Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Why switch from HDMI to DVI Cables

High Definition Televisions have created havoc in the market today. Majority of the world has switched over from HDMI to DVI cables. People watch television programs via dish connections and with the services of cable operators. People those who are using devices that utilize a DVI connection should find a way to connect the standard HDMI port to DVI cable. The old VGA technology was recently replaced by digital video interface with the introduction of plasma and LCD Television; manufacturers have been utilizing DVI connections.




Changing over from HDMI to DVI permits devices with HDMI ports to be connected to other devices that have only a DVI port. For further information you can get resources online for guidelines on HDMI to DVI cable shift-over, High Definition Multimedia Interface has proven to be a vast improvement over DVI. Not only does HDMI provide for both audio and video transfer, it also makes it possible for two devices to communicate with one another. HDMI also has a significantly greater bandwidth than DVI. The latest iteration of HDMI boasts speeds of over 10 gigabits per second.




The reasons behind HDMI to DVI makeover are that an HDMI to DVI cable allows devices with HDMI ports to be connected to other devices that have only a DVI port. Devices that utilize HDMI needs to have HDMI to DVI cables if there is a need to connect a new devise to an older monitor or Television. Unfortunately, since DVI does not carry audio it will be necessary to use a second cable for the audio signal.

Tuesday, June 07, 2011

Cheap HDMI Cables – Does Quality Cost More?

HDMI cables have been with us since around 2002 and have steadily improved over the last few years. These cables allow consumers to watch true 1080p high definition video on their HDTV's from a variety of different sources including cable providers, Blu-Ray players, game consoles and even some smart phones and digital cameras. HDMI cables represent a leap forward in terms of quality and performance over analog cables much the same way that DVD players greatly improved over VHS players. Initially, HDMI cables provided an impressive 4.6 gigabit per second of transfer but they have now been improved to the point where they offer a whopping 10.6 gigabit per second.




Some consumers still have not gotten accustomed to the differences when it comes to purchasing HDMI cables rather than analog cables. When purchasing analog cables, better quality definitely came at a higher price.




More expensive analog cables generally came with better insulation, better metals, and connectors that were gold plated. By purchasing a more expensive analog cable, a consumer could see a real improvement in the quality of their picture. The better materials in analog cables also meant that there was less signal degradation when an overly long cable was necessary.

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

S-Video Cables

S-Video cables are one of the most popular types of cables today, but many people still don't understand the difference. We've all been there: you stand in the electronics store and listen to the salesperson talk about the better quality and specifications of these cables and why they are so much better, and then you buy them and leave, having no idea why the cables are better than when you started, but you might as well take the person's word for it. They are professionals, after all. Fortunately, understanding these cables is quite simple, and it starts with getting a better picture.




S-Video cables are known as separate video cables. This means that the color and luminance (brightness and clarity) are carried through separate cables. A traditional composite cable keeps all the picture information together and delivers a much lower-quality signal than these newer cables. There is another unique difference about S-Video, and that is that the audio signal is not carried on the same cable, allowing for a better connection because there are fewer things going on in one cable. This cable has different styles of connections, depending on the specific electronics being used. The most common S-Video cables are the ones with the 4-pin mini DIN connection.


 These are the connections that are used on most televisions, game consoles, and TV receivers of all kinds. You should know what type of connection you need when you are buying these cables for your own use. These cables are used still today, but have widely been replaced by composite and digital cables like DVI and HDMI, which are designed for even better picture and sound quality than what is offered by S-Video. At the rate of technology, it can be hard to keep up with all the changes, but there are plenty of adapters out there to help.

Monday, April 11, 2011

What We Need to Know About Composite Video Cables

Composite video cables are the most commonly used cables on the market today. These cables came along with older stereos and VCRs decades ago, and have stuck around for quite a long time. Recently, new cables have been created like component, HDMI, and DVI cables, but there are still many people whose entire entertainment system runs off of basic composite cables because their devices are older and that's all that they can support.





There is nothing wrong with using these cables if that's what you have or are limited to. They provide a decent picture and sound, and will suffice until you decide to upgrade. Composite video cables are low quality because they only have one video cable. There is a left audio, right audio and video cable and they are all tied together as one cord, with a separation at the ends for plugging the cords into the right outlets.





You will see these cables and instantly know what they are because they are the standard yellow, white and red cables that have been around for decades. You can still find many companies selling these cables, namely RCA, and you can buy them for a fraction of what you would spend on other cables.

