Price : Too low to display
What is TetraHub 4-Port Hub T4 Technology TetraHub T4 (Turbo Transaction Translator Technology) provides you with the best of USB 2.0 and 1.1 technology in one solution What is the difference between the standard USB 2.0 hub and the Belkin TetraHub Hi-Speed USB 2.0 4-Port Hub The TetraHub provides 480Mbps for all your Hi-Speed USB 2.0 devices such as Hi-Speed USB 2.0 scanners and hard drives.Unlike other USB 2.0 hubs, the TetraHub Hi-Speed USB 2.0 4-Port Hub also supplies a guaranteed 12Mbps to each port so you can connect full-speed USB 1.1 products, like USB speakers and USB video-capture devices that require full bandwidth to operate. Traditional hubs share 12Mbps bandwidth among all the ports.
This review is from : Belkin F5U231 TetraHub USB 2.0 Hub (4-port)
Belkin has another winner in Tetra Hub! . Here are a few details you should know about the Tetra Hub. You have to buy the darn thing to figure this out.
The Tetra Hub must be connected to a USB 2.0-compliant host in order to function in high-speed mode (480Mbps data rate). If the Hub is connected to a USB 1.1-compliant host, it will operate only in low-speed or full-speed mode (1.5Mbps/12Mbps).
Note: The Hub itself will always connect to the host as either a full- or high-speed device, never as a low-speed device. Any idiot that tries to use this with an old USB 1.0 PC port will find it does not work, duh! These are the people who write Amazon reviews denigrating a product and they have not a clue as to how it is supposed to function. I really like the one where someone at Belkin tech support said to take it back and go buy someone else's hub, i.e. "GO AWAY!"
The Belkin Tetra Hub provides four downstream USB ports that offer backward-compatible, Plug-and-Play connectivity with all USB devices, including USB 1.1 (or low- and full-speed) devices, as well as with USB 2.0 (or high-speed) devices. This includes such peripherals as scanners, printers, mass-storage devices, and high-resolution cameras.
The Hub is self-powered if you use the supplied AC adaptor, which allows the cascading of devices with additional hubs, so that up to 127 USB devices may be connected to a single port.
The Hub features neat multicolor LEDs that indicate the operating speed of each connected USB device and the speed of the link to the host computer. More on this feature in a minute.
The TetraHub offers several important advantages over traditional USB 2.0 hubs. Most important is its implementation of the new "Quad TT" architecture. Simply stated, when connected to a USB 2.0 host controller, each of the TetraHub's four downstream ports deliver a full 12Mbps of USB bandwidth for low- and full-speed devices while still providing total support for high-speed devices. This is especially important when connecting multiple, bandwidth-intensive, full-speed devices such as USB webcams, speakers, scanners, and external storage devices.
BACKGROUND
The USB 2.0 specification includes three separate modes of data transmission. These are defined as low-speed (1.5Mbps), full-speed (12Mbps), and high-speed (480Mbps).
The Belkin TetraHub appears to be the only USB hub on the market today that provides a visual indication of a connected device's speed. This is accomplished using Belkin proprietary speed indication circuitry. Each downstream port on the Hub has a corresponding LED that changes color according to the speed of the connected device.
Connection Speed - LED color
Low - Green
Full - Red
High - Amber
In addition, the upstream port has a corresponding LED that indicates the speed of the computer's USB host controller.
Host Controller Speed - LED color
Full - Red
High - Amber
IMHO this is an unusual USB hub that is worth every penny Belkin gets. I just wish they had built this technology into the 7-port hub that features two ports on top for my flash drive.
I do not work in the computer industry or for Belkin. As I look at my desk, I notice I have a few other products from Belkin that have been very ssatisfactory over the last few years. I hope this Tetra USB HUB continues that experience over time.
Vic
Belkin has another winner in Tetra Hub! . Here are a few details you should know about the Tetra Hub. You have to buy the darn thing to figure this out.
The Tetra Hub must be connected to a USB 2.0-compliant host in order to function in high-speed mode (480Mbps data rate). If the Hub is connected to a USB 1.1-compliant host, it will operate only in low-speed or full-speed mode (1.5Mbps/12Mbps).
Note: The Hub itself will always connect to the host as either a full- or high-speed device, never as a low-speed device. Any idiot that tries to use this with an old USB 1.0 PC port will find it does not work, duh! These are the people who write Amazon reviews denigrating a product and they have not a clue as to how it is supposed to function. I really like the one where someone at Belkin tech support said to take it back and go buy someone else's hub, i.e. "GO AWAY!"
