Friday, November 6, 2009
Monday, October 19, 2009
macbook-pro-to-tv-connect-hdmi
I have recently spent some time on college campuses across Utah speaking to students about cables. You might think that most students don't care or even know anything about cables. Well, that might be true for some students, but nowadays, these students have literally grown up with computers and many know what the cables do or at least get the basic idea of what they can do. So being the cable expert at the college campus, I answered questions that the students had about their cable needs. So what was the number one question I was asked?
“How do I connect my computer to my TV?” The cool thing about most campuses is that the students are carrying Macs, and Macs are easy to connect to new TVs that have VGA, DVI or HDMI. If you have a MacBook Pro, you'll need a Mini DisplayPort adapter. You'll need to find out which connection your TV has: VGA, DVI, or HDMI. Most new TVs have HDMI. If you need HDMI, you need a Mini DisplayPort to HDMI adapter, along with an HDMI cable to connect to the TV. For most students a 10-15 feet cable will work.
For an HDMI TV, projector, or monitor to a MacBook Pro you'll need:
Mini DisplayPort to HDMI – Item # MDP-HDMI
HDMI Cable – 10 Feet – Item # HDMI-3M
For a DVI TV, projector, or monitor to a MacBook Pro you'll need:
Mini DisplayPort to DVI – Item # MDP-DVI
DVI Cable – 10 Feet – Item # DVI-3M
For a VGA TV, projector, or monitor to a MacBook Pro, you'll need:
Mini DisplayPort to VGA – Item # MDP-VGA
VGA / SVGA Cable – 10 Feet – Item # HD15MM-10
For an HDMI TV, projector, or monitor to a MacBook you'll need:
Mini DVI to HDMI – Item # MDVI-HDMI
HDMI Cable – 10 Feet – Item # HDMI-3M
For a DVI TV, projector, or monitor to a MacBook you'll need:
Mini DVI to DVI – Item # MDVI-DVI
DVI Cable – 10 Feet – Item # DVI-3M
For a VGA TV, projector, or monitor to a MacBook, you'll need:
Mini DVI to VGA – Item # MDVI-VGA
VGA / SVGA Cable – 10 Feet – Item # HD15MM-10
WhatAcable! cables are generally quite a bit less than the Apple brand cables yet are equivalent in every way to the Apple brand cables.
I enjoy getting out with the students because it allows me to see what is hot, what they want, and what they need.
Until next time – The Cable Guy
“How do I connect my computer to my TV?” The cool thing about most campuses is that the students are carrying Macs, and Macs are easy to connect to new TVs that have VGA, DVI or HDMI. If you have a MacBook Pro, you'll need a Mini DisplayPort adapter. You'll need to find out which connection your TV has: VGA, DVI, or HDMI. Most new TVs have HDMI. If you need HDMI, you need a Mini DisplayPort to HDMI adapter, along with an HDMI cable to connect to the TV. For most students a 10-15 feet cable will work.
For an HDMI TV, projector, or monitor to a MacBook Pro you'll need:
Mini DisplayPort to HDMI – Item # MDP-HDMI
HDMI Cable – 10 Feet – Item # HDMI-3M
For a DVI TV, projector, or monitor to a MacBook Pro you'll need:
Mini DisplayPort to DVI – Item # MDP-DVI
DVI Cable – 10 Feet – Item # DVI-3M
For a VGA TV, projector, or monitor to a MacBook Pro, you'll need:
Mini DisplayPort to VGA – Item # MDP-VGA
VGA / SVGA Cable – 10 Feet – Item # HD15MM-10
For an HDMI TV, projector, or monitor to a MacBook you'll need:
Mini DVI to HDMI – Item # MDVI-HDMI
HDMI Cable – 10 Feet – Item # HDMI-3M
For a DVI TV, projector, or monitor to a MacBook you'll need:
Mini DVI to DVI – Item # MDVI-DVI
DVI Cable – 10 Feet – Item # DVI-3M
For a VGA TV, projector, or monitor to a MacBook, you'll need:
Mini DVI to VGA – Item # MDVI-VGA
VGA / SVGA Cable – 10 Feet – Item # HD15MM-10
WhatAcable! cables are generally quite a bit less than the Apple brand cables yet are equivalent in every way to the Apple brand cables.
I enjoy getting out with the students because it allows me to see what is hot, what they want, and what they need.
Until next time – The Cable Guy
Buy your Mini DisplayPort and Mini DVI cables now at www.whatacable.com
Tecnology-of-blogging
Technology is trully amazing. I've often wished I could send a quick
blog post from the road when an idea has popped in my head. Now
blogspot has an email function where you can email in your blog and
even attach photos. I'm doing just that now. It will help in the
creativity and variety of posts and may even help with the number of
posts. Keep on blogging America, just not while driving.
blog post from the road when an idea has popped in my head. Now
blogspot has an email function where you can email in your blog and
even attach photos. I'm doing just that now. It will help in the
creativity and variety of posts and may even help with the number of
posts. Keep on blogging America, just not while driving.
Until next time - The Cable Guy
Thursday, October 15, 2009
usb-ide-sata-power-adapter-converter
There is a handy little gadget that will allow you to connect an internal IDE or SATA drive up to your USB Port. The link is here: http://www.whatacable.com/usb-2-to-sata-ide-combo-adapter.aspx
This adapter basically plugs into your USB port, then comes with all types of other adapters allowing you to connect a laptop drive, an internal IDE drive, or a SATA drive up to your computer using the USB port. This is ideal if you are trying to transfer files off of a hard drive on to a new laptop or computer that doesn't have the same drive connections, or if you want to use an internal drive as an external drive. It's a bargain and it's today's focus product. Find more great adapters and cables at www.whatacable.com
Until next time - The Cable Guy
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
vga-gender-changer-bender-hd15-female-male
So just yesterday I was blogging about how hard it is to find DVI gender changers, and today we had two different orders for VGA gender changers. I think with the economy being so poor, retailers are cutting back on the computer cables that they are stocking. But if you've ever had a VGA cable that has a male end and you need it to be female, you hate to go buy another cable. Especially if you just want to connect it to another VGA cable that you already have. IT managers are turning to companies like WhatAcable! because they stock a wide variety of the hard to find adapters and cables that the IT department is constantly in need of. You can find Serial DB9 RS232 gender changers, SVGA/VGA HD15 gender changers, DVI, and even the old DB25 gender changers, for those who are still kickin' it old school with parallel cables. You'll find all of theme here at this link http://www.whatacable.com/Cable_Gender_Changers.aspx You might even need an HDMI gender changer, and yes they will ship the same day.
Who would have thought that the cable guy would be blogging about gender issues?
Until next time - The Cable Guy
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
dvi-gender-bender-changer-female-female
I'm surprised at how hard it is to find gender changers. But, if you've tried going to a computer store to buy a DVI gender changer, you know that they are not to be found. WhataCable.com has a great selection of gender changers for VGA, USB, FireWire, DVI, HDMI, DB9 serial, and DB25 parallel gender changers. These little adapters change the gender of the cable (lots of snickers when I explain what a "gender changer" does) from male to female or vice versa. Say you have a male HD15 SVGA cable end that needs to be female. Rather than buy a whole new cable, you take a female to female gender changer, plug it on the end, and Presto! your cable now has a female end. If you need the DVI gender changer, I'll provide a link. http://www.whatacable.com/dvi-gender-changer-female-to-female-bender.aspx
Now you can go back to making fun of changing the gender of your cable.
Cheers - The Cable Guy
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Professional-Cable-Starting-a-business-advice
The U.S. has been in recession for almost two years, according to the National Bureau of Economic Research.
Approximately 6 million Americans have lost their jobs during that period, based on data from the U.S. Department of Labor.
More than a million individuals and 43,000 businesses filed for bankruptcy in 2008, says the American Bankruptcy Institute.
What a great time to start a business!
A recent Wall Street Journal poll found that 69 percent of respondents thought the current economic climate is a good time to start a business. In fact, many successful companies started during previous economic downturns, including the Hyatt hotel chain, Microsoft and Hewlett-Packard. They were helped by the greater availability of talented workers and by suppliers’ and landlords’ willingness to negotiate price discounts, among other hidden benefits.
However, startups need to take extra care to avoid obvious missteps that could kill their ventures before the inevitable economic turnaround kicks in and carries them to the relative security of an established business. Experts and established business owners agree that now is no time to cut corners.
So whether you’re a laid-off corporate worker who recently became an entrepreneur by necessity, a fresh college graduate in the process of launching a successful micro-business, or an early retiree who’s finally pursuing your passion, we’ve gathered some gems of wisdom just for you.
Know Yourself The research should start with yourself, says NASE Member Jason Bringhurst, owner of Professional Cable in Orem, Utah.
“What makes you qualified for this business? Do you have any particular skill or knowledge that will help you be successful? If you like being a carpenter or a salesman, you might not enjoy [business ownership] because you will end up spending most of your time running the business,” Bringhurst explains.
Leila Mozaffari, director of the Orange County Small Business Development Center in Santa Ana, Calif., says that she spends much of her counseling time stepping individuals through such questions about their desire to own and run a business, not merely create a job for themselves.
“We don’t tell them what to do. We ask questions so they can decide if they have a good idea,” she says. “Some people have the passion but not the discipline to run a business. Some have the craft ability, but not the business skills. So the first thing they need to understand is what they bring to the business and compare it with what we have seen in successful entrepreneurs.”
And remember, at every stage of business ownership, you need to nurture your craft as well as the business skills that will make you successful.
Make A Plan Once fledgling business owners decide they can and want to run a company, the most important task should be to write a business plan, says NASE Member Will Wiebe, an executive, life, career and transition coach in Portland, Ore.
“If properly prepared [a business plan] can be an invaluable planning tool as well as a means of measuring your progress toward your business objective,” Wiebe says. “The formulation of a solid business plan needs to be viewed as an integral part of any business startup.”
Doing all the research necessary to write a useful plan could take months, but it is well worth the time and effort in the long run, Wiebe adds.
Bringhurst of Professional Cable agrees that many novice business owners “haven’t actually thought through the process of how this business will come together and what it will take to make a living. I had a business plan; not for other people, not for investors, but just for myself so I could think through everything.”
