About 6 years ago, someone told me that CAT5e was going to be replaced soon by CAT6. Now in 2008, I'm still seeing a lot of CAT5e sales. CAT6 is selling as well, but we just did a recent poll on our website, and about 70% of the cables being purchased are still CAT5e over CAT6. Why is this? Isn't CAT6 way faster?
Nobody sells CAT5 anymore. CAT5e replaced that technology in 2001-2002. My opinion? I think that there is no NOTICEABLE difference for the average user. In fact, I would say there is no difference, especially if you are just going from the wall to your desktop or laptop computer (say 7-14 feet). I think you might notice if you get above 50 feet. BUT, in order to have a truly CAT6 system, EVERYTHING must be CAT6 including the wires in the walls. Also, if you are connecting to wireless routers, the difference between CAT6 and CAT5e really doesn't matter. So, we still sell both. I don't know that CAT6 will every fully replace CAT5e because other technologies are becoming more cost effective.
The challenge with both CAT5e and CAT6 is that they are both using copper conductors. And copper is now so expensive, not to mention that there is a copper shortage, other technologies like Fiber Optics, is likely to become just as cost effective as the copper wires. Fiber is, well, the speed of light. How does copper compete with that?
I think that with the rising costs of copper, we'll see a move to affordable Fiber Networks even for the SOHO industries. You'll enjoy blazing speeds, and no copper wires. This also is great for EMI. Electrical interference is not an issue when data travels through light beams instead of electrical pulses. I love you CAT5e and CAT6, but the writing is on the wall... You'll be old technology as the world goes to fiber. You'll even see HDMI and USB replaced by Fiber. Toslink (fiber optic audio) is really making a move replacing the composite and component audio cables. It was stalled somewhat because HDMI combined audio and video, but there is a lot of copper in those HDMI cables. They are heavy, expensive, and the factories are strugling to get enough copper to fill orders.
Like all changes in industry standards, it will take awhile, but it will happen. Do you have any bulky SCSI or Parallel cables still in a box somewhere? Don't they look like old heavy technology compared to our slim USB and CAT6 cables? We'll look at USB and CAT6 cables the same way as we use light, thin fiber optic cables to connect our external storage device to our TV, home theater, and computer (which will all be one and the same eventually).
Until next time
The Cable Guy
http://www.professionalcable.com/
Friday, June 27, 2008
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Review - The Incredible Hulk
I know, I know, I've read the reviews, and I don't agree. I liked the Hulk. Edward Norton is one of my favorite actors, and without him, the movie couldn't have been as good. But, the fact is, he was great as Bruce Banner.
The movie starts off in some crazy town in Brazil. I've never been to Brazil, but it this town is really amazing. Bruce Banner (Edward Norton) is working a a day laborer in some factory. I thought the story was compelling as he was in hiding in Brazil trying to fight his demon and control his Hulk incidents. I loved the movie except for every time the Hulk opened his mouth. Is it just me, or did the original Hulk just grunt a lot? I don't ever remember him speaking. So when he would say things in the deep monster voice, it seemed cheesy. I think the Hulk is meant to lift cars up, throw bad guys around, and remain otherwise silent. OK, there is one other thing that bothered me. I don't care for the computerized animation of characters. But in this movie, it bugged me less than other movies.
I grew up watching the Hulk on TV. I never read the comic book or anything else, I was just in to the TV show. In fact, I remember one day putting on my white button-up Sunday shirt, going outside and pretending to turn into the Hulk, ripping the shirt off. I got a big lecture when I brought the shirt back inside and all the buttons were missing. Nobody understands the Hulk.
The original Hulk from the TV show actually has a cameo on the movie as a security guard. Also making a cameo appearance is Iron Man, another movie that I really liked.
I actually was not expecting a lot from this movie because the reviews have not been great. But it's a movie that I wouldn't mind seeing again. I had a good time watching it. Maybe it's just the kid in me, but I recommend this movie.
