How many of you built your own cables?

**Bent** · **09-11-06, 10:13 PM**

I'm needing to do two runs of rg-59 for component video, anybody here build their owm video cables?

**lcaillo** · **09-12-06, 07:22 AM**

Only when I need a custom length. Good cables can be had cheap enough that it is not worth the trouble. What lengths are you talking about?

**bpape** · **09-14-06, 09:12 PM**

Agreed. Check out:

BlueJeansCables.com

or for slightly better specs and GREAT folks to work with

AVCables.com (GEPCO in house custom cable shop).

Pretty much everything I use is from AVCables. Unbelieveable specs and quality, excellent customer service, will make you cables for whatever you need down to the inch length at reasonable prices from quality components, and with a very quick turnaround.

Don't get me wrong, BlueJeans is a quality outfit too. But, for serious HQ video, there really isn't anything that can touch the AVC's IMO - especially for the money.

Bryan

**Sonnie** · **09-14-06, 11:39 PM**

I've ordered quite a bit from www.bluejeanscables.com ... www.apature.com is another good source for really inexpensive but quality built cables. I bought some really nice cables from John down there that were like 8 bucks each for 24"-30" lengths.

I've not ordered any AVCables but heard good things similar to what Bryan states.

**lcaillo** · **09-15-06, 08:45 AM**

Also try www.cablesforless.com

**lcaillo** · **09-15-06, 08:46 AM**

We sell a lot of Apature and they are very good quality, too.

**Cap'n Preshoot** · **09-16-06, 07:20 AM**

Also for great prices on DVI and HDMI cables, check here
http://www.svideo.com

so far svideo seems to have the best prices I've been able to find on commonly std. length HDMI and DVI cables & adapters. They also offer free shipping and do not seem to gouge you for any of the more expedited shipping methods.

Example, HDMI cables: 3' = $8.95, 6' = $14.95, 10' = $16.95

They also offer every other type & length of cable imaginable.

One of the engineers at a local tv station gave me the tip.

**Wayne A. Pflughaupt** · **11-27-06, 05:57 PM**

I make my own all the time. All kinds – RCA, XLR, 1/4” or combinations of the above. Even done some S-video. That’s the advantage of soldering that you don’t get with DIY crimped cables – you can make practically anything.

Quote:

Good cables can be had cheap enough that it is not worth the trouble.

Well, I can make a 10’ RCA cable with Canare stock and Neutrik connectors for well under $10. Any of the on-line custom cable makers able to beat that?

Regards,
Wayne

**bpape** · **11-27-06, 06:14 PM**

Nope - but they have to make a profit. You're not counting what your time is worth. I've made my own in the past with crimps and/or solder. Anymore, I just don't have the time to do it.

Now, in the near future, I may change that trend. I need some new AC cords and refuse to pay the outrageous prices some of the companies get. I'll probably spend a day making a few. It's a lot more economical and easier to justify when you're making a lot rather than just 1 or 2.

Bryan

**Andrew Pratt** · **11-27-06, 09:58 PM**

I custom build cables for my clients when needed as well but with Apature and some other online companies sometimes its just not worth it. Ben send me a PM with what you need and we'll chat.

**Darren** · **11-28-06, 10:00 AM**

I built all my interconnects from Belden cable with locking RCA's for less than $75. It will save you tons to build yourself and it was terribly easy. In one afternoon I made 6 pair.

**SteveCallas** · **11-28-06, 03:25 PM**

Me thinks www.monoprice.com is the leader in terms of quality cables for the cheapest price. The RG6 component cables and ESPECIALLY the 24awg DVI cables are very impressive and very cheap. Overkill city.

**Wayne A. Pflughaupt** · **11-28-06, 09:30 PM**

Quote:

bpape wrote:

Nope - but they have to make a profit. You're not counting what your time is worth.

Bryan, isn’t that the whole reason people DIY to begin with, because to them their money is worth more than their time?

Regards,
Wayne

**Rodny Alvarez** · **11-28-06, 10:06 PM**

I build some of my cables and pay some to, this guys have a good price, my HDMI cable is 7.5 meters cost me $78.
http://www.lindy.com/us/catalog/08/06/02/index.php

**RayJr** · **01-21-07, 09:31 AM**

When I build component cables I use RG-6..it has less loss and better shielding then RG-58.

Later
RayJr

**drf** · **01-24-07, 05:25 AM**

I always make my own cables also. +1 for the RG-6 and get the quad shield if you can, it will have the best shelding of just about any cable you can buy. If you are going to make your own component cables then make sure you get the lengths of each cable the same. As far as cost goes, most of my cables don't cost anything as I install P.A's on the side I usually have leftover 100M rolls of cable and plugs/sockets lying around

.

**Wayne A. Pflughaupt** · **01-24-07, 05:08 PM**

Quote:

When I build component cables I use RG-6..it has less loss and better shielding then RG-58.

RG-58? Who uses RG-58?

Regards,
Wayne

**majorloser** · **01-24-07, 05:41 PM**

I used quad shield RG-6 with compression (not crimp) type connections for many runs. It just takes a little care to make sure you don't have any stray outer wires contacting the center wire after you use the stripper.

**Bent** · **01-24-07, 09:55 PM**

Isn't "RG-58" data network coax?

**bpape** · **01-24-07, 10:21 PM**

LOOOONNNNNGGGGG ago it was. Nobody uses coax for network any more. That MIGHT give you 1 megabit througput. Now everyone uses Cat5E at a minimum and if they're smart, they're running according to CAT 7 specs.

Bryan

**Sonnie** · **01-24-07, 10:30 PM**

Isn't there an RG-59 that's used for audio/video cabling? I bet that's what you meant to type RayJr, isn't it?

**drf** · **01-24-07, 11:53 PM**

rg58 is 50ohm coax usual used for data (sat, network 2.4gHzdigital) and rg59 is 75ohm coax used for aerials, video, etc. RG6 is general purpose 75ohm, yet better than rg59 in nearly (??) all applications.

**Wayne A. Pflughaupt** · **01-25-07, 12:22 PM**

Quote:

Sonnie wrote:

Isn't there an RG-59 that's used for audio/video cabling? I bet that's what you meant to type RayJr, isn't it?

Yeah, I’m sure that’s what he meant. RG-59 is basically for FM or TV antennas. RG-6 is for higher bandwidth signals like CATV or satellite feeds, although it can replace RG-59 in all applications. RG-59 is easily identifiable because it’s physically thinner than RG-6.

RG-59 is fine as an audio or video cable, like RG-6 is. Actually, for audio or video signals I can’t see where RG-6 offers any advantage, unless you were talking about a really long run, in which case RG-6 has a thicker center conductor and should exhibit less loss.

If you’re using coax for line-level audio or video, either RG-59 or –6, it’s best to use some with a copper shield, since the center conductor is also copper. However, that stuff can be hard to find. More typically shields are some kind of steel alloy, I believe (someone correct me if I’m wrong about that). Just seems wrong to me to have you signal (-) on a metal that’s not as good a conductor as what your signal (+) is traveling on, but at the end of the day, it probably all works fine.

Re RG-6 quad-shield, I’ve heard it doesn’t even have a copper center conductor, but a clad copper over steel. Don’t think I’d use that stuff at all for audio or video signal.

Regards,
Wayne

**bpape** · **01-25-07, 12:34 PM**

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