Professional Cable manufactures and supplies computer, network, fiber optic and home theater cables to several different industries nationwide. It is Bringhurst’s second business startup.
“Before opening my doors in 2007, I already had talked with many of my potential customers,” Bringhurst says. “I had already talked with my main suppliers and made them aware that I was going to start another business. But even with so much in place, it still took six months before I could start paying myself a paycheck.”
Keep in mind that business plans aren’t just necessary for startups. Whether you’ve been in business for a few weeks, a few months or even a few years, it’s never too late to craft or revise your business plan.
Find Capital Finding money to fund the startup, growth and expansion of a micro-business is an ongoing necessity for owners. But it’s a particularly critical task for businesses just getting off the ground.
Many experts recommend that a new business owner have enough money on hand to survive at least a year without drawing a paycheck.
Bruce Schoenegge, a member of SCORE, a nationwide group of volunteer business counselors sponsored by the U.S. Small Business Administration, says, “Startups need more resources than they initially think to survive.”
Bringhurst agrees.
“There are so many costs to starting a business, from computers to furniture to warehouse equipment to product to stock.”
New micro-business owners must realize that the most likely source of capital to start their ventures will be their own wallets. Even when the economy was booming, many banks wouldn’t make loans to businesses that were less than 3 years old. Now that the housing industry collapse has put so many lenders in financial difficulty, they’re even less willing to make business loans.
During the housing boom, many entrepreneurs took money out of their homes to finance a business startup. But the housing collapse has dried up that source of capital, too.
Equity investing through venture capitalists and private equity funds has also declined in the past several years.
So startups must depend on savings and on money they can raise from family and friends to launch their micro-businesses. They may not be able to raise as much capital as they could in good economic times. And that means they must show discipline in how they spend the money,
Schoenegge adds.
Some questions to ask about money: ■ Can this business be run from home? More than half of startups now begin in a garage or spare bedroom. If customers don’t have to come to your location, a home-based business can thrive while saving thousands of dollars in monthly rent. ■ Are there used office furniture stores and thrift stores in your community with desks, chairs, file cabinets and lamps to get your business started? ■ How much work can you do yourself, from building a Web site using simple inexpensive programs to setting up your financials on QuickBooks?
Choose Your Business Carefully The choice of business to start is important, but in ways that many people who have never owned a company might fail to consider.
Sure, these days you wouldn’t start a buggy whip manufacturing plant. But what about a variety store that attempts to sell something to everyone or a consulting practice that tries to solve every problem? Could those types of companies succeed today? Probably not.
“Small-business people need to specialize in order to succeed,” emphasizes Robin Noah, another SCORE member. “They think they can be all things to all people, but they can’t. They don’t have enough resources or experience.”
The good news is that in a recession, “there are plenty of niche holes that are not being filled because the current players are cutting back and don’t have the capital to take advantage of those gaps,” says Noelle Nitz, a business consultant in Orange County California.
Her own niche is serving as a chief financial officer for smaller companies that cannot afford a full-time employee.
Many would-be micro-business owners stumble because they don’t know how to identify a void in the market that is big enough and profitable enough for a new business.
Bringhurst recommends asking yourself a series of questions about a potential business before committing to starting it. Among the questions: ■ What is the demand for what you want to do or sell? ■ Why will people buy from you instead of your competitors? ■ Are there already 10 of the same type of business in your market? ■ If so, will you be able to offer something unique: price, service, product, quality or location?
Answering these kinds of questions shouldn’t stop once you’ve started up your business. Identifying and filling niche markets is an ongoing process that successful owners pay attention to throughout the life of their companies.
Identify Your Target Customer Those questions help identify a niche on the supply side of a business. The other half of the niche equation identifies the demand side—the target customer.
Many new micro-business owners try to provide everything to everyone. They’re afraid to say no to a potential client for fear they might not make enough money on which to live.
But business owners don’t have enough time, energy or marketing budget to reach every possible buyer. So rather than trying to satisfy every potential customer, owners are better off capturing the lion’s share of a narrowly targeted group of customers.
Of course, that target group can change over time. To compete for the long haul, business owners must keep their fingers on the pulse of customers and cater to their needs.
Tap Resources Fortunately today’s new micro-business owner can find valuable resources to help identify customers, access financing and answer every conceivable business question.
The NASE is a great place to find resources—for startup entrepreneurs as well as long-time business owners. Members save money with discounts on products and services. Consultants are available to answer your specific business questions. And the NASE even gives members access to capital through the NASE Business Development Grant program. You can explore all of the resources at www.NASE.org.
The Internet is a top-notch resource, too. Many communities and colleges have a Small-Business Development Center (SBDC), SCORE chapters, workshops, classes and books to answer most questions about starting a business.
And many existing business owners are willing to help newcomers avoid the mistakes they made in their startup years.
NASE Member Wiebe says, “I had never worked for myself prior to 2004. I integrated a tremendous amount of research, networking and asking questions, questions, questions all related not only to the professional aspect of my coaching business, but the basics of how to start my own business.
“I was very fortunate. For every person I had a conversation with, they were able and willing to share their experiences, challenges, what worked and what didn’t work,” says Wiebe.
As NASE Members know, navigating the waters of launching a new enterprise can be tricky. Issues range from the importance of an ethical foundation to the need to continually network.
Every owner makes mistakes when planning, starting and growing a new business. The difference between those who succeed and those who eventually close their doors is the ability to correct mistakes, to adjust and to move forward through tough times. The inflexible do not survive.
Finally, Wiebe recommends asking an established business owner to mentor you through the startup years or hire a business coach. He did and says, “It made all the difference in the world in terms of my professional and personal support.”
Jan Norman has interviewed thousands of business owners about their startup adventures and is author of “What No One Ever Tells You About Starting Your Own Business” (Kaplan Business, 2004). Read her blog at http://ocregister.com/jan.
Taken from: Words Of Wisdom, Self-Employed Magazine, September/October 2009
http://www.nase.org/knowledgecenter/selfemployed/selfemployedcurrent/09-08-31/Words_Of_Wisdom.aspx
Approximately 6 million Americans have lost their jobs during that period, based on data from the U.S. Department of Labor.
More than a million individuals and 43,000 businesses filed for bankruptcy in 2008, says the American Bankruptcy Institute.
What a great time to start a business!
A recent Wall Street Journal poll found that 69 percent of respondents thought the current economic climate is a good time to start a business. In fact, many successful companies started during previous economic downturns, including the Hyatt hotel chain, Microsoft and Hewlett-Packard. They were helped by the greater availability of talented workers and by suppliers’ and landlords’ willingness to negotiate price discounts, among other hidden benefits.
However, startups need to take extra care to avoid obvious missteps that could kill their ventures before the inevitable economic turnaround kicks in and carries them to the relative security of an established business. Experts and established business owners agree that now is no time to cut corners.
So whether you’re a laid-off corporate worker who recently became an entrepreneur by necessity, a fresh college graduate in the process of launching a successful micro-business, or an early retiree who’s finally pursuing your passion, we’ve gathered some gems of wisdom just for you.
Know Yourself The research should start with yourself, says NASE Member Jason Bringhurst, owner of Professional Cable in Orem, Utah.
“What makes you qualified for this business? Do you have any particular skill or knowledge that will help you be successful? If you like being a carpenter or a salesman, you might not enjoy [business ownership] because you will end up spending most of your time running the business,” Bringhurst explains.
Leila Mozaffari, director of the Orange County Small Business Development Center in Santa Ana, Calif., says that she spends much of her counseling time stepping individuals through such questions about their desire to own and run a business, not merely create a job for themselves.
“We don’t tell them what to do. We ask questions so they can decide if they have a good idea,” she says. “Some people have the passion but not the discipline to run a business. Some have the craft ability, but not the business skills. So the first thing they need to understand is what they bring to the business and compare it with what we have seen in successful entrepreneurs.”
And remember, at every stage of business ownership, you need to nurture your craft as well as the business skills that will make you successful.
Make A Plan Once fledgling business owners decide they can and want to run a company, the most important task should be to write a business plan, says NASE Member Will Wiebe, an executive, life, career and transition coach in Portland, Ore.
“If properly prepared [a business plan] can be an invaluable planning tool as well as a means of measuring your progress toward your business objective,” Wiebe says. “The formulation of a solid business plan needs to be viewed as an integral part of any business startup.”
Doing all the research necessary to write a useful plan could take months, but it is well worth the time and effort in the long run, Wiebe adds.
Bringhurst of Professional Cable agrees that many novice business owners “haven’t actually thought through the process of how this business will come together and what it will take to make a living. I had a business plan; not for other people, not for investors, but just for myself so I could think through everything.”
Professional Cable manufactures and supplies computer, network, fiber optic and home theater cables to several different industries nationwide. It is Bringhurst’s second business startup.
“Before opening my doors in 2007, I already had talked with many of my potential customers,” Bringhurst says. “I had already talked with my main suppliers and made them aware that I was going to start another business. But even with so much in place, it still took six months before I could start paying myself a paycheck.”
Keep in mind that business plans aren’t just necessary for startups. Whether you’ve been in business for a few weeks, a few months or even a few years, it’s never too late to craft or revise your business plan.
Find Capital Finding money to fund the startup, growth and expansion of a micro-business is an ongoing necessity for owners. But it’s a particularly critical task for businesses just getting off the ground.
Many experts recommend that a new business owner have enough money on hand to survive at least a year without drawing a paycheck.
Bruce Schoenegge, a member of SCORE, a nationwide group of volunteer business counselors sponsored by the U.S. Small Business Administration, says, “Startups need more resources than they initially think to survive.”
Bringhurst agrees.
“There are so many costs to starting a business, from computers to furniture to warehouse equipment to product to stock.”
New micro-business owners must realize that the most likely source of capital to start their ventures will be their own wallets. Even when the economy was booming, many banks wouldn’t make loans to businesses that were less than 3 years old. Now that the housing industry collapse has put so many lenders in financial difficulty, they’re even less willing to make business loans.
During the housing boom, many entrepreneurs took money out of their homes to finance a business startup. But the housing collapse has dried up that source of capital, too.
Equity investing through venture capitalists and private equity funds has also declined in the past several years.