Until next time
The Cable Guy
www.professionalcable.com
The movie starts off in some crazy town in Brazil. I've never been to Brazil, but it this town is really amazing. Bruce Banner (Edward Norton) is working a a day laborer in some factory. I thought the story was compelling as he was in hiding in Brazil trying to fight his demon and control his Hulk incidents. I loved the movie except for every time the Hulk opened his mouth. Is it just me, or did the original Hulk just grunt a lot? I don't ever remember him speaking. So when he would say things in the deep monster voice, it seemed cheesy. I think the Hulk is meant to lift cars up, throw bad guys around, and remain otherwise silent. OK, there is one other thing that bothered me. I don't care for the computerized animation of characters. But in this movie, it bugged me less than other movies.
I grew up watching the Hulk on TV. I never read the comic book or anything else, I was just in to the TV show. In fact, I remember one day putting on my white button-up Sunday shirt, going outside and pretending to turn into the Hulk, ripping the shirt off. I got a big lecture when I brought the shirt back inside and all the buttons were missing. Nobody understands the Hulk.
The original Hulk from the TV show actually has a cameo on the movie as a security guard. Also making a cameo appearance is Iron Man, another movie that I really liked.
I actually was not expecting a lot from this movie because the reviews have not been great. But it's a movie that I wouldn't mind seeing again. I had a good time watching it. Maybe it's just the kid in me, but I recommend this movie.
Until next time
The Cable Guy
www.professionalcable.com
Saturday, June 21, 2008
Day 3 of InfoComm 08
The last day has come and gone at InfoComm 08. It was noticeably slower today. I thought that it would be. It's a Friday, and most people wanted to get home for the weekend. The others had partied hard last night (including Miss Karaoke Booth Hottie) and were sleeping off a hang-over. I was actually glad that booth hottie didn't show up. She just distracted people from the good stuff (my booth). I guess she called in sick. Riiiiiight.
Even though the traffic was much lighter today, I still managed to collect about 30 leads, a couple of which are real interesting.
So at the end of the show, with very sore feet, I think that this is a show that we'll do again next year. However, next year it's in Florida. I can't drive to that one! Cedia is the next big A/V show, and it's in Denver this September. I think that will be a good show.
I learned that Face plates and custom cables were a big hit at the show. I'm glad that I brought some of our HDMI and VGA faceplates to show. Also, our mini-HMDI male to regular HDMI female adapter was a hit.
I'm looking forward to getting in contact with all of these companies and turning them into loyal fans of Professional Cable. Most of my customers say that we are their favorite vendor because we are so easy to work with and because of our great service. (refer to the posting about my 10-step secret to a successful company from a couple days ago).
I'm heading to bed now to rest up for the long drive back home tomorrow. It's around 7 hours on the road. But I so prefer it to flying to Las Vegas.
Until Next Time
The Cable Guy
www.professionalcable.com
Even though the traffic was much lighter today, I still managed to collect about 30 leads, a couple of which are real interesting.
So at the end of the show, with very sore feet, I think that this is a show that we'll do again next year. However, next year it's in Florida. I can't drive to that one! Cedia is the next big A/V show, and it's in Denver this September. I think that will be a good show.
I learned that Face plates and custom cables were a big hit at the show. I'm glad that I brought some of our HDMI and VGA faceplates to show. Also, our mini-HMDI male to regular HDMI female adapter was a hit.
I'm looking forward to getting in contact with all of these companies and turning them into loyal fans of Professional Cable. Most of my customers say that we are their favorite vendor because we are so easy to work with and because of our great service. (refer to the posting about my 10-step secret to a successful company from a couple days ago).
I'm heading to bed now to rest up for the long drive back home tomorrow. It's around 7 hours on the road. But I so prefer it to flying to Las Vegas.
