Computer Cables; The Evolution of the Computer Cable
We've all seen changes in technology over the last 10 years.
Cars, phones, the way we watch television (or movies for that
matter), our appliances, and especially... the Computer. The
changes we've seen in the computer are amazing.
Take a look at your monitor... probably in color eh? Remember
when they were bigger than you? The monitor can now be hung on a
wall, talk about convenient. The resolution has gone through the
roof. Twenty years ago you saw only words on your screen, now we
watch movies and television shows in "HD" or High Definition
quality.
Your Speakers are
no longer there simply to provide you with a 'beep' to remind
you when the computer is turning on or off, or completing an
application. Now novice computer users and audiophiles alike are
enjoying cinema like quality on their computer speakers. The
tiny speaker that used to be out of site in your tower is almost
always at least 2, attractive, speakers on your desktop. Or, in
many cases, a 5.1 or 7.1 surround system fully set up featuring
a powered Subwoofer. Computer Speakers have come a
long ways.
The Keyboard
and Mice have gone though huge changes as well. Keyboard are now
available in a vast selection of colors, sizes and shapes. A
Keyboard
can be purchased with ergonomic molding to help supports your
wrists for more accurate typing. Glow in the dark and flexible
"roll-up" Keyboard can be
purchased for night use, or use on the road. And probably the
most popular upgrade, wireless. Mice have come through
just as many changes. The computer mouse can be found in a wide
selection of colors. Silver, Blue, Red, Black and even custom
varieties can be found. A Mouse can be very
small, or very large. It can be shaped like a pen, or even a
futuristic gun (think Star-Trek). The single most useful upgrade
on the mouse is probably the new wireless capabilities, or
optical. Now mice can be used without the roller ball. This
means no more gunk or lint build up causing your mouse to
malfunction. However, this opens up a new problem area for
scratches.
Computer Cables have
probably the largest variety of shapes, colors, sizes and
varieties. Ribbon Cables, SCSI Cables, Internal
and External, USB
Cables, Parallel, Serial, Cat5 Network
Cables, KVM,
Video, Mouse and
Keyboard. The list goes on. And the Changes are just as
complete. Ribbon Computer Cables
have gone from very simple, to very advanced. A Ribbon Computer
Cables can now be found in a variety of colors and
shapes. Even glow in the dark and LED enabled! Your basic
printer computer cables have gone from a very large diameter
parallel cable, using equally large d-sub shaped connectors,
into the very sleek USB. (for more info on USB, visit our USB
info site USB
Info Often, serial, network, KVM (or Keyboard, Video,
Mouse) can all be used through the same Computer Cables
now. A CAT5 or CAT6 network cable. Manufacturers such as Comtrol
(serial) and Raritan (KVM) have developed new technologies
allowing you to send far more data than ever before over the
smallest computer cables ever used before. KVM over CAT5 has
really helped to shrink the variety of computer cables needed in
most networks.
Going back to USB
, you'll find probably the second most versatile
computer cable, after the cat5 network cable. USB, was developed to
create a standard, it and took off in a positive direction.
Before, your keyboard and mouse had different cables than your
printer. Now, using the same style computer cable, you can
connect keyboards, mice, printers, digital cameras, mp3 players
and other peripherals. This standard in the computer cable
industry has allowed for much higher production volumes leading
to better consumer prices. No longer does the average consumer
need to be savvy to hundred of computer cable types in order to
simply connect their home PC.
The computer cable that has probable come the furthest is the
Cat5 Network
Cable. See how to make a network cable here: How to
Make a Network Cable. The network cable has evolved from a
very low data transmission rate with limited uses to a high
speed multi tool. High end networks will find at least 3 common
uses for the Cat5 or Cat6 network cable; Network connection,
debugging, and thanks to companies like Raritan, KVM. The
network cable can be found in either Cat5e (category 5 enhanced)
or Cat6 (Category 6). Most Cat 6 assemblies require a staggered
pin layout and special inserts found inside the RJ-45 to meet
CAT 6 spec. This does increase the price over Cat5, however,
with volume building the prices are becoming more affordable.
Now days, many diy network type home enthusiasts are realizing
the advantages to Cat 6 and making an early investment. It has
become of the most commonly discussed computer cables as well,
as thousands of sites teach you how to make your own. No other
computer cable has this type of bragging rights.
The last computer cable to discuss in this article is the Video Cable. The most
common video cable you see now days features an HD15 connector.
However even this assembly can be separated by VGA or SVGA. SVGA
featuring ferrite beads on either end just shy of the connector
to help cut down on interference and provide a better overall
signal exchange. Hopefully resulting in a premium picture.
However, as computer cables have evolved, the video cable is no
different. The terms "VGA" and "SVGA" have been joined by such
up and comers as "DVI Cable" "HDMI Cable" "Component"
and "Composite". (The cat5 and cat6 network cables also have the
ability to send video signal now through special converters,
such Raritan's products, but these are not used for quality
advancement, it is a topic all of it's own). The use of "DVI Cables" and
"HDMI Cable".
has been largely for the sake of increased resolution and
ultimately 'perfect' picture quality. You'll find more
information on DVI here: DVI Info. The
DVI and HDMI movement have been huge the home theater market,
but the two markets have really intermingled. As we discussed
the advancements in monitors earlier, one thing we left out.
Many home theaters are now using monitors suitable for PC use as
well, and visa versa. This intermingling among industries has
led the increased volume of DVI and HDMI Computer
Cables, as they are now used for both, the home theater and
as a replacement for the traditional video computer cable.
For more information about specific types of computer cables,
such as USB, DVI, or Network cables, see our other articles at
Computer
Cables