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Composite AV Cables

Composite AV cables are still among the most commonly used cables that you can buy. These are the cables that come in a set of three, including red, white and yellow. They have two outputs for audio and one for video, creating a simple signal that just works.




For older TVs and other components, these cables are the standard. Many people who are confused by new cables or scared of updating are still using these cables today, and there is nothing at all wrong with that. Understanding the different types of cables that are available can alleviate some of that fear and allow you to find better solutions.




Because there is only one cable used to transmit video, composite AV cables are very low quality. For most people, the difference isn't obvious because it is what they are used to. However, a switch to component cables or HDMI could easily change your mind and show you just how much better your picture and sound quality can be.




If you do have an older TV or older game consoles and electronics, you might have no options beyond typical composite cables, which is why it is fortunate that these are still on the market.

Friday, February 25, 2011

USB Cables – Why Are They So Popular?

USB cables are the most common type of data cables in use today. These cables are used to connect a variety of peripheral devices to a computer. Everything from MP3 players to digital cameras and smart phones are all designed to be connected to a computer using a USB cable. Most computers and laptops have several different USB ports built-in so they are easily accessible on both the front and back of the computer. Desktop computers also have USB ports for common devices like a mouse, keyboard, and speakers. These cables make it possible to transfer data at high speeds from one device to another.




USB cables have a USB connection on one end and a specialized connection on the other and are often designed to be used with a particular device. For instance, the USB cable designed to be used with a digital camera will not necessarily work with or have the correct connection to use it with an MP3 player. Manufacturers are making progress at deciding on a standard connection on the device, typically micro USB. One of the things that have made USB cables so prevalent is the fact that they have two power conductors which makes it possible to charge a device while it is plugged into a computer.



Other devices are starting to make use of USB connections as well as computers. HDTV's and even car stereos often have a USB port built into them so that a thumb drive or other device can be plugged in to play music or photos. It is possible the transfer data by means other than a USB cable, such as infrared and Bluetooth, but these methods are not as fast and they do not provide a means to charge the device in the process. Because of the incredible functionality of these cables, it is often handy to have a few extra lying around.



USB cables with a standard connection can be purchased at just about every major retailer. Even devices that require a specialized connector on one end will usually have a cable that matches them at most electronics stores. USB cables, for the most part, are pretty inexpensive but specialized models can cost a few extra dollars. The easiest and cheapest way to find exactly the USB cable that is necessary is to search for it online and purchase it from an online retailer. As with most types of cables, online retailers deliver significant cost savings over their traditional retail counterparts.

Shopping for HDMI Cables – Knowing What to Choose


HDMI
, which stands for High Definition Multimedia Interface, is the new standard of the electronics industry. This type of cable represents a phenomenal leap forward in quality over what was available by using analog component cables in the past. These cables deliver a true digital signal that makes it possible to watch high definition video on your HDTV. Most cable providers have begun offering high-definition television packages to subscribers and most peripheral devices, such as Blu-Ray players, game consoles, and some portable devices, are capable of delivering high-definition picture and sound to your television. There are a few things that you should know before spending money on HDMI cable.



Before considering an HDMI cable, it is important that you check each device that you intend to connect to your high-definition television to ensure that it is capable of utilizing an HDMI cable. Some older televisions and stereos do not have this connection. HDMI has been around for about the last eight years, but it took a little while for it to catch on so some older devices may not have this feature. Once you have determined which devices you intend to connect to your television, it is very important to measure exactly how long you need the cable to be.



The cost of an HDMI cable goes up substantially with the length. While you do not want to buy a cable that is too short, even a few extra unneeded feet can cause the cable to go up in price quite a bit. If you intend to purchase your cable from a store, it is important that you understand that regardless of what the salesperson tells you, there is no great benefit to spending top dollar on a brand name cable. Expensive HDMI cables do not deliver any better picture or sound than cheaper, generic versions.




The cost for a brand name HDMI cable around 10 feet long can easily cost over $100. More expensive models can cost double or triple that. If you intend to connect several devices to your television, buying brand-name cables can get cost prohibitive in no time. Generic cables are available at a fraction of the price and deliver the same high quality results without the high price tag. Most large retailers do not carry generic cables since there is a lot less profit in it for them. Instead, you may want to try buying your HDMI cables from an online retailer in order to save some hard-earned money.