Until Next Time
The Cable Guy
www.professionalcable.com
Review: Get Smart 2008 - Well Done Steve Carell
I haven't read any reviews about Get Smart, and I don't care what others are saying. I saw it tonight with high expectations because I really think Steve Carell is hilarious, and this movie did not disappoint. I grew up watching the original Maxwell Smart (Don Adams) as agent 86 on the Get Smart TV show. I used to love that show! I'd always pretend to talk into my shoe.
In the modern-day Get Smart, Steve Carell plays the clumsy Maxwell Smart, and I was afraid that I'd walk out of the theater saying that he "Missed it by that much!" But he didn't. He nailed it. And I thought that Anne Hathaway did a great job as agent 99. They worked together well on screen, and the part where they were dancing was very funny. My favorite part, where I was laughing so hard I could hardly see, was when he was in the bathroom and accidentally fired the little crossbow pocket knife through his foot, then through his cheek, etc. (hope I'm not ruining it for you) I could watch that part alone 10 more times.
Overall I thought that they captured the old fun elements of the TV show, and modernized it very well. It was funny, interesting, and the characters were likable. I'm giving this one a thumbs up. I'll see this one again... and again. Of course, I really liked the last Pink Panther with Steve Martin. So, if you're not in to those types of slapstick comedies, then you may not enjoy it. For me, it was right up my alley.
Until next time
The Cable Guy
http://www.professionalcable.com/
In the modern-day Get Smart, Steve Carell plays the clumsy Maxwell Smart, and I was afraid that I'd walk out of the theater saying that he "Missed it by that much!" But he didn't. He nailed it. And I thought that Anne Hathaway did a great job as agent 99. They worked together well on screen, and the part where they were dancing was very funny. My favorite part, where I was laughing so hard I could hardly see, was when he was in the bathroom and accidentally fired the little crossbow pocket knife through his foot, then through his cheek, etc. (hope I'm not ruining it for you) I could watch that part alone 10 more times.
Overall I thought that they captured the old fun elements of the TV show, and modernized it very well. It was funny, interesting, and the characters were likable. I'm giving this one a thumbs up. I'll see this one again... and again. Of course, I really liked the last Pink Panther with Steve Martin. So, if you're not in to those types of slapstick comedies, then you may not enjoy it. For me, it was right up my alley.
Until next time
The Cable Guy
http://www.professionalcable.com/
Friday, June 20, 2008
InfoComm 08 - Las Vegas - Day 2
Day 2 was busy at the Professional Cable booth at the InfoComm show in Las Vegas. More international distributors and integrators visited the booth, which makes me ask myself, “Why didn’t I take more than one Spanish class at BYU?” I have actually used my French while here as well. (Oui, c’est vrai en plus!) Canadians are always impressed when I speak French. “Vous aimez les cables? Moi aussi!” Unless of course they are Canadians that don't speak French. Then I just give them the French shrug and say "Comment?". But trying to communicate with a guy from Columbia about HDMI cables in his broken English and my broken Spanish .”Me gusta mucho el burrito con queso! Donde esta el bano? Usted está caminando en mi dedo del pie.”
