| Although many computer users dislike, | | | | application are designed especially to |
| even despise, the snarl of "spaghetti" | | | | eliminate signal degradation and video |
| that are the cables for computer, TV or | | | | noise that very often produces a hazy, |
| other electronic equipment, the cables | | | | poorly defined picture image, which will |
| are the connecting link between your | | | | foul the integrity of even the best |
| hardware. How to purchase cables for | | | | picture presentation. The cables |
| computer equipment? Let's take a look at | | | | produced for this application are made |
| the language of computer data cables so | | | | from UL 2919 certified 30 AWG materials |
| that you can make smart purchases, | | | | with double shielded braid. |
| protect your data and purchase the | | | | When you buy cables for computer |
| correct accessories and products for | | | | equipment, decide first and foremost for |
| your equipment. | | | | proper connectivity. A cable with a |
| We all understand that computers come | | | | serial port connector will be worthless |
| with a specific number of ports, yet we | | | | for a USB port and vice versa. Thus, in |
| rarely consider that the individual port | | | | order to ensure adequate connection of |
| offers a connection point, generally via | | | | all hardware, please be certain to refer |
| cable, of one piece of hardware to | | | | often to the user's manual that |
| another. Take the PS/2 port, for | | | | accompanied your computer and any new |
| example, which connects a mouse or | | | | peripherals you may purchase along the |
| keyboard to the computer. The cable may | | | | way. In addition to the foregoing, it is |
| be flexible, have gold connectors, and | | | | best to choose high-end cabling for new |
| be specially treated with foil and braid | | | | additions to the system you may wish to |
| shielding to lower EMI/RFI interference, | | | | purchase at a later date. Cabling is not |
| which can impair the mouse's ability to | | | | that expensive, and you truly will get |
| work properly. | | | | what you pay for. Or course, many a |
| Another port that demands a connecting | | | | component will already come pre-packaged |
| cable is the VGA port. This port joins | | | | with a cable or two, and many of these |
| the computer to the monitor and lets the | | | | cables claim to be the best possible |
| operator to actually see the output. The | | | | solution for connectivity, but is this |
| cable needed to connect this device is a | | | | true? Usually, it is best to invest a |
| male to male extension and high | | | | little extra money and purchase another |
| resolution monitor cable with ferrite | | | | set of cables, to ensure the highest |
| core to reduce interference. | | | | quality output (or input) possible. |
| However, while computer cables used to | | | | Please remember, it is not a good idea |
| connect printers, monitors, keyboards, | | | | to buy a high power graphics card or |
| etc. to the CPU are a pretty similar, | | | | sound card, and then skimp on the |
| the more exotic uses of cables are still | | | | selection of the cable and not get the |
| not known to many computer users. | | | | full benefit of the upgrade. In this |
| Consider the multimedia cable kits | | | | case, a higher price could mean higher |
| needed to hook up the average notebook | | | | quality. |
| computer to a television set in order to | | | | Finally, while most written materials |
| create home entertainment systems. The | | | | will point the user to the appropriate |
| cabling needed for this use includes an | | | | cable selection, the addition of |
| RCA (Composite Video) cable which offers | | | | peripherals will often require you to do |
| direct connection ability to the RCA | | | | a little bit more investigation to |
| connector at the television itself. Also | | | | choose the most workable peripherals. |
| needed in this kit would be an S-Video | | | | When you buy cables for computer |
| cable as a secondary backup, in case the | | | | equipment or cables for computer, TV or |
| television allows for the S-Video | | | | other digital media, be sure to |
| hook-up. The last cable in this kit is | | | | investigate the complexities of |
| the S/PDIF digital audio cable which | | | | compatibility. Check the reliability of |
| will serve as the connection for a | | | | the manufacturer. Remember that a |
| digital audio device to create top | | | | computer system is only as secure as |
| quality sound. | | | | it's weakest cable! |
| Another creative use of cabling is the | | | | For more info, check out the articles at |
| construction of a joining between a | | | | Build Your Own Computer or Homemade |
| projector and a computer. A clean video | | | | Computer. Ron King is a web developer; |
| signal must be transferred to produce a | | | | visit his website Authoring Articles. |
| clear, highly defined, and natural | | | | Copyright 2008 Ron King. This article |
| looking image on a projector, which is | | | | may be reprinted if the resource box is |
| very difficult. Cables applied in this | | | | left intact and the links live. |