So startups must depend on savings and on money they can raise from family and friends to launch their micro-businesses. They may not be able to raise as much capital as they could in good economic times. And that means they must show discipline in how they spend the money,
Schoenegge adds.
Some questions to ask about money: ■ Can this business be run from home? More than half of startups now begin in a garage or spare bedroom. If customers don’t have to come to your location, a home-based business can thrive while saving thousands of dollars in monthly rent. ■ Are there used office furniture stores and thrift stores in your community with desks, chairs, file cabinets and lamps to get your business started? ■ How much work can you do yourself, from building a Web site using simple inexpensive programs to setting up your financials on QuickBooks?
Choose Your Business Carefully The choice of business to start is important, but in ways that many people who have never owned a company might fail to consider.
Sure, these days you wouldn’t start a buggy whip manufacturing plant. But what about a variety store that attempts to sell something to everyone or a consulting practice that tries to solve every problem? Could those types of companies succeed today? Probably not.
“Small-business people need to specialize in order to succeed,” emphasizes Robin Noah, another SCORE member. “They think they can be all things to all people, but they can’t. They don’t have enough resources or experience.”
The good news is that in a recession, “there are plenty of niche holes that are not being filled because the current players are cutting back and don’t have the capital to take advantage of those gaps,” says Noelle Nitz, a business consultant in Orange County California.
Her own niche is serving as a chief financial officer for smaller companies that cannot afford a full-time employee.
Many would-be micro-business owners stumble because they don’t know how to identify a void in the market that is big enough and profitable enough for a new business.
Bringhurst recommends asking yourself a series of questions about a potential business before committing to starting it. Among the questions: ■ What is the demand for what you want to do or sell? ■ Why will people buy from you instead of your competitors? ■ Are there already 10 of the same type of business in your market? ■ If so, will you be able to offer something unique: price, service, product, quality or location?
Answering these kinds of questions shouldn’t stop once you’ve started up your business. Identifying and filling niche markets is an ongoing process that successful owners pay attention to throughout the life of their companies.
Identify Your Target Customer Those questions help identify a niche on the supply side of a business. The other half of the niche equation identifies the demand side—the target customer.
Many new micro-business owners try to provide everything to everyone. They’re afraid to say no to a potential client for fear they might not make enough money on which to live.
But business owners don’t have enough time, energy or marketing budget to reach every possible buyer. So rather than trying to satisfy every potential customer, owners are better off capturing the lion’s share of a narrowly targeted group of customers.
Of course, that target group can change over time. To compete for the long haul, business owners must keep their fingers on the pulse of customers and cater to their needs.
Tap Resources Fortunately today’s new micro-business owner can find valuable resources to help identify customers, access financing and answer every conceivable business question.
The NASE is a great place to find resources—for startup entrepreneurs as well as long-time business owners. Members save money with discounts on products and services. Consultants are available to answer your specific business questions. And the NASE even gives members access to capital through the NASE Business Development Grant program. You can explore all of the resources at www.NASE.org.
The Internet is a top-notch resource, too. Many communities and colleges have a Small-Business Development Center (SBDC), SCORE chapters, workshops, classes and books to answer most questions about starting a business.
And many existing business owners are willing to help newcomers avoid the mistakes they made in their startup years.
NASE Member Wiebe says, “I had never worked for myself prior to 2004. I integrated a tremendous amount of research, networking and asking questions, questions, questions all related not only to the professional aspect of my coaching business, but the basics of how to start my own business.
“I was very fortunate. For every person I had a conversation with, they were able and willing to share their experiences, challenges, what worked and what didn’t work,” says Wiebe.
As NASE Members know, navigating the waters of launching a new enterprise can be tricky. Issues range from the importance of an ethical foundation to the need to continually network.
Every owner makes mistakes when planning, starting and growing a new business. The difference between those who succeed and those who eventually close their doors is the ability to correct mistakes, to adjust and to move forward through tough times. The inflexible do not survive.
Finally, Wiebe recommends asking an established business owner to mentor you through the startup years or hire a business coach. He did and says, “It made all the difference in the world in terms of my professional and personal support.”
Jan Norman has interviewed thousands of business owners about their startup adventures and is author of “What No One Ever Tells You About Starting Your Own Business” (Kaplan Business, 2004). Read her blog at http://ocregister.com/jan.
Taken from: Words Of Wisdom, Self-Employed Magazine, September/October 2009
http://www.nase.org/knowledgecenter/selfemployed/selfemployedcurrent/09-08-31/Words_Of_Wisdom.aspx
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Myth-buster-cable-quality
Common Myths About Cable Quality
Myth #1: Thicker is better
We’ve all heard this one… "This is a nice, thick cable. It must be good quality." Unfortunately, the apparent thickness of a cable really has very little to do with the quality of the cable. To a certain extent, it is true that thicker copper wires can generally carry a given signal (or electrical load) a little further than thinner wires, this is only true to a point. And a "thick cable" does not necessarily mean that the wires inside are any thicker; we’ve seen any number of "thick cables" with thin wires inside and thick outer jackets, giving a deceptive appearance without providing any benefit. Even when a particular cable is constructed with thicker wires, that is not always a guarantee that the signal quality will be any better.
Myth #2: Better materials means better quality
Most people are surprised to see this one on a list of myths. After all, common sense would clearly indicate that if you use better materials, you get a better quality cable, right? To a point, this is somewhat true. It is certainly true that poor quality materials can yield a poor quality cable. However, there is a point where, once the cable is doing what it is supposed to do, additional workmanship, better materials, or more "features" really do nothing to further improve the performance of the cable. Some manufacturers love to tout various "features" of their cables, features which, while certainly impressive-sounding, actually do nothing to improve the performance of a cable. One example that we often cite is silver-coated wires on a six-foot HDMI cable. Yes, it is certainly true that silver is a very fine conductor of electricity, but on a short cable like that, it offers no performance benefit over traditional copper-based cables.
Myth #3: A High-quality cable can "improve" performance
This is a myth perpetuated by consumers and manufacturers alike. They claim that a high quality cable will "improve" the signal of whatever device it is connected to. This is nonsense. Just as a chain is only as good as its weakest link, a cable can only transmit whatever it receives from the device. It cannot "improve" or "clean up" any data coming in to it. This myth probably gets reinforced because customers will buy a high-quality cable, plug it in, and see improvement. What this means is that the previous cable was not doing its job, and was degrading the signal. What the customer is now seeing is simply what he or she should have been seeing all along. In spite of this, there are manufacturers who will claim that their cable can improve the performance of a system. Some even go as far as to claim that their product will "clean up" a bad signal. Steer clear of these products; good cable engineering principles dictate that a cable should do one thing and only one thing: deliver the signal that it received, intact and without modification, to the other end.
(Note: there is one exception to this rule, but it is not a cable. Power surge protectors *do* have built-in electronics that allow them to "clean up" surges / spikes and electromagnetic interference that are commonplace in household electricity.)
Source: National Tech
----------
For great deals on well-made, high-quality CAT5E, HDMI, USB, CAT6, Apple, iPhone, iPod, and DVI cables, at a value price, check out http://www.whatacable.com/ - Order online and save!
Myth #1: Thicker is better
We’ve all heard this one… "This is a nice, thick cable. It must be good quality." Unfortunately, the apparent thickness of a cable really has very little to do with the quality of the cable. To a certain extent, it is true that thicker copper wires can generally carry a given signal (or electrical load) a little further than thinner wires, this is only true to a point. And a "thick cable" does not necessarily mean that the wires inside are any thicker; we’ve seen any number of "thick cables" with thin wires inside and thick outer jackets, giving a deceptive appearance without providing any benefit. Even when a particular cable is constructed with thicker wires, that is not always a guarantee that the signal quality will be any better.
Myth #2: Better materials means better quality
Most people are surprised to see this one on a list of myths. After all, common sense would clearly indicate that if you use better materials, you get a better quality cable, right? To a point, this is somewhat true. It is certainly true that poor quality materials can yield a poor quality cable. However, there is a point where, once the cable is doing what it is supposed to do, additional workmanship, better materials, or more "features" really do nothing to further improve the performance of the cable. Some manufacturers love to tout various "features" of their cables, features which, while certainly impressive-sounding, actually do nothing to improve the performance of a cable. One example that we often cite is silver-coated wires on a six-foot HDMI cable. Yes, it is certainly true that silver is a very fine conductor of electricity, but on a short cable like that, it offers no performance benefit over traditional copper-based cables.
Myth #3: A High-quality cable can "improve" performance
This is a myth perpetuated by consumers and manufacturers alike. They claim that a high quality cable will "improve" the signal of whatever device it is connected to. This is nonsense. Just as a chain is only as good as its weakest link, a cable can only transmit whatever it receives from the device. It cannot "improve" or "clean up" any data coming in to it. This myth probably gets reinforced because customers will buy a high-quality cable, plug it in, and see improvement. What this means is that the previous cable was not doing its job, and was degrading the signal. What the customer is now seeing is simply what he or she should have been seeing all along. In spite of this, there are manufacturers who will claim that their cable can improve the performance of a system. Some even go as far as to claim that their product will "clean up" a bad signal. Steer clear of these products; good cable engineering principles dictate that a cable should do one thing and only one thing: deliver the signal that it received, intact and without modification, to the other end.
(Note: there is one exception to this rule, but it is not a cable. Power surge protectors *do* have built-in electronics that allow them to "clean up" surges / spikes and electromagnetic interference that are commonplace in household electricity.)
Source: National Tech
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Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Apple-iPhone-3GS–a-conversion-story
Apple iPhone 3GS – A conversion story.
I have been a faithful Blackberry user for 6 years, since 2003. My first Blackberry was the 7200 series. It was a great solid phone that had email. That was what I had been searching for. No longer constantly turning on the computer and logging on just to see if I had missed an email. This was the end of my using a Palm for calendar and contacts. I had been a Palm user since 1997. I have enjoyed all the Blackberry devices and have converted many to the Blackberry. My most recent Blackberry was the Curve. It was a good device for contacts, email, calendar, and phone. It also had the QWERTY keyboard, which I really like.