Many years ago, when I was with Offspring, we had a booth in the corner of the Camex show out where most people didn’t even bother to walk. I’m in a similar spot here at this show, though not quite that bad. What was even worse, was in the booth across from us, they had a hover craft. Not like a little remote control dealy, but a full-size, jump in, and we’ll go for a ride outside hover craft. WHOOOOSH, VROOOM, this thing would go. And all the heads would turn to watch it as they walked by our booth, as if we were not even there. I felt like Tom Hanks and Jon Lovitz on SNL as the Girl Watchers. “Hel-lo!... Good-bye… Not interested in me at all. No reaction whatsoever… Not even the time O’day!“
Well this is happening at the InfoComm show as well. (Is it just me? Do they hate me or do they hate cables?) Sorry, did I say that out-loud? I must be getting a complex or something. This time it is not a hover-craft, but a hovering-hottie at the booth directly across from me. There is a company that makes Karaoke equipment across from us, and they hired some “talent” for their booth. i.e. eye candy, Las Vegas hottie, etc. She’s a head-turner alright. It’s been an interesting study to watch literally hundreds of guys walk by my booth looking directly at her not even noticing that I’m there (or my booth). How do I compete? I could try to learn to juggle tonight at the hotel. I could try swallowing flaming swords. I could wear the same outfit that she is wearing… though I couldn’t really pull off the pony tails. That outfit on me might get some attention… but not likely to get anyone to come talk to me. Each day of the show she is wearing less and less. I’m glad it’s not a 6-day show! Wowza! I’d have no reason to come at all! I think that in some ways though it is hurting their business. She gets on the Karaoke machine and is actually a pretty good singer, and draws crowds, but I don’t think any of these guys are interested in the karaoke “products”. If they sell a Karaoke machine it will be a miracle. I think they might actually discourage real customers from going to the booth and getting information, especially if that person is a woman. That’s been my observation. Maybe I’m completely wrong, but I have a suspicion that I’m right. I have a feeling that Mrs. Cable Guy (The Cable Queen) would have an issue with me hiring “talent” to stand in my booth next to me.
Never-the-less, the show has been good. I’ve got lots of good leads, and a lot of interested people that have said I’ll hear from them. You never know until you see the orders, but my company is making a name for itself. Every show like this strengthens the brand, and yes, Professional Cable is now a brand, even in Canada, eh?
Many years ago, when I was with Offspring, we had a booth in the corner of the Camex show out where most people didn’t even bother to walk. I’m in a similar spot here at this show, though not quite that bad. What was even worse, was in the booth across from us, they had a hover craft. Not like a little remote control dealy, but a full-size, jump in, and we’ll go for a ride outside hover craft. WHOOOOSH, VROOOM, this thing would go. And all the heads would turn to watch it as they walked by our booth, as if we were not even there. I felt like Tom Hanks and Jon Lovitz on SNL as the Girl Watchers. “Hel-lo!... Good-bye… Not interested in me at all. No reaction whatsoever… Not even the time O’day!“
Well this is happening at the InfoComm show as well. (Is it just me? Do they hate me or do they hate cables?) Sorry, did I say that out-loud? I must be getting a complex or something. This time it is not a hover-craft, but a hovering-hottie at the booth directly across from me. There is a company that makes Karaoke equipment across from us, and they hired some “talent” for their booth. i.e. eye candy, Las Vegas hottie, etc. She’s a head-turner alright. It’s been an interesting study to watch literally hundreds of guys walk by my booth looking directly at her not even noticing that I’m there (or my booth). How do I compete? I could try to learn to juggle tonight at the hotel. I could try swallowing flaming swords. I could wear the same outfit that she is wearing… though I couldn’t really pull off the pony tails. That outfit on me might get some attention… but not likely to get anyone to come talk to me. Each day of the show she is wearing less and less. I’m glad it’s not a 6-day show! Wowza! I’d have no reason to come at all! I think that in some ways though it is hurting their business. She gets on the Karaoke machine and is actually a pretty good singer, and draws crowds, but I don’t think any of these guys are interested in the karaoke “products”. If they sell a Karaoke machine it will be a miracle. I think they might actually discourage real customers from going to the booth and getting information, especially if that person is a woman. That’s been my observation. Maybe I’m completely wrong, but I have a suspicion that I’m right. I have a feeling that Mrs. Cable Guy (The Cable Queen) would have an issue with me hiring “talent” to stand in my booth next to me.
Never-the-less, the show has been good. I’ve got lots of good leads, and a lot of interested people that have said I’ll hear from them. You never know until you see the orders, but my company is making a name for itself. Every show like this strengthens the brand, and yes, Professional Cable is now a brand, even in Canada, eh?
Until Next Time
The Cable Guy
www.professionalcable.com
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)