The Belkin Tetra Hub provides four downstream USB ports that offer backward-compatible, Plug-and-Play connectivity with all USB devices, including USB 1.1 (or low- and full-speed) devices, as well as with USB 2.0 (or high-speed) devices. This includes such peripherals as scanners, printers, mass-storage devices, and high-resolution cameras.
The Hub is self-powered if you use the supplied AC adaptor, which allows the cascading of devices with additional hubs, so that up to 127 USB devices may be connected to a single port.
The Hub features neat multicolor LEDs that indicate the operating speed of each connected USB device and the speed of the link to the host computer. More on this feature in a minute.
The TetraHub offers several important advantages over traditional USB 2.0 hubs. Most important is its implementation of the new "Quad TT" architecture. Simply stated, when connected to a USB 2.0 host controller, each of the TetraHub's four downstream ports deliver a full 12Mbps of USB bandwidth for low- and full-speed devices while still providing total support for high-speed devices. This is especially important when connecting multiple, bandwidth-intensive, full-speed devices such as USB webcams, speakers, scanners, and external storage devices.
BACKGROUND
The USB 2.0 specification includes three separate modes of data transmission. These are defined as low-speed (1.5Mbps), full-speed (12Mbps), and high-speed (480Mbps).
The Belkin TetraHub appears to be the only USB hub on the market today that provides a visual indication of a connected device's speed. This is accomplished using Belkin proprietary speed indication circuitry. Each downstream port on the Hub has a corresponding LED that changes color according to the speed of the connected device.
Connection Speed - LED color
Low - Green
Full - Red
High - Amber
In addition, the upstream port has a corresponding LED that indicates the speed of the computer's USB host controller.
Host Controller Speed - LED color
Full - Red
High - Amber
IMHO this is an unusual USB hub that is worth every penny Belkin gets. I just wish they had built this technology into the 7-port hub that features two ports on top for my flash drive.
I do not work in the computer industry or for Belkin. As I look at my desk, I notice I have a few other products from Belkin that have been very ssatisfactory over the last few years. I hope this Tetra USB HUB continues that experience over time.
Vic
Belkin F5U231 TetraHub USB 2.0 Hub (4-port) Reviews
Works fine . Bought this hub and installed per directions provided with item. No problems for Windows XP Pro, recognized and installed with no issues. Connected up all four ports and have no problems at all - I have a multi-card reader installed in one, two ports use my Apricorn portable HDD (one power, one power+data, usb Y cable), and one has a UPS attached (for status monitoring.) Hub is running at 'high' (orange), UPS is running at 'low' (green) and the Apricorn & card reader are running at 'high' (orange), based on LED colors for each port. I have no spacing issues for the standard USB cables that came with each piece of equipment attached. No heat issues but I found an old stand from my external DVD writer that I am not using and and have put the hub on top of that to provide some air space underneath. So far no heating issues after 2 days of use. It is barely warm. Portable HDD is on auto sync every day and no problems transferring data. I like the fact that I can connect any level of USB to this without having to figure out at what speed the USB runs, which was my primary reason for buying this hub.
Works fine . Bought this hub and installed per directions provided with item. No problems for Windows XP Pro, recognized and installed with no issues. Connected up all four ports and have no problems at all - I have a multi-card reader installed in one, two ports use my Apricorn portable HDD (one power, one power+data, usb Y cable), and one has a UPS attached (for status monitoring.) Hub is running at 'high' (orange), UPS is running at 'low' (green) and the Apricorn & card reader are running at 'high' (orange), based on LED colors for each port. I have no spacing issues for the standard USB cables that came with each piece of equipment attached. No heat issues but I found an old stand from my external DVD writer that I am not using and and have put the hub on top of that to provide some air space underneath. So far no heating issues after 2 days of use. It is barely warm. Portable HDD is on auto sync every day and no problems transferring data. I like the fact that I can connect any level of USB to this without having to figure out at what speed the USB runs, which was my primary reason for buying this hub.
Belkin F5U231 TetraHub USB 2.0 Hub (4-port) Opinions
Great hub . Unknown to a lot of folks, these hubs are unique in the respect that they have a separate controller chip for each USB port on the device, exactly like the design of the ports on your mainboard. Most hubs use 1 controller for all of the ports to save money, which causes all of the ports to run at the LOWEST COMMON SPEED. This is a huge performance hit, in addition to causing lots of the USB problems that folks have with the devices connected to them. I don't know why these aren't more popular, but these hubs are awesome. I wish I could say that about some of Belkin's other products.
