IEC

Every technology has its benefits and weaknesses. When HDMI first came out, it seemed like it would be the holy grail of the entertainment industry, and to some extent, that’s exactly what it became. However, the technology still had (and has to this day) one significant flaw: the length of an HDMI cable is limited. More specifically, if you’re using a cheaper, static HDMI connection, you’ll be limited to a distance of about 20-25 feet between your connected devices. Now, if you have a small home that’s not a problem. However, if you want to build a large home theater or use your HDMI connections for commercial purposes, you will need what is called an HDMI signal extender to get by. HDMI cable signal extenders are devices or pairs of devices designed to boost the signal of your regular or active HDMI cables. A good extender setup can boost your signal up to 5-10 times or even more, and it also ensures that you can successfully connect more than one device without having to switch ...

You’ve probably heard about the fact that most standard, low-cost HDMI cables fail to produce the necessary quality for crystal clear projection or display, if the cable is too long. This is because signal degradation happens, so that the signal is no longer delivered properly to the device that the cable connects to – such as your smart TV, a large HD screen or a projector. Most experts will tell you that static HDMI cables have a limit of about 25 feet. This means any cable that gets close to or exceeds that length will be a nightmare to deal with, since the signal will no longer be of good enough quality. One way to work around this is to use an adapter or an extender. Long HDMI cable extenders are the best solution, as they can boost the signal to support a distance of up to 300 feet. That is usually enough for most applications. Another option – albeit typically considered more costly and less practical – is to buy a more expensive active optical HDMI cable with support for HD...

Sometimes you might need to make unexpected connections between your devices that require specific adapters or cables. Suppose you have an old camcorder that only features a firewire connector that doesn’t match anything you have on your computer system. Sometimes and adapter will work to somehow connect it to USB, but firewire adapters can be more costly and difficult to find. Additionally, you might be looking for something more common like VGA to HDMI, but buying from a regular electronics store might not inspire too much confidence. What you can do is use the following tips to search for a more reputable and specialized custom cables manufacturer: Make note of exactly what you need, and see if you can get the cable or adapter from a trusted source without digging too deeply. If you need a custom cable that is very rare and difficult to find, then start by looking up manufacturers who specialize in similar cables and adapters. Even if you can’t find a manufacturer that has th...

Connecting VGA to HDMI is a common topic these days, as a lot of people still have older computers, but have already purchased smart TVs and other newer devices that feature only an HDMI connector, and cannot accommodate classic VGA connectors and cables. The typical use of VGA to HDMI is to connect a computer to a smart TV. You might want to do this in order to play high resolution games, watch movies stored on your computer, or even use your smart TV as a large computer screen for high resolution design purposes. To connect a VGA cable to an HDMI port on your TV you need a VGA to HDMI adapter. This is basically a tiny box with VGA-in and an HDMI-out connector. You might also need to buy a VGA and/or HDMI cable, if you don’t have them. Once you have this equipment, it’s easy to connect your PC to your smart TV by connecting the VGA port on your computer to the adapter’s VGA-in connector, then connecting the adapter to the TV through your HDMI cable. The great thing about this setu...

There have been a lot of talks in recent years about DB19 connectors. Even though these connectors are obsolete – or at least considered as such by certain computer experts – they have been making a comeback as people try to continue using their older computers in order to run dedicated pieces of software that can’t easily run on newer machines. DB19 connectors feature 19 pins (10 on the first row and 9 on the second), arranged similarly to the pins on most VGA cable connectors. Before they were dubbed as obsolete, they were used extensively to connect old computer screens and external hard drives, and they were also used quite frequently for ASCI connections on old Atari devices. The reason DB19 connectors are still used today is primarily because access to such devices is still required, and secondarily because the older the device, the easier it is for connectors to break or become damaged in some way. While individual pins on a DB19 connector are hardly ever replaced, the conne...

Whether your tech is outdated or you just put together a new office and conference room, and you want to have the best and most recent technological upgrades, buying new conference room audio/video technology can be a great idea for improving your business’ recognition. Even though some business owners might claim that giving presentations in a conference room is not exactly their cup of tea, you’ll find that the newest technology can ease your work considerably: First of all, it makes your presentation more progressive. A higher resolution picture, improved projectors with brighter colors and a brand new HD microphone for crystal clear audio can ensure that everyone in the room is paying attention, and may even make the presentation a fun experience for you as well. Say goodbye to embarrassing moments when your tech isn’t performing well or stops working entirely. New conference room audio video technologies are focused on preserving uptime and helping business owners avoid that ...

There is often a discrepancy in the use of labels such as ODM and OEM when it comes to considering the types of products that one might buy. ODM stands for Original Design Manufacturer while OEM is an abbreviation for Original Equipment Manufacturer. The two terms refer to two completely different approaches to product manufacturing and should not be used interchangeably. Loosely put, the definition of OEM has to do with a product that features a customized design, as well as custom dimensions, functions and materials, all discussed with the buyer prior to the design actually being put together. The OEM cable manufacturing process involves the buyer to a heavy extent before a design is even produced, and in some cases, the product is even created entirely based on the specifications of the buyer. Most of the time, however, at least some of the tools and aiding materials used in the manufacturing of OEM products have to be developed in advance. For ODM manufacturing, the design that...

