Plugable’s New DC-125 USB 2.0 Docking Client
Posted on 07. Mar, 2011 by Bernie Thompson in Windows
Today we’re launching the Plugable DC-125 USB 2.0 Docking Client.
We’re really excited about this product. It has a clean, simple design. Power-sipping, so it can be powered by a standard USB 2.0 connection alone. Because it’s “just” a collection of USB 2.0 devices, it’s enormously flexible. And because of the simplicity, we’ve been able to hit the $64.95 price point, available now with next day shipping on Amazon.
The most common uses for a USB dock like the DC-125 are:
- You have a laptop, but would like to use it “like a desktop” when you’re at your desk. The DC-125 gives you quick dock/undock with a single USB cable driving an extra full-sized monitor (driven by DispayLink DL-125 chip, capable up to 1280×1024 / 1440×900), speakers, keyboard, and mouse already on your desk. The extra monitor can either mirror or extend what’s on your laptop screen.
- You want to save time, money, and power by leveraging one PC to support many users. The DC-125 is supported out of the box by Userful’s Multiseat Linux 2011™ and with available drivers on Windows Multipoint Server 2011™
If you’ve never heard of Userful or WMS2011, take a look at those links. Both require a software license (not included with the DC-125). But it’s amazing what’s possible with the enormous processing power of today’s PCs and the flexible and simple connectivity of USB 2.0 devices like this. It’s possible to realize huge cost savings with a similarly large power/environmental savings.
But most of our users will probably start with the simple benefits of laptop docking via USB. So here’s a video for a quick walkthrough of what the DC-125 offers in terms of functions:
Check out http://plugable.com/products/dc-125/ for much more detail. And if you have any questions, we’d be glad to answer them at http://support.plugable.com/
Setting up the Plugable USB Wireless Audio Kit
Posted on 24. Feb, 2011 by Bernie Thompson in Windows
What if you could plug in a USB adapter, not have to install any drivers, and stream audio wirelessly to speakers 10 meters or more away …
That’s what our new wireless audio product enables, and the homebrew video below shows how the product connected, paired, and configured on a Windows 7 PC.
Firmware Update for the Plugable USB3-SATA-U3 Hard Drive Docking Station
Posted on 08. Feb, 2011 by Bernie Thompson in Windows
[Updated Aug 8, 2011 to provide support for 3 TB+ drives]
[Updated July 13, 2011 to latest LucidPort firmware version 2580]
You can update the firmware of the Plugable USB3-SATA-U3 SATA dock to gain a number of features and fixes, especially for improving interoperability with the evolving set of USB 3.0 host controllers, cables, hubs, and other USB 3.0 devices on the market.
In particular, if you have a unit that works fine over USB 2.0, but drops from the bus or experiences transfer errors on USB 3.0, newer firmware may help in many situations by improving error tolerance.
Steps to update
You will need a Windows PC on which you have administrator access.
- Download the version 2580 firmware package for the Plugable U3, and unpack these files to their own directory
- Open a command prompt as administrator (see below for steps) and go to the directory where you unpacked the files
- Connect the Plugable USB3-SATA-U3 with a USB 2.0 cable (not a USB 3.0 cable, since if you’re seeing a problem, USB 3.0 may generate errors when talking with the device), a SATA drive must be in the dock, have the dock turned on (green LED lit), and no copy operations in progress.
- type “update” and hit enter to start the update.bat file to bring up a list of possible devices to update
- Select the “USB 3.0 LucidPort USB300″ or “USB 3.0 MassStorage” device (which is the Plugable USB3-SATA-U3)
- The new firmware will download to the device within a few seconds
- The command prompt will say “success” and go green when complete. Flip power to dock off/on at any time to reboot the dock with the new firmware
Let us know if any USB 3.0 specific problems remain after the firmware update. Visit plugable.com/support anytime.
Background on firmware changes
This firmware is for the Lucidport USB300 chipset, firmware version 2580, customized for the Plugable USB3-SATA-U3
See the LucidPort site for chip details and firmware revision history.
Here’s how to check what version of firmware your dock currently has to see if a later firmware is available.
Running a Command Prompt as an administrator
Click the Start button. In the search box, type command prompt
In the list of results, right-click Command Prompt, and then click Run as administrator. If you’re prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.
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