Fiber Optic AV Cables

Written by Colby C. Young    Sunday, 08 March 2009

According to ASM Labs, Inc. (410 East O'Dell Street, Marionville, MO 65705), their new Mongoose cable is the first fiber-optic cable system for stereos, VCR's, and other home audio and video gear. The Mongoose cable uses analog optical signals to send information up to a distance of 2.4 miles while "eliminating the noise, interference, and attenuation associated with wire cables." The all-analog format means no digital conversion is necessary, so there is no loss of information, jitter, or need for error correction. The system includes a small electronic transmitter that plugs directly into an audio or video component and converts the output signal to an optical signal. The signal is sent over the fiber cable, which ends in a receiver that converts the optical signal back to an electrical impulse. The small receiver plugs directly into the component via a standard RCA-type connector. The transmitter and receiver are powered by separate, isolated, linear power supplies. As with wire cable, each channel of audio or video information requires its own optical cable, but several pairs of optical fiber can be mn in the space needed for one pair of wire cables. The optical fiber cable has a 3mm outside diameter and is lighter and more flexible than wire cable, but far more expensive. Prices: Set of transmitters and receivers for stereo audio (including four power supplies), $649. Transmitter and receiver for video (including two power supplies: $369. Twin-lead optical cable for audio: $125 for the first meter, $10 each additional meter. Single-lead video cable: $62.50 for the first meter, $5 for each additional meter.

Last Updated ( Sunday, 08 March 2009 )