Fast forward to 2009. What I have been wanting and needing more and more is the ability to get on the Internet from the phone, rather than turning on the computer and looking up an address, or checking facebook, or checking the weather. Waiting to start a computer or finding a place to connect is not always convenient, especially when you simply want to do something quick like check the weather forecast for tomorrow. T-Mobile has been dragging their feet to get a 3G network in Salt Lake City, and therefore the Blackberry just wasn’t cutting it anymore.
A couple months ago, I actually started looking at other phones. I asked everyone I saw with an iPhone how they liked it. If they were a former Blackberry user, asked if they missed the Blackberry. I was surprised at how much they liked their phones. I couldn’t find anyone who would go back. Could it be, after years of avoiding iTunes, iPods, and Apple all together, that I might succumb to buying an iPhone? I think it was inevitable. I checked out every available phone on the market, including the Google phone G1 and even looked at the new Palm Pre, which was to debut soon. But the new iPhone 3GS had more bang for buck than anything out there. But the dang cancellation fee at T-Mobile would be $200! Thus my iPhone 16GB 3GS phone would cost $400 total; $200 for the phone and $200 to cancel the T-Mobile contract. Those who know me would think that I’m way too cheap to do such a thing. But there I was in line at the AT&T store waiting for my new iPhone, surrounded by other geeks who had to get the new iPhone on the day it came out. I paid the money, and have not looked back.
Has there been a learning curve? Well, the only learning curve has been the keyboard (refer back to my love for the QWERTY keyboard). It is a “soft” keyboard, meaning there are no real keys, just on the screen. It has taken some getting used to, especially since I have big fingers. But, I’m adjusting very well, and have no regrets. The iPhone really is not a phone. It is a computer that happens to be very small and make phone calls. Everything else is very web-friendly, and almost elegant, with great speeds. I’m a convert, and am worried that many faithful Blackberry users will follow suit.
Until Next Time
The Cable Guy
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
starting-a-business-advice-how-to
As a small business owner, I often have people ask me for advice on starting their own business. They are excited to purchase a web domain, get a website up, get a logo designed, print business cards and letter head, and lease an office, but they haven’t actually thought through the process of how this business will come together and what it will take to make a living.
There are a few things that I offer as advice to those thinking about the glory of being self-employed full-time.
How long can you survive without a paycheck? If married, is your spouse supportive of long hours with no pay? I have started two businesses as my full-time venture, and both required 6-12 months with no incoming salary. In other words, it took me almost a year to get to the point where I could afford myself as an employee. Both times I talked this through with my wife before going out on my own. There are so many costs to starting a business, from computers, to furniture, from warehouse equipment to the actual product to stock. Usually that alone will scare most of the starry eyed self-employed hopefuls away.
What is the demand for what you want to do or sell? If you want to start a carpet store, you need to answer this question. “Why will people buy from you instead of your competitors?” You need to know the competitive landscape. Are there already 10 other carpet stores in town? Will you be able to offer anything unique? Price, service, product, quality, or location? Is your product in demand?
Lastly, what makes you qualified for this business? Do you have any particular skill or knowledge that will help you to be successful? Are you going to sell direct in a retail store, through dealers and distributors, or online? If you like being a carpenter or a salesman, you may not enjoy actually running a business, because you will end up spending most of your time “running the business” rather than actually being a carpenter or getting out and selling. Ultimately, are you starting a business just for fun or do you think you will really enjoy running a business?
I think that all of these questions can be answered in some sort of business plan. It is very important before walking in and quitting your day job, to have answers to some of these basic questions nailed down. As part of this business plan you need to know: 1. Start up costs. 2. Money resources for those first 6-12 months during the time when you may not be able to pay yourself. 3. What the product or service is that you will sell. 4. Who are your competitors? 5. What are your competitive advantages? 6. What do you offer that your competitors do not? 7. How will you advertise and market your product? 8. Who will be your suppliers? 9. Who will be your customers? 10. How much will you need to sell per month in order for you to make a comfortable living?
These are lessons that I have learned from owning two businesses. The first one I started in 2001 with a colleague at work. We both had sales skills and had been in the industry for a number of years, so we knew that end of the business. But my business partner, who was a 50% owner, really only enjoyed sales, and ultimately did not enjoy owning and running the business. After 3 years, he decided that he wanted out. We ended up selling the business. I knew that I would eventually start another business because that is what I enjoyed. We are still friends. He is VP of sales for a company and I’m self-employed again. We’re both happier now doing what we love.
Professional Cable (www.professionalcable.com) has now been in business for over two years, and I love it. We manufacture and supply computer, network, fiber optic, and home theater cables to a number of markets and industries across the USA. Before opening my doors in 2007, I already had talked with many of my potential customers. I had already talked with my main suppliers and made them aware that I was going to start another business. I had a business plan, not for other people, not for investors, but just for myself so I could think through everything. I knew that I could be successful. But, even with so much in place, it still took 6 months before I could start paying myself a paycheck. Luckily I have a supportive wife.
Starting a business is not a venture for the weak of heart, but if you are prepared it can be extremely rewarding. I love to hear of other success stories of entrepreneurs who have gone out on their own. I have now been in the cable industry for 15 years. I’ve been selling computer cables since back before we were all using email and the Internet. I’m somewhat of an expert in the industry. This has been key to my success. But more than anything, my relations with both my suppliers and my customers have made it possible for me to be successful. Once I opened my doors for business, I had many customers start doing business with “me” not the company, because of our relations. It had nothing to do with “Professional Cable”. In business, the old adage is true, “Never burn a bridge”. Someday that person may be your supplier, your customer, or your boss. Your reputation will enable your success or hinder it.
There are a few things that I offer as advice to those thinking about the glory of being self-employed full-time.
How long can you survive without a paycheck? If married, is your spouse supportive of long hours with no pay? I have started two businesses as my full-time venture, and both required 6-12 months with no incoming salary. In other words, it took me almost a year to get to the point where I could afford myself as an employee. Both times I talked this through with my wife before going out on my own. There are so many costs to starting a business, from computers, to furniture, from warehouse equipment to the actual product to stock. Usually that alone will scare most of the starry eyed self-employed hopefuls away.
What is the demand for what you want to do or sell? If you want to start a carpet store, you need to answer this question. “Why will people buy from you instead of your competitors?” You need to know the competitive landscape. Are there already 10 other carpet stores in town? Will you be able to offer anything unique? Price, service, product, quality, or location? Is your product in demand?
Lastly, what makes you qualified for this business? Do you have any particular skill or knowledge that will help you to be successful? Are you going to sell direct in a retail store, through dealers and distributors, or online? If you like being a carpenter or a salesman, you may not enjoy actually running a business, because you will end up spending most of your time “running the business” rather than actually being a carpenter or getting out and selling. Ultimately, are you starting a business just for fun or do you think you will really enjoy running a business?
I think that all of these questions can be answered in some sort of business plan. It is very important before walking in and quitting your day job, to have answers to some of these basic questions nailed down. As part of this business plan you need to know: 1. Start up costs. 2. Money resources for those first 6-12 months during the time when you may not be able to pay yourself. 3. What the product or service is that you will sell. 4. Who are your competitors? 5. What are your competitive advantages? 6. What do you offer that your competitors do not? 7. How will you advertise and market your product? 8. Who will be your suppliers? 9. Who will be your customers? 10. How much will you need to sell per month in order for you to make a comfortable living?
These are lessons that I have learned from owning two businesses. The first one I started in 2001 with a colleague at work. We both had sales skills and had been in the industry for a number of years, so we knew that end of the business. But my business partner, who was a 50% owner, really only enjoyed sales, and ultimately did not enjoy owning and running the business. After 3 years, he decided that he wanted out. We ended up selling the business. I knew that I would eventually start another business because that is what I enjoyed. We are still friends. He is VP of sales for a company and I’m self-employed again. We’re both happier now doing what we love.
Professional Cable (www.professionalcable.com) has now been in business for over two years, and I love it. We manufacture and supply computer, network, fiber optic, and home theater cables to a number of markets and industries across the USA. Before opening my doors in 2007, I already had talked with many of my potential customers. I had already talked with my main suppliers and made them aware that I was going to start another business. I had a business plan, not for other people, not for investors, but just for myself so I could think through everything. I knew that I could be successful. But, even with so much in place, it still took 6 months before I could start paying myself a paycheck. Luckily I have a supportive wife.
Starting a business is not a venture for the weak of heart, but if you are prepared it can be extremely rewarding. I love to hear of other success stories of entrepreneurs who have gone out on their own. I have now been in the cable industry for 15 years. I’ve been selling computer cables since back before we were all using email and the Internet. I’m somewhat of an expert in the industry. This has been key to my success. But more than anything, my relations with both my suppliers and my customers have made it possible for me to be successful. Once I opened my doors for business, I had many customers start doing business with “me” not the company, because of our relations. It had nothing to do with “Professional Cable”. In business, the old adage is true, “Never burn a bridge”. Someday that person may be your supplier, your customer, or your boss. Your reputation will enable your success or hinder it.
Thursday, May 28, 2009
History-of-Professional-Cable-Orem-Utah
Jedidiah De N'importe Quoi was in search for gold as he headed west in 1836. What he found instead was lots of copper. He decided to stop making horse shoes because the competition was so great, and decided that he would make computer cables. He made all types, SCSI, Ethernet, CAT6, USB, FireWire, DVI and HDMI. Now these were crude versions of today's models, but none-the-less, they were better than any other computer cable in the western frontier.He would travel from town to town, selling his cables. Most cowboys would use them to tie up their horses. But he made a living at it. He ended up settling in Orem, Utah, mainly selling his computer cables to the trappers and Indians, who would use them to fish and catch animals. 
