A USB cable can have numerous types of plug ends, the style of which is called a connector. Connector types include Standard-A, Standard-B, Mini-B, Micro-A, Micro-B, and Micro-AB. These plugs go into corresponding receptacles built into hosts and devices. Standard-A receptacles are the type commonly referred to as USB ports on computers; Standard-B receptacles are usually found on large peripheral devices such as printers and scanners; Mini- and Micro- receptacles are usually on small devices like digital cameras and cellular phones; Mini-AB receptacle are, according to the standard, only on “USB On-The-Go” devices. Most USB cables that connect a device to a computer will have a Standard-A plug on one end and another type of plug on the other.

Beyond connector types, compliant USB cables are not proprietary. A standard USB cable can connect a device to a Macintosh or a Windows-based PC, for example. The software within the device, however, may not work with the host. In addition, some companies create cables that appear similar to USB cables but are not compliant with USB standards – such connectors should not have the USB trident logo on them.

A standard USB cable contains multiple wires. One wire contains a path for a five volt (5V±5%) power supply; two are twisted-pair data wires; and one is a ground. As mentioned previously, companies have been known to create non-compliant USB-style cables to work exclusively with their products.

A USB cable under 2.0 specs can only be five meters (roughly 16.4 feet) long. This limit was established due to a cable delay spec of 26 nanoseconds, which allows for reflections to settle at the transmitter before the next bit is sent. USB hosts must have their commands answered within an allowed time frame or they will consider the commands lost – cables significantly longer than five meters would result in too much of a delay.

There are many solutions for connecting USB devices beyond the 5 meter cable limit. These solutions include using USB extender cables, which are self-powered hubs with a fixed 10 meter cable and a one-port bus powered hub in the middle; using up to five USB hubs in a chain; and building a USB bridge that acts as a USB device on one side and has a USB host controller at the other end. The USB Implementers Forum, Inc., recommends using a long-haul signaling protocol like Ethernet or RS-485 in the middle if this method is used.

Where can I buy USB Cables On-Line?  Please click here for more information

How is it different from my current analog cables?  Analog video cables, such as component, composite or S-Video, are currently the main methods used to transfer picture signals in an average home system. Component is the highest quality analog cable as it breaks down the picture signal into three different cables — one each for red, blue and green. When you’ve got analog cabling connecting digital sources (such as an LCD or plasma screen with a DVD), the digital video or sound signals have to be converted into analog to travel through the cable, before being re-converted back into digital at the receiving end. This could lead to some signal degradation and a resulting loss in output quality.

What are the advantages of going digital with HDMI?  HDMI can deliver high quality sound or vision without the risk of quality loss due to the conversion or compression of a video or audio signal. HDMI pictures should be smoother and sharper, with a distinct reduction in video noise. Sound should be crisp and taut, without any distortion. And of course, using the single cable HDMI can get rid of a lot of messy cables snaking around your home theatre kit.

Because of its digital nature, HDMI also works well with fixed-pixel displays such as LCD, plasma or DLP screens and projectors. A HDMI cable allows you to exactly match pixel-by pixel the native resolution of the screen with whatever source device you’ve got connected. HDMI systems will also automatically convert a picture into its most appropriate format, such as 16:9 or 4:3.

HDMI has some built-in smarts that allow you to control any device connected via HDMI through the one remote. Since the HDMI connection allows two-way communication between devices, it gives you basic universal remote-like functions which, for example, can tell the components in an HDMI-linked system to turn on when you want to watch a DVD, just with the press of a button.

 How does DVI fit into the equation? Is it better than HDMI?  You may have heard of digital video interface (DVI), which is another all-digital connector for video. DVI has been around for longer, and can be found in many more televisions and other devices than HDMI. DVI was initially developed as a connector between PCs and monitors, but eventually found its way into the home entertainment world. The HDMI standard is actually based on DVI, so picture quality should be identical. Where HDMI has it over DVI is its audio capabilities — DVI can only carry video signals. HDMI cables can also be made longer than DVI — HDMI can go up to 15m in length. And from an aesthetic viewpoint, HDMI connectors are less bulky than DVI ones. HDMI connects like a USB device for PCs, while DVI still has screw pins on its connector. However, this means that HDMI connections are more prone to damage from accidental knocks so more care needs to be taken with them.

I’ve got some gear with DVI connectors. Will they work with HDMI?  As HDMI is fully backwards compatible with DVI, so you won’t be making your DVI products obsolete if you buy something with an HDMI connector. For example, HDMI televisions will display video received from existing DVI-equipped products, while a HDMI DVD player will play on a DVI-equipped television. All you’ll need is a HDMI/DVI adaptor. Just be aware that doing this will lose you the added functionality of HDMI, such as automatic screen format conversion and universal remote control.

What products support HDMI?  HDMI has been on the market for a while now, and most new DVD players, set-top boxes and TVs feature at least one HDMI port.   WHERE CAN I BUY HDMI CABLES?  You can buy the at Global Cable Solutions!  Click here for more information