Cable Tips

When connecting televisions with video devices, there are often several choices available. Some may look familiar, while others may seem completely alien. Today’s blog post is about the pros and cons of common video connections and how to identify them. Hopefully it will help you identify the right video cable for the job and make connecting your video components even easier.

Probably the most common video cable is the RG-6 coaxial cable. This is the familiar cable TV connection that most Americans have in their home. Its primary benefit is its universality. This connection can be found on many video devices, however it should be noted that it is not the highest quality connection available and is not suited for high definition applications.

After the RG-6 cable, the second most common cable is the composite video / RCA audio cable. This is the classic red, yellow and blue cable often packaged with video components. This cable was once a standard but today it appears less and less on newer televisions and video components. Its advantage is that is carries both video and audio signals, but it is also not a high quality signal cable.

After the composite video cable there are the component video and S-video cables. Both of these cables attempt to improve on the signal quality by separating the color channels. The component video cable has red, blue and green connectors. Each connector carries one color of the RGB video signal preventing crossover and making for more accurate color reproduction. The S-video cable is a single circular connector with prongs. This cable also separates color signals in an attempt to make more accurate color. The disadvantage of these two cables is there lack of audio transfer. Using these cables means an additional audio cable will also be required.

The most recent video cable to join the bunch is the HDMI cable. This cable is designed to carry a high definition video signal along with audio, making it the ideal choice for high definition applications. Its plug is wide and flat and can be found on most new televisions and video components. The only disadvantage of this cable is its lack of compatibility with older analog televisions or video components.

Cables are often the first thing to go bad on an electronic device. Because cables often move and bend they have a tendency to pull or break on the inside, a signal can no longer transfer through the line. This can be very frustrating and if the bad cable goes undetected it can ultimately lead to electronic devices being thrown away prematurely. That’s why Triangle Cables carries replacement AC power cords!

By replacing the AC power cord of an electronic device you can often fix the problem of what appears to be a broken device that will not power up. These cables are also perfect for buying second hand items that may be missing their original cables, such as computers, stereos or game consoles. Often items that are missing their original cables are discounted, making them a great buy if you can find replacement cables.

In addition to replacement power cords, Triangle Cables also offers power cables extensions and adaptors. These extensions and adaptors are compatible with a variety of electronic devices. So next time you have an electronic device that is not powering up, or is intermittently powering down, check your power cable for signs of wear or damage. A replacement AC power cord may be all you need to get things working again.

You may be asking yourself, “what the heck is EMI and why should I be worried about it?” That’s a good question–and exactly what we will be discussing in today’s blog post! EMI stands for ElectroMagnetic Interference, and it is a major culprit in the loss of audio visual and communications fidelity. Electromagnetic Interference is created either by electromagnetic induction or electromagnetic radiation. In both cases the EMI will have a negative effect on the performance of the circuit. It may cause signal interruption, or introduce static noise to a line. In the case of a television or audio devise this may result in audio visual static. In the case of a home network it may result in a loss of signal speed or strength. That’s why we recommend using shielded network cables for home network installations.

Using a shielded network cable offers protection against EMI. By adding in a thin layer of shielding it prevents the cables from acting like an antenna and drawing in EMI from surrounding devices. This means the signal is preserved and the communication speed is unaffected by any interference. Replacing old network cables with shielded models is a great way to ensure you home network is operating with maximum effectiveness.  Shop TriangleCables.com today to find Cat6 shielded network cables today!

Not all network problems are obvious. Sometimes the issues that cause connections to slow down or fail are hard to diagnose. This is because sometimes the culprit is not a computer or a network switch, but the cable that is connecting them. Bad cables can be the cause of network issues just as easily as bad hardware, that’s why it’s important to check cable connection strength with a LANtest Network Cable Tester. This tester allows you to connect category 5, coaxial and modular telephone cables and test their connections.

It’s too easy for a bad cable to go overlooked, especially if you may be working in an environment where there are hundreds or even thousands of cables connecting server racks together. When these cables go bad they can often lead to more serious communication issues. Using a LANtest Network Cable tester is as easy as connecting a cable. Simply connect one end of the cable to the master box and the other end to the remote box and you can instantly find out if a cable is damaged.

These tools are great for any IT department or even for a home network enthusiast. Each LANtest Network Cable Tester is a professional tool that makes maintaining a communications network a breeze. Save time and energy by quickly spotting bad cables and get your network up to speed.

This is the time of year when most people make their home entertainment and business purchases. Whether you’re looking for a new Surround Sound system as a Christmas gift, a new big screen TV for your Superbowl party, or a new multifunction printer for your home office, remember to upgrade your cables. Many consumer electronics do not have cables in the box with them and those that do often have very low quality cables. That’s why Triangle Cables offers quality cables to connect any of your home electronics.

When it comes to home audio equipment, the back panel of a surround sound system can look like something out of NASA’s mission control. There are so many different connections it can be difficult to discern what cable goes where. Rest assured Triangle Cables has the correct cables to connect your audio and video sources. From composite video, to component video, to digital coaxial cables, we have it all.

Computer peripherals often do not ship with the cables needed to connect them to the computer. If you are buying a printer, scanner, or monitor this Holidayseason, be sure to check what cable it requires. That way you can ensure you have the correct cable on hand when the gift arrives. Nothing is more frustrating than giving a gift that can’t be used until something else is purchased, so don’t let your family down. Be prepared with the proper cables thisHoliday season.

Category 5 and 5e Ethernet cables are still the most popular for new and existing networks, but more designers are incorporating the newer category 6 cable. What are the advantages of this cable? Is it worth the investment for your network?