Jedidiah's grandson, Samuel De N'importe Quoi, took over the business in 1900. He bought some machinery that automated the computer cable production. However, iron was so popular that he tried using iron connectors, which made the cables even less-useless for this time period. He would travel all over the western states selling his computer cables, mainly having success to fishermen who would use the iron cables as anchors for their boats.Samuel's grandson Richie De N'importe Quoi decided that every home needed a computer cable, for it would not be long, a few short d
ecades, until computers would be in every home. This of course was laughed at as people were busy buying a washing machine and television for their homes. Richie knew the day would come when cables would be in high demand. He had some success selling Ethernet cables to school kids because they could use them as a jump rope. Eventually the business was sold to a railroad which used the cables to tie down freight. Today every home does have a cable, just like Jedidiah, Samuel, and Richie De N'importe Quoi dreamed would happen.
ecades, until computers would be in every home. This of course was laughed at as people were busy buying a washing machine and television for their homes. Richie knew the day would come when cables would be in high demand. He had some success selling Ethernet cables to school kids because they could use them as a jump rope. Eventually the business was sold to a railroad which used the cables to tie down freight. Today every home does have a cable, just like Jedidiah, Samuel, and Richie De N'importe Quoi dreamed would happen.The above history is of course fictional. However, had Professional Cable existed back during these time periods, it would have been extremely successful.
Friday, May 22, 2009
Google-G1-t-mobile-phone-review-good-or-not
For the last decade or so a new fad has caught the minds and hearts of both the rising generation and the more experienced at life. What, may you ask, is this great new phenomenon? It’s the Cellular Phone, More commonly known as the cell phone. People used to live their whole lives tied to a phone that was stationary. With the invention of this great item it allowed people to be contacted anywhere. With the advances that have been made to cell phones people have started using these phones to run, or ruin?, their whole lives. The one in particular that caught my attention was the Google phone, otherwise known as the G1, through T-mobile. Since I started using it I have noticed some great things about it, and a few things that could be better. Here is what I have noticed.
First, the operating system itself is Linux based, referred to as android. While it has frozen once or twice it has not been nearly as troublesome as the mobile version of windows. The down side to this is that you have to find applications that will do the work that you would normally have Microsoft office mobile for. They are mostly available through the Android market, an application that comes with the phone for purchasing and downloading applications. Of these many different applications one of my favorite so far has been shop-savy. It utilizes the phones 3 mega-pixel camera to scan bar codes and search local stores and the Internet for the best prices of an item. Since this is a phone produced by Google it naturally has access to all the Google application that everyone uses including Google maps. Very handy if you’re the kinda person that needs directions and gets lost easily. Another thing I like about the phone is that it has a flip-up screen revealing the full keyboard underneath. Having this makes it much easier for texting. I mentioned before that it comes with a 3 mega-pixel camera, it’s pretty good for a camera-phone. It takes some pretty great pictures too. I’ve started using it as my main camera. It also works as a MP3 player, whoever make sure you have the right adapter for it so you can plug in your head phones, as the speaker, located in the center of the back, isn’t the greatest and could be better. For memory storage the phone relies on micro sd cards, which are becoming more and more common. Getting the music and videos, as well as other media that you would like to read, listen to, or watch, onto the phone does require a mini usb to usb connection cable. It does come with one but the cable its self is fairly short, I would suggest getting a longer one. Whatacable!.com is a great place to get them. The full touch screen is a nice feature to it as well, making it easy to navigate around the phone. If this isn’t your forte’ then the phone has a trackball mouse that works excellent too. For memory storage the phone relies on micro sd cards, which are becoming more and more common. Getting the music and videos, as well as other media that you would like to read, listen to, or watch, onto the phone does require a mini usb to usb connection cable. It does come with one but the cable its self is fairly short, I would suggest getting a longer one. If you lose one or need an extra Mini USB Cable Whatacable.com is a great place to get them. As well you can use a micro sd card adapter to plug the card into a card reader and transfer the dad that way, you would need to have a USB card reader for that though, which you can also get at WhataCable.com J charging the phone does require a mini-usb cable. Now if your like me you have limited usb ports with which to use on your computer. I run out very often trying to connect everything, my solution…a 7-Port USB hub, also available on WhataCable!
This phone may not be for everyone, but it has been my favorite phone that I have had to date. It is one that I would recommend to most anybody, the business professional or the general consumer. It's just a great phone.
(Written by: Guest Editor Z-Cable-Guy)
First, the operating system itself is Linux based, referred to as android. While it has frozen once or twice it has not been nearly as troublesome as the mobile version of windows. The down side to this is that you have to find applications that will do the work that you would normally have Microsoft office mobile for. They are mostly available through the Android market, an application that comes with the phone for purchasing and downloading applications. Of these many different applications one of my favorite so far has been shop-savy. It utilizes the phones 3 mega-pixel camera to scan bar codes and search local stores and the Internet for the best prices of an item. Since this is a phone produced by Google it naturally has access to all the Google application that everyone uses including Google maps. Very handy if you’re the kinda person that needs directions and gets lost easily. Another thing I like about the phone is that it has a flip-up screen revealing the full keyboard underneath. Having this makes it much easier for texting. I mentioned before that it comes with a 3 mega-pixel camera, it’s pretty good for a camera-phone. It takes some pretty great pictures too. I’ve started using it as my main camera. It also works as a MP3 player, whoever make sure you have the right adapter for it so you can plug in your head phones, as the speaker, located in the center of the back, isn’t the greatest and could be better. For memory storage the phone relies on micro sd cards, which are becoming more and more common. Getting the music and videos, as well as other media that you would like to read, listen to, or watch, onto the phone does require a mini usb to usb connection cable. It does come with one but the cable its self is fairly short, I would suggest getting a longer one. Whatacable!.com is a great place to get them. The full touch screen is a nice feature to it as well, making it easy to navigate around the phone. If this isn’t your forte’ then the phone has a trackball mouse that works excellent too. For memory storage the phone relies on micro sd cards, which are becoming more and more common. Getting the music and videos, as well as other media that you would like to read, listen to, or watch, onto the phone does require a mini usb to usb connection cable. It does come with one but the cable its self is fairly short, I would suggest getting a longer one. If you lose one or need an extra Mini USB Cable Whatacable.com is a great place to get them. As well you can use a micro sd card adapter to plug the card into a card reader and transfer the dad that way, you would need to have a USB card reader for that though, which you can also get at WhataCable.com J charging the phone does require a mini-usb cable. Now if your like me you have limited usb ports with which to use on your computer. I run out very often trying to connect everything, my solution…a 7-Port USB hub, also available on WhataCable!
This phone may not be for everyone, but it has been my favorite phone that I have had to date. It is one that I would recommend to most anybody, the business professional or the general consumer. It's just a great phone.
(Written by: Guest Editor Z-Cable-Guy)
Friday, May 8, 2009
DVI-Splitter-how-to-have-simultaneous-display-multiplier
Have you ever wondered how you can split your screen so that two monitors show the exact same thing? If you are looking for a video splitter, there are a few options on the market. You'll need to know what type of monitor you have. 1. VGA/SVGA 2. DVI or 3. HDMI.
1. For VGA or SVGA, you can go with a "Y" cable, that will split the signal. You can pick these up on WhataCable.com for about $12. This is good for short distances and if you have a good video card. For laptops or longer distances, I would recommend a powered splitter that will help to boost that analog signal. You can split it up to 8 monitors (8-way VGA splitter). This would be used in a classroom or like you see at an electronics store when all the TVs or monitors have the same image going. WhataCable.com has these powered VGA video splitters, or multipliers starting at about $22.
2. For DVI you can get a high-quality DVI "Y" cable splitter for about $17 from WhataCable. DVI is a digital signal as opposed to the analog signal of VGA or SVGA. DVI has a number of connections on the market which makes it confusing. Make sure on the female side that you get one that accepts all the pins that your DVI connection has. WhataCable! has one that will accept any DVI connection because it is in the DVI-I Dual Link female configuration.
3. For HDMI I only suggest going with a powered splitter. The reason is that DCP (digital content protection) will sometimes detect that you are splitting the signal with a "Y" cable and will shut the video off. This is really annoying and can be mostly avoided with a powered HDMI splitter box. WhataCable.com has them from $94 for a 2-way HDMI powered splitter. You can go all the way up to an 8-way splitter (multiplier) if you need to have a bunch of HDTVs displaying the same thing.
With all splitters, don't forget that you might need to purchase cables, because even with a two-way powered splitter, you'll need one cable from the computer to the splitter box, then one cable to each TV/monitor/projector. With the "Y" cable you'll only need one cable to each monitor/projector.
Until next time
The Cable Guy
1. For VGA or SVGA, you can go with a "Y" cable, that will split the signal. You can pick these up on WhataCable.com for about $12. This is good for short distances and if you have a good video card. For laptops or longer distances, I would recommend a powered splitter that will help to boost that analog signal. You can split it up to 8 monitors (8-way VGA splitter). This would be used in a classroom or like you see at an electronics store when all the TVs or monitors have the same image going. WhataCable.com has these powered VGA video splitters, or multipliers starting at about $22.
2. For DVI you can get a high-quality DVI "Y" cable splitter for about $17 from WhataCable. DVI is a digital signal as opposed to the analog signal of VGA or SVGA. DVI has a number of connections on the market which makes it confusing. Make sure on the female side that you get one that accepts all the pins that your DVI connection has. WhataCable! has one that will accept any DVI connection because it is in the DVI-I Dual Link female configuration.
3. For HDMI I only suggest going with a powered splitter. The reason is that DCP (digital content protection) will sometimes detect that you are splitting the signal with a "Y" cable and will shut the video off. This is really annoying and can be mostly avoided with a powered HDMI splitter box. WhataCable.com has them from $94 for a 2-way HDMI powered splitter. You can go all the way up to an 8-way splitter (multiplier) if you need to have a bunch of HDTVs displaying the same thing.
With all splitters, don't forget that you might need to purchase cables, because even with a two-way powered splitter, you'll need one cable from the computer to the splitter box, then one cable to each TV/monitor/projector. With the "Y" cable you'll only need one cable to each monitor/projector.
Until next time
The Cable Guy
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Saturday, May 2, 2009
CEO-of-Monster-Cable-Their-cables-aren’t-necessary
CEO of Monster Cable says their cables aren’t necessary for today’s technology.
I’ve been telling people for years that HDMI certified cables from companies like WhataCable! are just as good as the expensive fancy packaged Monster Cables that you’ll find at Best Buy for $129 (8 feet length). However, some people just can’t believe that there will be no performance difference. I try to explain that if you have a 1” pipe at one end (Blu-ray player) and a 1” pipe at the other end (HDTV) and decide to run a 2” pipe in between (Monster Cable), you still only get the same amount of water that you would with the 1” pipe, because the limitation is wherever there is the smallest pipe. In other words if you have a 1080p HDMI 1.3V Blu-ray player and a 1080p HDMI 1.3V HDTV, as long as you have a cable that meets those specifications, 1080p and HDMI 1.3V compliant, there is no need to go above and beyond those specifications.
