 metres.

FIRED UP

FireNEX-UDC is backward compatible with USB3.0 and USB2, meaning it’ll accept just about anything you’re likely to plug into it. The bidirectional USB power delivery 3.1 pass-through supplies a very handy 240W of power at 48V/5A.

Speaking of power, the FireNEX-UDC is bus powered, as you’d expect, making it easy to mount and install.

The FireNEX-UDC is one of those ‘shut up and take my money’ products. Once you’re convinced it does what it says it does, as I am, you’ll no doubt be instantly thinking of a whole host of scenarios where it’ll solve connection and cabling issues.

Where Newnex distinguishes itself is in the fact this is a solidly-constructed, wallplate solution, and not a lump-in-the-lead alternative from Officeworks. It’s designed for commercial applications. Yes, at more than A$400, it’s priced accordingly, but I’ve no doubt this is money well spent for the efficiencies FireNEX-UDC is bringing.