Benefits of Cat 6 Ethernet Cable
A cat 5 or 5e cable is structured as eight wires twisted together to make four pairs. Cat 6 cables have the same basic design, but they include separators between the pairs. The result is almost double the speed of information transfer, which in turn makes Gigabit networks possible.

A faster network is always desirable, but a Gigabit network requires more than appropriate cables. Every component of the network must be rated for Gigabit speed, or you will lose out on performance. Consider the cost difference and network needs when selecting a category 6 cable.

If you are expanding a current network or updating it piece by piece, cat 6 cables are the best choice. They are backward compatible and pose no problem on older networks. The primary benefit is that as other components are updated, you’ll see immediate performance gains. The cat 6 Ethernet cable is a solid choice for all network types.

Whether you’re on the installation end of a digital network or performing basic maintenance, you’ll enjoy the benefits of having the right network tool kit. Some tasks are nearly impossible without the right tool for the job, such as repair of patch panel connections and loose plugs. Other tasks, like wire stripping, are made time consuming without the right tool. Network tool kits offer all the right tools for the job.

Range of Options
Tool kits come in different types based on the intended use. A professional kit of networking tools, for instance, typically includes a LAN tester, punch-down blade and impact tool, and a modular plug ratcheting crimping tool. Kits for voice and data network maintenance include a tone probe and generator, set of hex key wrenches and a network cable tester. You might also choose a simple termination kit, multi-network installation or digital SMARTprobe kit.

Kit Benefits
Network Tool Kits from TriangleCables.com are extremely beneficial. They collect all the primary tools for network specialists in one case that is easy to transport. Collecting networking tools one at a time can get expensive and you may find yourself without a necessary tool at exactly the wrong moment. Choose the appropriate network tool kit for convenience and savings.

If you love your high definition television and want the highest quality picture and sound out of your connected devices, you may be having some HDMI headaches. For many people their high definition televisions only have one or two HDMI inputs, but they have many devices they would like to connect. This involves unplugging and switching devices when you want to change them, or worse, settling for a less than HD signal. If this problem sounds all too familiar, consider an HDMI switch from TriangleCables.com

An HDMI switcher functions similar to a USB hub. By acting as a hub, you can connect a single HDMI cable to your television and access multiple devices. This means that DVD players, Blu-Ray players, game consoles, DVRs, and cable or satellite receivers can all be connected to a single HDMI switch. Once you have the switch connected properly, you can easily switch between signal sources without ever needed to swap plugs again.

The best part about the HDMI switch is that you no longer have to compromise your signal quality just to accommodate the inputs on the back of your television. It is an easy way to keep your whole entertainment system running entirely in high definition. HDMI switches are also so easy to install anybody and do it. So if you’re having HDMI headaches, an HDMI switch is a real no brainer.

Take out your number two pencils and college ruled notebooks. Class is back in session, which means it’s time to not just work hard, but also play hard. Whether you relax at the end of the day with a new movie, some intense gaming, or your favorite TV show, you need an entertainment system that supports the audio that you need. When it comes to setting up your system, keep it by the books and remember your A, B, C’s.

• Awesome Audio
• Brilliant Clarity and Vibrancy
• Cables & Connectors

It’s not just about connecting your cables to get that great signal. Everyone in the dorm has brought in their own favorite players, making it one giant, complex home entertainment system. It’s not just the DVR and cable box, there’s also the home computer to bring in the internet and browsing capabilities. A coaxial cable will help clean up the wiring from computer to DVR to TV.

Here’s a few don’ts to help you pass your home entertainment exam.

• Don’t just neatly wire up your electronics, make sure you pick a coaxial connector that will also insulate, provide a high return loss, and corrosion free life.
• Don’t pick a TV and forget to secure it with the back mounting hardware.
• Don’t use frayed cables.
• Don’t let cables bend sharply and eventually degrade in signal. 

Whether you’ve spent hundreds on your personal home entertainment room with surround sound, big screens and reclining chairs, or you have access to the office big screen for presentations, you have one unique opportunity: The Marathon TV Event.

Before the new season of your favorite show begins, hold a marathon of last season to refresh, get caught up, or introduce the new guy in the office to the series.

What you need:

• A large monitor, personal or permission to utilize the office screen. Remember this can be a great team building activity!
• Last season (at least!) on DVD or an online subscription. See if anyone in the office has online access to the last season of Parks and Recreation or How I Met Your Mother through any of these services:
• HuluPlus
• HBO GO
• Netflix
• Amazon Prime
• A laptop and one of the appropriate USB converters to connect to the big screen.
• Lots of popcorn and themed snacks!
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Which TV shows are you looking forward to returning? We’ve included the premiere dates for some of last season’s big shows:

Sundays

9/16 at 9pm – Boardwalk Empire

9/30 at 8pm  – Once Upon a Time

9/30 at 9pm – Revenge

9/30 at 9pm – Dexter

10/14 at 9pm  - The Walking Dead

Mondays

9/24 at 8pm – How I Met Your Mother

9/17 at 8pm – Bones

9/24 at 10pm – Castle

Tuesdays

10/2 at 8pm  – Hart of Dixie

10/23 at 9pm  – Happy Endings

10/23 at 9:30pm  – Don’t Trust the B—- in Apartment 23

Wednesdays

10/3 at 9pm Supernatural

10/17 at 10pm American Horror Story: Asylum

9/26 at 10pm South Park

Thursdays

10/4 at 8pm 30 Rock

10/11 at 8pm The Vampire Diaries

9/27 at 9pm Grey’s Anatomy

9/27 at 9pm Person of Interest

9/20 at 9:30pm Parks and Recreation

Friday

10/19 at 8:30pm – Community

9/28 at 9pm – Fringe

9/21 at 10pm – Haven