When asked if you really need a Monster Cable for today’s technology, Monster Cable CEO Noel Lee said, “Do you need the high performance (Monster) cable today? Probably not. But with bigger displays and 3-D TVs coming down the pike, you will, eventually.” (USA Today, April 28, 2009 Page 6B) Are you kidding me? You are asking people to buy cables for technology 3 years down the road when we don’t even know what the specs. are going to be 3 years down the road. In 1999 maybe I should have been selling super high-quality parallel printer cables for the future 2002 parallel printer technology. But, oops. By 2002 everyone was using USB for their printers. Yeah, that makes sense.
So there you have it. You don’t need a Monster Cable for today’s technology. This is what I’ve been telling people for the past few years. HDMI cables, like the ones that are found at places like WhataCable.com meet the HDMI 1080p 1.3V standards, which is what all the electronics out on the market require. However, the sales rep. at Best Buy will tell you that you need the $129, 6-8 feet Monster Cable, because it is even better than what the HDMI specs. require. Well, that might be true, but if you put high performance racing tires on a VW bug, you still have a VW bug. It won’t make your Blu-ray or HDTV perform any better than the technology that is in them.
Other bloggers feel the same way. Joshua Topolsky, editor-in-chief of tech blog Engadget says “You buy a new cable with the new TV – not three years ahead of time.” And the fact is, I guarantee that in three years if we have higher demands and new HDMI requirements, Monster Cable (and the sales guy at Best Buy) will be telling you that your 3-year old Monster Cable is no longer sufficient for today’s high demands and you’ll need to buy a new cable. Speaking of huge profits the Monster Cables at Best Buy provide, Richard Doherty an independent analyst at Envisioneering Group said, “(Monster) Cables are enjoying percentages consumers would scream about if they knew the markup on them.” He goes on to say, “Monster used higher-quality products in the analog era to give you better sound, but as things went digital, it either works or it doesn’t. Now there’s an awful lot of $15 cables out there which would give you the exact same performance as Monster Cable.”
But despite the evidence, people every day across the nation are gladly paying the $129 for the feet Monster HDMI cable at Best Buy. I guess if they’ve just thrown down $3,000 for a TV, it makes them feel good to buy the fancy packaged cable.
So how big is Monster Cable? The Oakland Tribune recently cited Monster’s yearly sales at $100 million, but Monster Spokesman Daniel Graham says that’s “Way too low.”
It goes to show you that marketing works. People have been told for so long that they need a Monster Cable for high performance, that they believe the message.
Please save yourself some money and give the cables at WhataCable! a try. They back them with a limited Lifetime Warranty. They have supplied thousands of HDMI cables to professionals installing million dollar home theaters. Yet it continues to be the do-it-yourselfer who will pay the big bucks for the Monster Cables, because they don’t know better. I guaranty the professionals aren’t running Monster Cables on their jobs, especially in the media closets where nobody can see them.
Until Next Time
The Cable Guy
I’ve been telling people for years that HDMI certified cables from companies like WhataCable! are just as good as the expensive fancy packaged Monster Cables that you’ll find at Best Buy for $129 (8 feet length). However, some people just can’t believe that there will be no performance difference. I try to explain that if you have a 1” pipe at one end (Blu-ray player) and a 1” pipe at the other end (HDTV) and decide to run a 2” pipe in between (Monster Cable), you still only get the same amount of water that you would with the 1” pipe, because the limitation is wherever there is the smallest pipe. In other words if you have a 1080p HDMI 1.3V Blu-ray player and a 1080p HDMI 1.3V HDTV, as long as you have a cable that meets those specifications, 1080p and HDMI 1.3V compliant, there is no need to go above and beyond those specifications.
When asked if you really need a Monster Cable for today’s technology, Monster Cable CEO Noel Lee said, “Do you need the high performance (Monster) cable today? Probably not. But with bigger displays and 3-D TVs coming down the pike, you will, eventually.” (USA Today, April 28, 2009 Page 6B) Are you kidding me? You are asking people to buy cables for technology 3 years down the road when we don’t even know what the specs. are going to be 3 years down the road. In 1999 maybe I should have been selling super high-quality parallel printer cables for the future 2002 parallel printer technology. But, oops. By 2002 everyone was using USB for their printers. Yeah, that makes sense.
So there you have it. You don’t need a Monster Cable for today’s technology. This is what I’ve been telling people for the past few years. HDMI cables, like the ones that are found at places like WhataCable.com meet the HDMI 1080p 1.3V standards, which is what all the electronics out on the market require. However, the sales rep. at Best Buy will tell you that you need the $129, 6-8 feet Monster Cable, because it is even better than what the HDMI specs. require. Well, that might be true, but if you put high performance racing tires on a VW bug, you still have a VW bug. It won’t make your Blu-ray or HDTV perform any better than the technology that is in them.
Other bloggers feel the same way. Joshua Topolsky, editor-in-chief of tech blog Engadget says “You buy a new cable with the new TV – not three years ahead of time.” And the fact is, I guarantee that in three years if we have higher demands and new HDMI requirements, Monster Cable (and the sales guy at Best Buy) will be telling you that your 3-year old Monster Cable is no longer sufficient for today’s high demands and you’ll need to buy a new cable. Speaking of huge profits the Monster Cables at Best Buy provide, Richard Doherty an independent analyst at Envisioneering Group said, “(Monster) Cables are enjoying percentages consumers would scream about if they knew the markup on them.” He goes on to say, “Monster used higher-quality products in the analog era to give you better sound, but as things went digital, it either works or it doesn’t. Now there’s an awful lot of $15 cables out there which would give you the exact same performance as Monster Cable.”
But despite the evidence, people every day across the nation are gladly paying the $129 for the feet Monster HDMI cable at Best Buy. I guess if they’ve just thrown down $3,000 for a TV, it makes them feel good to buy the fancy packaged cable.
So how big is Monster Cable? The Oakland Tribune recently cited Monster’s yearly sales at $100 million, but Monster Spokesman Daniel Graham says that’s “Way too low.”
It goes to show you that marketing works. People have been told for so long that they need a Monster Cable for high performance, that they believe the message.
Please save yourself some money and give the cables at WhataCable! a try. They back them with a limited Lifetime Warranty. They have supplied thousands of HDMI cables to professionals installing million dollar home theaters. Yet it continues to be the do-it-yourselfer who will pay the big bucks for the Monster Cables, because they don’t know better. I guaranty the professionals aren’t running Monster Cables on their jobs, especially in the media closets where nobody can see them.
Until Next Time
The Cable Guy
Friday, April 24, 2009
Mini-displayport-dp-to-DVI-for-apple-display-port
WhataCable! now has the hard-to-find Mini DisplayPort to DVI adapters in stock for the new Apple computers.
The new MacBook, MacBook Pro, and MacBook Air each have a Mini DisplayPort that allows you to connect an external display or projector using an adapter. However, the adapter has been hard to find, and is expensive if you purchase directly from Apple.
You can use an external display as your main workspace or to extend your desktop, or you can work in mirrored mode with a projector so you can view what your audience sees.
Use new WhataCable! Mini DisplayPort to DVI Adapter to connect an advanced digital monitor, an HDTV, projectors, or other DVI displays. You'll need to review the documentation or check with the manufacturer of your monitor or TV to make sure you're choosing the right adapter.
This is only compatible only with MacBook, MacBook Pro, and MacBook Air with Mini DisplayPort.
The Mini-DisplayPort can support up to a 30-inch widescreen display and is designed to be fully compatible with DVI, but you'll need the adapter. The Mini DisplayPort is just 10 percent the size of a full DVI connector so it saves a lot of valuable space on the computer.
From WikiPedia:
"DisplayPort is a digital display interface standard (approved May 2006, current version 1.1 approved on April 2, 2007) put forth by the Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA). It defines a new license-free, royalty-free, digital audio/video interconnect, intended to be used primarily between a computer and its display monitor, or a computer and a home-theater system."DisplayPort has an advantage over HDMI because there aren't those royalties which will make it easier and less expensive to implement (For example, the HDMI royalty is 4 cents per device). DisplayPort’s largest supporters are HP and Dell which have already released computers and monitors that support Display Port and HDMI.
Check out WhataCable.com for all of your mini DisplayPort DP adapter needs.
Orders ship the same day and they have low prices.
Until Next Time
The Cable Guy
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Mini-DisplayPort-DP-to-HDMI-for-Apple
WhataCable! now has stock on the hard-to-find Mini DisplayPort to HDMI adapters for the new Apple computers.
The new MacBook, MacBook Pro, and MacBook Air each have a Mini DisplayPort that allows you to connect an external display or projector using an adapter. However, the adapter has been hard to find, and is expensive if you purchase directly from Apple.
You can use an external display as your main workspace or to extend your desktop, or you can work in mirrored mode with a projector so you can view what your audience sees.
Use new WhataCable! Mini DisplayPort to HDMI Adapter to connect an advanced digital monitor, an HDTV, or other HDMI display. You'll need to review the documentation or check with the manufacturer of your monitor or TV to make sure you're choosing the right adapter.
This is only compatible only with MacBook, MacBook Pro, and MacBook Air with Mini DisplayPort.
The Mini-DisplayPort can support up to a 30-inch widescreen display and is designed to be fully compatible with HDMI, but you'll need the adapter. The Mini DisplayPort is just 10 percent the size of a full DVI connector so it saves a lot of valuable space on the computer.
From WikiPedia:
"DisplayPort is a digital display interface standard (approved May 2006, current version 1.1 approved on April 2, 2007) put forth by the Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA). It defines a new license-free, royalty-free, digital audio/video interconnect, intended to be used primarily between a computer and its display monitor, or a computer and a home-theater system."
DisplayPort has an advantage over HDMI because there aren't those royalties which will make it easier and less expensive to implement (For example, the HDMI royalty is 4 cents per device). DisplayPort’s largest supporters are HP and Dell which have already released computers and monitors that support DisplayPort and HDMI.