Great hub . Unknown to a lot of folks, these hubs are unique in the respect that they have a separate controller chip for each USB port on the device, exactly like the design of the ports on your mainboard. Most hubs use 1 controller for all of the ports to save money, which causes all of the ports to run at the LOWEST COMMON SPEED. This is a huge performance hit, in addition to causing lots of the USB problems that folks have with the devices connected to them. I don't know why these aren't more popular, but these hubs are awesome. I wish I could say that about some of Belkin's other products.
works perfectly . I just plugged it in to one of my usb2 ports, and hooked up my scanner and camera and printers... absolutely wonderful. No more 'this would work better with a usb 2 port' messages! Couldn't be easier.
It works but gets a little warm . This is my second Belkin tear hub (I have them daisy chained) and it works as advertised, It does, however, get a bit warm, but from all the reviews I've read, this is normal and of no concern. It's also a little pricy, but I like and trust the Belkin name, so I'm willing to spend a extrra few dollars.
Belkin Tetra Hub . I am using the Belkin Tetra Hub to connect four external hard drives running simultaneously; and I am enjoying high transfer speeds. It appears Belkin is no longer promoting or distributing this product. I wonder why.
Work Great! . The hub works as advertised and the price was right. Reminder, you don't need the external power supply if you don't have devices such as external disk drives connected. PDA's, printers, scanners, etc. will work just fine without the external power supply.
Works very well... . Honestly, I avoid Belkin whenever I can, and I dislike pretty much all of their products, except this one. This is an excellent USB hub - one of the very few that can really, truly handle multiple high-bandwidth devices on a single hub. It works well, and it has lasted quite a while for me. Highly recommended.
Cons Review
TetraHeadache . I wanted to like this hub. Really. I've got 2 older Belkin USB 1 hubs from eons ago & never had any problems with them. I've got a pricey Belkin KVM switch, Nostromo pad, various cabling. I'm bordering on BelkinLand here...
The idea of being able to run a mixed set of USB devices (1 & 2) all without losing any kind of throughput sounded cool. I was sold on the "Tetra" concept & bought one for my girlfriend. In the end, I went through 3 units (the original & 2 replacements), all of them suffering from the same problem: overheating.
From a hub? Yeah, I thought it was weird too.
The first unit I got ran WAY too hot with the AC adapter plugged in. Not warm, but hot to the touch. Like hand-pulled-away-"ouch! damn that's hot!" hot. I didn't want my girlfriend to lose her USB key drive, printer or iPod by plugging it into the hub. I wrote Belkin & they agreed it shouldn't get warm, let alone that hot, so they sent me a replacement unit (gotta give it to them, their support was on top of it). But then the 2nd unit had the same problem. If nothing was plugged into the hub, but it was on AC power, it was fine. But as soon as you plugged in a single device (or the computer), things started to go south.
So I put in another call. They sent another unit. And once again it ran hot. I changed outlets. I mixed & matched adapters (I had a few of them now). I tried various USB devices (1 & 2.0), even tried the hub on a few different machines. Nothing worked.
Maybe this thing isn't ready for primetime. Maybe I pissed off the USB Gods in a past life. I dunno, but after 3 strikes, they're out. I wanted to like the hub. Belkin's support is to be commended, but maybe their engineering team needs to spend a few more weeks ironing out the bugs. I noticed the power specs on one of the adapters (and the hub itself) was different than the other 2 (don't remember which replacement hub it was), so maybe Belkin is aware of a power issue & is quietly trying to fix it.
So now I'm gonna give my girlfriend one of my older hubs until I can find a decent USB 2 replacement. I do feel burned in more ways than one. Now I have a drawer full of high-tech, useless hubs that I could fry an egg on. It'll be a long while until I buy another Belkin hub again. Possibly anything Belkin.
The idea of being able to run a mixed set of USB devices (1 & 2) all without losing any kind of throughput sounded cool. I was sold on the "Tetra" concept & bought one for my girlfriend. In the end, I went through 3 units (the original & 2 replacements), all of them suffering from the same problem: overheating.
From a hub? Yeah, I thought it was weird too.
The first unit I got ran WAY too hot with the AC adapter plugged in. Not warm, but hot to the touch. Like hand-pulled-away-"ouch! damn that's hot!" hot. I didn't want my girlfriend to lose her USB key drive, printer or iPod by plugging it into the hub. I wrote Belkin & they agreed it shouldn't get warm, let alone that hot, so they sent me a replacement unit (gotta give it to them, their support was on top of it). But then the 2nd unit had the same problem. If nothing was plugged into the hub, but it was on AC power, it was fine. But as soon as you plugged in a single device (or the computer), things started to go south.