HDMI cables allow you to connect a large TV or screen to a digital signal source, whether we are talking about a cable, computer, laptop or other receiver. Although it may seem trivial, these products must be chosen carefully, especially if we have a specific set up situation or budget. The first and most important detail we must take into consideration is the length of such a cable. Most HDMI cables have dimensions from 1.5 to 3 or 5 meters. Of course, there are also longer cables, but they are needed only rarely, and their cost is considerably higher. Picking up a high speed with ethernet 50 ft hdmi cable comes with inconveniences. Like many video, audio and data cables, HDMI cords can suffer from signal degradation at longer lengths— 50 feet is generally considered the maximum reliable length. Even online, cables more than 50 feet long can be hard to find. Look for them at IEC. It is well known that a longer cable has a larger mass and diameter because it must ensure the qual...

HDCP has to do with digital rights management protocols, which exist to protect content creators against piracy. There are different protocols for different companies and industries, but premises remain the same: DRM blocks some purchases you make for yourself and your devices. If you make a movie purchase on iTunes and you are allowed to play it only on devices with your account, you have DRM protection. Developed by Intel, HDCP is used with many other digital video standards besides HDMI, such as Digital Visual Interface and DisplayPort. What does it do? - It provides an encrypted connection between a Blu-ray player, streaming device or other content output device on one end and a receiving device (such as an HDTV or audio receiver). HDCP is everywhere and is embedded in most devices we use these days, such as Blu-ray players or satellite TV receivers, as well as on streaming video devices such as Chromecast or Amazon Fire TV. It is also embedded in laptops, DVRs and other HDMI cab...

When it comes to computers/laptops, the most common cause for the absence of the sound is usually associated with the sound card driver. Even if there are all the drivers installed in the computer, the volume icon appears in the notification area and in Device and the sound card is recognized, it does not mean that the drivers are also installed correctly.   So, to troubleshoot audio issues, you should look online at technical forums, like IEC , to find answers to this problem. You can also try the following operations as well: If you know the type of motherboard you have, download the sound driver for your model from the official site of the manufacturer. Or, if you have the CD with the drivers for your motherboard, you will find there your sound driver. If you do not know the type of motherboard you have, and you are not skilled enough in computers to find out either, you can use a driver-pack, which is a set of drivers with automatic installation. This method is useful espe...

HDMI is not only the acronym of the cables we use for connectivity, but also the standard that currently defines the technology. HDMI cables can be standard or high speed, with or without an Ethernet connection. An HDMI hub or splitter can be used to transmit video signal to multiple monitors. Starting with standard 1.3, these cables have an Ethernet connection included. Another important function of HDMI is the ARC (Audio Return Channel), which allows the transfer of sound from the source to a receiver. Previously, such a process was carried out using a separate cable. Standard HDMI cable This type is designed to reliably support streaming at a max. resolution of 1080i (1920x1080). HD resolutions are generally associated with cable and satellite TV, HD digital transmission, and up scaling DVD players.   High speed HDMI cable This type of HDMI cable is tested to handle 1080p video resolution and beyond. It includes advanced display technologies (3D, 4K and Deep Color). If yo...

Are you looking for a practical and elegant solution for storing and accessing your IT equipment? If yes, it was created a standardized metal wall mount rack of 19" (23" versions are also available but they are not as common, so we will exclude them from this material). Installing IT equipment in a wall mounted rack You must use two pairs of vertical L rails profile (one in each corner of the cabinet, facilitating the 4 point support of the equipment), provided with square holes for fixing the screws. These rails are present along the height of the rack, representing the only way to mount equipment and accessories in there. The standard width is 19 inches for all models (except 23 inch models) but the depth and height may vary; in some rack models, the depth is adjustable. For other equipment that was not intended for rack mounting but their size allows this, there are a few accessories available that will help. The way of introducing the equipment with rack mounting sy...

Controlling and organizing cables in your house or business helps prevent accidents and ensures a neat and more organized aspect of your home. Reasons to keep your cables organized you will find them easier when you need them you will prevent domestic accidents you will prevent dust deposits they will not get tangled and you will know each cable separately from where it comes from you will have more space to unfold Different suggestions to keep your cords and cables organized Use a multiple plug Try using multiple plugs that will help you save a lot of space, especially in the kitchen or living room, where you need to keep your cabinets and countertops free. Also, you can purchase multiple and flexible chargers, which will allow you to charge multiple devices at the same time. Alternatively, free up the space in your home using special cable tubes. These tubes are flexible and long, and you can store in there several thin cables. Hide excess cables If the cables in you...