Check out WhataCable.com for all of your mini DisplayPort DP adapter needs. http://www.whatacable.com/ Orders ship the same day and they have low prices.
Until Next Time
The Cable Guy
The new MacBook, MacBook Pro, and MacBook Air each have a Mini DisplayPort that allows you to connect an external display or projector using an adapter. However, the adapter has been hard to find, and is expensive if you purchase directly from Apple.
You can use an external display as your main workspace or to extend your desktop, or you can work in mirrored mode with a projector so you can view what your audience sees.Use new WhataCable! Mini DisplayPort to HDMI Adapter to connect an advanced digital monitor, an HDTV, or other HDMI display. You'll need to review the documentation or check with the manufacturer of your monitor or TV to make sure you're choosing the right adapter.
This is only compatible only with MacBook, MacBook Pro, and MacBook Air with Mini DisplayPort.
The Mini-DisplayPort can support up to a 30-inch widescreen display and is designed to be fully compatible with HDMI, but you'll need the adapter. The Mini DisplayPort is just 10 percent the size of a full DVI connector so it saves a lot of valuable space on the computer.
From WikiPedia:
"DisplayPort is a digital display interface standard (approved May 2006, current version 1.1 approved on April 2, 2007) put forth by the Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA). It defines a new license-free, royalty-free, digital audio/video interconnect, intended to be used primarily between a computer and its display monitor, or a computer and a home-theater system."
DisplayPort has an advantage over HDMI because there aren't those royalties which will make it easier and less expensive to implement (For example, the HDMI royalty is 4 cents per device). DisplayPort’s largest supporters are HP and Dell which have already released computers and monitors that support DisplayPort and HDMI.
Check out WhataCable.com for all of your mini DisplayPort DP adapter needs. http://www.whatacable.com/ Orders ship the same day and they have low prices.
Until Next Time
The Cable Guy
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
HDMI-Category-2-high-speed-cable
Dear Tech Support
I want to know if your cables are "High Speed". Are they Category 2 HDMI? You also mention "Up To" 10.2Gbps and "supports high-bandwidth" and "deep clolor". Are these cables Category 2 and tested to perform at speeds of 340Mhz?
Thanks
---------
Re: High Speed Category 2 HDMI Cables
Thank you for contacting us.
Our cables are 1080p compliant which is synonymous with Category 2 “High Speed”, so yes they are indeed CAT2 High-speed.
Recently, HDMI Licensing, LLC announced that cables would be tested as Standard or High-Speed cables.
Standard (or “category 1”) cables have been tested to perform at speeds of 75Mhz, which is the equivalent of a 1080i signal.
High Speed (or “category 2”) cables have been tested to perform at speeds of 340Mhz, which is the highest bandwidth currently available over an HDMI cable and can successfully handle 1080p signals including those at increased color depths and/or increased refresh rates. High-Speed cables are also able to accommodate higher resolution displays, such as WQXGA cinema monitors (resolution of 2560 x 1600).
The HDMI cables you purchase at www.whatacable.com are all High-Speed Category 2 1080p compliant.
Thank you
The Cable Guy
I want to know if your cables are "High Speed". Are they Category 2 HDMI? You also mention "Up To" 10.2Gbps and "supports high-bandwidth" and "deep clolor". Are these cables Category 2 and tested to perform at speeds of 340Mhz?
Thanks
---------
Re: High Speed Category 2 HDMI Cables
Thank you for contacting us.
Our cables are 1080p compliant which is synonymous with Category 2 “High Speed”, so yes they are indeed CAT2 High-speed.
Recently, HDMI Licensing, LLC announced that cables would be tested as Standard or High-Speed cables.
Standard (or “category 1”) cables have been tested to perform at speeds of 75Mhz, which is the equivalent of a 1080i signal.
High Speed (or “category 2”) cables have been tested to perform at speeds of 340Mhz, which is the highest bandwidth currently available over an HDMI cable and can successfully handle 1080p signals including those at increased color depths and/or increased refresh rates. High-Speed cables are also able to accommodate higher resolution displays, such as WQXGA cinema monitors (resolution of 2560 x 1600).
The HDMI cables you purchase at www.whatacable.com are all High-Speed Category 2 1080p compliant.
Thank you
The Cable Guy
Monday, March 16, 2009
PCMCIA-to-ExpressCard-Express-Card-adapter-converter
Dear Tech Support:
I need a converter that will take an older PCMCIA cardbus card and either convert it to a USB 2.0 device or an express card slot.
I found this adapter but am not sure if it is what I need or is the opposite.
http://www.whatacable.com/pcmcia-to-express-card-converter-utah.aspx
----
Re: PCMCIA to ExpressCard adapter
I need a converter that will take an older PCMCIA cardbus card and either convert it to a USB 2.0 device or an express card slot.
I found this adapter but am not sure if it is what I need or is the opposite.
http://www.whatacable.com/pcmcia-to-express-card-converter-utah.aspx
----
Re: PCMCIA to ExpressCard adapter
Thank you for contacting us.
This adapter does the opposite of what you need. This adapter converts an older PCMCIA slot to the newer ExpressCard slot so that you can put an Express Card into an older laptop.
I know that Duel Systems manufactures an ExpresCard to PCMCIA adapter. http://www.duel-systemsadapters.com/?productid=DP-0001 This seems to be a stable converter. The PCMCI to USB converters are not stable and have a high failure rate. I would stay away from them.
The WhataCable! adapter/converter does the opposite of what you need. This adapter converts an older PCMCIA slot to the newer ExpressCard slot so that you can put an Express Card into an older laptop.
Thanks
Friday, March 13, 2009
Display-Port-DP-Adapters-HDMI-DVI-Cables
So there's a new cable on the block. I know, I know. For those of you that have a cable phobia, that is the last thing that you want to hear. But, like it or not, you need to get familiar with Display Port (DP) cables.
Display Port is a new technology along the lines of USB and HDMI, and can be found on Dell laptop computers as well as other devices. It is used for a display output - like a DVI, VGA, or HDMI. It is a high-quality digital signal, along the lines of HDMI, and can carry data, along the lines of USB for smart communication between devices and the computer.
Here is the official website: http://www.displayport.org/
And here is their logo
Display Port is a new technology along the lines of USB and HDMI, and can be found on Dell laptop computers as well as other devices. It is used for a display output - like a DVI, VGA, or HDMI. It is a high-quality digital signal, along the lines of HDMI, and can carry data, along the lines of USB for smart communication between devices and the computer.
Here is the official website: http://www.displayport.org/
And here is their logo
Yes, it looks like HDMI and USB, so there will be confusion. Here is an image of the connector:
You can buy adapters that go from DP to HDMI and from DP to DVI. Find them at http://www.whatacable.com/
DP supports all the latest graphics requirements and is much smaller than the DVI connector and there are no pins to break like on the VGA connector. The real question is, "Will it compete well with the HDMI connection that is now also being found on laptop computers and is the dominant connection on HDTVs?" It's a hard sell, but there are some big names backing the DP technology, so for us cable companies, we get to sell lots of cross-technology adapters.
To make things more confusing, can you guess who has their own DP that is different from the standard DP? Yeah, of course. Apple is using a "mini-display-port". The Mini-DP was first publicly announced Oct. 14, 2008. It is better than the Mini-DVI that has been a common display connector on Apple computers, but the Mini-DP will handle resolutions up to 2560x1600, commonly used with 30-inch displays.
HDMI is the de facto standard for high-resolution displays and HDTVs. Do we need both? Or will one go the way of the Blu-Ray vs. HD-DVD?
According to Brian O’Rourke, principal analyst for In-Stat, although manufacturers will ship limited amounts of DisplayPort-enabled products during 2008, shipments will grow to more than 600 million units in 2012.
There is a great article going more in detail on the technical differences, so I won't re-hash it all. I'll just point you to it. http://www.edn.com/article/CA6594089.html
So just as HDMI looked like it might bridge the gap between PCs and Consumer Electronics, the DP might become the de facto PC display connection by 2012, replacing the VGA and DVI ports. This is good news because more and more people are using their PC to watch TV, and the Analog VGA connection is not compatible with the Digital HDMI signal (although you can find converter boxes from VGA to HDMI). It looks like the the battle royale is about to begin, and we may just end up with both technologies on each PC. Apple... well they'll do whatever they want.
Until next time
The Cable Guy
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
The-skinny-on-home-theaters-hdmi-plasma-tv
Here is a good article on Home Theaters and the lingo:
Home Theater
What is Home Theater? Since the mid- to late-1990s, home theater systems have rapidly grown in popularity, as consumers have looked for ways to enjoy movies at home the same way they do in traditional movie theaters. With the advent of DVD and Blu-ray players, having true at-home theater-quality sound and video has now become a reality. This technical article will help explain what a home theater is.
So what exactly is home theater? A home theater system enables you to reproduce the sound and video quality of a commercial movie theater in your own living room. Prices for home theater systems can be as low as a few hundred dollars or up into the tens of thousands of dollars. Fortunately, creating a home theater of your own requires only a few components. A basic home theater system consists of a television, a DVD or Blu-ray player, an A/V receiver that supports surround sound, and five speakers.
What do you need for a Home Theater system? What devices/components are needed for a home theater system? The most basic components for a home theater system would consist of a video display (a standard TV, a plasma or LCD TV, a projector, etc), a surround sound A/V receiver, and a video source (DVD or Blu-ray player, cable or satellite box). When creating more elaborate home. When it comes to how many speakers? What kind of speakers? There are many different options. The most basic setup would have five speakers: 2 front speakers (left and right), a center channel, and 2 rear speakers (left and right). Higher end speaker setups would consist of up to 9 speakers: 2 front speakers (left and right), a center channel, 2 mid-rear speakers (left and right), 2 rear speakers (left and right), a center rear channel, and a subwoofer.
How do I hook up a Home Theater system? Hooking up a Home Theater system is a lot easier than it sounds. The fundamental rule when connecting the components together is that all the cables are connected, OUT to IN. The sound or the video signal will transfer OUT of a device, a DVD or Blu-ray player, CD player, VCR etc., and IN to another, surround sound receiver or a video display. How you hook up your system will depend on the selection of inputs/outputs your device has. Here are some diagrams on how to connect the components together. High-end home theaters are installed by professional home-theater installers. Please contact us (sales@whatacable.com) and we can refer you to one of our dealer partners.
