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