Logitech Swytch vs. Extend vs. Active USB Cable: A Detailed Comparison

In today's world of hybrid work and flexible meeting spaces, having the right tools to connect and collaborate seamlessly is essential. Logitech offers a range of solutions designed to simplify video conferencing and content sharing in various environments. This article delves into a comprehensive comparison of three popular Logitech products: Swytch, Extend, and Active USB Cable, examining their features, capabilities, and ideal use cases to help you make an informed decision.

Logitech Swytch: The Versatile BYOM Solution for PC-Based Rooms

Logitech Swytch is a BYOM (bring your own meeting) solution designed to bridge the gap between personal laptops and dedicated room systems. It allows users to connect their Windows 10 - 64 bit or later laptop, MacBook (macOS 10.15 or later), or Chromebook (Chrome OS 75 or later) to the room's AV equipment with a single USB-A or USB-C connection ¹. This eliminates the need for multiple cables and adapters, streamlining the meeting experience.

Key Features and Capabilities

●      Single-Cable Connectivity: Swytch utilizes DisplayLink Plug-and-Display technology, enabling both USB device and HDMI display connectivity through a single cable ².

●      BYOM Flexibility: Swytch allows users to leverage the room's display, camera, microphones, and speakers with any video conferencing application, webinar service, or streaming platform ².

●      Power Delivery: Swytch provides up to 60 watts of power to laptops that charge via USB-C, ensuring uninterrupted meetings ³.

●      High-Quality Video and Audio: Swytch supports full-motion video and audio at up to 4K resolution, delivering a high-quality meeting experience ².

●      Remote Management: IT administrators can monitor and manage Swytch remotely using Logitech Sync, along with other Logitech meeting room devices ².

Intended Use Cases

Swytch is ideal for:

●      Meeting rooms with dedicated computers: Swytch allows users to connect their laptops to existing room systems like Microsoft Teams Rooms and Zoom Rooms while still supporting third-party services ².

●      BYOM rooms with a conference camera and display: Swytch provides a simple way for users to connect their laptops and utilize the room's AV equipment ¹.

●      Huddle spaces and small meeting rooms: Swytch's compact design and ease of use make it suitable for smaller collaboration spaces.

Known Issues and Limitations

While Swytch offers a compelling solution for BYOM connectivity, it's essential to be aware of potential issues:

●      DisplayLink Driver Dependency: Swytch relies on DisplayLink drivers, which can sometimes cause compatibility issues or require updates ⁴. In some cases, users have reported that the display feed intermittently cuts out, requiring them to reinstall or update the drivers ⁴.

●      USB Tier Limitation: Swytch consumes two USB layers, which can be a limitation when connecting multiple peripherals due to the USB industry standard of seven layers ⁵. This can be problematic if you need to connect several devices, such as a camera, microphone, and speakerphone, simultaneously.

●      Occasional Connectivity Issues: Some users have reported intermittent display issues or difficulty connecting certain laptops ⁴. For example, some users have experienced issues with the Rally Camera not automatically reconnecting to the room system PC after using Swytch ⁷.

●      Lack of Ethernet Passthrough: Swytch does not pass through the wired Ethernet connection from the room system to the connected laptop, potentially requiring users to rely on Wi-Fi ⁸. This can be a drawback in environments with poor Wi-Fi signal strength.

Logitech Extend: Simplifying BYOD in Larger Rooms with Android-Based Systems

Logitech Extend is designed to enhance the BYOD experience in larger meeting rooms equipped with Android-based Logitech conference cameras, such as the Rally Bar family ⁹. It allows users to bypass the pre-configured video conferencing platform on the room system and use their preferred platform on their laptop or mobile device. The Logitech Extend is priced at $799 USD, with availability beginning in November ¹¹.

Key Features and Capabilities

●      BYOD Passthrough: Extend enables users to temporarily override the room system's default video conferencing platform and use their own device and preferred application ⁹.

●      Extended Reach: Extend supports extended cable reach up to 100 meters using Cat6a cables, making it suitable for larger rooms ¹².

●      Power Delivery: Extend offers optional power delivery up to 100W for connected devices, ensuring they remain charged during meetings ¹³.

●      No Additional Drivers: Extend utilizes USB-C with DisplayPort Alt Mode, eliminating the need for additional drivers or software ¹¹.

●      Simple Management: Extend can be managed remotely through Zoom Device Management and Microsoft Teams Admin Center as part of CollabOS device updates ¹⁴.

Compatibility

Logitech Extend is compatible with Windows, Mac, Android, Google Meet, Microsoft Teams, and Zoom. However, compatibility may vary by platform and service provider ¹⁴.

Environmental Impact

Logitech is committed to creating a more sustainable world and is actively working to minimize its environmental footprint ¹⁴. The Logitech Extend is made with a minimum of 40% post-consumer recycled plastic, contributing to this effort ¹¹.

Intended Use Cases

Extend is particularly well-suited for:

●      Larger meeting rooms with Android-based room systems: Extend's extended cable reach and BYOD passthrough capabilities make it ideal for larger spaces ¹².

●      Meeting rooms requiring flexibility: Extend allows users to choose their preferred video conferencing platform without being limited to the room system's default ⁹.

●      BYOD-focused environments: Extend simplifies connecting personal laptops and mobile devices to the room's AV equipment ¹⁰.