Glossary of Industry Terms
5.1 Surround Sound - See Dolby Digital (AC-3) and DTS (Digital Theater Sound). It would incorporate speakers: FR, CC, FL, RR, RL and the Subwoofer.
6.1 Surround Sound - This sound field is used with new media such as THX Surround EX and DTS-ES 6.1 Matrix. It utilizes a rear speaker that is located directly behind the seating area (CRC). It would incorporate speakers: FR, CC, FL, RR, CRC, RL and the Subwoofer.
7.1 Surround Sound - This is typically a receiver/amp manufacturer's proprietary surround sound field to fill in the two new back surround channel speakers. It would incorporate speakers: FR, CC, FL, MRR, MRL, RR, RL and the Subwoofer.
Dolby Pro-Logic - This is the surround sound "standard" format from the 1990's. It is still used today for VCR's and standard Cable TV due to the limitation that they can only output analog. It consists of five speakers plus a subwoofer, however, only has three discrete channels: Front Left, Front Right and both rears acting as one channel. The center channel output the combined audio from the Front Left and Front Right speakers.
Dolby Digital (AC-3) - Dolby Digital is a 5.1 surround sound setup. It consists of five discrete speakers (5) plus a subwoofer (.1). The ".1" from 5.1 is a certain LFE (Low Frequency Effects) signal designed for a powered subwoofer which will deliver the thump and the boom from movies. A complete Dolby Digital signal outputs a frequency range of 20Hz to 20,000Hz, the subwoofer will output only 20Hz to 120Hz.
DTS (Digital Theater Sound) - Another digital surround sound format, similar to Dolby Digital. It is a competing format to Dolby Digital which was released about a year after. DTS (Digital Theater System) is a 5.1 surround sound setup. It consists of five discrete speakers (5) plus a subwoofer (.1). The ".1" from 5.1 is a certain LFE (Low Frequency Effects) signal designed for a powered subwoofer which will deliver the thump and the boom from movies. A complete Dolby Digital signal outputs a frequency range of 20Hz to 20,000Hz, the subwoofer will output only 20Hz to 120Hz.
HDMI - HDMI cables, also known as High-Definition Multimedia Interface, not only transmit video, but audio as well. HDMI is the next generation for connecting audio/video devices together. HDMI cables are used with high definition devices such as blu-ray players and game systems.
Optical - Optical (Toslink) cables use a beam of light to transmit high quality sound with nearly zero quality loss.
Digital Coax - Digital coax cables uses an RCA cable to transmit high quality digital surround sound.
Component Video - Component video cables connect video devices together, typically used with DVD Players, HDTV set-top converters, and even some games systems. It utilizes three separate RCA connections which transmit in an RGB (Red, Green and Blue) format. It will deliver the highest picture quality from an analog source.
Composite Video - Composite Video Cables are the most basic connection between video devices. It is used with DVD Players, VCR's, TV's, Cable Boxes, etc… It consists of a single "Yellow" RCA cable.
Line Level Signal - Line Level Cables are a single RCA Cable, or a non-amplified signal usually connecting a receiver/amp to the Powered Subwoofer. This signal is transmitted using an RCA cable.
Low Frequency Effects (LFE) - This refers to the low frequencies that a subwoofer will play from many movies, typically a range of 20Hz - 120Hz. In a digital surround sound environment it will deliver the ".1" that you would see from 5.1, 6.1 etc… When you see an explosion in a movie the speakers will allow you to hear it but the subwoofer, outputting the LFE's, will allow you to "feel" it.
Monitor/TV Out - The video output from the receiver/amp directly to the TV. This connection will output the video signal from the source that has been selected on the receiver/amp. The Monitor/TV Out are Composite Video, S-Video or Component Video outputs.
S-Video - This connection outputs a high picture quality from DVD's, SVHS VCR's, Digital Satellite Boxes, Digital Camcorders, etc. S-Video is a much higher quality format when compared to composite video, but is becoming obsolete with the popularity of component and HDMI video.
Until Next Time!
The Cable Guy
http://www.whatacable.com/
Courtesy of National Technology
Home Theater
What is Home Theater? Since the mid- to late-1990s, home theater systems have rapidly grown in popularity, as consumers have looked for ways to enjoy movies at home the same way they do in traditional movie theaters. With the advent of DVD and Blu-ray players, having true at-home theater-quality sound and video has now become a reality. This technical article will help explain what a home theater is.
So what exactly is home theater? A home theater system enables you to reproduce the sound and video quality of a commercial movie theater in your own living room. Prices for home theater systems can be as low as a few hundred dollars or up into the tens of thousands of dollars. Fortunately, creating a home theater of your own requires only a few components. A basic home theater system consists of a television, a DVD or Blu-ray player, an A/V receiver that supports surround sound, and five speakers.
What do you need for a Home Theater system? What devices/components are needed for a home theater system? The most basic components for a home theater system would consist of a video display (a standard TV, a plasma or LCD TV, a projector, etc), a surround sound A/V receiver, and a video source (DVD or Blu-ray player, cable or satellite box). When creating more elaborate home. When it comes to how many speakers? What kind of speakers? There are many different options. The most basic setup would have five speakers: 2 front speakers (left and right), a center channel, and 2 rear speakers (left and right). Higher end speaker setups would consist of up to 9 speakers: 2 front speakers (left and right), a center channel, 2 mid-rear speakers (left and right), 2 rear speakers (left and right), a center rear channel, and a subwoofer.
How do I hook up a Home Theater system? Hooking up a Home Theater system is a lot easier than it sounds. The fundamental rule when connecting the components together is that all the cables are connected, OUT to IN. The sound or the video signal will transfer OUT of a device, a DVD or Blu-ray player, CD player, VCR etc., and IN to another, surround sound receiver or a video display. How you hook up your system will depend on the selection of inputs/outputs your device has. Here are some diagrams on how to connect the components together. High-end home theaters are installed by professional home-theater installers. Please contact us (sales@whatacable.com) and we can refer you to one of our dealer partners.
Glossary of Industry Terms
5.1 Surround Sound - See Dolby Digital (AC-3) and DTS (Digital Theater Sound). It would incorporate speakers: FR, CC, FL, RR, RL and the Subwoofer.
6.1 Surround Sound - This sound field is used with new media such as THX Surround EX and DTS-ES 6.1 Matrix. It utilizes a rear speaker that is located directly behind the seating area (CRC). It would incorporate speakers: FR, CC, FL, RR, CRC, RL and the Subwoofer.
7.1 Surround Sound - This is typically a receiver/amp manufacturer's proprietary surround sound field to fill in the two new back surround channel speakers. It would incorporate speakers: FR, CC, FL, MRR, MRL, RR, RL and the Subwoofer.
Dolby Pro-Logic - This is the surround sound "standard" format from the 1990's. It is still used today for VCR's and standard Cable TV due to the limitation that they can only output analog. It consists of five speakers plus a subwoofer, however, only has three discrete channels: Front Left, Front Right and both rears acting as one channel. The center channel output the combined audio from the Front Left and Front Right speakers.
Dolby Digital (AC-3) - Dolby Digital is a 5.1 surround sound setup. It consists of five discrete speakers (5) plus a subwoofer (.1). The ".1" from 5.1 is a certain LFE (Low Frequency Effects) signal designed for a powered subwoofer which will deliver the thump and the boom from movies. A complete Dolby Digital signal outputs a frequency range of 20Hz to 20,000Hz, the subwoofer will output only 20Hz to 120Hz.
DTS (Digital Theater Sound) - Another digital surround sound format, similar to Dolby Digital. It is a competing format to Dolby Digital which was released about a year after. DTS (Digital Theater System) is a 5.1 surround sound setup. It consists of five discrete speakers (5) plus a subwoofer (.1). The ".1" from 5.1 is a certain LFE (Low Frequency Effects) signal designed for a powered subwoofer which will deliver the thump and the boom from movies. A complete Dolby Digital signal outputs a frequency range of 20Hz to 20,000Hz, the subwoofer will output only 20Hz to 120Hz.
HDMI - HDMI cables, also known as High-Definition Multimedia Interface, not only transmit video, but audio as well. HDMI is the next generation for connecting audio/video devices together. HDMI cables are used with high definition devices such as blu-ray players and game systems.
Optical - Optical (Toslink) cables use a beam of light to transmit high quality sound with nearly zero quality loss.
Digital Coax - Digital coax cables uses an RCA cable to transmit high quality digital surround sound.
Component Video - Component video cables connect video devices together, typically used with DVD Players, HDTV set-top converters, and even some games systems. It utilizes three separate RCA connections which transmit in an RGB (Red, Green and Blue) format. It will deliver the highest picture quality from an analog source.
Composite Video - Composite Video Cables are the most basic connection between video devices. It is used with DVD Players, VCR's, TV's, Cable Boxes, etc… It consists of a single "Yellow" RCA cable.
Line Level Signal - Line Level Cables are a single RCA Cable, or a non-amplified signal usually connecting a receiver/amp to the Powered Subwoofer. This signal is transmitted using an RCA cable.
Low Frequency Effects (LFE) - This refers to the low frequencies that a subwoofer will play from many movies, typically a range of 20Hz - 120Hz. In a digital surround sound environment it will deliver the ".1" that you would see from 5.1, 6.1 etc… When you see an explosion in a movie the speakers will allow you to hear it but the subwoofer, outputting the LFE's, will allow you to "feel" it.
Monitor/TV Out - The video output from the receiver/amp directly to the TV. This connection will output the video signal from the source that has been selected on the receiver/amp. The Monitor/TV Out are Composite Video, S-Video or Component Video outputs.
S-Video - This connection outputs a high picture quality from DVD's, SVHS VCR's, Digital Satellite Boxes, Digital Camcorders, etc. S-Video is a much higher quality format when compared to composite video, but is becoming obsolete with the popularity of component and HDMI video.
Until Next Time!
The Cable Guy
http://www.whatacable.com/
Courtesy of National Technology
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