Cables, adapters and connectivity in general when it comes to computers pose problems even to the most experienced users because the technology evolves very quickly and new standards appear each year, replacing the old ones. Very few interfaces have been used for more than 15 years (with the notable exception of the 3.5mm audio jack).  Talking to  knowledgeable custom cable manufacturers is the best way to explore different cable options, and decide what will work best for your business. Here are some cables that we saw disappearing or we will witness their eventual demise, as the USB keeps getting better. The parallel port When IBM launched the PC computer in 1981, the parallel port was an alternative to the (slower) serial port for connecting more efficient (at that time) matrix printers. If, at first, the printer was the only peripheral connected to the parallel port, the external connection became more and more a requirement and the parallel port became the main way o...

USB Type A USB comes from Universal Serial Bus, and the idea behind this generous name was that this type of interface would connect the computer to any type of equipment, eliminating old ports, such as the serial port or the parallel port. USB cables now allow data transfer and more. USB Type B USB Type B interface is generally used to connect peripherals such as the printer or scanner. MINI USB and micro USB These are interfaces used to connect small equipment, such as the camera or mobile phone, to the computer. IEEE 1394 (FireWire) This is an obsolete alternative to the USB interface. It was popularized by Apple as FireWire; Sony called it i.LINK. This connector is used for data transfer between a digital camera and a computer. A newer version is FireWire 800. RJ45 RJ45 is the type of connector that you are used to seeing connected to a router or to your computer's network port. eSATA eSATA (External Serial ATA) cable is a type of serial ATA interface that connects ...

Wall mount racks are cabinet-style or open frame units used wherever the floor space available for storage is limited. They can be used for housing network equipment in server rooms as well as for settings that require storage solutions capable of supporting bigger loads – here are the major benefits: Optimizing floor space – wall mount racks are great for any environment that requires the storage of more items than the space available on floor permits. The racks practically extend the space available horizontally, but in a vertical direction; More protection for the items stored than with other types of racks – wall mount racks are sturdy and they provide a safe and stable home for the items stored on the racks; Load-bearing capacity – wall mount racks are most often used in server parks, for storing expensive and sensitive servers as well as in warehouses that need storage space for other types of items; Easy installation – installing a wall mount rack is quite simple. Most un...

Modern television sets are much thinner and much lighter than old ones – modern technology has made it possible for manufacturers to create units that are very large, yet they weigh so little that even a child can carry them. The technology has also made it possible to install TVs on various horizontal and vertical surfaces, including TV stands, tables, walls, even ceilings. The sets placed on tables or stands use the legs provided with the set, while the owner is required to purchase mounts that feature special designs for the other options. Here is how to decide what is the best way to mount your TV: Mounting the TV on a table or stand – this is the classic way to install your TV and also the simplest way; Mounting your TV on the wall – this will require you to get special wall brackets designed for your TV. There are several ways to mount your TV by using fixed or swiveling TV wall brackets . Each rack type comes with different mounting techniques, most of them requiring some dr...

Cable companies offer great alternatives to receiving broadcasts through satellite dishes, allowing customers to select cable packages that include the programs of interest. The infrastructure uses fiber optic cable that is installed into the ground and cable boxes that need to be placed next to the television sets and connected to the TV. Here is how: Connection through two coaxial cables – you can connect the units after you make sure that your TV as well as your cable box are unplugged. One of the cables will go into the cable box on one end and into the wall-mount outlet on the other, the other one will link the television set and the cable box; Connection through an RCA cable – the process should start with making sure that the cable box and the TV set are unplugged in this case as well. One end of the cable needs to be plugged into the cable box, while the other goes into the TV. You cannot make a mistake – you will be able to identify which end is which by the colors on the ...

HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) cables are today the most common cables used for home theaters, used for transmitting audio, video and other types of signals between devices without or with very little distortion. The devices that use HDMI include TVs, computer monitors, DVD, Blu-ray and Ultra HD players, cable boxes, projectors, laptops, digital cameras, projectors, to mention just the most common applications. The end-connectors on HDMI cables are different depending on the application – here are the most common sizes: Type A – these are regular size connectors used most commonly and suitable for connecting computers, cable boxes, TVs, game consoles, projectors and the receivers of home theaters; Type C – these are mini-connectors, most commonly used for connecting tablets and video cameras on one end and PC monitors and TVs on the other; Type D – these are micro connectors, suitable for the outlets on portable devices, including smartphones, tablets and digital came...

If you want to buy a HDMI cable, whether online or in the nearby store, you will probably see that there are two types available: HDMI 1.4 and HDMI 2.0 cables. While both are capable of delivering both audio data and high-definition video data, the 1.4 standard is older, therefore 2.0 cables are a bit more advanced. Here are some of the most important differences: Bandwidth – HDMI 2.0 cables are able to handle a bandwidth of 16Gbps, while 1.4 cables can work with only a maximum of 10.2Gbps; Frame rates – HDMI 2.0 cables are superior in terms of the frame rates they are capable of at 4K. The standard frame rate for TV shows and movies is 24fps, but modern video technology allows for shooting videos at higher frame rates to achieve crispier, sharper images, especially in scenes that involve quick movement. While 1.4 cables support the standard frame rate,  the updated 2.0 4k HDMI cable can support frame rates up to 60fps, optimal for video games and sports programs; Colors an...