Known Issues and Limitations

While Extend offers valuable benefits, consider these potential limitations:

●      Compatibility: Extend is primarily designed for Android-based Logitech room systems and may not be compatible with all setups ¹⁴.

●      Limited to USB-C: Extend uses USB-C connectivity, which may require adapters for laptops with only USB-A ports.

●      No Switching Functionality: Unlike Swytch, Extend does not offer switching capabilities between a room PC and a BYOD laptop ¹⁵. This means that you cannot easily switch between using the room's dedicated system and a user's laptop.

Logitech Active USB Cable: A Cost-Effective Solution for MeetUp 2

Logitech Active USB Cable is a specialized cable designed to enable a single-cable BYOD connection for the Logitech MeetUp 2 video conferencing system ¹⁶. It supports DisplayPort Alt Mode, allowing users to connect their laptop to MeetUp 2 with just one USB-C cable, eliminating the need for separate HDMI connections. This simplifies the connection process and reduces clutter ¹⁷. The Active USB Cable enables a single-cable connection for use with the Logitech MeetUp 2 video conferencing system ¹⁶.

Key Features and Capabilities

●      Single-Cable BYOD: Active USB Cable simplifies connecting a laptop to MeetUp 2 for BYOD meetings ¹⁶.

●      Fast Data Transfer: With USB 3.1 Gen 2 support, the cable ensures smooth video and audio quality during meetings ¹⁸.

●      Optimal Length: The 5-meter (16.4 ft) cable provides flexibility in small meeting rooms ¹⁶.

●      Magnetic Dock: The cable includes a magnetic dock for neat cable management ¹⁸.

●      Reliable Strength: Unlike ordinary USB cables, the Active USB Cable is built to withstand pulling and crushing forces, with a tensile strength of 200 newtons and a crush load of 1000 kg ¹⁹. This makes it suitable for commercial deployments where cables might be subject to stress.

Intended Use Cases

Active USB Cable is best suited for:

●      Huddle spaces and small meeting rooms: The cable's length and single-cable connectivity are ideal for compact meeting spaces ¹².

●      BYOD meetings with MeetUp 2: The cable simplifies connecting laptops to MeetUp 2 without needing additional adapters ¹⁷.

●      Cost-conscious setups: Active USB Cable offers a more affordable solution compared to Swytch and Extend ¹³.

Known Issues and Limitations

●      Limited Compatibility: The Active USB Cable is specifically designed for the Logitech MeetUp 2 and is not compatible with other Logitech devices.

●      No Power Delivery: The cable does not provide power to the connected laptop.

●      Distance Limitations: Active USB cables have inherent distance limitations due to signal degradation. While the Active USB Cable is 5 meters long, exceeding this length might lead to performance issues ²⁰.

Comparison Matrix

 

Feature	Logitech Extend	Logitech Swytch	Active USB Cable
Ideal Room Size	Any room	Any room	Huddle and Small
Room Solutions	Microsoft Teams Rooms on Android,...	Rally Bar family, MeetUp, Rally Bar 13	MeetUp 2
User Cable	5 ft (1.5 m) USB (Type C) 13	5 ft (1.5 m) USB (Type A and Type C) 13	16.4 ft (5 m) USB (Type C) 13
Box-to-box Cable Length	Up to 328 ft (100 m) with Cat6a (user supplied) 13	16.4 ft (5 m) USB 3.0 cable (included) 13	N/A
Drivers	No additional drivers required 13	DisplayLink driver required 13	None 13
Power Delivery	Up to 100W (user-supplied) 13	Up to 60W 13	N/A (no power source) 13

Conclusion

Logitech Swytch, Extend, and Active USB Cable each cater to different needs and scenarios within the realm of video conferencing and BYOD connectivity. Choosing the right solution depends on your specific requirements, such as room size, existing equipment, budget, and desired functionality.

Logitech Swytch is a versatile solution best suited for PC-based rooms where users need to seamlessly switch between using a dedicated room system and their own laptops. It offers high-quality video and audio, power delivery for laptops, and remote management capabilities. However, it relies on DisplayLink drivers, which can sometimes cause compatibility issues.

Logitech Extend simplifies BYOD in larger rooms with Android-based systems. Its key strengths are extended cable reach, BYOD passthrough, and optional power delivery. However, it lacks switching functionality and is primarily designed for Android-based setups.

Logitech Active USB Cable provides a cost-effective and straightforward way to connect laptops to MeetUp 2 in huddle spaces. It offers a single-cable solution with fast data transfer and a magnetic dock for cable management. However, it is specifically designed for MeetUp 2 and does not offer power delivery.

To further aid in your decision-making, here's a table summarizing the pros and cons of each product:

Product	Pros	Cons
Logitech Swytch	Versatile BYOM solution for PC-based rooms Single-cable connectivity  High-quality video and audio Power delivery for laptops Remote management	Relies on DisplayLink drivers  USB tier limitations Occasional connectivity issues No Ethernet passthrough
Logitech Extend	Simplifies BYOD in larger rooms Extended cable reach Optional power delivery No additional drivers Environmentally friendly design	Limited compatibility  No switching functionality
Logitech Active USB Cable	Cost-effective solution for MeetUp 2 Single-cable BYOD  Fast data transfer Reliable strength	Limited compatibility No power delivery Distance limitations

By carefully considering these factors, you can choose the Logitech solution that best enhances your video conferencing experience and meets the needs of your meeting spaces.