So I put in another call. They sent another unit. And once again it ran hot. I changed outlets. I mixed & matched adapters (I had a few of them now). I tried various USB devices (1 & 2.0), even tried the hub on a few different machines. Nothing worked.
Maybe this thing isn't ready for primetime. Maybe I pissed off the USB Gods in a past life. I dunno, but after 3 strikes, they're out. I wanted to like the hub. Belkin's support is to be commended, but maybe their engineering team needs to spend a few more weeks ironing out the bugs. I noticed the power specs on one of the adapters (and the hub itself) was different than the other 2 (don't remember which replacement hub it was), so maybe Belkin is aware of a power issue & is quietly trying to fix it.
So now I'm gonna give my girlfriend one of my older hubs until I can find a decent USB 2 replacement. I do feel burned in more ways than one. Now I have a drawer full of high-tech, useless hubs that I could fry an egg on. It'll be a long while until I buy another Belkin hub again. Possibly anything Belkin.
Bilked . I concur with the previous reviewer's points that the device's weight and ports arrangement make the hub seem cheap and limit it's usage. I'll add that Belkin has misleading advertising for the product and that I recieved rather poor customer service from them.
First off, the hub functioned, but not until I plugged the AC adapter in. I have a basic MS optical mouse, a Lexus Jump Drive, a digital camera and an SD card reader. None of them work with the hub unplugged. I'm 0 for 4, even though 'most devices work without power supply'...
Second, after I plugged the hub into one of my rear USB ports, the other went dead. Since I've decided I didn't want to use this piece of junk, I've been unable to plug any of the other devices directly into either of my PC USB ports anymore. These other devices work when going through the powered hub (or the new drive bay ports), but not otherwise.
I emailed Belkin and they responded by telling me to call the helpline. After 10-15 minutes on hold, the CSR had me plugging and unplugging things for another 15 minutes until he drew the conclusion that "our device is working properly, contact your PC manufaturer to find out what's wrong with the PC". A half hour on the phone to determine the problem was what I originally described in my email...
I have no idea if the technical fault is with the hub or the motherboard, but I've used the USB ports for over 2 years without a hint of trouble until I plugged the TetraHub into them.
BTW, I eventually found a drive-bay hub that plugged directly into the motherboard and suited my needs perfectly for half the price. I'm not sure what could make the TetraHub worth the price, even if it didn't have problems, unless you have some affinity to pretty lights...
First off, the hub functioned, but not until I plugged the AC adapter in. I have a basic MS optical mouse, a Lexus Jump Drive, a digital camera and an SD card reader. None of them work with the hub unplugged. I'm 0 for 4, even though 'most devices work without power supply'...
Second, after I plugged the hub into one of my rear USB ports, the other went dead. Since I've decided I didn't want to use this piece of junk, I've been unable to plug any of the other devices directly into either of my PC USB ports anymore. These other devices work when going through the powered hub (or the new drive bay ports), but not otherwise.
I emailed Belkin and they responded by telling me to call the helpline. After 10-15 minutes on hold, the CSR had me plugging and unplugging things for another 15 minutes until he drew the conclusion that "our device is working properly, contact your PC manufaturer to find out what's wrong with the PC". A half hour on the phone to determine the problem was what I originally described in my email...
I have no idea if the technical fault is with the hub or the motherboard, but I've used the USB ports for over 2 years without a hint of trouble until I plugged the TetraHub into them.
BTW, I eventually found a drive-bay hub that plugged directly into the motherboard and suited my needs perfectly for half the price. I'm not sure what could make the TetraHub worth the price, even if it didn't have problems, unless you have some affinity to pretty lights...
Feature Belkin F5U231 TetraHub USB 2.0 Hub (4-port)
- Device Type - Hub
- Form Factor - External
- Dimensions WxDxH - N/A
- Weight - N/A
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Product Details
EAN : 0722868483992UPC : 722868483992
MPN : F5U231
Brand : Belkin
Weight : 2 pounds
Height : 4 inches
Length : 11 inches
Width : 7 inches
Binding : Personal Computers
Format : CD
Hardware Platform : Pc
Manufacturer : Belkin Components
Model : F5U231
Operating System : Windows
Platform : Windows
Publisher : Belkin Components
SKU : zw210
Studio : Belkin Components
Where To Buy
You can buy Belkin F5U231 TetraHub USB 2.0 Hub (4-port) on Amazon . Click here to Read More
